Foil polesurfing

[norcom]

Any foilers have a pole surfing rig with a foil for extremely light unstable conditions? Is it worth doing both so there’s never a down time?

I do both and the pole doesn't come close to the strings. Windsurfing requires a lot more wind to get going and onto the foil. Under 10mph is not really possible unless you're using sails over 7m (@180lbs) and/or a slight wave to get you up on the foil. Even if you do get flying, getting back upwind is a chore unless you can get on the foil without a wave. It's fun but a kite gives you the ultimate no-downtime.

[ronnie]

Why does one of those wing surfers have his wing attached to the board?

Sorted.

[Whattheflock]

The only time I go out "far" is if the wind is stronger.. Max 1km or doing a planned downwinder. Cant imagine the wind dying and paddling back 5 miles (8km!). F-that! I may not be fun at parties though.

[bragnouff]

When it's light and potentially shifty, there's more fun to be had windskating (or maybe now wingskating), the same effortless, energy-frugal motion as a foil, and it doesn't matter if wind shuts down. (and it costs f* all!)
I spend enough time foiling on water in good conditions to not bother with sketchy ones that would require a windsurfing grovel back to shore as contingency plan.

[Eltreato]

When it's light and potentially shifty, there's more fun to be had windskating (or maybe now wingskating), the same effortless, energy-frugal motion as a foil, and it doesn't matter if wind shuts down. (and it costs f* all!)
I spend enough time foiling on water in good conditions to not bother with sketchy ones that would require a windsurfing grovel back to shore as contingency plan.

So if it's too shifty to kitefoil just lace up the ice skates grab the wing and go for it?

[bragnouff]

When it's light and potentially shifty, there's more fun to be had windskating (or maybe now wingskating), the same effortless, energy-frugal motion as a foil, and it doesn't matter if wind shuts down. (and it costs f* all!)
I spend enough time foiling on water in good conditions to not bother with sketchy ones that would require a windsurfing grovel back to shore as contingency plan.

So if it's too shifty to kitefoil just lace up the ice skates grab the wing and go for it?

Windskating: I mean a longboard skateboard with a windsurf rig!

[kitelife]

Any foilers have a pole surfing rig with a foil for extremely light unstable conditions? Is it worth doing both so there’s never a down time?

I do both and the pole doesn't come close to the strings. Windsurfing requires a lot more wind to get going and onto the foil. Under 10mph is not really possible unless you're using sails over 7m (@180lbs) and/or a slight wave to get you up on the foil. Even if you do get flying, getting back upwind is a chore unless you can get on the foil without a wave. It's fun but a kite gives you the ultimate no-downtime.

Thanks, this made me reconsider. I would much rather be on a kite during kiteable conditions.

[Flyboy]

At my local spot there is a crew of windsurfers, one of whom windsurfs windfoils, kite surfs, kite foils & wing foils according to the conditions/his inclination. On one occasion the wind was light, side-on - too light for me to kitefoil. I would have had a hard time flying the kite (3 strut Lei), let alone getting going on the foil (700 sq cm). This guy went out on his windfoil & a 5.7m sail. Slogged offshore & hit a bit of a wind line. He was foiling comfortably. I would guess the wind was around 5 or 6 knots. The foil was a large GoFoil.

[Peter_Frank]

Any foilers have a pole surfing rig with a foil for extremely light unstable conditions? Is it worth doing both so there’s never a down time?

I do both and the pole doesn't come close to the strings. Windsurfing requires a lot more wind to get going and onto the foil. Under 10mph is not really possible unless you're using sails over 7m (@180lbs) and/or a slight wave to get you up on the foil. Even if you do get flying, getting back upwind is a chore unless you can get on the foil without a wave. It's fun but a kite gives you the ultimate no-downtime.

Thanks, this made me reconsider. I would much rather be on a kite during kiteable conditions.

Very true, windfoil has its limits, somewhat higher winds than kitefoiling.

In 8 knots you can windfoil having the "perfect" gear, yes, but below that, does not work at all.

Where we can ride with 10 m2 kites on kitefoils in 8 knots, and in less wind with bigger kites

Also, the "waiting for a gust" and pumping to get up, takes forever - so once up you keep riding in order not to drop.
Where we in kitefoiling starts very fast compared, and can play and have fun carving and turning in this wind.

So no gain whatsoever, on the contrary.

Only in offshore winds, it works great with windfoiling - as you can get out and in safely
But more wind is needed, and a LOT more work to get up foiling when light...

Peter

[jakemoore]

At my local spot there is a crew of windsurfers, ...

windfoil & a 5.7m sail...

He was foiling comfortably.

I have also had the experience of being beat in light wind by a windfoil. My limit is not flying the kite but getting myself up on the board. His board is almost a windSUP. I wonder if an SUP/winger board with foil would do it. I have even more trouble waterstarting a floating board as the board doesn’t push the water. But maybe Incould crawl up onto a SUP.