So I've been waiting for warmer weather to learn how to foil. Wing foil to be exact. My plan was to learn behind my boat, but getting on the water with the boat and a boat driver (my son) has proven harder than anticipated.
So the boat learning is not working out as planed so going out with my wing should be what I should do right?
So here is my problem... I'm chicken. Yeah I got cold feet. I'm making excuses all my gear is just setting on the shelve at home.
I'm not afaid to get going foiling with the wing, I'm afraid I won't be able to get back to the starting point. In my head I picture myself going good front side and end up miles from the starting point. So I guess I'm asking for any helpful suggestions.
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Are you local?
If you sail at Van Pugh on a NW wind and stay inside the bay the worst case is ending up on bozo Island, Chestnut Ridge or Aqua land Marina. I'd imagine you could deflate and roll your wing and paddle the board back from bozo to VP or walk back from Chestnut Ridge (I got that t-shirt). At Old Federal on you can walk out toward the island a bit and launch and reach back and forth. Worse case you get blown back to the park.
Just make sure you sail with others and ask if they will look out for you, we will.
Alan
Tie a paddle to your board. If there is not an easy way to do that, tie it to your wing. Paddle back if you can't sail back upwind. You may have to deflate the wing to do that because dragging the wing can be a lot of work. Also a good idea in case the wind drops. Make sure your board has enough volume to float you.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Come out tomorrow at or before lunch
Some of us will be sailing / foiling at Vanns Tavern*.
We will keep an eye on you .
* unless the wind changes direction...
I will post again around 10am Saturday to confirm launch location
Roland,
First, welcome!
Two other guys, Neil and Reggie have been working on wingfoiling here, too. They've been able to get around fine without being up on the wing but they did take paddles the first couple of times as an insurance measure. The foil offers a pretty big underwater surface compared to the small fins we sometimes use in windsurfing (60cm+ vs 30cm or less) and we can still get around. Using the windward rail of the board helps to stay upwind. Best advice given above is use a launch with an onshore wind. That way you can float home.
What size wing do you have? It will probably take a 5 or more likely 6 to get going in the 12-18 that's common here. We don't have that many 20+ days especially as it's getting warmer.
Good luck. I'm excited about all things foil.
You guys are great. I'm getting my brave on.
I don't know why i forgot about "the bringing a paddle" option. All right, tomorrow it is. I do know a couple of guys name Neal and Reggie who were paddle surfers. They would do Outer Banks surf trips... Wonder if it's the same guys?
"Bozo Island" i love it. I'll be the one who looks like Gilligan heading to Bozo island. LOL. Okay, I'm feeling good about this.
All I have to remember is[u][b]stay upwind... and social distance, that's all i need... and the phone book, yeah that's it That's all i need... Stay away from the oil cans... Now i'm in full kook mode
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Oh yeah i have a 7m and a 5m so will see if i can put it together enough to get on foil. Even if i don't it should be better that mowing the lawn.
Okay one more thing i need to find out is the water temp. I have a jacket and a 2/3 full, i guess i'll figure out quickly which to wear when i stick my toes in the water.
Water is high 60’s
I’d go 2/3 full, Especially if you think you may be in the water a lot.
Also tomorrow is supposed to be E - SE wind so everybody may be going to Vans Tavern Park.
Alan
Roland
Hi Roland,
Yup, it's the same Neil you've run into before at Stone Mountain. Excited that you picked up some gear. I had tried about 5 times before the Virus, and only got up on the foil for a second before I crashed. Reason being, is with the 4M, I don't have enough power until the wind starts honking and then there's so much wind that it becomes tough to manage. I can't wait to try the 6M. It would be nice to feel the foil lifting without the need for such high gusts. I am thinking about going tomorrow at around 10:00am Pretty sure wind is going to come around from the west so Van Pugh West is probably where everyone will go. Hope to see you soon...Maybe we'll take flight !!
Neil
Roland