Forums > Kitesurfing General

Entry level foils boards for beginners

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Created by kiteboy dave > 9 months ago, 5 Apr 2015
dusta
WA, 2940 posts
10 Jun 2015 9:44AM
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every other board i own has now been put into storage. Foil only for me

Sir V
QLD, 490 posts
10 Jun 2015 6:50PM
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Ditto.. and I have no love of flat water either





Sir V
QLD, 490 posts
10 Jun 2015 6:59PM
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but the advantage is: this baby is designed to be ridden without a foil as well. Oh, but don't take my word for it







kitethrills
QLD, 185 posts
10 Jun 2015 7:21PM
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Stoked to get the new toys in ... Low aspect ratio foil for easy learning. Interchangeable parts for faster foils down the track. Full carbon = lots of stiffies. Work of art.It's up for grabs!



Green Cherub
WA, 296 posts
10 Jun 2015 6:06PM
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Im interested to see how many more foil boards we'll see at this years L2L..coming from a sailing background racing is something that i'd like to get back into, somewhat glad I didnt end up buying a raceboard as i do see foils being a big thing (especially as they get easier and easier to use)..Any WA mobs thinking of demoing some? I do remember seeing somewhere a one day clinic?

Sir V
QLD, 490 posts
11 Jun 2015 9:18AM
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kitethrills said..
Stoked to get the new toys in ... Low aspect ratio foil for easy learning. Interchangeable parts for faster foils down the track. Full carbon = lots of stiffies. Work of art.It's up for grabs!




That foil is made by MHLcustom, it is exactly the same as mine but with a Slingshot board. I have what is called the "Traveler Series" - shorter strut (750)

kiteboy dave
QLD, 6525 posts
11 Jun 2015 9:59AM
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Sir V - it was your enthusiasm and beautiful surf shots that got my interest in a foil to begin with - my aim would be to end up in the surf (or out the back of it) too. Do you find you can stay in the same spot easily enough as opposed to doing a downwinder?

Kitethrills - I dropped by a few weeks ago but only Claudia was there, I'll come by again & try to catch you for a drool..


Sir V
QLD, 490 posts
11 Jun 2015 10:29AM
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kiteboy dave said..
Sir V - it was your enthusiasm and beautiful surf shots that got my interest in a foil to begin with - my aim would be to end up in the surf (or out the back of it) too. Do you find you can stay in the same spot easily enough as opposed to doing a downwinder?

Kitethrills - I dropped by a few weeks ago but only Claudia was there, I'll come by again & try to catch you for a drool..




Great to know, I've been hoping more people take it on waves as I am the only one here atm.

I find it that if I follow the same lines of other Kite surfboard riders I always end up much further upwind , then I literally have to compensate and drift down to stay close to the crew, but not on top of course. The foil takes up to 25-30 degrees better lines upwind so you will always find much easier to maintain ground than anyone else, and on lower winds too.

I've been playing with a Solo 9M to test it. Example: 2 days ago a guy on a Fat Lady 17m couldn't even get going and I was riding on the Solo . He dumped his kite on the waves and wasn't happy I was still out eheheh. My kite eventually fell as well but it was because it dropped to 4-7 knots, no one flies in that no matter what they say.

So, yeah man - foiling is the goods. Me? Happier than ever, no intentions of looking back. And if you have the chance of trying a shorter strut, you won't believe the difference to play on waves, so much more control.

Going to Lombok and Sumbawa soon, wave photos to come (hopefully)

V

dusta
WA, 2940 posts
11 Jun 2015 12:12PM
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Green Cherub said..
Im interested to see how many more foil boards we'll see at this years L2L..coming from a sailing background racing is something that i'd like to get back into, somewhat glad I didnt end up buying a raceboard as i do see foils being a big thing (especially as they get easier and easier to use)..Any WA mobs thinking of demoing some? I do remember seeing somewhere a one day clinic?



well depending on those who get in i would say you will see less slalom/custom boards and more foils . I would hazard a guess to say around 20 foils minimum and i would say it would be the same for LOC as well

kiteboy dave
QLD, 6525 posts
15 Jun 2015 10:24AM
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Cool Jason he definitely sounds enthusiastic.

Part 2 here
www.leepasty.co.uk/technique-blog/category/foil

That cloud rider guy has an interesting take on it, strapless all the way.

I found this diary too

www.iksurfmag.com/kitesurfing-news/2015/06/first-blood-foil-diary-part-1-by-rou-chater/

ActionSportsWA
WA, 979 posts
16 Jun 2015 11:12AM
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Hi Green Cherub,

We bought the new North foil LTD as a demo board initially, however, the way I see it, is there will be little point in demoing the board as you aren't going to "get it" in a demo if you have never flown a foil before.

I would think that demoing a board is more likely to put you off buying a foil rather than enticing you to pursue the discipline. I think it is one of those sports where ante up and buy in, that way you have the leverage to keep at it because it's not cheap.

Having said that, we will offer our foil maybe for tuition purposes. I have spent a total of about 45 minutes learning and cannot ride straight and level on the foil with the board out of the water for more than a few seconds. I will bring the foil to our demo days this season, so if you are keen to see what all the fuss is about, by all means drop by and take a peek and maybe a ride?

DM

dusta
WA, 2940 posts
16 Jun 2015 6:22PM
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jeesus DM did you take out a second mortgage to get that abortion of a foil board in ?? :)


jamesperth
WA, 610 posts
16 Jun 2015 6:36PM
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That is a truly graphic description :)

For any aspiring foilers, I reckon it took me 10 hours to be able to confidently ride upwind, downwind and start to air-gybe and ride toeside. I'll never look back - it's amazing.

But DM is right - pony up and give it 5-10 hours before you might expect success.

daddycool
WA, 337 posts
16 Jun 2015 6:57PM
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If anyone having corrosion issues due to steel bolts in aluminium (eg LF fish foil) - I have invested in a tube of Dura Lac from Whitworths chandlers.
its expensive and I will only need a few drops every few months so let me know if you need some. I'm usually on the river at Melville beach rd in s and sw and PW dog beach in e winds with Peter Lynn or ASV kites.
Cheers
( or PM me)

polykarb
VIC, 284 posts
16 Jun 2015 10:52PM
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Havent had anything bind or sieze yet, have had lots of use from my LFFF. I believe the bolts are also an alloy (have bent a set).

Looking forward to faster wings.... Maybe you WA Foilfishers can hook me up with a set?


daddycool
WA, 337 posts
16 Jun 2015 9:26PM
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polykarb said..
Havent had anything bind or sieze yet, have had lots of use from my LFFF. I believe the bolts are also an alloy (have bent a set).

Looking forward to faster wings.... Maybe you WA Foilfishers can hook me up with a set?




Hey polyk......BOZi has a set of Pilot Pete foils on buy and sell for 500..... Well worth it imho ... need to mount rear foil on top of fuselage which means drill/self tap and stainless bolts ( which will need some dura lac or Tef el). Never could get above 16 knots with LF foils - doing 23+ easily in 12 knots wind with new foils.

daddycool
WA, 337 posts
16 Jun 2015 9:31PM
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jamesperth said..
That is a truly graphic description :)

For any aspiring foilers, I reckon it took me 10 hours to be able to confidently ride upwind, downwind and start to air-gybe and ride toeside. I'll never look back - it's amazing.

But DM is right - pony up and give it 5-10 hours before you might expect success.



Plus 1 on Jamesperth comments - except still havnt pulled off an air gybe:(

Livit
WA, 542 posts
16 Jun 2015 10:17PM
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daddycool said..

polykarb said..
Havent had anything bind or sieze yet, have had lots of use from my LFFF. I believe the bolts are also an alloy (have bent a set).

Looking forward to faster wings.... Maybe you WA Foilfishers can hook me up with a set?





Hey polyk......BOZi has a set of Pilot Pete foils on buy and sell for 500..... Well worth it imho ... need to mount rear foil on top of fuselage which means drill/self tap and stainless bolts ( which will need some dura lac or Tef el). Never could get above 16 knots with LF foils - doing 23+ easily in 12 knots wind with new foils.


$500 upgrade on a LF

That brings the rig at $2500. If I were you I'd sell it and get a decent foil instead...

Loftywinds
QLD, 2060 posts
17 Jun 2015 11:12AM
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Now this makes me want to foil for sure!


Jasonwave
125 posts
19 Jun 2015 4:41AM
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Introducing shinnfoil ...


Leighbreeze
WA, 550 posts
19 Jun 2015 5:09AM
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Hey mate looks interesting.Any close ups of your foil wings and fuselage.Zero floatation on Shinnster.Have you commissioned it yet?

Jasonwave
125 posts
19 Jun 2015 11:54AM
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It floats, just. Its a Fastafoil Sencilio - full carbon, weighs around 2.3 kg - ie under 1kg when in water and the shinnster can carry 2kg before sinking. We shall see what thats like in practice, fingers crossed. I hesitated with the Moses foil, which actually floats by iitself, but wasnt happy with the idea of swimming around the foil upright like that.

Sencilio is an intermediary foil, good up to 24 knts - not sure the shinnfoil will be good in higher stress situations (it has some flex) but for lighter wind poodling about and travelling with my surfboard it suits my needs : I didnt want a third foil specific board in my baggage and I wanted to keep the shinnster for shallow waters and chasing my kids - its now a convertible.

. Fastafoil is compatible with Ketos wings so I can take it to the next level with a stiffer board once Im ready.

kiteboy dave
QLD, 6525 posts
22 Jun 2015 9:33AM
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Ouch


wingman
VIC, 126 posts
23 Jun 2015 5:18PM
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Done that

AndyHansen
WA, 278 posts
23 Jun 2015 3:21PM
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kiteboy dave said..
Ouch




The advantage of learning with aleast the front straps, that is far less likely to happen.
As long as you keep your foot in the strap, the foils will always be safely away from you

Livit
WA, 542 posts
23 Jun 2015 3:45PM
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AndyHansen said..

kiteboy dave said..
Ouch




The advantage of learning with aleast the front straps, that is far less likely to happen.
As long as you keep your foot in the strap, the foils will always be safely away from you


Then you increase the chances of rolling your knee.... Far safer strapless IMO.

AndyHansen
WA, 278 posts
23 Jun 2015 4:47PM
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havent heard of anybody rolling a knee learning to foil, cant think of any WA foilers that havent used front straps while learning

Livit
WA, 542 posts
23 Jun 2015 5:07PM
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AndyHansen said..
havent heard of anybody rolling a knee learning to foil, cant think of any WA foilers that havent used front straps while learning


It actually happened to a guy in WA, torn ligament.

I will personally go strapless until I master gybing and tacking both sides.

When learning in light winds I found that the only advantage of the straps were to keep the board on its edge whilst diving the kite. Personal preference I guess but when you nose dive at fairly high speed I find that it hurts less to get ejected away from my board.

AndyHansen
WA, 278 posts
23 Jun 2015 5:16PM
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Livit said..

AndyHansen said..
havent heard of anybody rolling a knee learning to foil....


It actually happened to a guy in WA, torn ligament...


Now ive heard of one.... hope he had a quick recovery.

SydPete
WA, 64 posts
24 Jun 2015 1:38PM
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More chance the foil will try and kill you when you stack riding with out straps. With your front foot in a strap it normal directs it down when you fall off the front.



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"Entry level foils boards for beginners" started by kiteboy dave