High wind hydrofoiling

[Hpr]

Hydrofoiling is normally associated with lighter winds. Personally I would rather be boosting big or wave kiting when it starts getting over 20 knots, but I’m thinking for the upcoming season when there’s lots of wind for days on end I might wanna try something different. Anyone here foiling in higher winds? What kind of wind strengths and what gear would you use, specifically kite type, size and line lengths?

[tkaraszewski]

Here in the gorge we foil in high winds all the time. The most popular wing is still the Moses/Slingshot 633. The most popular kites are wave kites in 4 and 5m sizes, and Clouds in 2.8, 3.7, and 4.8 sizes. Some people have bought kites in 3m sizes for *really* windy days.

[windmaker]

Whatever the wind strength if the waves are not big enough to enjoy with a surfboard most of my fellow riders are out on hydrofoils. 4/5and 6m kites are the norm even for riders weighing over 100kg, I personally own a 3m Breeze which is excellent in 25 kts+. Most popular hydrofoils in my area are F-Ones equipped with 650 or 800 cm2 freeride wings in combination with the new 230 cm2 wave stab.

[oregonkiter]

Also a Gorge foiler. My quiver is basically 4/5/6 SST on 20m lines and SS 633 with 105cm mast. I use the 5m most often. Lighter winds, under 20 mph, are really fun, but we just don't get a lot of that here. Normal is 15-30 mph, with lots of 20-40 days.

[Mossy 757]

I love it! I use a race foil/board and a 9m Cabrinha Velocity for the higher end stuff. It feels just like skiing really steep mogully powder on a snowboard, tons of fun but definitely a workout.

[Regis-de-giens]

In high wind i used Lei (rally 4m) and foilkites (CA pulsion 3.7m and FS viron 4m). My prefered on was CA pulsion, up to 40 knots (i am 60 kg). I think the CA wave is even better in gusts and mofe smooth when crossing the wind window.

About hydro foil choice , i love slow wings like keto 1200 , which has a huge wibd range, starts easy with a small kite and does not generate much relative wind since rider speed is limited... launching the wave or oulsion is very very safe in high winds.
So IMO an excellent combo for high wind is CA wave 3m + ketos 1200 .

[jatem]

I've had some great foiling sessions in the last few weeks with 30-35 knots and the peak4 3m.

I've previously used a 4m uno which I didn't like as it lacked stiffness, and a drifter 5 which would surge forwards in the wind window in gusts. The peak is safer to launch/land in high winds, and much more stable in the gusts. It also doesn't try to lift you off the board in big gusts, you just go faster, yeeha!

[neilhapgood]

Windmaker do you notice much difference with the 230cm stab over the standard IC6 300cm stab?

I am using the mirage 650 front wing.

Many thanks

[junebug]

I use a 5m Pivot in 15-17kn and a 4m SST in 18-20kn. I just got a 3m Element for 20kn+ that I haven’t yet had a chance to use. 23m lines on all.

[slowboat]

Higher winds=bigger waves where I am so those are the best days. 3 and 4 meter Peak 4. 3 meter Concept Air Wave. If those kites are too big, I don't go out.