Having never been to the Maldives and going there on a boat sup surfing trip in about a month, would you take a sup foil or just leave it behind?
Also in the middle to southern atolls, what size and type of board works best from your experience? Planning on using Speed 8'8" and 8'5" we have, but might be able to take a Sunova Acid 8'7" or 9'1".
Thanks.
I've been looking hard at doing a foil trip to Maldives , Mentawais or Telos and maybe shooting "Living The Stoke 3" It's a really hard call . You need a break that runs into the channel there are some but most breaks wrap and pull you back onto the reef which would be a disaster on a Sup foil. So maybe a prone foil you could pick some out and if you got caught you are only lifting a short board over the white water as you get smashed in one foot of water , but if you find a wave pushing into the channel it will be epic. If you have a Sup surfing board with boxes take the foil for sure . If you have a Sup foil only board probably not worth it IMHO.
Out of the 3 mentioned above the Maldives is probably the most modest, great waves for mainly intermediate but can get to advanced supping . The speeds will be the pick can still handle sucker days and deal well with the fat ones which is the norm.
I have been to the Maldives on three surf trips; twice with sups. I took my speeed on the first sup trip which was great, but I took two acids on my most recent trip and much preferred them. I don't think you can go wrong with either board, but I find the acid more maneuverable, it has thinner rails and tail when you are attempting to get barreled, and I much prefer taking a late drop on the acid. When paddling out through a breaking wave I prefer the pointy nose of the acid. And when paddling into wind I prefer the acid. So I guess, in conclusion, I prefer the acid!
I am a complete novice when it comes to foils. However there are quite a few breaks where you are surfing on the edge of a deep channel. Given that the waves can get a little crowded, either with the people on your own trip, or when another boat pulls up, (and especially if you surf to the north of Male), you may find it really useful to be able to take the outside wave and, in some cases, surf it for quite some distance. I would be happy to list the foil-worthy breaks if you are interested (appreciating the fact that I know nothing about foils). So, if it wasn't too hard to take your foil, I would definitely take it.
I had a couple of weeks at Kandooma a little while ago. I'm don't ride a foil, but based on what I saw I'm not sure how useful a foil would be in that area.
Kandooma right would be too shallow, even out wide there are quite a few random coral heads that are very close to the water surface that clamed a fin or two while I was there.
The only breaks I went to that might have been possible were Riptides - the break ends in very deep water. And out wide at Quarters, but you'd want to make sure you were off the wave before it hit the inside section, which is shallow and fast.
Select to expand quoteaus301 said..
I had a couple of weeks at Kandooma a little while ago. I'm don't ride a foil, but based on what I saw I'm not sure how useful a foil would be in that area.
Kandooma right would be too shallow, even out wide there are quite a few random coral heads that are very close to the water surface that clamed a fin or two while I was there.
The only breaks I went to that might have been possible were Riptides - the break ends in very deep water. And out wide at Quarters, but you'd want to make sure you were off the wave before it hit the inside section, which is shallow and fast.
That's where I was thinking, rip tides and quarters. But fat betty's (but not F1's), ying yangs (but not machines), and the one on the outside of the island near farms/mikado (but not farms) could be good.
Thanks all for the replies, my board a Speeed 8'5 has tracks mounted on it, but won't take it this time - rather using the weight for an extra board to use there. However I'll be taking it to Hawaii a week after we get back.
