Today I got to try Wind Foiling on my Raptor V116 (M) and Malolo Foil.
Wind - SW, 6 - 13kts.
Location - Pittwater, Palm Beach NSW
Rider Weight - 95kg
So much fun. I can't wait for session #2.
Very interesting: especially since you do not use straps, and have a more centered position than the "traditional" Windfoils, it seems the mechanical stress on the foil is much less, and allow the use of a "simple" SUP foil.
I Guess we can credit the Naish designers to commit to a product that ignore the common thinking of having to use the same box as the fin box of a sailboard, as "people will never buy a foil-only sailboard"...
One the best things about the Naish Foil Program is it's diversity. The Thrust Surf Foils (Malolo) and new crossover Board will allow you to SUP foil, Wind Foil and conventional SUP surf the one board all using the same foil. It's aimed at getting on the water and having fun. It's very easy, and super exciting. Dust off your old wave sail, and get riding in ridiculously light wind.
Of coarse saying this, Naish do also have a Wind Foil Specific board and foil coming also, which to possibly prove Colas' last comment wrong, have the most pre-order sales out of all three of the sports. At this point I would say Wind Foiling will be the larger of the three foiling sports (Kite, Surf & Windsurf).
Anyway, a ton of fun and I can't wait to get back out there soon.
regards,
JB
how did you connect the foil to your SUP?
how did you go getting up on the foil - was it natural? I've watched some good kiters flounder when starting on the foil, i've seen plenty of SUPFOIL crashes. Very interested to hear how it is to windfoil.
I have read on the sailboarding forums that some guys tried it, but got bored with it. After some time, just going back and forth on the water is not really fun. I can understand this, as I once bought some "race" sailboard gear but got bored just zipping on the flat. SUP foiling in waves is nothing like that...
The other factor is that a modern "formula" sailboard was actually faster than a foil. Windsurfing foils were designed with fin in the rear and apply leverage to it, so the mast had to be strong enough, making it expensive and thick, thus slow. Antoine Albeau has only recently be faster with a foil than others on regular sailboards, but just barely.
For instance a SUP foil would snap if used this way:
A discovery: by searching the web I found that www.harken.com/default.aspx had made a foil more than 30 years ago...
Select to expand quotebarbarian said..
how did you connect the foil to your SUP?
how did you go getting up on the foil - was it natural? I've watched some good kiters flounder when starting on the foil, i've seen plenty of SUPFOIL crashes. Very interested to hear how it is to windfoil.
I had an alloy threaded plate that I have expoxied to the deck of the board over the breather hole. It is not the greatest effort, but seems to have worked fine.
I got up on the foil first go. Given the super light wind, I did have to pump it up a little. I have been Surf Foiling for quite a while now, and am comfortable with pumping. Over the 2 hour session, I only fell off once, and that was after going quite fast then coming down off the foil. The drop in speed when the board contacted the surface sent me flying (wasn't ready for that one ;) ). Although there is a lot going on with the rig etc. If is relatively easy. I think my next session will be fun, and now I know what to expect and will likely change a few things with my rig.
The speed is incredable, seriously the wind was in or under the 10kt mark at best, and I was traveling fast, smoking up wind and smooth as over the chop.
This will change windsurfing (lightwind) for sure. I'm hooked.
Ride safe,
JB
Nice JB ,SOUNDS LIKE YOUR HOOKED .
i have a raptor ,maybe I need to do some adapting ..as it sits in the shed most of the time.
i have the 128 .
fly safe ,
tardy .
Select to expand quoteJB said..
This will change windsurfing (lightwind) for sure. I'm hooked.
Ride safe,
JB
that's what i'm thinking!
What i'm interested in is how you connected the hydrofoil to the board.
I have a sup with mast track and footstraps, but no place for a foil... yet!
how much effort did it take to modify your board to suit?
I also have a 120li sailboard (67wide) which i could modify too.
I used Naish Thrust plate connector, which slots into two US/std fin boxes on the bottom of my board. I had the adaption done by Coxy (Brad Cox) from Jervis Bay. He does an amazing and super strong job.
The Mast base is an alloy plate with an M8 thread expoxied onto the deck of my board. Extrmely dodgy, but worked a treat. I strongly suggest getting a proper mast track fitted for Windsurfing.
So much fun, and yes totally hooked.
Ride safe,
JB
