HOW TO FLY ABOVE THE WATER:
Foilboarding has taken stand up paddling by storm. The pros are all obsessed by it, are developing their technique and everyone wants to try it. Here is a great tutorial on Tips and How To’s for foiling from Signature Surf team rider 15-year-old Nate van Vuuran.
Signature Surf 15-year old team rider Nate V on ‘How To Fly’“One of the key points when catching a wave is to be sure to keep your weight on your front foot and keep your knees bent. When you’re up on a foil it feels like time has stopped and you’re flying through the water.” – Nate V First get on a jet ski or a boat and get used to the feeling of being towed.
This will give you an understanding of what it feels like to be above the water. When progressing into the waves, be sure to choose a beach away from people and other surfers. When paddling into a wave, be in surfer’s stance and paddle hard! Keep your weight on your front foot and your knees bent. When beginning to learn how to turn on the waves, remember to lead with your hips and twist with your upper body towards the wave. The biggest rule is to get out there and HAVE FUN.
Hydrofoils are the future.
They allow us to access new waves and offshore surf breaks that had never been explored before. Basically, foils redefined what we considered to be a rideable wave.
Foil surfing is an exciting experience, and it may not require waves to get going. Hydrofoil surfing is somehow like controlled aquaplaning. It’s all about gliding effortlessly and smoothly above water.
Hydrofoil is a hydro dynamically designed fin with wings.
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.
The structure, or fuselage, blends steel, aluminum, and fiberglass and lifts a surfboard outside the water even at low speeds. Foils can be used to surf, race our cruise around.
One of the first watermen to attach a foil to a surfboard was Laird Hamilton. He used it in big wave conditions and proved that it could be a smart and valuable weapon in all kinds of swells.
Kai Lenny was one of the first riders to test the hydrofoil in windsurfing, kiteboarding, surfing and even bodyboarding. The Hawaiian also used it in a wide variety of ocean conditions, waves, and scenarios.
Lenny and Naish ended up developing a “Foil Surfing 101” course for those who want to experience the thrill of foiling. Ready to become a foil surfer?
The Surf Spots for Foiling
Hydrofoiling is fun, but we need to make sure it’s really safe for yourself and everybody else around us. Ideally, find a spot where nobody else is at, especially if you don’t trust your skill level or if you’re still learning.
Because you can ride a foil surfboard almost anywhere, you don’t need to go to a crowded break. You can simply make the most of whatever condition you have.
The Wave
You can ride everything. Even the worst wave you’ve ever seen in your entire life. The best way to get started is to find a spot with small waves in the one-to-two-foot range.
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.
A 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 Foil Board Setup
The place where you attach the foil to the board depends on your weight and height, and the wave you’re about to ride.
If you’re a small surfer and need an extra lift, you’re going to position the wing forward in the box. A larger rider should move it forward, too.
However, when the waves get bigger, the plate system should move farther back on the tracks.
The Stance
Ideally, you should place the traction pads exactly where your feet should be. They work as a guidance to your stance.
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.
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 kick tail.
Aim for a shoulder-width stance with a lot of front foot pressure.
So stoked to see more groms out there trying this new sport. For the love and enjoyment of the water.