Hi
Here are some details of one of Bjorn’s recent speed
runs. A fantastic performance on the
water recorded and displayed so nicely on his GPS watch. I don’t know this brand but it looks like a
really awesome piece of kit. If the big
guy uses one, it has to be special I suppose.
I also notice that one of the pieces of equipment used on
these runs, was a Zulu 30cm fin. This is
not surprising to those of us who have spent so many happy hours blasting on Zulus. Robbie has really nailed it with these
blades.
Here is Bjorn’s post:
Speaking of Robbie and his Zulu fins, I notice that he has
built a foiled fin (this appears to be half way between a full windsurf foil
and a normal race fin). The example shown
here is a prototype so we don’t know how it will perform.
I have not the faintest clue about how this thing will
work. I suppose that it will enable the
board to plane much earlier but it’s characteristics at speed will be really
interesting to see.
I’ve not seen Robbie for a while so cannot comment about how the "fin/foil" behaved. It is winter now, and hardly
anyone windsurfs until around September/November. One loses touch with the windsurfing
community in winter.
I will follow up with Robbie about the foil when I have a
chance, and give feedback on this blog.
I know others have tried similar fin/foil designs in the past and I’m sure that
Robbie will test/adapt and re-fabricate.
We will have to wait and see what the master comes up with when the
process has run its course.
In the next post I want to say some more about foiling and
some of the developments being done by different companies.
Some good things are coming down the line but
are not yet being standardized. There
are also some developments which seem questionable to me.
I want to discuss some of this stuff and also
explore the options available to get into foiling (use an existing board, buy a
dedicated foiling board, buy a big slalom board with re-enforced fin box
etc). Please watch out for that post and
let’s have a conversation.
Before I end, I want to share a message received from Emily
Philbrick who runs a non profit organization called Beyond Boardshorts. They help underprivileged youth who have
talent but no funding, to participate in watersports. Emily’s message, copied below, speaks for
itself. If you are inclined, please give
them a look and consider donating. This
is a good cause I’m sure you will agree.
From: Beyond Boardshorts [mailto:beyondboardshorts@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2017 06:48 PM
To: philco@iafrica.com
Subject: Hey Phil!
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2017 06:48 PM
To: philco@iafrica.com
Subject: Hey Phil!
Hey Phil,
My name is Emily Philbrick and I am working on promoting our
non profit organization called Beyond Boardshorts .
I work with
professional windsurfers Tyson Poor, Wyatt Miller and Bryan Metcalf Perez.
We are seeking to inspire and empower future generations
through athleticism on the water with water sports, especially windsurfing!
Our mission is to bring our passion for water sports to the
world’s youth by providing inspiration, training and equipment to those who
would not otherwise be able to participate in water sports.
As of July 2016, we became a 501 (C)(3) tax deductible
organization and have been continuing our journey to fulfill our mission and
spread the stoke to those around the globe!
What we have done thus far:
- Sponsored 9 Moroccan youth to compete in
the prestigious International Windsurfing Tour.
- Donated the value of $5,000 USD to kids in the
Dominican Republic, Cuba, Columbia, Mexico and now closer to home for us;
the San Fransisco Bay area.
- Purchased a small boat (with trailer) for a La Paz,
Mexico windsurfing club to assist with their FREE instruction to local
youth.
- In the Bay we will be sponsoring a windsurfing coach to
support local kids through inspiration, training and providing equipment.
****We
choose youth that are well deserving and who would not otherwise be able to
participate****
We are writing you in hopes that you will help us with this
movement by spreading the word about what we are doing with those in the
windsurf community.
Additionally, we hope that you would help us to
promote our windsurf fundraiser event in Berkeley California. Our
fundraiser Boardfest is June 10th and will be hosted at HS Lordships
restaurant.
The link for the event is below:
We really enjoy your blog and thought it would be a nice
addition to get a shout out from you if you're available and willing.
People can follow us through our journeys with our constant
updates on social media as well as by signing up for our newsletters (via our
website).
Please contact me with any questions or comments you would
like to share! Also, if there is anything that we can do to assist you,
please don't hesitate!
Thank you for your support Phil!
Have a wonderful day!
Emily
Talk to you soon
Phil
