I'm an early intermediate winger but my pump game is rubbish. This seems like it could be just the thing. On the other hand, maybe not. Opinions?
Intermediate foiler with a rubbish pump game here...I have zero interest in this.
To me, it looks ridiculous, and more importantly, it seems like it would teach you bad habits and/or skills that don't transfer that well, even if it does make it initially easier (and I don't know if it does).
I'm going to learn to pump a regular foil board, so I can pump a regular foil board.
I actually think this is a brilliant idea that is almost there. The scooter removes the most dangerous part of the dockstart which is getting on the foil, which it looks to be perfect for. What's missing is a trigger in the handle that allows you to unplug the post/handle while on foil. That's not a complex mechanism and would allow you to transition from scoot to traditional pumping easily.
For winging though, I don't think this is the path to go down. If you want to dockstart pump then yeah, this is great. If you are trying to pump and connect swell though, I think this is the wrong path. The money would be much better spent getting a better board and mast. Anyone who's struggling to pump and not on a HM/UHM mast and a super stiff board has no clue what they are missing out on. The pump energy that is absorbed into a soft deck and flexible mast is devastating for your progression in this realm.
It looks amazing for dockstarting. I would get one of these for my pre-teen kids. The safety of the handlebars is key there. Not having to be hunched over running down the dock for speed. The familiarity of the handlebars for them. All good things. It does not look easy to pump though. It's a different pumping motion than an actual pumping motion. The handlebars will be in the way if you try to stand sideways in a surf stance and swing your arms.
Thanks all for the feedback. Decided to roll the dice and purchase one.
Probably won't arrive until late October or November. I'll get back to this thread with a review after I've gone a few rounds with the thing.
Update: I'm out the cash for this thing and still waiting for arrival.
Foilscoot company not responding to delivery date queries on their Instagram site or on Indiegogo.
I suspect this thing is dead on arrival and advise anyone considering a purchase to hold off. I will update this thread if I hear something from the company or receive delivery.
Irony alert. Returned home from travel this evening and there was the Foilscoot waiting for me. Carry on.
Select to expand quoteStumbleweed said..
Irony alert. Returned home from travel this evening and there was the Foilscoot waiting for me. Carry on.
Review?
A quick review of the foil scoot,
I needed a way to increase/improve my pumping when winging and after watching too many videos by Gael Daniele on U-TUBE about how tough it is to learn how to Dock Start and Pump Foil...
2 years to even get close to being consistent!!
No way was I able to see that as an option.
I started watching Benjamin Friant on the foil scoot on insta and figured that might be a shortcut to better foiling.
So, I purchased a Foil Scoot Setup from ROAM FOILS in Canada, I found them on insta as well, I just liked the mans style and the way he went about making pump foiling look fun. (www.roamfoils.com)
1st problem, it is great for dock starting, if you don't have a dock handy, you need a platform to jump off. So I built a platform.
2nd problem, the launch and associated skill level is a new set of skills.
The process is: run fast, (only space for 3 steps), Jump and land feet straight, (keeping your feet straight makes you keep your shoulders straight, shoulders straight means you glide straight), glide, hop, hop, hop... rinse and repeat.
Been at it for a month and 1/2, having a great time, I am brain dead after about 40 mins and now can consistently go around 20 metres before I crash, usually caused by slowing down too much.
The big question, has it helped my winging?
My foiling in general is much improved, I can pump much more consistently, for gybes, now I glide much more freely and pump around the corner, with more time for the wing switch, generally much more controlled and less fumble trying to control everything at once.
I have seen a video on ROAM showing a beach start on the scoot foil, still a way for me to go.
Okay, if you are a good foiler, who prones or SUP foils and you want to pump foil, I would say the scoot foil is not for you.
If you are into developing a skill set on the days when there is no wind and you don't have 2 years to punish yourself or you are not as agile as you used to be, the scoot is way into a niche sport that is great fun and a challenge.
Cheers
Thanks itsREDMAN.
As far as my review, I haven't unboxed the thing yet and since it's winter here in Washington State, I'm guessing I won't do until spring.
Thanks itsREDMAN,
I got mine delivered yesterday. Ordered in September. Out of the box it looks well made. I got it as after a couple of months trying dock starting of a platform at the beach my progress was slow. Also at 52 bending over each time starting was doing my back in for days afterwards, so saw the Foilscoot and thought great, no more bending over. These things always look easier than they are but really hoping it progresses my pump foiling so I can progress to dockstarts sooner.
Will give it a go this weekend. Plan is to launch of a platform in the bay, pump out and ride the small swell back in, may be dreaming but that is my goal over summer here in Sydney.
