The slingshot H4 hoverglide is arguably the heavier sup foil. Trade off is price and robustness. In a perfect economic world u can have a foil dedicated or carbon sup with the super light gofoil.
I have a hypernut electric finish (middle of the road model) with the hover glide.
Whilst this is an overall heavier set up, does my meagre 73kg frame make it a light set up to foil on compared to (say) a more average weight rider (eg 85-90kg+) on the same kit?
Was spit balling this in my mind....
I was riding same set up on a water logged 115l board at 88kgs , it's fine . You only notice the extra weight paddling around but once in flight there's no difference in a heavier foil.
Good to know piros.
It's a good first surf/sup foil set up I think. Still in 'mega splat' phase....but enjoying the challenge.
It's a good question to ask given the foil distance you can enjoy once you snag one of those elusive controlled glides. I'm wondering if those great surf foil clips with the elite riding pizza box size boards might one day show how they paddle those things back out if they splash down? Uber jetski?
Jeffs, it depends on the rider. Kai is now able to paddle that 3'9" out to the open wind swell, paddle in on a whitecap and take off. No ski needed.
if you check Instagram there are a lot of clips of guys paddling those little boards into waves. Seems like the foil gives an early lift but also guys seem to take off in the white water for more push.
Steve, mate you'll be right like Piros said, no worries.
I added a twin box to my Atlantis vex (I over engineered it to the max) and ride the h4 myself. I'm 93 kegs on a 8' board and the vex paddles 100% better with the foil on than without it.
If anything mate you'll get up easier being lighter.
My best advice is to make sure all bolts are as tight as you can make them. My mast bolts into the Pedestal loosened off during my second session where it all started to wobble. Didn't think much of it and caught a couple more and then came in and saw the top inch of the mast bent over throwing an angle into the foil. Took lots of persuasion to straighten it back out and now I double check all bolts and had no more dramas.
Also make sure your mast is leaning forward in the "positive" and not leaning back.
Good luck mate.
Just got onto this topic after finding out that the H2 wing is an easier option than an H4 due to learning to foil with the help of stability. I have just about finished installing a twin track box into a 7ft 115 litre excessive nose Rocker board that may need a 15mm packer at the rear of its mount plate to get the mast perpendicular to deck due to its tail rocker.
I will be instaling an H4 copy. I know! Should have bought genuine! Lol!
Just wondering what your learning views are on getting the H4 foil up & running on slow speeds & can you pump it up & down or do you have to do sideways pumping like a short boarder does. Which for me would be more difficult.
Just trying to cram all this information into my little pumpkin head before I get out & give it a go. Lol.
Thanks yt04. Funny, I also had my bolts all loosen up after the virgin run. To be expected though I guess. Has remained solid since though.
From the input on my set up which I posted on sea breeze, I seem to be running it right on 90 degrees. I based this on feedback that I was over, under, and 'about right'.
I don't find the weight a big deal paddling around or for waves.
I too also wondered about those tiny foil surf boards and (long) paddling back out.....happy just to get the sup foil feel first then see where things go.
Select to expand quoteSeajuice said..
Just got onto this topic after finding out that the H2 wing is an easier option than an H4 due to learning to foil with the help of stability. I have just about finished installing a twin track box into a 7ft 115 litre excessive nose Rocker board that may need a 15mm packer at the rear of its mount plate to get the mast perpendicular to deck due to its tail rocker.
I will be instaling an H4 copy. I know! Should have bought genuine! Lol!
Just wondering what your learning views are on getting the H4 foil up & running on slow speeds & can you pump it up & down or do you have to do sideways pumping like a short boarder does. Which for me would be more difficult.
Just trying to cram all this information into my little pumpkin head before I get out & give it a go. Lol.
Juice, I went for the h4 purely as I thought it would keep me entertained longer being a bit more agile than the h2, even though it may be a bit harder to learn on.
Ive only been out in 1-2' waves every time and have no worries re getting up. Have that back foot too far back and she wants to head to the moon!!! I've seemed to develop a bit of a pump when I paddle for a wave and have no dramas at all.
Biggest thing is to find where your feet have to go and make obvious marks on your grip so you can place them there every time.
Good luck.
Select to expand quotestevet73 said..
Thanks yt04. Funny, I also had my bolts all loosen up after the virgin run. To be expected though I guess. Has remained solid since though.
From the input on my set up which I posted on sea breeze, I seem to be running it right on 90 degrees. I based this on feedback that I was over, under, and 'about right'.
I don't find the weight a big deal paddling around or for waves.
I too also wondered about those tiny foil surf boards and (long) paddling back out.....happy just to get the sup foil feel first then see where things go.
Looks good mate. After speaking with Piros seeking advice I got a 10mm wedge made from CharlieUK and puts mine slightly forward and works a treat. Best $50 I spent and he can now make any angle you need for a slingshot.
Thanks Yt04. Just the answer I was looking for. I keep thinking big waves. But yeah, if I play around on the 1 to 2 ft waves at the right depth, I should be right. I hope? Lol!
Exactly mate. I go to a place at Caloundra called "happies" which is a rivermouth bar usually at high tide if I can. Look for a bombie out further and get the peaking wave to help get up and then ride full swell again in the deeper water. Perfect place to learn.
Sounds exactly like one of my favourite home breaks here in NSW. And the most likely place where I will go too. Thanks for the tips.
If I can give you one more piece of advice. As Piros has said to me and I agree totally is that foot placement is critical. You either can't get up if too far forward or you're a rocket to the moon orspeed wobbles if too der back.
I wore a GoPro on my head and whenever I caught a wave I'd look down at my feet location to record where they were. When I lucked in and placed them correctly that's how I marked the deck and can now place them every time and that's over half the battle.
Also, try to move in very small amounts. In foiling, every move is highly amplified and delayed.
For instance, if you feel you are too far forward and preventing the board to rise, do not just move your body weight backwards: once the board front raises, you will not be able to get the weight forward in time to stop the space launch.
My advice in this case is to keep your body in place, and just kind of lighten your front foot by flexing (a bit) your front leg to bring the foot upwards, just like you would just lift you foot from the floor by 2" and re-put it down immediately.
I'm finding going backside easier. Anyone else? My loose theory here is that going toe/front side is much easier to really go hard on your bottom turn when surfing which is not ideal when on the foil....
Sixth session today. Really enjoying essentially learning to surf all over again....
