So had a 1 day camp with Andy Brandt from ABK Board Sports, one of the things he taught me was how to go hard upwind with my AFS F1080 wing, now I can go hard upwind with the F770 wing but always thought the F1080 was limited in that because of its aspect ratio. Well I was wrong!, and not only did I learn to go hard up wind with the F1080 but also learned to do it fast (normally would go upwind to slow down in a gust). So there I am going hard upwind and fast on the F1080 and I start to get hit with some gusts and go flying. Now normally when I foil out with the F1080 I land it, most of the time, like a breaching whale coming almost to a stop. But now after the camp when I go hard upwind I am moving fast and when I foil out I just go into the air and then land, in a smooth arc like a dolphin jumping as it follows a boat's bow wake, and then I keep on going at the same speed and angle, makes it fun!
Select to expand quoteStretchy said..
So what's the secret to a smooth dolphin landing? I'm more of a whale
In this case, going upwind at high speed with a 7-posture that puts my weight out over the water and I kept that posture through the foil out and reentry, normally I would have my weight centered more over the board and be going crosswind when I foil out with the F1080 wing and when I land it have my weight over the board.
Select to expand quoteSandman1221 said..Stretchy said..
So what's the secret to a smooth dolphin landing? I'm more of a whale
In this case, going upwind at high speed with a 7-posture that puts my weight out over the water and I kept that posture through the foil out and reentry, normally I would have my weight centered more over the board and be going crosswind when I foil out with the F1080 wing and when I land it have my weight over the board.
Now how I was able to go upwind so fast on my kit, well there was a lot I learned from Andy that made that possible.
Or....you could follow Xavier, Chris, Sohiel, or Eric around during Cal Cup or practices. Choose your sizing.
Select to expand quoteSandman1221 said..Sandman1221 said..Stretchy said..
So what's the secret to a smooth dolphin landing? I'm more of a whale
In this case, going upwind at high speed with a 7-posture that puts my weight out over the water and I kept that posture through the foil out and reentry, normally I would have my weight centered more over the board and be going crosswind when I foil out with the F1080 wing and when I land it have my weight over the board.
Now how I was able to go upwind so fast on my kit, well there was a lot I learned from Andy that made that possible.
His knack of identifying what seems like a pretty insignificant suggestion that results in a significant break-through is amazing. Time on water is important, but getting some feedback on where things are breaking down is highly valuable too.
Select to expand quotethedoor said..Sandman1221 said..Sandman1221 said..Stretchy said..
So what's the secret to a smooth dolphin landing? I'm more of a whale
In this case, going upwind at high speed with a 7-posture that puts my weight out over the water and I kept that posture through the foil out and reentry, normally I would have my weight centered more over the board and be going crosswind when I foil out with the F1080 wing and when I land it have my weight over the board.
Now how I was able to go upwind so fast on my kit, well there was a lot I learned from Andy that made that possible.
His knack of identifying what seems like a pretty insignificant suggestion that results in a significant break-through is amazing. Time on water is important, but getting some feedback on where things are breaking down is highly valuable too.
Yeah he quickly diagnosed some issues I had on the fin. Wish I had talked to him more in regards to foiling. He could see a lot of issues but stuck to ones that he knew he could start taking care of that day.
I land more like a flounder 
. I can survive downwind breaches ok, but hard upwind is a 50/50. I had one that I saved when going overpowered upwind, but on foil re-entry, it went flat at turned down wind. Since I was hanging out in the harness, I couldn't get enough weight on the rail to carve back up wind. I was accelerating fast turning down wind. Got scared and hit the eject button on that one 
.
I wish I could eject when about to get launched.
Unfortunately, I fight it until pulled offbalance..forward..and hooked in g force just slings me and the rig to almost complete a belly flop 360 loop.
Making it would be nice, but I being short by 90 degrees is just embarrassing.
Select to expand quoteaeroegnr said..thedoor said..Sandman1221 said..Sandman1221 said..Stretchy said..
So what's the secret to a smooth dolphin landing? I'm more of a whale
In this case, going upwind at high speed with a 7-posture that puts my weight out over the water and I kept that posture through the foil out and reentry, normally I would have my weight centered more over the board and be going crosswind when I foil out with the F1080 wing and when I land it have my weight over the board.
Now how I was able to go upwind so fast on my kit, well there was a lot I learned from Andy that made that possible.
His knack of identifying what seems like a pretty insignificant suggestion that results in a significant break-through is amazing. Time on water is important, but getting some feedback on where things are breaking down is highly valuable too.
Yeah he quickly diagnosed some issues I had on the fin. Wish I had talked to him more in regards to foiling. He could see a lot of issues but stuck to ones that he knew he could start taking care of that day.
All I wanted was to learn to do a foiling gybe, so that is all he worked on, but to get there he 1st wanted me to get up on the smallest sail possible, and 2nd to go hard upwind so that after attempting a gybe going away from him I could come back towards him and do another in front of him without getting downwind and having to slog upwind to him every loop. And fortunately the camp got split between two days with two days in between, gave me time to practice getting up with a sail two sizes down from what I normally would use (7.2 to a 4.5) and think about everything. On the second half day of the camp I actually got around on a foiling gybe with just a light touch down in the middle and then back up!
I've been wanting to get down for one of Andy's foiling 1-day camps - sounds like it was very worthwhile, huh? (I did one of his 2-3 days windsurfing camps way back in the day, and really benefitted from that!)
Select to expand quotejims said..
I've been wanting to get down for one of Andy's foiling 1-day camps - sounds like it was very worthwhile, huh? (I did one of his 2-3 days windsurfing camps way back in the day, and really benefitted from that!)
I'd say the biggest mistake I made was not going sooner.
Select to expand quotejims said..
I've been wanting to get down for one of Andy's foiling 1-day camps - sounds like it was very worthwhile, huh? (I did one of his 2-3 days windsurfing camps way back in the day, and really benefitted from that!)
Well the gybe was not a big priority for a long time, but then I wanted to get it cause all the kite foilers were always doing it and could cover so much water, and leave me behind! So I started practicing a foiling gybe that transitioned into a planing gybe, got that working good and then knew I needed a lesson for the full foil gybe. Watched lots of videos, but they did not explain it like Andy, and I needed him to watch me and tell me what I was doing right and wrong, and what to do to avoid the wrong parts. It is not easy to do, and my kit did not make it easier, but I like going fast!
Hey Sand, the most interesting (to me) part of your description is the going from 7.2 to 4.5. There must be something magical about making a (in my case) 5.0 work in 15 mph wind at my 195 lb weight. I usually run a 7.0 in such conditions.
Did AB instruct in how to pump the 4.5 and then keep you flying once up?
