Hydrofoil, Worth it for me?

[Kiterisland]

Hydrofoiling looks amazing and I would love to learn, not only for light wind abilities but just looks so fun. I am increasingly more and more busy with life, which are all good things, but I'm only able to make it out one the water 15-20 times a year now. I'm a good twin tip rider and would only really be interested in the light wind riding on the foil.

With the amount of times I will be getting out, is it worth it to invest the time and money in hydrofoiling do you feel? Or would it be something that would just be frustrating, not being able to get very good at it? I am a quick learner and young enough to take spills and still enjoy it. Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks for your time.

[Qiter]

I have been windsurfing and kitesurfing for 30 years, hydrofoiling changed my life, its just so good.
Be prepared to START FROM SCRATCH. With my above water sport experience, I thought I would learn it in a day, it was rather frustrating in the beginning. Nowadays however, lots of good developments for quick progress such as big wings and short masts.
So my advice: Even with 15-20 days out a year, foiling is worth it! If you live near the water, you can go out nearly every day, as you just need a few knots of wind (above 5kn for most).
Plenty of other threads on this topic here, just check with the "search" function.

#faithfultothefoil

[Mossy 757]

Foil will be worth it to you because it will widen the window of conditions you can have a session in; when you're restricted by work/life/family, this is critical because you'll have a limited number of days you can get to the beach, you'll want the foil in your quiver to make the most of the marginal days.

I've found that it's added about 20-30% more sessions to my kite-year.

[Regis-de-giens]

Yes I agree. And learning curve is painful during the 2-3 first sessions only. Then (after waterstart phase and even before flying) you will get more reward than fighting against low wind on a Twin type to keep upwind.

[Eduardo]

this is like walking into a church and asking if you should get baptized! of course!

When you are very time constricted, such as you can only kite weekends and live in a not super reliable place, it is awesome to have a new option for 5-15 knots. Also, learning is not frustrating. Sure it's humbling as we are all convinced that we will be the one to break the trend and learn it fast since we are so great, but no... I still can't switch my feet without crashing, but am having a lot of fun learning it. it's amazing.

[edt]

is it worth it? Yes. Will you do it? Who knows. Most people who learn how to hydrofoil have to sacrifice good wind days struggling on the foil. About half will say "f--- this" and break out the surfboard or twintip and never learn. The others put in the hours, make the sacrifices, and after they have learned how to hydrofoil can now kite twice as much because hydrofoiling is the session saver. If your kite can stay in the air you can foil. Plan on sacrificing 10 or 15 of your sessions getting worked on the hydrofoil but after all is said and done, now instead of 20 sessions a year you will have 40 sessions.

[TomW]

It's very addictive. You'll want to get out more often, but if you can't due to work/life balance, then it could stress you out more than being fun.
If you do start, just forget the TT.
Ive kited since 2001-2 and Hydrofoiling has changed everything. 90+ sessions this last season when I normally get 60 max.
How many times have I said " shite, wind is too strong "

[Qiter]

How many times have I said " shite, wind is too strong "

Indeed! Since I started foiling, I look forward to the 10-12kn days .. And hope the wind will not be above 15kn, where kite size for the foil becomes ridiculously small and the sea choppy

[Kiterisland]

Thank you all for your reply's. It looks like I will have to try it. I was actually expecting the opposite response from people saying no its not worth it.

I also would like the added benefit of not needing a 17m in the future.

[ap888]

Yea it’s worth it like others said... it really is amazing feeling also agree with takes 1-2 sessions to get it... then enjoy