Wingdinging up-wind when not on foil???

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Roland
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Wingdinging up-wind when not on foil???

Funny thing is, as i look back now, being able to get back to my starting point (going upwind) has been my biggest struggle.
Really it has been more of a mental hurdler than a physical one.

Langdon and Chris... A, B, or C (sorry to many Chris's and i'm bad with names so i'll call him the smart Chris with the big white van), were trying to help me figure out why i struggled to go upwind while not on foil. Whether it was technic or geometry of my gear or what. i think there was some consensus that it could be the geometry of the gear while in low wind conditions.

(Holding the wing behind me as much as possible seemed to help, but i was still maybe only at 3 o-clock to the wind at best, and that was only on my good side. Not good, but on a positive note, not being able to go upwind does indeed help the swimming mussels or muscles to be in better shape.)

The board not being a "wingding" specific foil board brought a few things in question. The longer than usual length 7'4" (120 liters), the mast position maybe needing to be at max forward position, and lack of volume behind the mast, had me thinking i might not be possible with my weight (195 lbs) to go upwind on this board as is.

So today i found a comment on the Gong website about their new Hipe inflatable wingboard that may shed some light on the issue.

"And we’ve created two large sizes in 6’5 and 7’5 with an “ADS” daggerboard box cleverly placed in front of the front foot to allow you to ride on the water without going downwind. This daggerboard combined with your foil gives you a real grip to go upwind without flying. You can start off gently, without the stress of having to fly imperatively.'

The fin they use is only on there longer boards looks like it's 4" tall, and is maybe 10" or so in front of the front foot position. So I've ordered a cheap stick on fin to see if it will help. I think understand how this will help. Maybe as simply minimizing the side slip of the front of the board will keep the nose up-wind. Fingers crossed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WNVXBV1/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1DWLG2LHSJB8R&psc=1

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moredownhaul
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Re: Wingdinging up-wind when not on foil???

Seen this?

Alan

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Roland
Roland
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Re: Wingdinging up-wind when not on foil???

Thanks Allen, Yeah, Iv'e tried those tips, and i thought i figured it out. Front foot pointed upwind, body turned and facing up wind, trying to dig the back rail, trying to get back as possible... bringing the the wing back seemed to help the most.
Last time out I thought i was going good, and possible going at 2 o-clock or more to the wind Smile That's when Landon pointed out the direction of the wind.... yeah i was going downwind Sad

I think my wind-wing placement has room for improvement for sure, but with the Skip Smith soft beveled rails on my 7'4" and not much volume at the rear of the board, i can't see squeezing out much more up wind angle in the low wind conditions. Maybe because how forward i have to stand in relationship to the foil.

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Randy
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Re: Wingdinging up-wind when not on foil???

I think you are on the right track Roland.

BTW - You might try launching from the south beach at Old Fed. Depending on the wind direction you might have to swim out a bit (but maybe not) but you will have more room to work with.

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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Roland
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Re: Wingdinging up-wind when not on foil???

I got the temporary plastic fin on, we will see tomorrow if it helps. It's smaller than it like. I wish it was maybe 50% more area in a longer style but It should be enough to tell if it is going to help or not.

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Langdon
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Randy
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Re: Wingdinging up-wind when not on foil???

Let us know what happens.

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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Roland
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moredownhaul
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Re: Wingdinging up-wind when not on foil???

I think you put it on upside down Clapping

Alan

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Roland
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Re: Wingdinging up-wind when not on foil???
moredownhaul wrote:

I think you put it on upside down Clapping

Nah It's an Australian board. ?

After looking at those photos I did end up removing the fin and moving it more forward. I hope to be at Vann's before 10.

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moredownhaul
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webguy
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Re: Wingdinging up-wind when not on foil???

Saw this mentioned elsewhere: https://boardsportscalifornia.com/product/drift-stopper/
Ion Drift Stopper strap-on leeboards

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Roland
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Re: Wingdinging up-wind when not on foil???

That does look like it could help.

I did manage to cross going upwind hurdle which I think was the biggest difficulty I've run into so far. I'm not sure if the fin I put on helped. Maybe when I take it off I'll be able to tell.

Now it's getting some ability to ride goofy foot is my next step. I've never tried switching feet before. I picked up a Onewheel Pint last weekend to practice. In a way it seems pretty similar to foiling. Except when you fall ?. I figure If I only ride it goofy for a few weeks, it will help with some that type of coordination. We'll see

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Roland
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Re: Wingdinging up-wind when not on foil???

That does look like it could help.

I did manage to cross going upwind hurdle which I think was the biggest difficulty I've run into so far. I'm not sure if the fin I put on helped. Maybe when I take it off I'll be able to tell.

Now it's getting some ability to ride goofy foot is my next step. I've never tried switching feet before. I picked up a Onewheel Pint last weekend to practice. In a way it seems pretty similar to foiling. Except when you fall ?. I figure If I only ride it goofy for a few weeks, it will help with some that type of coordination. We'll see

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webguy
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Re: Wingdinging up-wind when not on foil???
Roland wrote:

That does look like it could help.

I did manage to cross going upwind hurdle which I think was the biggest difficulty I've run into so far. I'm not sure if the fin I put on helped. Maybe when I take it off I'll be able to tell.

Now it's getting some ability to ride goofy foot is my next step. I've never tried switching feet before. I picked up a Onewheel Pint last weekend to practice. In a way it seems pretty similar to foiling. Except when you fall ?. I figure If I only ride it goofy for a few weeks, it will help with some that type of coordination. We'll see

Ah, the joy of windsurfing where you are going to ride goofy whether you like it or not. Lol When I started windfoiling, I found out how asymmetric I was though. I was fine going one way (my weak side funny enough) but struggled in the other direction.

Yeah, looks like a pretty neat device - some found it useful on inflatable windsups as well. I guess their soft rails make it even harder to go upwind.

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