slow journey for me, I don’t find the paddling bit as easy as others and limited chances to get on water. But having some successes now, in time for summer! Dig your relatable stuff
@@andreferreira6620 thank you! Recommended foil will be the one that you find easiest to paddle up in the beginning stages and gives you the most on water balance… this is often a big foil… something like the Axis 1300png. You do not need a narrow board to begin. You want a board that makes it easy for you to stand on so that you’re able to paddle well in pitch conditions. For a beginner buying a first board I believe bigger is better. Likely the biggest available from any brand… 8ft minimum 21” wide minimum 40L over your weight in kgs minimum likely more if your heavier. If you have some gear in mind feel free to come back and get my opinion, let me know a bit more about you. 🤙🤙
@@downwind_drifter do you think Axis is better than F-one for downwind? I'm asking because I have F-one Seven Seas 1200cm2. I'm considering moving to Axis. Also, what is the ideal AR range for downwind?
@@andreferreira6620 not sure first hand sorry… I’ve not tried f1 gear besides the handwings. Lots of people start on Axis for downwind though as it has foils that work well for it, it’s a sure thing” Your foil sounds quite small to learn dw. Lots of internet talk is from guys that are already deep into the dw journy… a lot of people’s first experiences get left out. To begin you essentially want the biggest foil you can get your hands on! It’s not sexy or exciting as far as numbers go or online reviews but it’s what will work… getting onto foil is hard when learning, very hard staying up is not easy either… you need time to think and that comes from big slow gear. Lots of people learn on the original axis png1300, it’s a great foil to start out on as it is well rounded enough but has lots of low speed abilities. They have just or are about to release the 1300v2 which is the predecessor and could be an excellent choice for starting the dw journey. Try not to get sucked in to hype when starting out, it sounds like your looking in the right direction. Stay in touch and ask any questions you have. Oh AR… it’s hard to say. There’s so many stages to dw that it can’t really be answered with a number… the main thing for learning is low stall speed and glide… that’s likely leaning towards higher AR for the glide but any AR can have lift designed in. Too be honest any foil with a true low stall speed and good lift will not have much glide compared to higher speed foils. I hope this helps 🤙🤙
On the first series you immediately veered to Port as soon as you were on foil. Was that 1. To bleed some speed so you wouldn't cavitate?, 2. Stay with the wave longer?, 3. Other? Thanks for posting your insight, I'm watching and learning :)
Thanks for the question. It’s partly number 2, trying to stay with the wave longer. Downwinding is all about trying to use what natural energy there is out there, because if you don’t then you need to use your own. I’ve turned to my left to ride that swell down the line like a wave. If I went straight there, there would have been a hill of water in front of me, I’m mostly trying to always run downhill so I need to avoid uphill situations. Think of riding a skate board going up hill doesn’t last long until you have to start pumping or tic tacing… down hill is much easier. There’s typically no fear of cavitation or aerated water at least it’s mostly rare… but if you see white water it’s best to avoid it.
Hello, thanks for the great content and analysis! Starting out with downwind here. My conditions are super light usually so I need to get those flatwater paddle ups dialled in! I have 7.5' 21'' wide board and can flat water my png 1150 wing (around 1700cm2) consisntently. But no luck at all with my EagleX 1000 (1000cm2). I'm considering to sell my board and get something a bit longer (around 8.0) and narrower (around 17"-18") as I have heard that these narrower boards are easier to get up to speed to paddle up these faster foils. What's your opinion?
@@cyp13 thanks for the great message. When you say super light wind is that with fast moving ocean swell as well? Because if not, I doubt you would want a small Foil for the light wind… Paddling up in flat water though can be great practice for your technique, I am told! Definitely a longer and narrower board will assist you in flat water to get up a smaller foil. Narrow Longboards are very good for this, the downside can be instability. If you’re not suffering from instability and have good balance then definitely go for something longer and narrower. There’s potential for balance issues with a narrower board but that is often taken care of if you go longer as well. It is normally exaggerated when you’re in crossed up ocean conditions. Sounds like you’re on a fun path, i’m excited for you that you get to buy a new board 🤙🤙
@downwind_drifter Thanks so much for your input! It's just so hard to nail it with equipment choice when you are not advanced enough to know exactly what is suitable for your local conditions and don't have people around that are into downwinding
@downwind_drifter can be anything windwise but would say 70% below 15knots especially in the winter. It's a big bay so can only get swell from the East South East and that's quite fast moving but never ocean swell. I am based in Limassol, Cyprus
really like the style of this video. couple things that I noticed: the paddle seems rather long for you. Have you tried it a couple cms shorter? You really need to raise your top arm quite high to get the paddle forward without touching the water but it still does sometimes. That really messes with your rhythm. The slightly shorter paddle could benefit your paddle cadence and technique. Also have you tried a slightly smaller paddle blade? That could also benefit your efficiency and technique. At the moment your a pulling quite long on the paddle even behind your back leg to create enough forward thrust to match the speed of the bump. The shorter and smaller paddle helped me a lot to get a higher cadence and an overall more efficient paddle up, that unlocked smaller frontwings for me. Which leads me to a smaller frontwing. You seem quite overpowered in these conditions with the 1201. The big frontwing looks less efficient on the paddle ups. In bigger conditions the larger frontwings have a tendency to act a bit like a brake. They don't accelerate as much as a smaller ones, so you actually have to put more energy in to the paddle up because of the drag of the frontwing. Also on the pumps and glides it looks less efficient for these conditions, so you actually have to put more energy in to stay on a good line compared to a smaller frontwing. Would never recommend that to a beginner, but to me it looks like you are holding yourself back with the 1201 in these conditions, which seem to have a lot more energy than your regular runs at home. Hope that makes sense to you and you can take something from it. Really like your videos, so I thought I can give something back. happy sends.
Thanks for the great message! I’m definitely open to learning more. I have tried many different lengths of paddle, short to long and this is where I settled. The paddle is the same height as me, where would most people have it? I have a smaller bladed fixed paddle that I also use, that is up to my eye brows. I could re visit using it more, the reason I stopped is to get better footage with the GoPro. I’m not very flexible and find it a bit hard to bend having buggered knees and having had two reconstruction hip surgeries… it might be why a long paddle ended up feeling more comfortable. - I did use a smaller paddle blade for a long time but went back to the slightly bigger one. I think I got used to using the power of the bigger blade when I wanted power… rather than high cadence. - I could definitely utilise a smaller front wing out here… the 1201 is my get me home foil. I’m using it while I feel out the conditions and build some experience out here. I plan to size down once im a touch more comfortable and there are less unknowns… Im pretty cautious in a lot of ways… I also hate! being underfoiled. My likely first step is to go down to my regular stab… the 40 skinny… a lot of my drag will be coming from that. I have a few other smaller front foils to play with too. I’ve been feeling (not just feeling) that I need to pump at the top end to match the swells pace, I often actually prefer that than having to pump at the bottom end. I’ve been using the bigger stab yo actually slow me down and shift the system to being more comfortable in the bottom end. This will also all change as I get comfy. I’m likely heading out today again and I will take you thoughts with me thank you 🤙🤙
Great content. I found it very useful. Good camera angles and commentary. We ask you provide! Thank you for listening to our comments.
My pleasure 🤙🤙
It’s pretty fun working with and watching the drone footage.
These diaries of visual and spoken documentation are like a book being written in real time 🎉
As are your lovely comments 🤙🌴
@@downwind_drifter ✌️
Keep up the analysis commentary and the drone footage is great Alison! 👏
@@SamKynmanCole how does it come across? It’s hard to judge my own work…
Great content as usual Jason, loving the Drone footage also!!
@@footaj1 yea it’s cool to see for me too, hopefully plenty more to come 🤙🤙
Great content. Drone footage is always super helpful 👌Place looks like paradise 🙂🏝️
Thank you sir 🤙🤙 paradise indeed.
More great footage 🤙😀👌
@@markreadett7412 thank you sir 🤙🤙
Thank you Max 🙏
No problem, you were looking for something like this?
Time well spent!
@@mariposa-de-ola how’s your dw journey going Dave? Are you getting something from these vids?
slow journey for me, I don’t find the paddling bit as easy as others and limited chances to get on water. But having some successes now, in time for summer! Dig your relatable stuff
@@mariposa-de-ola the next vid should be pretty relatable… yea bring on NZ summer! And 3/2 wetsuits 😁
Hello Kiti! 🐕
🌭
Fully inside now 😮 😂
@@SamKynmanCole they are very naughty! In my defence it was raining…
They are encroaching into the kitchen now too. They’re taking over! 😂 the cutest take over though
@@alisonventures2780 they are not coming into the kitchen… just in the doorway.
wow! The best video on this top. Can't be better. Thx for sharing.🍻Btw, what is the recommended foil for DW? Do i need to have those narrow DW boards?
@@andreferreira6620 thank you!
Recommended foil will be the one that you find easiest to paddle up in the beginning stages and gives you the most on water balance… this is often a big foil… something like the Axis 1300png.
You do not need a narrow board to begin. You want a board that makes it easy for you to stand on so that you’re able to paddle well in pitch conditions. For a beginner buying a first board I believe bigger is better. Likely the biggest available from any brand… 8ft minimum 21” wide minimum 40L over your weight in kgs minimum likely more if your heavier.
If you have some gear in mind feel free to come back and get my opinion, let me know a bit more about you.
🤙🤙
@@downwind_drifter do you think Axis is better than F-one for downwind? I'm asking because I have F-one Seven Seas 1200cm2. I'm considering moving to Axis. Also, what is the ideal AR range for downwind?
@@andreferreira6620 not sure first hand sorry… I’ve not tried f1 gear besides the handwings.
Lots of people start on Axis for downwind though as it has foils that work well for it, it’s a sure thing”
Your foil sounds quite small to learn dw. Lots of internet talk is from guys that are already deep into the dw journy… a lot of people’s first experiences get left out.
To begin you essentially want the biggest foil you can get your hands on! It’s not sexy or exciting as far as numbers go or online reviews but it’s what will work… getting onto foil is hard when learning, very hard staying up is not easy either… you need time to think and that comes from big slow gear.
Lots of people learn on the original axis png1300, it’s a great foil to start out on as it is well rounded enough but has lots of low speed abilities. They have just or are about to release the 1300v2 which is the predecessor and could be an excellent choice for starting the dw journey.
Try not to get sucked in to hype when starting out, it sounds like your looking in the right direction.
Stay in touch and ask any questions you have.
Oh AR… it’s hard to say. There’s so many stages to dw that it can’t really be answered with a number… the main thing for learning is low stall speed and glide… that’s likely leaning towards higher AR for the glide but any AR can have lift designed in. Too be honest any foil with a true low stall speed and good lift will not have much glide compared to higher speed foils.
I hope this helps 🤙🤙
Oh kiti found a sanctuary! 😅
@@michellesong1582 🤫🤙
On the first series you immediately veered to Port as soon as you were on foil. Was that 1. To bleed some speed so you wouldn't cavitate?, 2. Stay with the wave longer?, 3. Other? Thanks for posting your insight, I'm watching and learning :)
Thanks for the question. It’s partly number 2, trying to stay with the wave longer. Downwinding is all about trying to use what natural energy there is out there, because if you don’t then you need to use your own. I’ve turned to my left to ride that swell down the line like a wave.
If I went straight there, there would have been a hill of water in front of me, I’m mostly trying to always run downhill so I need to avoid uphill situations. Think of riding a skate board going up hill doesn’t last long until you have to start pumping or tic tacing… down hill is much easier.
There’s typically no fear of cavitation or aerated water at least it’s mostly rare… but if you see white water it’s best to avoid it.
Hello, thanks for the great content and analysis! Starting out with downwind here. My conditions are super light usually so I need to get those flatwater paddle ups dialled in! I have 7.5' 21'' wide board and can flat water my png 1150 wing (around 1700cm2) consisntently. But no luck at all with my EagleX 1000 (1000cm2). I'm considering to sell my board and get something a bit longer (around 8.0) and narrower (around 17"-18") as I have heard that these narrower boards are easier to get up to speed to paddle up these faster foils. What's your opinion?
@@cyp13 thanks for the great message.
When you say super light wind is that with fast moving ocean swell as well? Because if not, I doubt you would want a small Foil for the light wind…
Paddling up in flat water though can be great practice for your technique, I am told!
Definitely a longer and narrower board will assist you in flat water to get up a smaller foil. Narrow Longboards are very good for this, the downside can be instability. If you’re not suffering from instability and have good balance then definitely go for something longer and narrower.
There’s potential for balance issues with a narrower board but that is often taken care of if you go longer as well. It is normally exaggerated when you’re in crossed up ocean conditions.
Sounds like you’re on a fun path, i’m excited for you that you get to buy a new board 🤙🤙
@downwind_drifter Thanks so much for your input! It's just so hard to nail it with equipment choice when you are not advanced enough to know exactly what is suitable for your local conditions and don't have people around that are into downwinding
@@cyp13 what does your local water look like? Fetch and wind speeds?
@downwind_drifter can be anything windwise but would say 70% below 15knots especially in the winter. It's a big bay so can only get swell from the East South East and that's quite fast moving but never ocean swell. I am based in Limassol, Cyprus
@ looks like a great spot! That’s a good amount of fetch around you. You should get a full range of bumps there 🤙🤙
really like the style of this video.
couple things that I noticed:
the paddle seems rather long for you. Have you tried it a couple cms shorter? You really need to raise your top arm quite high to get the paddle forward without touching the water but it still does sometimes. That really messes with your rhythm. The slightly shorter paddle could benefit your paddle cadence and technique.
Also have you tried a slightly smaller paddle blade? That could also benefit your efficiency and technique. At the moment your a pulling quite long on the paddle even behind your back leg to create enough forward thrust to match the speed of the bump. The shorter and smaller paddle helped me a lot to get a higher cadence and an overall more efficient paddle up, that unlocked smaller frontwings for me.
Which leads me to a smaller frontwing. You seem quite overpowered in these conditions with the 1201. The big frontwing looks less efficient on the paddle ups. In bigger conditions the larger frontwings have a tendency to act a bit like a brake. They don't accelerate as much as a smaller ones, so you actually have to put more energy in to the paddle up because of the drag of the frontwing. Also on the pumps and glides it looks less efficient for these conditions, so you actually have to put more energy in to stay on a good line compared to a smaller frontwing. Would never recommend that to a beginner, but to me it looks like you are holding yourself back with the 1201 in these conditions, which seem to have a lot more energy than your regular runs at home.
Hope that makes sense to you and you can take something from it. Really like your videos, so I thought I can give something back. happy sends.
Thanks for the great message!
I’m definitely open to learning more.
I have tried many different lengths of paddle, short to long and this is where I settled.
The paddle is the same height as me, where would most people have it?
I have a smaller bladed fixed paddle that I also use, that is up to my eye brows. I could re visit using it more, the reason I stopped is to get better footage with the GoPro.
I’m not very flexible and find it a bit hard to bend having buggered knees and having had two reconstruction hip surgeries… it might be why a long paddle ended up feeling more comfortable.
-
I did use a smaller paddle blade for a long time but went back to the slightly bigger one. I think I got used to using the power of the bigger blade when I wanted power… rather than high cadence.
-
I could definitely utilise a smaller front wing out here… the 1201 is my get me home foil. I’m using it while I feel out the conditions and build some experience out here. I plan to size down once im a touch more comfortable and there are less unknowns… Im pretty cautious in a lot of ways… I also hate! being underfoiled.
My likely first step is to go down to my regular stab… the 40 skinny… a lot of my drag will be coming from that. I have a few other smaller front foils to play with too.
I’ve been feeling (not just feeling) that I need to pump at the top end to match the swells pace, I often actually prefer that than having to pump at the bottom end. I’ve been using the bigger stab yo actually slow me down and shift the system to being more comfortable in the bottom end. This will also all change as I get comfy.
I’m likely heading out today again and I will take you thoughts with me thank you 🤙🤙