The younger generation is really on something with SUP foiling it seems was lacking from pionneers such as Bruno André: the pumping
This is really impressive, and bring 2 questions:
- can older people do it too?
- can it be done outside of Hawaïi ? they seem to ride a glorified chop, but I guess the "waves" they are riding have much more power than what we can find elsewhere
PS: surfers are going to LOVE SUPs with giant sharp blades without leashes :-)
I wouldn't say any of the waves they are on look all that powerful. Should be able to find something suitable most places that are kelp free. They seem to be surfing a way shallower break than I would be comfortable trying.
Pumping isn't all that hard. I pump my short sup to build speed. Pretty effective if you can match the cadence of your strokes. It does wear you out though. Makes sense on a foil; get the board out of the water and unweighted long enough for the foil to engage and by the time you come back down from the pump your foil is planning. Similar to doing an ollie on a skateboard, except that once you are up, you stay up (hopefully).
Makes me wonder of the better board for a foil surf sup might be a sim style board with a wide tail to help with the pump and a hull type nose that would be more forgiving of the strange directions a foil board is going to hit a wave.
Until I see some foil action where they are fully carving and throwing buckets I will remain a sceptic. Nothing beats the feeling (and sight) of a good clean on-rail turn IMHO.......that is
dont think this looks like that much fun, would be alright in big fat swell (laird in NZ a few years ago), or i think naish have the right idea, and i think it looks more fun in the open ocean
Jarryd
