October 18th: Wing board (Wing 4.0m²)

Today, the wind finally blew.
It's been a month since I last used the Wing.
From the morning, looking at the weather map and wind forecast,
I was convinced that 'today is the day'.
The forecast was 7m/s.
Around 13:00, the air started to move,
and streaks of wind appeared on the sea surface.
For safety, I chose 4.0m² today.

Since it had been a while, I first reviewed the operation on land.
I lifted the Wing, letting my body remember the movement of feeling the wind.
The moment I filled the Wing with air, a nostalgic feeling surged.
This light resistance, this sound, this sensation––
Wing is the best after all.

As for the instructor, today they went out on a Foil board, not a SUP.
Immediately, they lifted off the water, cutting through the wind and speeding along.
They even performed jumps like those seen on YouTube.
'Amazing……'
Watching them, I naturally smiled.
More than a lesson today, it felt like I was sharing the same sea with the instructor.

The instructor was enjoying themselves like this,
while also giving me wireless lessons.

Finally, I also set sail.
The wind was about 5m/s, just right.
I deployed the daggerboard, set an angle into the wind, and started moving forward.
It felt great to be able to go upwind.
When I reached about 500 meters offshore,
I attempted my first jibe––
but was tossed by a swell and immediately sank.
Balancing in a neutral position was difficult,
and there was an instability as my body seemed to float on the waves.
I flipped the board back over and, this time headed back to shore.
The port side was still a bit challenging, but I managed to move somehow.
Little by little, I was steadily getting my feel back.

When I returned to shore, I had drifted about 50 meters downwind.
From there, I walked upwind again and challenged myself once more.
I went offshore and repeated the jibe many times.
The wind picked up further, making the 4.0m² feel a bit overpowered.
Even so, the Wing allows you to depower, so
as long as you can control it, it's not scary.
In fact, this strong wind felt comfortable.
After all, 'feeling the wind and riding' is the ultimate pleasure.

Just as I became somewhat stable and able to ride,
the instructor sped over, came close, and called out to me.
'You've improved quite a lot. How about trying a Foil board when November comes?'
The moment I heard those words,
something clicked inside my heart.
'Yes, please!'
I replied immediately.
I had the feeling that I had finally reached this point––

After the lesson, I received permission for independent practice in the strong wind,
and went back out to sea alone.
However, as time passed, the wind died down,
and instead, the swells grew larger.
Pushed by the waves, it became difficult to maintain balance.
Honestly, I just wanted to surf with a SUP by then.
Since I hadn't made a reservation, I gave up on that idea,
but even so, today was full of a sense of accomplishment.

For the first time in a long time, I became one with the wind and the sea.
In the strong wind,
that feeling from long ago completely returned.
And next––finally, it's the Foil board.

Even as the sun set in the evening today, quite a few people remained.