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As I'm now planning my first steps I wonder how does bodydragging with a HF compares to a TT bodydrag (which is what I know)

I learned to waterstart and ride the TT by drifting 1-2km downwind and then having a dinghy collect me. (a couple of times)
As I did not have equipment renting was providing the rescue and it was safer and attractive.

Now that I just decided to buy a HF, I'm thinking to do what most people in my area have done.
Bodydrag a part and maybe also walk another...

There is no body dragging involved. You fall off downwind the board, relax with kite at 12 o'clock, and wait for the board to drift back to you. If the board is downwind, you have to actually work the kite to catch with it!

P.S. Wear a helmet, because if you are not paying attention, the board can sneak from behind and hit in the head (which I experienced couple of times).

I mean to bodydrag with the board in order to have some space to try to waterstart (on / side on conditions)

When body dragging, to avoid loosing too much ground downwind, there is pretty much a single rule to follow (not different from TT): keep the board on its side, parallel to your body.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shOrYjUMYpI

With a foil, you can body drag and make much better ground upwind than with a TT. When you get it right you can feel the wings forcing you upwind.

Good video and perfect explanation.

Thanks all!

Starsky wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 22, 2017 12:19 am

With a foil, you can body drag and make much better ground upwind than with a TT. When you get it right you can feel the wings forcing you upwind.

That sounds encouraging!
I'll start with a long boarddrag to generate enough space downwind to try to learn how to waterstart and ride!

Actually I think with a foilboard you are able to get an upwind angle bodydragging in light wind conditions comparable with the maximum upwind angle you can get with a powered up twin tip.

So don't worry much about it, foilboards bodydrag very well also!

BOEMIX wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 22, 2017 8:05 am

Actually I think with a foilboard you are able to get an upwind angle bodydragging in light wind conditions comparable with the maximum upwind angle you can get with a powered up twin tip.

So don't worry much about it, foilboards bodydrag very well also!

Yes

For "new" hydrofoilers it is difficult at first, so dont get discouraged if it does not work well at first - it takes some time to get used to "handle" this bloody beast with things sticking out everywhere

You can board-drag with the mast downwind like on the first video, or mast upwind, or straight down too (which is what I prefer myself), all methods work and depend on personal preference and also conditions.

The major error is the same as for normal bodydragging - almost everybody try to point upwind with the board/foil (or body), and this does not work

Try to point more halfwind instead, and you will have less drag and suddenly experience you go upwind quite well, eventhough the direction might feel wrong at first, but it works

You dont stall the foil/body/board and you glide upwind effortlessly now.

When onshore and some relatively new into hydrofoiling are struggling, I go out just in front of them, after having told above - and they drag after me, seeing the exact "low" course I take, and they discover to their amazement that they end up quite far out quite easy now
This works better than 1000 words or video, they get it immediately !

PF