![]() Having the traction pad installed in the right place will ensure you won't need to think about where to put your foot down. And the steeper the wave gets, the more you need to lean forward. The take-off process on a foil board is identical to that of surfing.Īs soon as you stand up, apply pressure on your front foot, like snowboarding on the slopes. When you spot a wave coming, start paddling until you feel you've caught it. Duck diving can be surprisingly easy because foils create extra lift and will project you through the wave. When you're in chest-deep water, start paddling out like if you do on a regular board. If you want to start pumping or make a tight radius turn, you can always step back a little bit, and you'll be right on the kicktail.Īim for a shoulder-width stance with a lot of front foot pressure.Īvoid dings and embarrassment when walking into the water by holding the board like a standard surfboard and grabbing the foil's wingtip with the other hand. So, the trick is to find the sweet spot, which generally translates into having your back foot over the mast or maybe a little bit behind it. Ideally, you should place the traction pads exactly where your feet should be. However, when the waves get bigger, the plate system should move farther back on the tracks. A larger rider should move it forward, too. If you're a small surfer and need an extra lift, you will position the wing forward in the box. The place where you attach the foil to the board depends on your weight and height and the wave you're about to ride. The goal is to paddle into whitewater rollers and when you stand up, you'll have all the power you need to ride the hydrofoil.Ī jet ski or a boat may help you learn the basics and adapt to the board by, for example, grabbing a rope and getting used to the overall riding feel. The best way to get started is to find a spot with small waves in the one-to-two-foot range. Even the worst wave you've ever seen in your entire life. You can make the most of whatever condition you have. Ideally, find a spot where nobody else is at, especially if you don't trust your skill level or if you're still learning.īecause you can ride a foil surfboard almost anywhere, you don't need to go to a crowded break. Hydrofoiling is fun, but we need to make sure it's really safe for yourself and everybody else around us. ![]() ![]() Ready to become a foil surfer? The Surf Spots for Foiling Lenny and Naish ended up developing a "Foil Surfing 101" course for those who want to experience the thrill of foiling. The Hawaiian also used it in a wide variety of ocean conditions, waves, and scenarios. Kai Lenny was one of the first riders to test the hydrofoil in windsurfing, kiteboarding, surfing, and even bodyboarding. He used it in big wave conditions and proved that it could be a smart and valuable weapon in all kinds of swells. One of the first watermen to attach a foil to a surfboard was Laird Hamilton. Foils can be used to surf, race, or cruise around. The structure, or fuselage, blends steel, aluminum, and fiberglass and lifts a surfboard outside the water even at low speeds. The beauty of it is that it mitigates the effects of the wind on the surface of the water, reducing friction and allowing you to angle at 90 degrees in less than a second. It's all about gliding effortlessly and smoothly above water.Ī hydrofoil is a long and hydrodynamically designed fin with wings. Hydrofoil surfing is somehow like controlled aquaplaning. They allow us to access new waves and offshore surf breaks that had never been explored before.īasically, foils redefined what we considered to be a rideable wave.įoil surfing is an exciting experience, and it may not require waves to get going. Hydrofoils are the future of water sports. Understand the foil board setup, the stance, the riding techniques, and the underwater wings work. Learn how to get started with hydrofoiling safely.
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