Winching a wakesurf

[Surfdad]

So fastfive dug out his backyard for a winching pond. James borrowed our winch to give it a go and also took our first production Flyboy with him.


winch by FlyBoy Wakesurf, on Flickr

Setting the first rail, let's make it 8 feet tall


winch 2 by FlyBoy Wakesurf, on Flickr

Coming to a store near you this spring, the new line of Flyboy Wakeskates


winch 3 by FlyBoy Wakesurf, on Flickr

Not a great picture, but close up details of the flyboy


closeup winch by FlyBoy Wakesurf, on Flickr

[konajay]

Awesome

[Allan Kendall]

Only a Walker.....looks so fun!

[jbort]

"Houston - we have a launch". Now this add new dimensions on wakesurf competition w rails etc.

[jbort]

How fast was he going? 18mph? 20? faster? slower? water looks shallow.

[Surfdad]

The winch is a blast. I've done it before, out on our home lake. It's not a real steady speed as the rope winds up, the spool develops a larger diameter, so you're actually picking up speed, it's noticable from start to finish. Plus the throttle is a sort of stick-like lever The guage is a rabbit on one end and a turtle on the other Not good at setting steady speeds.

From my experience, the straight line speed is maybe 15 to 18 mph. Starts off kinda slower and then gradually speeds up. Mitch and James are really good. I think they set a speed that is best for hitting the obstacle. Some material actually causes the board to speed up when it hits. It takes some experience get it just right.

Yeah the depth is pretty shallow, allows them to walk out after they fall or stop.

Mitch and James have winched all manner of crazy spots. Fountains at housing developments and drainage ditches. Seems like if it's wet and has something they can slide, grind or bonk they'll winch that spot.