After two first tests on the new Tribal ASY Carbon proto I dare say this new speedfin to hit the market is a killer.
As usual Chris L has been thinking outside of the box. I am not 6 foot 2, nor do I weigh 100kg+ and therefore I love his approach towards designing windsurfgear. To me he already proved his genius with the sym speed and the MK2 but this asy is taking fin design to a whole new level.
To me Chris' design skills in combination with the immaculate finish by Peter and Talitha in their Dutch factory is slowly but steadily proving to result in products which are with the very best in our niche sport.
Even if I was already stunned with the Tribal products at hand, I couldn't imagine I would mention something on an asy fin which doesn't come close to the trusted lifting and flexing products like the trusted Z ASY. My buddy Serge and I were requesting for an ASY fin not only suited for the Giants of Speed but ideally also for average weight and as for me also average length riders. Peter mentioned our design request to ChrisL and he delivered.
After testing only two times in extremely moderate windspeeds which hardly exceeded 25 knots in the very gusty conditions we had so far I dare say a stunning sensation is at hand. The shape of the fin as well as the chosen lay-up results in something completely different from the standing carbon asy fins which rely a lot on massive leg pressure and leverage. However good these fins are for any rider, tall and heavy and shorter and lighter alike, they do give a massive advantage to the ultra heavy. The more you push, the faster you go. The correllation between drag and power to overcome the drag incorporated into the design is easily recognizable for any experienced speedrider. Consequence...massive speed advantages to the more powerful.
The main question at hand....do you really need the drag related to current speed designs? Second and very hot question after Luderitz...do you really need the windspeeds in which the standing windsurf world record has been set? I feel the new Tribal ASY potentially holds an answer which I feel no one else so far has thought of. To me Chris is showing his great skills...again!
In person I have to rely on style and experience, not so much on strength, length and power. As speed to me is not a weight lifting competion, I like to focus on control. If I take this view a little wider and think of those less gifted than the very top, regardless of weight and length, I am getting to fun in speed. To me in person fun in speed and transitions is related to products that help me to achieve my personal goals, while at the same time looking in awe at the speeds set in Luderitz by the monsters of speed. I know I have got the skills to be with the best even at my age, regardless of weight and length as long as I am not set back by gear best suited for the heavier and tallest riders. After more than 40 years of speedsurfing I am still learning and feel I am getting faster compared to others. Products like the ones being created by Tribal help me to get better and I gladly rave about designers like Chris or Art Szpunar who dare to think outside of the box.
I admire those who dare to think outisde of this box and deliberately and meticulously work towards products that are best for all and not only for the few who are lucky enough to have the right size to be the fastest period. The common gound...fun! Many products might be fast for the heaviest but simply are a pig to sail if you're not 6.2 and 100kg+ and there is no marketing bull**** in this remark whatsoever. The new marketing gimmick of going high aspect because of experiences in foiling is an example of the focus on the tallest and heaviest in our sport and fogetting about joe average.
Just like Twan, Hans, Andy, Vincent, Gunnar and others could never win in formula one simply because of their length and weight, I could never beat them at Luderitz even if I would be just as talented and well trained. I do, however can achieve my personal goals and have more fun while going at it by using gear which is suited for my weight.
ChrisL...you did an amazing job. Again. Kudos to you and the team creating the products I wholehartedly support with a shoutout. Bring it on and keep on rocking guys and girl!
I leave that to Chris and/or Peter when they feel the time is right. Merely wanted to share something nice is on the horizon for anyone interested.
Sorry for being stoked. This is just a huge fan of Chris' and Peter's work speaking as you noticed.
Select to expand quoteKwibai said..
I leave that to Chris and/or Peter when they feel the time is right. Merely wanted to share something nice is on the horizon for anyone interested.
Sorry for being stoked. This is just a huge fan of Chris' and Peter's work speaking as you noticed.
Can you ask if you can put pix up? Be a lot quicker..for us to have a look & order
We're still testing on behalf of Chris Lockwood and Peter Weitenberg.
Pictures will follow after the product has been fully developed and thoroughly tested in all conditions to make sure the best possible Tribal Luderitz foil is ready for action, or as soon as Peter and Chris feel it's time.
gps-speedsurfing.com/default.aspx?mnu=forum&forum=2&val=152561
We've had a string of storms so far and Serge Beumer delivered big time in the most severe storm of the last month. Twan's track has been thoroughly screened and checked and it's clean. I believe Twan to be honest but Serge was faster topspeed, 10 seconds and over 500. Twan is far from slow open water speedsailing, so the least we know it was a first and proper test. To be clear...no offence intended.. it's just meant to say we had a very good benchmark in the initial testing phase in the shape and form of one of the very fastest and well respected speedriders in the world. It obviously also shows Serge's skills. As he is not super heavy all the more interesting for sure.
Serge's highest peak, run and 500 were more than satisfactory for the given conditions in such an early stage.
Main testing water is strand Horst, an open water spot with a wave structure resembling Luderitz at times but way too gusty and irregular to go for super massive speeds. Still, to us the best testing waters as you find all real life conditions imaginable over the year.
Chris designed the asy for 60 knots and has got some very valid and interesting ideas why current fins are maxing out around the standing record speeds. Obviously the Tribal Asy will still have to prove itself, but if signs are not mistaken the record hunters could get their hands on a true weapon in their quest for the outright windsurfing record.
Fun thing is that the fin hands down is the easiest asy I ever sailed. It visibly stands out from all other designs on the market and also offers a chance to rethink the way medium to high wind speed/slalomfins are now designed. Lift distribution is noticeably different creating a self setting ride. I can understand where Chris was getting at when designing this "thing". It potentially makes the drag dependent, heavy backfoot dependent, mass dependent and therefore limiting speed approach foils now in use look like the old school fins. I could imagine when top riders are nearing the standing speed barrier this design will give the needed confidence to push futher knowing it won't cavitate the way Antoine experienced in his record year. Obviously one can only tell when the real deal is on, but the least I dare to say now is that the approach itself is refreshing.
Chris focus mainly has been on the objective to create a comfortable manageable and potentially record breaking ride in gruelling conditions , but so far it's clear it's working like a dream in real world conditions as well.
In Luderitz you need a blistering accelletation in order to be fast over 500. One thing I can tell after the initial testing phase.....this part is covered. I had super short bursts of speed within ten second runs, which I saw never before. I mean a 5 knot gap over a ten second ride between top and average and this multiple times is sick. We're only scratching the surface of the design....
I trust Chris when he says these bursts of speed don't stop at the standing record in the hands of the right rider given the right conditions. Only time can tell if Chris reached his goal but so far this old fart has been enjoying some of his most fun open water chop sessions ever. Happy to be given the honour to test and looking forward to what the true kings of speed can do with this creation.
To be continued.....
