Why pro-riders move the hip forwards?

[windmaker]

With straps you need to shift your weight to compensate the push from the front wing, without straps you just move your feet

[Peter_Frank]

With straps you need to shift your weight to compensate the push from the front wing, without straps you just move your feet

I dont think so, only if you got a bad adjusted foil (like many beginnerfoils are as easier for the very first rides), or a very different personal liking.

I really think most racers got their foils trimmed very neutral - as this will be easier to control at high speeds, and also have low drag.

Even IF it was the case, that you got a (IMO) misadjusted foil where you need more front foot pressure at higher speeds - then it does not explain why racers move the hip forwards, as on upwind courses they ride the slowest, compared to downwind so they would actually need more rear foot pressure then, going upwind


I agree and also think the reason is much simpler, two reasons for "twisting" the hip/body:

1. It is the natural way to "drive" upwind, turn your body and the rest will follow in optimal sync.
2. Racing, you also want to look upwind for the other guys/girls, or if in front, the mark or the wind shifts.

PF

[davesails7]

It's also about locking your rear knee straight to make a direct coonnection with the board. Then the front leg is flexed to control ride height. Locking your rear leg straight puts your hips forward in the position shown.

I've noticed the biggest difference between me (mid fleet) and the top riders going upwind is when there is a shift or a gust. In a steady state our speeds are close, but when there is a shift or gust they turn it into board speed or heading changes instantly while I absorb the impact with my knees then readjust. Every shift and gust I lose a few meters.

When your rear leg is locked that extra power from a gust goes right into the board and foil. It takes some getting used to, and rear strap moves back to make it work. I'm still working on it.

[f2020]

Because on an hydrofoil, the front leg acts as a spring that controls the horizontal level of the board.

[gbrungra]

Maybe wrong question? Maybe their hips aren't forward. Maybe their torsos are leaned back.

Maybe their legs and foot straps are just where they want them, but because of the relatively lower speeds going upwind they need less front foot pressure, so they lean their torsos back to compensate?

[windmaker]

With straps you need to shift your weight to compensate the push from the front wing, without straps you just move your feet

I dont think so, only if you got a bad adjusted foil (like many beginnerfoils are as easier for the very first rides), or a very different personal liking.

I really think most racers got their foils trimmed very neutral - as this will be easier to control at high speeds, and also have low drag.

Even IF it was the case, that you got a (IMO) misadjusted foil where you need more front foot pressure at higher speeds - then it does not explain why racers move the hip forwards, as on upwind courses they ride the slowest, compared to downwind so they would actually need more rear foot pressure then, going upwind


I agree and also think the reason is much simpler, two reasons for "twisting" the hip/body:

1. It is the natural way to "drive" upwind, turn your body and the rest will follow in optimal sync.
2. Racing, you also want to look upwind for the other guys/girls, or if in front, the mark or the wind shifts.

PF

I challenge you to move your hips forward without shifting your weight!

[Kamikuza]

With straps you need to shift your weight to compensate the push from the front wing, without straps you just move your feet

I dont think so, only if you got a bad adjusted foil (like many beginnerfoils are as easier for the very first rides), or a very different personal liking.

I really think most racers got their foils trimmed very neutral - as this will be easier to control at high speeds, and also have low drag.

Even IF it was the case, that you got a (IMO) misadjusted foil where you need more front foot pressure at higher speeds - then it does not explain why racers move the hip forwards, as on upwind courses they ride the slowest, compared to downwind so they would actually need more rear foot pressure then, going upwind


I agree and also think the reason is much simpler, two reasons for "twisting" the hip/body:

1. It is the natural way to "drive" upwind, turn your body and the rest will follow in optimal sync.
2. Racing, you also want to look upwind for the other guys/girls, or if in front, the mark or the wind shifts.

PF

I challenge you to move your hips forward without shifting your weight!

If you're just moving your feet forward, you're giving up control IMO.

[BWD]

Science: it's because racing kite hydrofoils causes previously silent windsurfing genes to be expressed

[francis luengo]

Science: it's because racing kite hydrofoils causes previously silent windsurfing genes to be expressed

[francis luengo]

first race rule :
the more you move your hips forwards , the more you go upwind.