Are you doing the start on your knee's, then standing up once you have some forward momentum?
REMINDER: THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. has no obligation to monitor the Forums. However, THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. reserves the right to review any materials submitted to or posted on the Forums, and remove, delete, redact or otherwise modify such materials, in its sole discretion and for any reason whatsoever, at any time and from time to time, without notice or further obligation to you. THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. has no obligation to display or post any materials provided by you. THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. reserves the right to disclose, at any time and from time to time, any information or materials that we deem necessary or appropriate to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, contract obligation, legal or dispute process or government request. Click on the following hyperlinks to further read the applicable Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Hand Kite Foiling
- Thread starter Kaser1
- Start date
No wind experience. 1 session was able to figure out how to get up to my feet using the wing to help, and how to change direction using the wing. But just felt like I was continuously underpowered and couldn't get up on foil. But also just holding your hands up over your head the whole time makes everything feel a little different. Tried to ride switch stance a couple times and that felt beyond awkward. But I can surf switch a bit, so should be able to get it down.
Got my f-one wing yesterday, so looking forward to taking it out. But I still need to find a sup foilboard.
Also a spot where I don't have to worry about being blown out to sea would be nice.
Got my f-one wing yesterday, so looking forward to taking it out. But I still need to find a sup foilboard.
Also a spot where I don't have to worry about being blown out to sea would be nice.
How'd the 4'10 go? Straps?yes! SUP is the way to go to learn.
on a side note, I'm trying it on my 4'10" proner today. let you know how it goes
Ha, well got the mast into the plate adapter and realized my barrel nuts were metric and I only have standard hardware. So no 4'10 trials yet. I'll let you know when I do.
BTW saw Kane (@kdmaui) wingfoil first hand yesterday on his little 4' strapless. He spent a good 15 minutes just trying to get outa the water and up and running. While AlexA had done about 4 laps to the outer reefs and back. I'm thinking I'm gonna leave the little proner boards winging to the kids. It looked like too much time/work to get up, I wanna have fun, not get frustrated.
Same think happened to Christian Pacifico the other day at Hookipa, he was on a little board and got stuck waay outside trying to get up for 20 minutes.
Hdip: yes, the knees first is the way go to.
And good point about being new to windsports. I was on the other forum this morning (seabreeze) pontificating about wind sports newbies. ;-) Main point being: as a surfer moving into kiting, I can assure you that most surfers have a mistaken impression about what is enough wind. It takes a year or two of kiting or windsurfing to really get a good sense of it -- and until then, your best bet is to follow the example of those who know. If you see kiters sitting on the beach waiting, then don't assume they are kooks who don't know what they are doing -- it's probably not windy enough! And if you are at a beach that the kiters don't go to, there's probably a reason -- and it isn't that they are kooks who are too lazy to try. Wind is surprisingly localized, there are very subtle specifics that make one spot better than others, and wind chasers are all about maximizing potential by going to the optimal spot. I suspect some of the problem reports we are hearing on learning wind wings is from not quite getting the wind [and I am not judging from afar, as that has been my problem too; I want my wing to work in 12kts, but no matter how badly I may desire this, or how hard I try, it just doesn't]
And good point about being new to windsports. I was on the other forum this morning (seabreeze) pontificating about wind sports newbies. ;-) Main point being: as a surfer moving into kiting, I can assure you that most surfers have a mistaken impression about what is enough wind. It takes a year or two of kiting or windsurfing to really get a good sense of it -- and until then, your best bet is to follow the example of those who know. If you see kiters sitting on the beach waiting, then don't assume they are kooks who don't know what they are doing -- it's probably not windy enough! And if you are at a beach that the kiters don't go to, there's probably a reason -- and it isn't that they are kooks who are too lazy to try. Wind is surprisingly localized, there are very subtle specifics that make one spot better than others, and wind chasers are all about maximizing potential by going to the optimal spot. I suspect some of the problem reports we are hearing on learning wind wings is from not quite getting the wind [and I am not judging from afar, as that has been my problem too; I want my wing to work in 12kts, but no matter how badly I may desire this, or how hard I try, it just doesn't]
No wind experience for me. I’ve been flying solo, but I’ll probably have a chance to get some help today.
No SUP at all either. That seems to be a bit of a big deal for me....stupid though it sounds.
I’ve been out twice, first time because I was frothing too hard, but the wind wasn’t quite there for me...I just sailed around trying my best to figure it out.
Yesterday we had an insane low pressure system pass over us...wind at 60kts at times. I hid on the protected side of a marina. I actually got up and sailed across the wind a few times but didn’t get on the foil. The wind was too inconsistent and swirly to get a bead on. I would have a few goes, get sent downwind and then paddle back.
The board I borrowed may not be ideal, if I’m lucky I’ll get to borrow a Sunova sup today.
Last edited:
If the wind has holes in it, just practice on the beach. It has to be solid 20 MPH to learn I'd imagine. Part of the reason I haven't jumped on one.
Yea sup the way I think for now, unless someone comes up with a new design that is in between prone and SUP that works.
Had a blast chasing Kalama and Alex yesterday. Wind was nuking at Kanaha, dumping speed all over, outside lumps you could sail onto and just let go and downwind style ride. Yer gonna have a blast your next visit
Cush/spacestick has a 6 foot (and 4’6) foilsurfer coming out. The other cush surfboards are in a class of their own materials wise. Memory foam rails. The whole board is vacuum wrapped with a smooth cushy skin. Carbon and basalt and eps inside. Kinda spendy but worth it when shin and rib slams on the rail are softer. Easier to carry on your shoulder. Grippy skin helps your hands grip the rails when sliding yourself up on the board. Riding is all Hands above your head. Always landing on the board. Pretty sure most all boards will be made that way in the future. Like riding a dolphin instead of a crab. Feels alive.
Yo guys. Could you start out with one of these wings with just a straight up SUP with no foil to get a feel? Even if it's just doing a downwinder? or could you tack with an sup? I have a predominately s/sw running tidal creek near my house - and that's often our wind direction. Thinking it could be a good place to give it a try. Then move to a foil. I took a buddy foiling behind my 21 foot cc yesterday. he was riding the dang wake at about 9 mph. Was such a trip to see in person. This may be my next thing. Lots of offshore bars to try this around Charleston.
Chris have you tried foiling being a boat yet?
I think practicing the wing with a skate board would be good training wheels too.
Someone here mentioned that.
I think practicing the wing with a skate board would be good training wheels too.
Someone here mentioned that.
yup the wing works GREAT with a regular SUP especially on days where theres not enough wind to fly a kite 7-10 kts or just barely...the wing still is a lot of fun and you can still catch waves flying the SUP
Status update...
Had a nice wing session just cruisy late afternoon. When I was coming in, close to shore I dismounted, board flipped exposing foils in the air, wind decided to bounce the kite right onto the foils, knifing 2 slices through the material.
Patching rips/holes #2 and #3 today. I guess it's bound to happen, and shouldn't get too pissed...but it's hard not to.
Had a nice wing session just cruisy late afternoon. When I was coming in, close to shore I dismounted, board flipped exposing foils in the air, wind decided to bounce the kite right onto the foils, knifing 2 slices through the material.
Patching rips/holes #2 and #3 today. I guess it's bound to happen, and shouldn't get too pissed...but it's hard not to.