Took my hover glide for its maiden voyage. Managed to get 1.5 hours in (felt like 3hrs) just getting to the taxi stage took a while, its completely different to strapless surfboard. Had a fair few decent stacks and ended up butchering my foot and tenderizing shin.
Few questions for you.
1. The upwind ability is amazing, so amazing i ended up to far off shore and couldn't ride back so i had to body drag back in? Everytime i rode back in i kept falling forward (toe side) off the board.
2. I was out on a 10m in 19knot winds, felt way to over powered, is that the case?
Thanks
Depends on your weight of course. But I'd say it is likely you are overpowered on a 10m. Not so much in the very beginning but once up on the foil I would be on a 7 in that wind (70kg). I could now be on a 9 as well but I find I am then very powered and either get too fast, or compensate this effect by going hard upwind. You are right, most will find going downwind on a foil more difficult then upwind. Just a matter of practise. Some suggest trying to do a bit of a zig zag course to figure out what course and foot position work best. I have my kite depowered, just drifting along going downwind.
You really only need the power of the kite to get up on the foil. Once up you wish you had 2-3 sizes smaller, as you can zip around the kite and you don't need much pull at all. A wave kite which you can easily depower by sheeting out also helps so you don't have to focus on pulling the adjuster too much. So allow yourself enough power in the kite to get up, not to waste too much time and energy on that part. Once you mastered that you can go 1-2 sizes smaller which will help you to keep in control and not be overpowered.
I now just send the kite once (some suggest figure 8, kite high, to get the list upward and not too much forward), go straight up on the foil without riding on the water, hence not requiring a lot of power. But it takes a few sessions to dial that in. The advantage of a chunky front wing is that they lift very quickly.
Enjoy and yes stay away from those wings as much as possible 
Helpful hints number 1 I put an pair of soccer shin guards up the front of the legs of my wetsuit no more foil hit to the shins I too am learning to foil this is one less thing I have to worry about
The down wind crash over the front is possibly a drag thing. Where the low speed high lift high drag foils get to a velocity that produces enough drag to stop your acceleration.
if you are not conditioned to that and are accelerating still then the effect will be the foil seemingly stopping but you don't which transfers weight forward and in you go.
so going down wind just needs speed control. Easy.
Everything RussKraut says I would support. 10m in 19knts is AOK for learning. A good drifting style kite will help. Along with upwind angle keeping the kite very high and quick response to sheeting out will help bleed off the speed
Select to expand quoteDuff15 said..
Took my hover glide for its maiden voyage. Managed to get 1.5 hours in (felt like 3hrs) just getting to the taxi stage took a while, its completely different to strapless surfboard. Had a fair few decent stacks and ended up butchering my foot and tenderizing shin.
Few questions for you.
1. The upwind ability is amazing, so amazing i ended up to far off shore and couldn't ride back so i had to body drag back in? Everytime i rode back in i kept falling forward (toe side) off the board.
2. I was out on a 10m in 19knot winds, felt way to over powered, is that the case?
Thanks
It's normal you have problems riding downwind when learning, especially if you're overpowered. You will soon understand that changing your direction of travel on the foil is more about rotating hips and feet/ankles rather than leaning back over your heels or leaning forward over your toes.
I had troubles going downwind as well when learning and just body dragged downwind laying down on my board doing figure of 8's.
I agree you have to protect your feet and shins, a long wetsuit and booties do the trick.
If you're kiting in VIC at this time of year you are most likely getting cold winds which are dense and powerful so in 20 knots of such wind you will be overpowered foiling on a 10m. I would recommend a 6 or 7m for those conditions, 10m in 15 knots or less is fine.
People just don't realize that kiting in 20 knots of hot sea breeze is completely different than kiting in 20 knots of cold dense wind.
Using a smaller kite will force you to develop a better technique while improving your board skills and kite control. It's easy to develop bad habits and greatly slow down your overall progress when overpowered, not to mention the risk factor. Overpowered on a foil is asking for injury when learning.
Christian
Select to expand quoteRussKraut said..
Depends on your weight of course. But I'd say it is likely you are overpowered on a 10m. Not so much in the very beginning but once up on the foil I would be on a 7 in that wind (70kg). I could now be on a 9 as well but I find I am then very powered and either get too fast, or compensate this effect by going hard upwind. You are right, most will find going downwind on a foil more difficult then upwind. Just a matter of practise. Some suggest trying to do a bit of a zig zag course to figure out what course and foot position work best. I have my kite depowered, just drifting along going downwind.
You really only need the power of the kite to get up on the foil. Once up you wish you had 2-3 sizes smaller, as you can zip around the kite and you don't need much pull at all. A wave kite which you can easily depower by sheeting out also helps so you don't have to focus on pulling the adjuster too much. So allow yourself enough power in the kite to get up, not to waste too much time and energy on that part. Once you mastered that you can go 1-2 sizes smaller which will help you to keep in control and not be overpowered.
I now just send the kite once (some suggest figure 8, kite high, to get the list upward and not too much forward), go straight up on the foil without riding on the water, hence not requiring a lot of power. But it takes a few sessions to dial that in. The advantage of a chunky front wing is that they lift very quickly.
Enjoy and yes stay away from those wings as much as possible
Cheers for the detailed reply. Im 90kegs and kites are airush unions. Any suggestions on where to foil on a north wind? Thanks
Select to expand quoteRAL INN said..The down wind crash over the front is possibly a drag thing. Where the low speed high lift high drag foils get to a velocity that produces enough drag to stop your acceleration.
if you are not conditioned to that and are accelerating still then the effect will be the foil seemingly stopping but you don't which transfers weight forward and in you go.
so going down wind just needs speed control. Easy.
Makes sense, most of my rides were slow because it kepted jumping up on the foil (best feeling) but coming down off the foil shakes the body hard haha
Select to expand quotecbulota said..Duff15 said..
Took my hover glide for its maiden voyage. Managed to get 1.5 hours in (felt like 3hrs) just getting to the taxi stage took a while, its completely different to strapless surfboard. Had a fair few decent stacks and ended up butchering my foot and tenderizing shin.
Few questions for you.
1. The upwind ability is amazing, so amazing i ended up to far off shore and couldn't ride back so i had to body drag back in? Everytime i rode back in i kept falling forward (toe side) off the board.
2. I was out on a 10m in 19knot winds, felt way to over powered, is that the case?
Thanks
It's normal you have problems riding downwind when learning, especially if you're overpowered. You will soon understand that changing your direction of travel on the foil is more about rotating hips and feet/ankles rather than leaning back over your heels or leaning forward over your toes.
I had troubles going downwind as well when learning and just body dragged downwind laying down on my board doing figure of 8's.
I agree you have to protect your feet and shins, a long wetsuit and booties do the trick.
If you're kiting in VIC at this time of year you are most likely getting cold winds which are dense and powerful so in 20 knots of such wind you will be overpowered foiling on a 10m. I would recommend a 6 or 7m for those conditions, 10m in 15 knots or less is fine.
People just don't realize that kiting in 20 knots of hot sea breeze is completely different than kiting in 20 knots of cold dense wind.
Using a smaller kite will force you to develop a better technique while improving your board skills and kite control. It's easy to develop bad habits and greatly slow down your overall progress when overpowered, not to mention the risk factor. Overpowered on a foil is asking for injury when learning.
Christian
My first attempt at body draging with the foil was interesting, for some reason i just laid on the board (what i do on my surfboard) got a little bit of speed and ened up on the foil and ate sh!t hard and consuming a fair bit of seawater
Select to expand quoteDuff15 said..RussKraut said..
Depends on your weight of course. But I'd say it is likely you are overpowered on a 10m. Not so much in the very beginning but once up on the foil I would be on a 7 in that wind (70kg). I could now be on a 9 as well but I find I am then very powered and either get too fast, or compensate this effect by going hard upwind. You are right, most will find going downwind on a foil more difficult then upwind. Just a matter of practise. Some suggest trying to do a bit of a zig zag course to figure out what course and foot position work best. I have my kite depowered, just drifting along going downwind.
You really only need the power of the kite to get up on the foil. Once up you wish you had 2-3 sizes smaller, as you can zip around the kite and you don't need much pull at all. A wave kite which you can easily depower by sheeting out also helps so you don't have to focus on pulling the adjuster too much. So allow yourself enough power in the kite to get up, not to waste too much time and energy on that part. Once you mastered that you can go 1-2 sizes smaller which will help you to keep in control and not be overpowered.
I now just send the kite once (some suggest figure 8, kite high, to get the list upward and not too much forward), go straight up on the foil without riding on the water, hence not requiring a lot of power. But it takes a few sessions to dial that in. The advantage of a chunky front wing is that they lift very quickly.
Enjoy and yes stay away from those wings as much as possible
Cheers for the detailed reply. Im 90kegs and kites are airush unions. Any suggestions on where to foil on a north wind? Thanks
I only moved here from WA in May so no expert. But if N and ideally a tiny bit of W in it then Brighton may be ok. Rosebud will be onshore and therefore a pain to get out into deeper waters. Not sure whether there are any spots say south of Frankston but I'd be keen finding out too. In seabreeze Brighton and St. Kilda are good, Altona onshore and too shallow.
Select to expand quotecbulota said..Duff15 said..
Took my hover glide for its maiden voyage. Managed to get 1.5 hours in (felt like 3hrs) just getting to the taxi stage took a while, its completely different to strapless surfboard. Had a fair few decent stacks and ended up butchering my foot and tenderizing shin.
Few questions for you.
1. The upwind ability is amazing, so amazing i ended up to far off shore and couldn't ride back so i had to body drag back in? Everytime i rode back in i kept falling forward (toe side) off the board.
2. I was out on a 10m in 19knot winds, felt way to over powered, is that the case?
Thanks
It's normal you have problems riding downwind when learning, especially if you're overpowered. You will soon understand that changing your direction of travel on the foil is more about rotating hips and feet/ankles rather than leaning back over your heels or leaning forward over your toes.
I had troubles going downwind as well when learning and just body dragged downwind laying down on my board doing figure of 8's.
I agree you have to protect your feet and shins, a long wetsuit and booties do the trick.
If you're kiting in VIC at this time of year you are most likely getting cold winds which are dense and powerful so in 20 knots of such wind you will be overpowered foiling on a 10m. I would recommend a 6 or 7m for those conditions, 10m in 15 knots or less is fine.
People just don't realize that kiting in 20 knots of hot sea breeze is completely different than kiting in 20 knots of cold dense wind.
Using a smaller kite will force you to develop a better technique while improving your board skills and kite control. It's easy to develop bad habits and greatly slow down your overall progress when overpowered, not to mention the risk factor. Overpowered on a foil is asking for injury when learning.
Christian
I support the cold/warm air density theory. But without wanting to argue I am yet to feel that 20 knots here are stronger than 20 knots in WA (where clearly air temperature is warmer in summer). I don't see much of a difference apart from the WA seabreeze being smoother and more consistent. Now QLD is clearly an example for weaker wind (same readings). So could it be that it is more about humidity than temperature? Sorry Duff trying to hijack your post...
Select to expand quoteRussKraut said..cbulota said..Duff15 said..
Took my hover glide for its maiden voyage. Managed to get 1.5 hours in (felt like 3hrs) just getting to the taxi stage took a while, its completely different to strapless surfboard. Had a fair few decent stacks and ended up butchering my foot and tenderizing shin.
Few questions for you.
1. The upwind ability is amazing, so amazing i ended up to far off shore and couldn't ride back so i had to body drag back in? Everytime i rode back in i kept falling forward (toe side) off the board.
2. I was out on a 10m in 19knot winds, felt way to over powered, is that the case?
Thanks
It's normal you have problems riding downwind when learning, especially if you're overpowered. You will soon understand that changing your direction of travel on the foil is more about rotating hips and feet/ankles rather than leaning back over your heels or leaning forward over your toes.
I had troubles going downwind as well when learning and just body dragged downwind laying down on my board doing figure of 8's.
I agree you have to protect your feet and shins, a long wetsuit and booties do the trick.
If you're kiting in VIC at this time of year you are most likely getting cold winds which are dense and powerful so in 20 knots of such wind you will be overpowered foiling on a 10m. I would recommend a 6 or 7m for those conditions, 10m in 15 knots or less is fine.
People just don't realize that kiting in 20 knots of hot sea breeze is completely different than kiting in 20 knots of cold dense wind.
Using a smaller kite will force you to develop a better technique while improving your board skills and kite control. It's easy to develop bad habits and greatly slow down your overall progress when overpowered, not to mention the risk factor. Overpowered on a foil is asking for injury when learning.
Christian
I support the cold/warm air density theory. But without wanting to argue I am yet to feel that 20 knots here are stronger than 20 knots in WA (where clearly air temperature is warmer in summer). I don't see much of a difference apart from the WA seabreeze being smoother and more consistent. Now QLD is clearly an example for weaker wind (same readings). So could it be that it is more about humidity than temperature? Sorry Duff trying to hijack your post...
The warm v's cold thing is a thing but not as much as some say.
the most noticeable is if you judge when to go out based on white caps as warmer water caps up earlier and can catch us cold climates kiters out when holidaying up in the tropics.
With foiling there is the effect from the Air temp plus the water temp so you lose/gain power in your kite and lift in your foil.
this is only slight which sort of says that if it were just one of the pair it would be a struggle to notice.
Select to expand quoteRAL INN said..RussKraut said..cbulota said..Duff15 said..
Took my hover glide for its maiden voyage. Managed to get 1.5 hours in (felt like 3hrs) just getting to the taxi stage took a while, its completely different to strapless surfboard. Had a fair few decent stacks and ended up butchering my foot and tenderizing shin.
Few questions for you.
1. The upwind ability is amazing, so amazing i ended up to far off shore and couldn't ride back so i had to body drag back in? Everytime i rode back in i kept falling forward (toe side) off the board.
2. I was out on a 10m in 19knot winds, felt way to over powered, is that the case?
Thanks
It's normal you have problems riding downwind when learning, especially if you're overpowered. You will soon understand that changing your direction of travel on the foil is more about rotating hips and feet/ankles rather than leaning back over your heels or leaning forward over your toes.
I had troubles going downwind as well when learning and just body dragged downwind laying down on my board doing figure of 8's.
I agree you have to protect your feet and shins, a long wetsuit and booties do the trick.
If you're kiting in VIC at this time of year you are most likely getting cold winds which are dense and powerful so in 20 knots of such wind you will be overpowered foiling on a 10m. I would recommend a 6 or 7m for those conditions, 10m in 15 knots or less is fine.
People just don't realize that kiting in 20 knots of hot sea breeze is completely different than kiting in 20 knots of cold dense wind.
Using a smaller kite will force you to develop a better technique while improving your board skills and kite control. It's easy to develop bad habits and greatly slow down your overall progress when overpowered, not to mention the risk factor. Overpowered on a foil is asking for injury when learning.
Christian
I support the cold/warm air density theory. But without wanting to argue I am yet to feel that 20 knots here are stronger than 20 knots in WA (where clearly air temperature is warmer in summer). I don't see much of a difference apart from the WA seabreeze being smoother and more consistent. Now QLD is clearly an example for weaker wind (same readings). So could it be that it is more about humidity than temperature? Sorry Duff trying to hijack your post...
The warm v's cold thing is a thing but not as much as some say.
the most noticeable is if you judge when to go out based on white caps as warmer water caps up earlier and can catch us cold climates kiters out when holidaying up in the tropics.
With foiling there is the effect from the Air temp plus the water temp so you lose/gain power in your kite and lift in your foil.
this is only slight which sort of says that if it were just one of the pair it would be a struggle to notice.
warmer water providing more foil lift, or vice versa?
Try using a smaller kite. I'd be on my 5m in 20knots. The smaller masts are very sensitive and as soon as you get overpowered the foil will want to lift so it's hard too keep in the water when overpowered resulting in ventilation and lot's of crashes.
All part of the learning process until you're riding the 30 inch or standard mast which is when your input is far more docile and you have foil memory.
Back to foil academy!
Select to expand quoteFly on da wall said..
Try using a smaller kite. I'd be on my 5m in 20knots. The smaller masts are very sensitive and as soon as you get overpowered the foil will want to lift so it's hard too keep in the water when overpowered resulting in ventilation and lot's of crashes.
All part of the learning process until you're riding the 30 inch or standard mast which is when your input is far more docile and you have foil memory.
Back to foil academy!
Thanks mate, im using the full size mast. Im on the hunt for a 5m kite. Looking for a airush union
Maybe not a a 10m or a 5m for a beginner at 20 knots. an 8/7m might be worthwhile until your getting solid foiling runs then back down to 6m.
