Hi guys, just a check to know if I'm on the right track to learn the pump? Starts are feeling better and better from session to session.
Any exercises to practice the pump? I don't have the chance to get towed by boat or to use an efoil soonish.
At the moment I'm still learning dockstart. I can repair it with epoxy paste but it will break again I guess. Should I bother or don't I even notice it? I suck so I can't tell. Will change it once I'm able to pump.
Hey everyone,
I’m an 80kg (176 lbs) total beginner in open-water foiling and I need a serious reality check on board selection.
My current setup & level:
I'm currently learning dockstart pump foiling on a micro board (Gong Kluber 7.5L). Really at the beginning and struggling. Therefore my main goal is to get a foil assist to not just suck all day and have some moments of glory and training to position on a running board. And expanding later to other disciplines. My front wings are large, high-efficiency foils (Sabfoil Leviathan 1350, 1150, and W1100).
I already have my micro board for dry-land pump practice, so I don't care at all about dockstarting with this new setup. I want ONE stable main board for open/deep water to do:
Foil Assist / Foil Drive (Flat Water Launch): Easy knee or prone launches without drowning the board.
Wingfoil (Light Wind): Easy pop-up when there’s barely any breeze.
SUP Downwind: Learning to catch basic bumps with a paddle down the line.
Parawing (Maybe in the future): Potential stability to handle lines/canopy from knees down the road.
I’m currently cross-shopping two specific ~85L options from Gong:
Option A (Rigid): Gong Cruzader Point FSP Pro 85L (~5'6" x 22" mid-length shape).
Option B (Inflatable): Gong HIPE Diamond 5'4" 85L (5'4" x 20.25" x 5").
Questions for you:
Rigid Mid-Length vs. Short Inflatable: For flat-water launches with a Foil Assist or Light Wind Wing, does the extra length and waterline glide of the 6'0" Cruzader completely destroy the shorter 5'4" HIPE Diamond, even though both are 85L?
Inflatable + Leviathan 1350: Has anyone paired ultra-wide high-aspect wings (like the Leviathan 1350 with its 135cm wingspan) with an inflatable like the HIPE Diamond? Is pitch/torsional flex a dealbreaker, or does the carbon plate handle it fine?
Or am I looking in the completely wrong direction for an 80kg beginner trying to do Foil Assist + Light Wind Winging? Should I be looking at a longer DW shape or higher volume altogether? Am I just confused?
Be as direct as possible. Thanks!
Fourth session, the dock has no ladder. Either way I win. Big biceps or pumpfoiling.
It's hard solo 😔
I don't think anyone can fix this mess....
Hey everyone,
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I’ve recently customized my 2022 Volvo V90 B4 Mild Hybrid with the full Keyless entry system and Android Automotive OS (AAOS) for solo road trips. I built a custom wooden platform/box setup in the back to sleep on.
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My biggest anxiety is 12V battery drain caused by the car's modules staying awake while I'm inside. To combat this, I’ve developed a paranoid, militaristic nightly routine to force the car into "Deep Sleep":
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Software tweaks: I have permanently disabled the automatic mirror folding/unfolding and turned off all welcome/approach lights.
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The Tailgate: I managed to fully deactivate the hands-free kick-sensor.
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The Lock Sequence: I get inside, close all doors, and press the physical lock button on the front door panel so the car locks the perimeter.
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The Faraday Trick: Immediately after locking, I wrap my Keyless fob into multiple layers of aluminum foil (Faraday shield) to cut the radio dialogue and force the car's modules to sleep.
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Here is the massive pain in the ass:
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Every time I need or someone needs to get in and out of the car during the night (you know, bathroom breaks), battery drain anxiety goes to high cortisol levels. Unwrapping and re-wrapping the key in foil every single time I need to step out and pee is driving me insane. Since it's a full Keyless version, if I don't shield it perfectly while inside, the car stays on high alert.
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Also, I cannot find the "Reduced Guard" setting anywhere in my AAOS menus to turn off the interior movement alarm. Surprisingly, the alarm didn't trigger last night, but sleeping inside with volumetric sensors active feels like playing Russian roulette.
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My questions for you guys:
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Is there a cleaner way to handle a Keyless Volvo while sleeping inside? Can I completely disable the key's transponder temporarily (like holding buttons down on older keys)? Is there an OBD/software tweak to just tell the car "I'm camping, stop checking the key also when I'm outside the car cooking or enjoying the nature"?
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Thanks
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