Yes, I know, another #$%@^ foil post. 
But I am a normal, overweight, old guy so I thought others might like to know what to expect if they are thinking of trying.
So yes, I tried my foil yesterday, and I am happy to report that I still have all my limbs! But it is easy to bump your legs into it when swimming next to the board about to climb on. If a wave is coming you need to get clear of it.
For the first hour I just paddled after some small, fat waves, just to get used to having a foil under the board. I have a Naish Malolo MEDIUM foil under my 8'8 Hokua X32 (thanks to Warwick at KR) so given that I normally ride an 8'10 x 29" Acid 116L it felt super stable. The foil makes the board more stable, and while it behaved a bit differently, it was easy to get used to. (I am 94 kg and 55 yo.)
So then I thought I would step it up a bit and go after some slightly bigger, steeper waves so I could get more speed. Once you get some speed up you can feel it trying to foil. One time I tried a bottom turn (instinct took over) with my foot back on the tail and the thing just took off... And one time I took off with my feet off center and it swerved all over the place - I was lucky to survive that one... But lots of times I could feel it trying to foil but my back foot was just a bit too far forward. Once I got it back over or just behind the mast, it played a vibrating tune and up it went. I was a bit tentative, and I didn't foil all that far. But it felt good to get it flying.
After almost two-and-a-half hours my legs were like rubber so I called it quits before I hurt myself.
It was fun to try something different. I look forward to trying again, but I will go for proper waves without the foil if that is on offer.
I had a very short session a few days ago (was too shallow with small waves) but went out Friday for another crack at it (this time on a Large Naish Thrust). It sure takes some getting used to. Had a few normal rides (was more or less in control but still find it freaky flying up above the waves) but the waves got bigger, I had trouble maintaining control, other surfers got to close, so I switched back to my 8'10 Acid (actually, I just wanted to have more fun on the waves).
Now, maybe it is just me, but my greatest fear was realized (other than having the foil cut me or someone else in half) - the Acid felt super tippy and felt like I lost my timing and rhythm on the wave. I checked to make sure I didn't accidentally bring out the wrong board. It took a few waves to start to feel normal but I had to leave...
Has anyone else had trouble getting back on their surf sup after foiling?
Select to expand quotecantSUPenough said..
Has anyone else had trouble getting back on their surf sup after foiling?
Yes, my first SUP session after some 10 foiling sessions was weird:
- The balance felt different
- I surfed quite badly as I didn't move my feet around in turns anymore
But it didn't happen ever since, I guess we get used to it. I even now seem to benefit from my foiling experience while SUPing: I feel I have more glide, a better feel for the trim line, and a smoother approach in turns.
The foil definitely gives you so much stability underneath your foil board & nowhere near the drag you would expect...So you definitely miss that when you get back on your sup (see my recent post on the JL Super Frank) but just like anything the more you jump between the 2 the easier it becomes....It was like taking up long boarding years ago & then jumping back on my shortboard...It was like someone was messing with me....
The biggest thing I noticed about going back to my sup after foiling was how much drag it felt like there was & that everything felt slow & boring...that's the beauty of foiling...It's like you're flying :)
Thanks to both of you for your reassuring words, because I was about ready to give up foiling.
The drag comment is interesting. I am still very new to foiling, but I certainly find that after the initial drag (paddling from stationary), even when the boards isn't actually flying it seems to go faster than if there were no foil. I was catching fat waves further and faster and even wondered if I was flying - but when you are properly up and flying you know!
Just got to get back out there and try some more, but also swap back and forward between boards more frequently.
CSE.... Different but similar:
During the "shortboard revolution" (late 60's - early 70's)
I missed noseriding, so I bought a 9'8 Black Miki Dora "Da CAT"
It destroyed my shortboard riding.... they felt like potato chips.
So....
I took 2 boards to the beach every day
Ride Long for 1/2 hour.... ride Short for 1/2 hour......
I built a "chip" in my head that would switch when I changed boards.
Even the waves looked different when I switched.
Never had a problem again.
