Visiting Biarritz for the Biarritz Quiksilver Ma?der Arost?guy, celebrating the 60th year since the introduction of Surfing to France.
He foiled the famous wave of Parlementia (formerly known as Ghu?tary).
Note how he put a loop of the leash in his "belt" (his rolled-down wetsuit here, water is at 15C / 60F).
... and of course, he uses straps.
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said..
Subtitles needed.. 
The famous french surf & windsurf photographer Sylvain Cazenave says in the
video :
Laird was invited as guest of honor for the Biarritz Quiksilver Maider
Arosteguy biarritzmaiderarosteguy.fr/ for the 60th year since the
introduction of Surfing to France.
Laird is a pionnier and is going to show how foiling is done.
Foiling needs only a ocean wave, not even breaking, impervious to chop, and
tapping in the underwater part of the wave.
This wave, Parlementia, is perfect for foiling as it is a long wave with wide
channels to paddle back to the peak, and peaking slowly enough so you can
catch the wave before it breaks.
Foils cannot turn instantly, turns must be prepared, so it is better to foil
where there is not a lot of people. Learning foiling is quite hard, Laird
foils since 1995. The tricky part is mastering the angle of attack. As for
SUPing, beginners should get away from crowds. Laird recommends to train
behind a boat to master this front/aft angle of attack on flat water first. It
will speed up the progress.
Laird said is that foiling is the future, but one should be aware that Laird,
even at 53 is an exceptionnal athlete.
Note that I dont believe foiling will replace SUPing. It is another craft that can be used to surf waves, but it is more adapted to some conditions than others. Just as SUPs are more adapted to some waves than prone shortboards, and vice-versa.
There will be some overlap though. We are currently about 5 people SUP foiling on Gong gear, and one of us is already reselling a SUP board from his quiver that was used in conditions he is now foiling in.
