Postby foilfun » Sun Apr 12, 2020 8:50 pm
After many years of foiling and watching others learn to foil, the main thing I’ve discovered is that time on the water is the key to learning to foil. No matter the equipment or aptitude of the rider, everyone has to go through the same curve. Of course equipment and aptitude can speed up the progression, but I’ve watched people with minimal aptitude and cheap foils progress while others just won’t ride because they want perfect equipment and perfect conditions. Yesterday was a good example. A friend, who is not a great kiter, was foiling in difficult conditions and making more skilled kiters jealous because of how far he’s progressed. But they never foil! They own the equipment, but follow the “too” rule—it’s always too something: cold, hot, gusty, light, strong, good, etc. He, on the other hand, always foils. His goal is to foil, so he foils.
I’ve ridden the Cab and many other foils—big wings, small wings, long mast, short mast, long fuselage, short fuselage, and monofoils. Some variations will aid with the curve, but ride whatever foil and board you can find. Once you learn the basics, look to how others ride and decide who you want to ride like. Buy what they ride and practice.
Reading, watching, and talking about foiling is somewhat helpful, but riding and struggling is what it takes to become a foiler. Good luck!
- These users thanked the author foilfun for the post (total 2):
- Milko0k (Sun Apr 12, 2020 9:21 pm) • droffats (Sun Apr 12, 2020 10:12 pm)