After two weeks of inhaling high octane windsport, forgive me for a few thoughts. I'll probably spread stuff over a few posts to keep the topics more concise. I'll do a longer post with pics when I get back as I'm cooling my heels now in the Athens Airport. The beach I was at is primarily wind and wing as space -especially the entry point-is limited. Kites use another beach around the coast.
The skill levels varied from first-timers to almost pro level. Both ends of the spectrum are inspiring. Watching a loop is about as cool as watching a bunch of kids scooting around beginner boards, imho.
After spending 95%+ of my time over the last four years on foil, I spent all but a couple of hours here on fin. Like most windsport, the tools of choice depend on the local conditions.
Where I was with strong but reasonably steady winds and increasingly steep chop as the wind rose, either fin or wing makes a lot more sense. The only days I foiled, it was "light" ie fins were using a 6.0 and I was foiling a 4.2 with about an 850 wing. When the wind picked up, it was easy to get a 100l or smaller board and go play. We didn't get monster holes like we get on Lanier and it's pretty easy to scoot into the beach if the wind does change. With water temps in the 70s, getting wet isn't the PITA that Lanier is in the cold months. Waiting a minute for a waterstart, as long as you aren't drifting on top of the islands mid channel, is comfy.
Ripping with a fin, having plenty of power and a turny board, is still aces in my book. I'd love to spend enough time in a place to justify owning a board like the little 78l RRD FSW that I preferred on big days. Watching the big dogs play on little boards was awe inspiring: tacks, heliracks, ducks and freestyle moves.
My fin skills were rusty so the first few days were butt ugly but towards the end it was coming together and I gained a lot of confidence being out in probably the biggest conditions I've ever been.
Foil or fin? Yes.
Summer trip thoughts- fin vs foil
Tue, 07/19/2022 - 02:40
#1
Summer trip thoughts- fin vs foil
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Nice report! So where were you, Greek island of FL beach?
Barrett
Looks and sounds like you had the trip of a lifetime.
Beautiful place to ponder fin vs foil.
Alan
Golden Beach, Paros, Greece