Anything that you learned, accomplished that stands out? Anything that happened in the world of windsport that you found notable?
For myself - after getting somewhat complacent in my foil skills, was encouraged by a friend or two to start pushing the boundaries again. Also, found that I'd made a few really good friends from windfoil racing even though I barely can finish the races much less place respectably.
I found PWA racing on foil much more interesting than I ever found fin slalom. However, the success of foils is causing an existential crises in the industry that I did not expect. The big companies who make money selling boards are at a cross roads - foilers need fewer boards, a lot of windsurfers are taking up wing foiling and there's a retrenchment in many leisure industries post-COVID. Interesting times ahead.
I'm happy that I finally got to foil jibing and the fin jibes are getting so so close. I'm glad that I kept trying to keep both, instead of just sticking to foiling jibes, as it's helped sort out consistent problems with my sailing. And I'd rather try some moves, like switch stance or duck jibes, planing on a fin first before on a foil.
On your last note I'm wondering what will happen with windsurfing gear availability. As it is, it's at a very high price point and seems like there are still supply issues. For one design classes like IQFoil it seems like less of an issue, but for free ride and everything else, only one or two companies seem to be dominating.
Hi guys,
My winging recap for 2023 is surprisingly flush given the new baby and move to a new city.
In my third year of winging, I learned:
- how to dockstart and pump foil - made it to 6 pumps
- how to reduce drag by shimming my stabilizer,
- how to stay on foil during tacks,
- how to crank sharper turns by learning harder ,
- that I can sail <1hr from ATL,
- that there’s an active community of kind and passionate people who sail here.
Thanks for being part of my best year of winging yet!
FoilDodo
aeroegnr
channeysurfer
Someone else's recap
He had a pretty nice year after taking the chance and leaving a gig at Starboard.