Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Longest foil session - 40 km!

Well after checking my blog posts over the last few years, there is no other session where I did 40 km all on the foil. Out for two hours and averaged 20 km/h. Definitely my longest and one of the most fun, as I was able to go way upwind and then surfed downwind on the waves for what felt like infinitely long runs. The foil puts the surfing into windsurfing.

I was happy for the clear skies, as I was able to foil and pick my way upwind through many islands and shoals. As I was starting, nice friend Nadia snapped this photo of me leaving the Harbour. I was on the Stingray 140 with the Slingshot 76cm foil and 7.0 NP V8.

Thanks Nadia for the photo!

I sailed almost all the way down to Henvey Inlet, the farthest south I think I've ever been on a windsurfer, let alone my foil. I did finally stop as I didn't have a phone or my SPOT device with me. And then back upwind around Bigsby Island but it was harder to see the shoals heading west into the sun. It reminded me of a memorable day I had exploring 7 years ago. The wind was a perfect 11-15 knots and 22c. I'd pump onto the foil, and had several 3 km long runs.

View from the SW of my 40 km session

I have finally figured out that the key to not overfoiling is to bend my legs when I get close to breaching the surface. That makes me press with my toes and just builds some more speed. My top speed was 33.4 km/h another record. 

During my first 3 seasons of foiling I had my legs bent all the time from fear. This season, I'm able to go on much longer as my legs are pretty much straight all the time.

Speed chart with lots of 25-30 km/h runs
then slower riding waves back downwind

This 11-15 knot wind is also perfect for the small sailboat (in the distance) that is now part of the Launch Pad flotilla.

Tiny sailboat in the distance

11-15 knots from the SW - perfect

Now that I'm more comfortable exploring on the foil board, I'm looking forward to a sail out to the Bustards or around Dead Island...


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4 comments:

  1. Brian SJuly 30, 2020 at 2:24 PM

    Carl, the upwind/downwind ability is impressive. I guess I gotta learn this sport. I don't think the 125 Wizard can handle a 7.0 though with my weight of 210lbs, so I'm still struggling to get time on the water.

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    Replies
    1. CdnGuyJuly 30, 2020 at 9:45 PM

      Thanks Brian. You will love it when you start having your first semi controlled flights. I’m 214 lbs, and was on my 9.0 today. I think you should be fine with a 125. I can uphaul a 108 Skate with a 6.2 when the wind dies, guessing you can do similar? Once you are in position on the foil board, with a bit of wind in the sail, it is all about your toes and gently pumping onto a plane. Or go out a bit overpowered (1.5m less sail than you would for short boarding) and let the sail pull you onto the foil. Hope that helps.

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    2. Brian SAugust 2, 2020 at 9:13 PM

      Thanks for the tips. I'm following your foiling sessions to pick up whatever I can.
      Carl, BTW, the uphauling issue relates to the fact that there is no nose one 125 Wizard, which means that you uphaul with both feet behind the mast. I've been off the water for two years, so part of it is just knocking off the rust.

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    3. CdnGuyAugust 11, 2020 at 9:48 PM

      Hi Brian, I saw this and thought of you! https://www.facebook.com/679196405612139/posts/1436801163184989/?vh=e&d=n

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