Foiling is a fun alternative to surfing and gliding across the water. It requires less power, is easier once mastered and allows you to sail on winds that are otherwise unsuitable for kiting.
If you are new to foiling, you must understand the basics before moving on. This article will cover wind conditions, safety and equipment needed to start. For more information about kite foiling, click here.
Wind Conditions
Foiling requires consistent and reliable wind that is relatively low at the surface. It would be best if you also had enough power to lift the kite and board out of the water or relaunch. An excellent way to check for this is by looking at live wind conditions from a spot you are interested in riding at. Several websites offer free real-time wind readings for your local area, and a few others are specifically dedicated to live wind data for kitesurfers.
If the wind is too strong, you will have trouble catching lift because the hydrofoil is constantly breaching or rising and falling out of the water. It can make it challenging to keep the kite in the air and is dangerous for new riders.
Kite foiling can be done in a wide range of wind conditions. However, a good rule of thumb is to stick with winds between 5 and 40 knots. Skilled riders with high-quality foils can ride in winds much lighter than this, but this is not recommended for beginners and should only be attempted by experienced kiters.
Safety
Foiling is a fun sport that expels less energy than kite surfing. However, it is still a dangerous sport for beginners until they learn to control their kite and foil together. The principal risks of foiling are crashing and getting hit by the sharp trailing edges of the foil. That is why helmets and impact vests are recommended by almost all foilers who use them regularly. For more information about kite foiling, click here.
Beginners should avoid riding downwind until they have learned to stay in control and not crash their kites too often. They must also learn how to relaunch their kites properly, especially in light wind conditions.
It is a good idea to have an experienced foiler as your instructor. They can teach you the proper techniques to ride safely and efficiently, and they will provide you with the best gear for your experience level. They can also help you choose the right kite size for your skill level and wind conditions.
Equipment
Foiling requires a lot of power, and at the beginning, it’s a good idea to start with a kite that is one size smaller than you usually ride. The goal is to have a kite that stays in the air and is responsive.
For the mast, it’s essential to use a shorter one to make it easier for beginners to get on and off the board without breaching (the foil coming out of the water). Also, a short mast helps with control as you can learn to turn and loop your kite while staying submerged in the water.
Practice
The first few foiling sessions will be many “in one ear and out the other”. It is not only due to the unfamiliarity of the new sport but also because the student is learning how to deal with the foil rising accidentally (breaching) and then getting it back down without crashing. For more information about kite foiling, click here.
It is where it can be beneficial to have a foiling friend or instructor on hand to help them get started. Many novices will stand in the incorrect stance on the beach, which can cause issues when foiling.
It is essential to fly the kite in the upper part of the wind window instead of the lower half. It helps with the balance of the board and the ability to control the speed by shifting pressure between the feet. It is also recommended to keep the kite power off to prevent going too fast at this stage.