How to Ride a Hydrofoil
Learn to foil
Riding a foil can be counter-intuitive especially compared to other board sports.
A great foil to start with is a lower aspect foil with some anhedral (downturned wing) like the Konrad SS1300 or 1600. Konrad Foil Set. As the aspect ratio gets higher, and the foil flatter and with more span, the foil is harder to ride and takes a much more nuanced approach to stay flat side-to side and to recovery from turns.
Balance for foiling
The goal of foiling is to be balanced on heel/toe pressure and front foot / back foot pressure. At first, you should focus on keeping the board as flat and level as possible side-to-side using only heel and toe pressure - no leaning.
Your pivot point or fulcrum is over the front foil wing (not the mast), because that is what’s providing lift. Foiling requires subtle movements and corrections, with little to no leaning or board healing, especially compared to surfing or wakeboarding, it’s definitely more about finesse than power.
Flat water foiling
Highly recommend spending some time in no waves or chop behind a boat, unstrapped, practicing pop up and getting comfortable riding for a minute or more on foil. Isolate the variables down to just feeling the foil, so you don’t have to worry about big sets coming in or how fast you need to go.
The Sailboard Maui Wing Boards have been our go-to board for rentals and lessons. The have a great balance between lightness and durability, and a bomb-proof foil track box to mount the mast.
How to turn - Foiling
Once you can start to do heel/toe steering and riding through the wake and chop, then you’re ready for some small mushy waves. And jibing on wing foil will also be much easier, once you feel how little you need to carve the board.
Beginner Foiling Tips:
1. Start by laying down on the board, then pull yourself to your knees. Start on a big foil SUP
2. Go to drop knee with front foot up. Front foot should be perfectly centreline at 90 degreed.
3. Stand up smooth and in balance, no leaning, with front foot pressure (Not enough to sink the nose of the board).
4. Can use heel side pressure to get outside the first wake.
5. Hip shift your weight for a second to the back foot to come up on foil.
6. Shift your weight back even on both feet to level out on foil.
7. Use only heel and toe pressure to keep the board as flat as possible - side to side. No leaning.
8. Practice pumping and accelerating out of the wake.
9. Jump free when falling. Don't try to save it.
