If you got surf, and really light wind (below or max 10 knots), and dead onshore wind - it is maybe not possible is my experienceArcsrule wrote:I don't have a foil yet. They're hard to find. cheapest I've found so far is $2200 plus shipping. That's a lot of $$$ for something I've only seen in movies! The real problem I see for me is getting out in the surf. my wind is normally dead on and I can't wade out to chest deep now because of the kites lift. the new HYDROFOIL forum Toby put up is going to be a great help in figuring this all out.
But if you have "normal" winds, or no surf then 10 knots is sufficient, you can bodydrag with your board under one arm, out where it is deep.
So straight onshore, even with some surf, is possible - as you just angle the board perpendicular when a breaking wave roll towards you.
The first time out, when learning, you should only ride in sideshore (or sideon), as you will go downwind.
If not possible - then bodydrag a few 100 meters out upwind, with the board, before trying to ride.
But as soon as you can "ride" for even a short distance, you will mostly go upwind - and have to drift to get back to shore the first times
The problem in dead onshore really low wind, and a bit of surf - is that you might not be able to bodydrag out in deep water
To bodydrag you have to be able to keep your kite in the air quite "safe" - and if sub 10 knots and a bit of surf, this might not be possible.
But when "out" - and you've learned - you will most likely be able to ride in extremely low wind, if you just got sufficient power to get up and foil, the rest will be no problemo because of the apparent wind, and no drag
Peter