Kitesurfing a foil board

A foil board (hydrofoil board) is a kitesurfing board with a hydrofoil attached beneath it. Once mastered, the board lifts entirely out of the water and you are riding only on the hydrofoil.

You should be an experienced kitesurfer before using a foil board. Learning to use a foil board is harder than learning to kitesurf!

Advantages of foil boards include:

• • Great upwind ability

  • Very smooth ride - the foil "flies underwater"

  • Great for light wind conditions, especially when used with a foil kite

Disadvantages of foil board include:

• • Its very difficult to learn

  • The hydrofoil is sharp - avoid cutting your feet/legs on it, or being yanked forwards onto it

  • Can be cumbersome to transport

  • Need deeper water to operate

  • Boards and foils are expensive

General tips

• • Wear an impact vest and helmet, particularly when learning

  • Wear light booties to protect your feet from injuries impacting the sharp edges the foil or mast

  • Wear a full length wetsuit for additional protection of arms and legs.

  • Carry the foil board like a normal surfboard under your arm with the foil sticking out sideways

• Body drag with the board on its side into deep water (at least chest deep) to water start OR with the board flat on the water - see wwhich works best for you.

• Hold and direct the board by its nose when you are in the water.

• Use a recreational foil board when learning rather than a racing foil board. Some kitesurfing schools have boards with short masts which can make the first few learning sessions easier on flat water.

  • Mount foots traps as far forward as possible - this will help you to get your weight forward.

Kite foil board technique

First & second session:

• • Choose lighter wind when there is not too much swell (e.g. 15 knots)

  • Choose a location where there is flat water - such as behind a breakwater

  • Use the same kite size you would for a surfboard

  • When you do a water start get your weight on your front foot and ride the board flat - don't attempt to rise on the foil

• • Keep your weight forward on your front foot - much more that you do with a surfboard or twin tip.

  • Put your rear foot forward of the rear strap (some people prefer to learn without straps so they can bail off the board easily)

  • You can also practice using a foil board by getting towed behind a boat - this puts your focus entirely on the board and you can do it on flat water.

Third and fourth session:

• • As per first session - its important to get stable on the board while riding it flat

  • Get some more speed by powering up the kite a bit

  • As your speed increases, the foil may rise out of the water. Concentrate on keeping the board horizontal.

  • If you transfer too much weight to your back foot the foil will bring the board out of the water - this can lead to "porpoising' with the board rising and falling.

  • Once on the foil you will experience a very smooth ride and very little pull on your harness. Back the kite power off a bit to avoid going to fast too soon.

See also

• Foil kites

External links

• Learn how to kite foil, Surfer Today

• The 8 Stages of Kite Foiling by Jeremie Tronet, Kitesurfgrenadines.com