Success! Took my early Christmas present wind sail out on the lake. It's a bigger wing & finally got my board up on hydrofoil. First try, went about 5 metres, lost balance & fell. Second try about 20 metres & 3rd try was so determined and hung on for dear life as it just continued to speed up and the foil went higher & higher until it breached the surface & nose dived. It was like flying over the handlebars of a bike. I forgot that I could've depowered the wing sail. Der! Unfortunately I couldn't sail upwind properly on the way back and had to paddle back in dragging the wing behind me. Had to do this around 6 times. Totally fatigued. I weighed 79 kilos this morning & weighed 77 kilos when I got home. Haaaa! But the day didn't go without a mishap. Back on shore I lifted the wing which was still attached to my board & foil. A gust of wind hit the wing, my board got airborne and the wind pushed it in a semi circle onto the concrete path and skidded along on it. Luckily only minor abrasions to my board & hydrofoil. Looking forward to round 2. Haaa!

Well done cobber. Once your up on foil its rapid progress . Let the fun really begin now mate. hardest part done you will be going on long runs ,enjoy the journey . Not so fixated on the destination.

bigtone667 said..
Very well done ......

I always lay my board on it's back with the foil up. Point the nose into the wind. I then attach the wing leash to bottom of the mast closest to the board. Even if wing flops around in the wind, it is not likely to pull the board anywhere.

Yeah. I had my board on its back & upwind when I got back to shore. And No It wasn't tied to the mast but around the stabilizer end. Still cannot believe how easy it got airborne. I used to use a tent peg to hold the wing onshore. First time I did it like this. Might go back to tent peg and just tie a cord on the leash holder of wing.

Seajuice said..

mcrt said..

bigtone667 said..
Very well done ......

I always lay my board on it's back with the foil up. Point the nose into the wind. I then attach the wing leash to bottom of the mast closest to the board. Even if wing flops around in the wind, it is not likely to pull the board anywhere.

Yup,me too.Deck down,nose into wind.Flip wing upside down and secure very close to board tail.
If the spot has eddies that can backwind the wing this will not work,better to separate wing and board.
Laying the board on it's side like those pics is risky.
The nose of the board has lots of surface and a gust can pivot and tumble it very easyly.

Two days ago i stabbed my leading edge while laying my gear down on the beach after sailing, a moment of inattention and the board's nose got flipped in slo mo...stabilizers are pointy :(

Or yes I might tie it closer to board. But I will untie the wing from board before I flip it or whatever.

FYI that wing flies effortlessly when it's upside down, goes up to head high and then can be convinced to flail around if it's a bit turbulent., but pretty much stays put on the ground when you put it handles down...keep it on a short leash and it won't misbehave from there.

Seajuice said..

Clamsmasha said..

Seajuice said..

mcrt said..

bigtone667 said..
Very well done ......

I always lay my board on it's back with the foil up. Point the nose into the wind. I then attach the wing leash to bottom of the mast closest to the board. Even if wing flops around in the wind, it is not likely to pull the board anywhere.

Yup,me too.Deck down,nose into wind.Flip wing upside down and secure very close to board tail.
If the spot has eddies that can backwind the wing this will not work,better to separate wing and board.
Laying the board on it's side like those pics is risky.
The nose of the board has lots of surface and a gust can pivot and tumble it very easyly.

Two days ago i stabbed my leading edge while laying my gear down on the beach after sailing, a moment of inattention and the board's nose got flipped in slo mo...stabilizers are pointy :(

Or yes I might tie it closer to board. But I will untie the wing from board before I flip it or whatever.

FYI that wing flies effortlessly when it's upside down, goes up to head high and then can be convinced to flail around if it's a bit turbulent., but pretty much stays put on the ground when you put it handles down...keep it on a short leash and it won't misbehave from there.

Yep you're right Clamsmasha. What I liked was when the wing was flying upside down just off the water when I was paddling with the leash still on my wrist. No water drag. But when the wind gusts got strong when I was tiring there was some drag. So maybe then attach it to leg leash.
Also I found the wrist leash did undo from my wrist. Lucky I noticed it and re attached it. It my have torn open from my paddling?
So I've changed leash. See how that goes.

Forgot to say congratulations on your first wing flight!

I discarded the leash on the 6m at least..it's too short and gets and gets very difficult to turn the wing around if it's in the water. Not to mention it's made for hobbit wrists. The WASP leash was the same. (Lengthwise)

I use a heavy duty 6' or 8' surf legrope connected to a webbing belt around my waste. I have a failsafe parachute cord larkshead knot holding the webbing together if it unbuckles. I've been lucky so far....I've lost my wing and caught it again 2 or 3 times,but I won't always be so lucky...hence the para cord.

I connect mine to the depower handle now via a flipper saver to spread the load out a bit so it doesn't "angry bird" me. Most try of this is because I've been stretching a 6m out to 25kts on occasion.