Dang FTG! Thanks for taking one for the team and putting out the warning to us to make sure it's secure.
Now that the fall winds are finally blowing, I'm finally putting the PW to use in my favorite spot. I, like FTG, haven't used my standard wings since the PWs arrived. My winging had progressed to a point where I was basically targeting very specific conditions with tide against wind, setting up perfect bump riding. The wing just gets annoying in those scenarios.
Here's a screen grab of my lunch break session on Friday:

This was the best conditions I've had yet, perfect 2.9M wind, around 15-24mph on the meter, paired with a 55L Armie ML and 1080 foil, 180 stab (68kgs w/out 5/4). I could have been on the 880.
Swell was doing its best Gorge impersonation with stomach high groomed swells that seemed to keep going and going. If you look closely at my tracks, you can see the squiggles. Each one was linked banking hard carves on repeat for hundreds of yards - very little pumping. This was the first time I've experienced this hands free. I now get why the DW SUP guys proselytize so much. It brings me full circle back to why I started foiling in the first place, prone wave riding, except I get this on a much larger playing field. I actually felt progression in my technique because I wasn't hindered by a wing hitching my getup.
I think I may enjoy going upwind with the PW more than a wing. Better visibility maybe. I also don't switch feet so riding toeside with one hand feathering the PW and the upwind hand outstretched into the breeze feels amazing.
Pre and post session, the lack of inflate/deflate also saves some serious time on these busy mid workday strike sessions. One less thing to deal with. Now it's just basically a wetsuit change and I'm on/off the water.
I'm not giving up on my SUP DW goals either and I've been dialing how the PW will be my ticket to faster progression and confidence building.
Gear:
Quikblade Stingray adjustable paddle
2.9M and 4M Maliko
DW board
Patagonia Guidewater Sling backpack
Vaikobi vest
BRM waist belt (primarily for harness)
www.patagonia.com/product/guidewater-submersible-waterproof-sling-pack-15-liters/49145.htmlThe combo of this bag and the adjustable paddle work great. The pack has a diagonal fishing net handle pass through along the back of the pack. I can remove my SUP handle and slide right through without taking the pack all the way off (it slides around to the front after undoing one of two buckles. I can also open the bag from this position and pack away or change out PW sizes.
Now I can PW upwind in onshore conditions and practice SUP paddling up on foil or use the PW to get to the swell zone etc.
I'm getting about 12-15 minutes of DW per hour of upwind based on my quick math looking at tracks. Probably a better rate of return compared to Snowboarding and lift lines!
Quick note on the bridal adjustment. My theory is that Greg did this intentionally to throw off/delay the competition. It really was a game changer for upwind riding. I was almost getting bummed beforehand.
Super stoked on this new avenue of foiling!