I wanted to give you all an update on my learning process. I ended up getting a Moses 633W wing, 90cm mast and T65 foilboard.glfmkg wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:55 pmHello All,
I have been kiting for a while and I'm very confident rider including loops, jumps, etc on a twin tip. I decided to learn to foil this year. I got a good quiver of kites for foiling/surfing (3 Airrush Ultra kites 9-12-14) but wanted to ask you about a wing/mast/board that you can recommend to make the process of learning as easier as possible.
I'm planning on learning behind my boat first and once I feel confident flying the foil, going to take a few classes to get started with the kite.
I'm 100kg/220lb, 6"4 and normally kite in flat water during the summer and very consistent winds or choppy water in the winter in gusty winds. I also kite in cold water, so we wear a lot of gear! so maybe add a few kilos/pounds to my weight dressed. I live in the west coast of Canada, so some European brands may not be easily available here in Vancouver. The idea is to foil during sub 20knots winds for now - For reference I can easily get moving on a 14m kite with around 14knots of wind using my 165 Mako and using my 17m kite I can get moving in about 12knots using the same board.
Questions:
- Which wing/mast do you recommend? - remember the goal is to make the process the easiest - I will sell the gear once I'm a confident rider so I don't want to buy something that will make the process longer but it will be good for when I'm better.
- Which board do you recommend - Ideally a board that I can use strapless in the surf (yes I surf) so I don' have to take too many boards to the beach.
Thank you in advance,
G.
I spent about 4 sessions learning to use the foil behind a boat (about one hour each) - The first session was an absolute disaster, I did no get up on the foil and/or taxi the board , it was pretty much an hour of falling and swallowing water and some pretty impressive crashes LOL. My next session was about the same for the first 30 minutes and all the sudden I was up and riding for short periods, but managed to have some longer flights at the end of that session. For the rest of the sessions it was a matter of just getting used to flying and managed to start carving a bit in the last one. I did try to go on my wrong foot, but no dice! I was not able to do it behind the boat.
With that done, I called my fav instructor and setup the first foiling session with the kite. I didn't want to develop any bad habits from the get go and I'm glad I did. I spent the first half/hour trying to figure things out and basically getting up on the board using the kite. After a few minor adjustments, mostly foot positioning (front straps no back strap) I was up and flying on my good side for long flights. At the end of the first lesson I was able to sail of foil both ways for long periods of time and some pretty spectacular crashes specially on my weak side!
I had a second class two days later and by the end I was very confidently riding both ways without crashing much and now it was just a matter to get used to flying the kite and started to work in going downwind more which I was able to do.
Third time out it was all me (with my girl following in my boat) but I managed to have a pretty awesome session without turning yet - so basically going one way get in the water, switch the board and go the other way. I was able to keep the direction on the board that I wanted (not going excessively upwind)
Yesterday I had my first solo un-assisted session and it was epic! Still can't turn, and to be honest, haven't tried yet as mostly I'm concentrating in getting very comfortable with the foil and kite.
So there you have it.... I can know ride in 10knots wind with a 12 meter kite! I never though that would be possible for a 230lb guy Lots to learn but slowly getting there. I'm really enjoying the process.
My take away:
- large board and large low aspect wing gave me a lot of stability and I was able to fly at very low speed (so slow that I didn't think it was possible)
- very loose front foot straps and no foot straps at the back gave me the freedom to move my feet and bail easier.
- getting your back foot a lot closer to the front foot when water starting did wonders for me
- the right light kite (I got Airush ultras) made the kite flying very easy - they drift amazing and their stay in the air even when you try to crash them! LOL
- learning behind the boat did it for me - I can not picture how much longer would have taken figuring all these out with the kite and foil board the first time out
- getting at least those two classes made a massive difference in technique to start and fly
- my helmet and heavy neoprene saved me a few times!
- I know a lot of people recommends short mast to start, the big mast was not a problem for me, as a matter of fact it was an advantage! I soon realize what happens is you breach the front wing LOL with a longer mast I had a lot of room to move up and down - maybe is me, but I really enjoyed learning with this mast and I know enjoy the extra room it provides in choppy waters (most times in my local spot)
- get spare hardware for connecting your stuff... as a beginner I had a few close calls - specially in the boat trying to setup the foil! not a good idea LOL
Cheers all
G.