No photos of the day, here's one of the many foil videos that we are being bombarded with. The foil sure lengthens the ride, but it's been long time that length of ride is not even in the surfing contest judging criteria anymore. And if I just look at it, I still have huge doubts about the level of fun that a ride like that can provide, but that's because I'm still thinking in surfing terms and expect to see spray and lips demolished and stuff. Instead that's a completely different game.
And it's without a doubt that the craze is mostly due to the sheepish nature of modern times humans. I heard sentences like "damn, my foil is not here yet and my friends are all learning and I hate to be left behind".
Inspired by genuine interest and looking for motivation to drop the bucks, I had a quick very technical chat with Dave Kalama (featured in the video) after which I ordered a foil myself. But it wasn't because of what we talked about. It was because he had the eyes of the kid (he was just coming out of the water after a foil session). He was seriously stoked to be doing this. And if something can stoke out a guy like Dave, I'd better give it a try.
Stay tuned, the Chinese New Year celebrations will soon end and hopefully those foils will get finally shipped. Let's hope those friends don't get too good in the meantime...
4am significant buoy readings
South shore
No readings, check the webcams.
North shore
NW101
10.2ft @ 14s from 331° (NNW)
N
18.5ft @ 15s from 325° (NW)
Pauwela
13.9ft @ 13s from 333° (NNW)
Massive numbers at the buoys, you really need to find a sheltered spot if you want to surf on the north shore today. Otherwise, the west side would be the next best call.
Current wind map shows:
1) WNW fetch off Japan
2) the close fetch north of us that is behind (literally) those big numbers at the buoys
NAM3km map at 7am shows sideon winds on the north shore. The afternoon map looks just the same. Check the MC2km maps (link. n17) when they become available.
No Hookipa beach report because I'm leaving in the dark for a surf guide, but you don't need one: it's unsurfable. Instead hopefully my customer will score (and me with him).
1 comment:
>>Am I the only one having these issues with cold
No, we're all freezing right now. I feel like I've been on the verge of a cold for a month. Pauwela buoy shows the ocean temp as 74.8. In the summer it's closer to 83 I believe. And my 1-2 mil shorty is starting to feel thin.
>>And it's without a doubt that the craze is mostly due to the sheepish nature of modern times humans
I'm seriously worried about foils in crowded lineups. Had one close call with a kite foil crashed in front of a wave I was riding/windsurfing, the sharp end of the foil pointed straight up (emergency turn, wave ruined but lives saved) and another time on a SUP, a SUP foiler trying to squeeze between me and a wave as I was going out. Foil went down and rode the white water straight at me. It was a close call. I think it's a just matter of time before someone is seriously injured by a foil, and then lawyers, guns, and money will decide things. Foils on downwinders seem like a great thing though. At least Kai makes it look easy.
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