Anybody in Vancouver Downwind SUP Foiling?

[Slappy]

What foil are you using?

That was on the Axis 1180 with skinny 45 tail. I also own a 1401 and some other tails that I want to try out, but the 1180 + skinny45 is my go to wind setup for light winds.

I would be a bit scared throwing my wing with a sea anchor in Squamish, the river current might actually make it not come downwind at all. I've thought about the anchorman for Spanish Banks though.

[Slappy]

Back at it for round 2.

[Michael]

Back at it for round 2.

Good job Angus, that looks like a lot of work! You were getting close near the end though. Can you move the foil farther back in the track?

[Slappy]

I think I just needed to stop dropping the board as far in front of me. When I move the mast back in the track it also makes where I'm dropping it closer to the dock.

[cjsknight]

Hey Angus - looking good man, that is a super tough spot to learn. I'd suggest joining me for a ladder start session - I haven't been out since January (my homemade board broke) but I've got a new improved homemade board ready to go and keen to try some starts with the APF 1675!

Below are some typical efforts - landing the starts then losing control after 5-10 pumps. Been focused on winging lately but keen to get my pump game up for summer light wind!

https://youtu.be/95OxdbXoAz4

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rlf_jZxySV4

[Slappy]

Looking good Chris! Nice setup you have there too.

It would be great to have some company for dock starts, maybe if you do some afternoon sessions on weekends I could join over there.

I think the dead start style I've been trying to learn is suited to a higher dock and I think I need to switch to the push + 1 step method from now on. I think I could get the dead starts eventually but that push + 1 step on a 45 degree angle from the dock looks so much easier.

This video showcases it nicely even though it's in German:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plwKIy2QFAg

[Slappy]

At first I wasn't feeling comfortable with the 45 degree push start because of the metal section of the dock which would be easy to fall backwards in to but I found that moving further down the dock it was less scary with the wood rail and occasional cleat to bonk.

I also tried out the Tomahawk start and to my surprise it was actually quite promissing. It gave me the most speed of the 3 dead starts by far but for landing correctly on the board it's the most inconsistent.

Overall I think I had about equal success (which wasn't much) with all 3 different start types.

I do feel like the 1401 gives me a better chance though as it's lift seems a lot more locked in while the 1180 can just sink if I don't get the angle just right so I'll probably try and stick to the 1401 for now. Hopefully the extra weight and 10 cm wider protruding wing still make the 45 degree push start doable with it as I think it's probably the best chance for me currently.

[JonathanP]

Tomahawk start looks great! Definitely think you'll need more that 1100sq cm for any non-running start.
Here's something a bit in-between your push and Tomahawk from Jerry:
High dock makes for his good starting speed though, on a ~1600sqcm foil.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6NRP94R ... E0ZjB0N3o4

[Slappy]

Axis measures their foils by span instead of sqcm (which makes a lot of sense for HA foils) so the two foils I've been using are:

Spitfire 1180 (1.18 m span, 9.1 AR, 1550 sqcm area)
ARTPRO 1401 (1.4 m span, 12.2 AR, 1650 sqcm area)

Yeah, that start looks like a high dock version of the 45% push start. I'm curious how far he has to swim to get back on the dock if he fails the start there, looks like a pretty long journey:

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My rope ladder setup works quite well with that style of dock though (sturdy tie off rail) so it might be an interesting dock to try. Hauling the foil back up would be hard though.

[Slappy]

Tried out my new Gong Kluber 80 cm pump board and it's definitely harder!

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Tide was too low for Jericho so I headed out to Buntzen, Sassamat, Belcarra.

Buntzen: no go outside of fall/winter as there are no jumping signs all over the dock and a lifeguard there.

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Sassamat: it's a full 700m walk to get to the spot from the parking lot and that's just too far.

Belcarra: not bad dock, higher than Jericho but it does have sections without rail that are closer to the height of the Jericho rail and in general a lot less sketchy. A ladder is essential here though.

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