New wingfoiler ideas on how to learn pumping
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 11:03 pm
I am kite foiler that started wing foil last year. I am out of shape, over 50 years old and 220 lbs heavy and I found that the most difficult part for me that initial take off when board gets on foil. Once I am on foil, I am fine, but that pumping motion was a big secret to me. I was able to get on foil from time to time, but it was random and I had no idea how to repeat it. Yesterday I had a break through session when I figure out what works for me and was able to get up on foil consistently on every tack. I just want to share my ideas, so maybe this can be helpful for other beginners who also struggle.
I knew that I need to pump the board and wing at the same time, but I was doing this wrong - I just press on the front of the board and rear of the board with my feet and that would kill the board speed and I got nothing from that. Here are my steps on how I am getting on foil:
1. Going upwind first and edging the board a little
2. When you feel a good gust, try to catch it with the front hand by raising it and moving forward, it feels like scooping motion, this should turn the board more downwind and you feel your speed increase, bear off is how they say.
3. Make sure your board is flat, no more edging now - this is very important for me.
4. Time to pump now, here is a new pumping motion that I found worked for me: instead of pressing on the front foil wing, slide your board forward with both your feet using wing as a leverage (this is pumping motion with the wing)
5. The foil will force the nose of board up, so now you press the front of the board with the front foot to level it. Be extra careful to not submerge the nose of the board - this would kill the board speed. At the same time reset position of the wing by pushing it away, so it is ready to be used as leverage again.
6. Slide the board again, so basically repeat step 4, then 5. Sliding the board forward should look like the dock start, but instead of your hands you use your feet.
7. Once the board is up on foil, try to move it slightly upwind, this move will make the board more level and allow you to pick up the speed. If you stay downwind, then your wing will have little power and is not support you, so you would feel unstable. That little move with your board upwind, will bring wind into the wing and now you can lean backward against the wing and you see your speed increase, this also make your foil more level and not jump up.
These are just my thoughts on something that worked for me. Please share what works for you.
I knew that I need to pump the board and wing at the same time, but I was doing this wrong - I just press on the front of the board and rear of the board with my feet and that would kill the board speed and I got nothing from that. Here are my steps on how I am getting on foil:
1. Going upwind first and edging the board a little
2. When you feel a good gust, try to catch it with the front hand by raising it and moving forward, it feels like scooping motion, this should turn the board more downwind and you feel your speed increase, bear off is how they say.
3. Make sure your board is flat, no more edging now - this is very important for me.
4. Time to pump now, here is a new pumping motion that I found worked for me: instead of pressing on the front foil wing, slide your board forward with both your feet using wing as a leverage (this is pumping motion with the wing)
5. The foil will force the nose of board up, so now you press the front of the board with the front foot to level it. Be extra careful to not submerge the nose of the board - this would kill the board speed. At the same time reset position of the wing by pushing it away, so it is ready to be used as leverage again.
6. Slide the board again, so basically repeat step 4, then 5. Sliding the board forward should look like the dock start, but instead of your hands you use your feet.
7. Once the board is up on foil, try to move it slightly upwind, this move will make the board more level and allow you to pick up the speed. If you stay downwind, then your wing will have little power and is not support you, so you would feel unstable. That little move with your board upwind, will bring wind into the wing and now you can lean backward against the wing and you see your speed increase, this also make your foil more level and not jump up.
These are just my thoughts on something that worked for me. Please share what works for you.
