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Picture storage Fall 2018 - Winter 2019.

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Scroll down for recent entries. Older and more dated photo storage is archived above…

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A very worthwhile foiling tutorial…

September 27th Long Beach It began with strong wind that sadly diminished too quickly as the morning unfolded…

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September 20, Thanks to Eric and Brenda Rooker for the photos, the sweet anticipation of wind…

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September 7th Strong SSW - SW wind, gusting over 35 knots…

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(Above right) Chris is captured following a sharp, very fast bottom turn now riding east into the trough in front of the breaking wave…

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September 2nd (On the fin, not the foil, on windier days…)

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August 29th Strong, variable, & sometimes very unfriendly wind throughout most of that day…

Perfect take off above, flight, and near touchdown landing below

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August 8th ~ Great beginner videos for foiling start-ups!

First Foiling Tutorials

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August 26th Strong variable wind throughout most of the afternoon…

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August 13th Thanks Brenda Lee for the pics. Seeing moments of decision is very helpful in the getting the bigger picture of it all. The wind for the most part can often be our least favourable ally in the day to day progress to competence. Too much, not enough, wrong direction, sigh…

(Progression below.) 1. Getting too close to the shallow, rocky Point and need to stop. 2. Can't gybe, need to bail out/stop.
3. Down safely, flip board & foil up, move to deeper water downwind. 4. Drift downwind for a better flight line to shore avoiding the shallow Point …

(Photo Credits above - Brenda Lee) Please click on any thumbnail or picture to enlarge it.

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August 2nd Long beach was well lit up all day Sunday!

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In Flight 2 Foilboarding heartbeat moments, just a year after beginning…

July 26th Had a great day of sailing, and a personal moment of gratitude.

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July 30th Now, after a tenth foiling session in as many different wind & wave conditions - some thoughts, adjustments, and issues regarding Stage One foiling progress…

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(Progression below.) Getting too close to the shallow, rocky Point and need to stop. Can't gybe, need to bail out/stop.
Down safely. Drift downwind for a better flight line to shore avoiding the Point …

(Photo Credits above - Brenda Lee) Please click on any thumbnail or picture to enlarge it.

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9. (August 11th) Ventured out to the wind line at Long Beach Conservation Area a number of times today. It was often gusting over 25 knots (out there in the lake) and the waves (imo) were large, intimidating, and inhospitable looking out from the wind sheltered Point where I was standing and holding onto the foil mast. Didn't want to chance being nominated for the Darwin Awards. Somewhat disappointed in my lack of courage but heartened by the mature restraint it took not to venture out in the blowing fray. They who retreat and return to shore live to foil next day some more, or however the saying goes. Sigh.

I need continued practise in controlling flights over a long distance in 15 - 20 knot conditions, begin gybing, and work at wave riding. And, carefully looking at reorganizing windsurf and foiling needs in terms of changing to Euro Pin extensions & mast bases, what booms to buy, new adjustable harness lines, foils, foil masts, van reorganization, windsurf/foil destinations, and so much more…

8. (August 9th) Now able to maintain better control of flight over longer distances (below - 4.2m sail in strong wind conditions), can keep the nose down on the board as needed, able to bail out safely at moments chosen, and have made a few up hauls (not pretty but effective). A foiling future is pretty much a certainty…

(Photo Credits above - Johnny Infantino) Please click on any thumbnail or picture to enlarge it.

7. 10th session. (July 29th) Another windy day again (SW 10 - 20 knots). Will try rigging only the 5.7m and 4.2m sails with the shorter 61cm foil mast and wait out the day. Those 14 knot winds are not only enough to get me up and foiling but also water starting for a quick up and back at 'em return for more.

Had longer, sweet flights with the 5.7m sail even though ending this earlier windy session with an energizing, easy shore-break walk back to the launch. And, when the wind picked up some more had a few good lifts and runs on the 4.2m and then a final over-powered return to the busy Point where swimmers, windsurfers, and shallower rocks slowed my final, cautious return to shore. Was surprised at the ease in water starting the 4.2m (on the 150L board) in lighter wind conditions than normally expected.

(Aside) - Would love a 2 -3 week session in Hatteras with gear rigged and ready on the Sound (say deeper water like at south Kinnakeet Shores). It would be great to practise smooth, balanced, long foiling runs in a much easier launch, flight path, and return. Giddy-up! And, will have a few days off starting tomorrow to get the foil tips epoxied and sanded from those inevitable (sometimes shallow) rocky encounter scrapes launching & landing too near the murky Long Beach Point.

It's also time (after a universal tendon failure) to seriously reevaluate the state and safety of all current older gear & components and budget for some updated purchase improvements in the tote bag.

(An inspirational moment) It might be time to rig the 6.8m sail next light wind day and foil around with it. (Nay a faint heart e'er kissed fair maiden…)

From this point on it will be all about putting as much practise time on the foil as possible throughout any given session and watching tutorial videos at home on the downtime. Will also remove the footstraps and attempt to ride some waves in the next 2 months. It's all about a clear focus on improvement, a commitment to keeping it simple by working with what's currently already there on one of the best foiling kits, and getting out on the water whenever possible. Giddy-up!

6. 9th session. (July 28th) It was windy. Overpowered 5.0m and unstable on the 90 cm foil mast. Rigged the 4.2m and changed to the shorter 61cm foil mast. Still overpowered (4.2m waterstarts were immediate). Realized that high wind adds yet another layer of challenge. Was able to survive short flights and made it back to the launch area. Replaced a broken mast tendon that thankfully the mastfoot safety strap had held the rig and board together. All that said there's good wind forecasted for much of this coming week! Practice makes perfect, and we learn by doing.

5. 8th session. The whole concept of it all in a word is quite simply - delicious. The challenge, the renewed hope it holds, the scary moments when mind, body, board, rig, and foil clash, crash and then somehow fly and hold for a dozen moments. It's the failing our way to success, once again, one session at a time - the living, life-long challenge to achieve whatever the dream. When God has closed my coffin lid, I'll do no more the things I did, thank God I did them when I did…

4. 6th and 7th sessions. Getting some better controlled, longer, smoother runs up on the foil. Used the shorter 24"/61cm (Touch and Go) foil mast last session scoring even longer runs. Made all my slow down, non foil jibes, changing feet in and out of the back strap a number of times, always made it back to the initial launch site, and generally in good control for the most part. At this point having a few successive 15 - 20 knot days would help with overall progress using 4.2m - 5.7m sails…

3. Technique is beginning to improve, will concentrate on stabilizing smooth foiling back and forth runs, making a few adjustment changes as perceived needed and/or advised settings with mast track/foil mast, boom height, harness lines, footstraps, & whatever else… Will also attempt to jibe and work dem uphauls when needed.

2. Uphauling is still a main issue on the 6.5 foot board. Sure, a larger sail will help with water starts in lighter winds but more simply my uphaul technique on the foil board needs way more work and practise, and not add to the storage & clutter inside the van.

1. The long-awaited quick release Euro Pin for the mechanical universal joint finally arrived from Chinook. Now being able to separate sail from the board more easily in the water should help with transporting the board and then the sail to shore through our (rather rocky) exit. (A second Euro-Pin Mast Extension is on it way (Saturday) for a second quick change rig on the shore.)