Old Fed: Rogier took the early shift and I took the late. He said he had some wind earlier and then it pooped out on him. I got some puffs in the afternoon which involved a fair amount of pumping but long glides once up. Gilmer report 12-18 a lot of the afternoon. Felt like 8-12 on the water.
Langdon will give a more full report; he and Nitro are in OBX. They started on foils in the morning and ended the day on 4.4s and 70l. boards with gusts to 35.
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Yep, Langdon and I are in Hatteras this week. Saturday it was blowing 15+. I was planing 75% on a 5.8 and my normal 115l board, Langdon was on his 5.8 and foil board. We were pretty much keeping up with each other on many many reaches. During a break, Langdon offered me his foil board. First ever foiling experience and it was a rush. I have never been so terrified (in a good way) on a 38 pound board in 15 wind. That board wanted to pop out of the water any chance it got. Very cool and I can’t wait to try it in lower wind (what the hell, I’m a huge wind snob and I am hoping for less wind!). Sunday was full on cranking. 3.7 and a 70 liter board for me. One of the most enjoyable 3.7 days I have had in years.
You were warned. You ignored the warnings at your own peril. Welcome to the dark side.
Great report. Glad you guys are having fun.
How long are you guys staying? We arrive in Nags Head this Saturday. Glad to hear conditions are good.
Barrett
Where are y'all staying and sailing that's deep enough to foil?
Alan
I can't answer for Nitro, but where we stay in Nags Head it's deep enough to get out on a foil to the left of our house. However, a NE or East wind that lasts a while can make the water too shallow, unless you walk your gear out to deeper water. Fortunately our location seldom has weeds, and we rarely use weed fins.
Barrett
Until Langdon or Nitro show up, Langdon was at Canadian Hole which is deep enough until it isn't.
You can foil out of Barrett's but, like he said, if it's a NE, pack a lunch for the hike. Out on the water, though, it's sublime as you can reach all the way up to Kitty Hawk and then back.
Elsewhere, Ed said that Gilmer lied to him, too. He bobbed on a 9.5 at Van Pugh.
Canadian Hole is plenty deep for Langdon’s foil, even in NE winds. It may be a 30 yard walk or so to get to deep enough waters. Just stay south of the sandbar which is easy to do in the most common directions up here (SW and NE) It blew 5.0 this morning until around 2:00. When the wind backed off a little I got another shot at the foil. I was in way more control today and had several very longs runs of levitation. Getting my front foot in the strap made it much easier for me to control (and less wind).
Using the 24" mast instead of the 36" on the Slingshot with the Infinity 76 wing
Depth has not been a problem so far and neither has weeds.
The Hole is evidently a pretty good place to learn to foil.
Chris is doing great, Doug King got a few flights and Rich Mak went from beginner to semi pro in about 30 mins. ( yes I am exaggerating a bit but really just a little).
Rich went way out toward the duck blind ( evidently received some kind of windfoiling anoitment that I have yet to receive) and came back foiling and foiling well.
Dang I miss being there, post lots of photos!
Alan