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Swimming pool propulsion foiling?

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Sceotend
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Swimming pool propulsion foiling?

Postby Sceotend » Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:44 pm

Think about the following set-up. A rider holds onto a rope in a swimming pool and there is a strong water flow beneath the foil created by a (swimming) propulsion system. The water start maybe tricky but apart of that do you think would it be possible to practice foiling this way? Some systems creates almost 2 m/s (~4 kn) flow, is that enough once the rider is up foiling (assume some standard foil, rider weight etc.) or what do you think is a typical or minimal stalling speed?

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Re: Swimming pool propulsion foiling?

Postby irwe » Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:53 pm

I could see this application in a suitable river current with a ski rope to hang on to. I think the pool jet propulsion systems would be too narrow for foiling and also dangerous for falling.
Let me know if you try it
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Re: Swimming pool propulsion foiling?

Postby Sceotend » Wed Oct 20, 2021 1:08 pm

Thanks, indeed, there are safety concerns. I think there are some ways to address them. The easiest is to attach the rope to the ceiling and use a harness. The river could indeed work, the current needs to be strong and quite deep though.

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Re: Swimming pool propulsion foiling?

Postby StellaBlu » Wed Oct 20, 2021 2:17 pm

There is a guy in Germany river foiling with a bungee rope hanging from a bridge. The bungee aspect makes it more interesting than a static line. Looks like a bit of a novelty, but something fun if thats what your conditions allow. I think his instagram is @foilonly
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Re: Swimming pool propulsion foiling?

Postby geokite » Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:52 pm

One of the most important aspects of learning to foil is to have calm water. If you have foiled in the wake of a sail boat (so not even any propeller), you will know that the water is turbulent. Makes foiling much more difficult. The length of pool needed to get a laminar flow of water to foil it would be a bit much.
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Sceotend
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Re: Swimming pool propulsion foiling?

Postby Sceotend » Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:58 pm

Thanks, that's probably a deal breaker and something I didn't thought about.

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Re: Swimming pool propulsion foiling?

Postby nixmatters » Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:11 pm

+1 for turbulence being a deal breaker.
Foiling behind a boat (away from the prop turbulence) in a calm lake and in Rhein river (~7kmh current) makes a noticeable difference.

What you can do is practice with a balance board (wirh a roll, not the inflated pillow) - the body weight distribution and muscle memory needed is very similar to foiling.
Get to the point where you can make 10 sqauts with your feet not symmetrically placed against the roll and you are can jump on the foil ;)
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