Hi,
Im interested to know if everyone used a boat to learn to foil ???or did some just go straight into small waves.
I never foiled on any support and went directly into the waves, so it can be done, but a boat session will help get quickly with the lateral balance, and practicing stopping the initial lift.
Note that choosing the proper wave conditions is essential for a quick foil progression: you must seek gently "walling" swells, ideally breaking only at the top: the less the wave changes shape, the better. Avoid waves with a defined peak and shoulder. A light onshore wind helps a lot.
You can read the log of my boat-less progress at www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Foiling/SUP-foiling--my-first-steps-
I would advise boat sessions if you do not have waves often, to avoid frustration with "wasting" SUP sessions, or if you have easy access to a boat. Otherwise, no need to desperately seek boat sessions.
I just went into small waves. I am about 19 sessions into Sup Foiling and getting really good glides. Started on my Knees for my first session and got up on the foil. Second session got a few short glides on my feet maybe 3 to 5 seconds. Never been behind a boat. I've surfed from a young age and sup surfed for 5 or 6 years ( had to convert to Sup Surf due to back problems I am 55 years old Sup came along at just the right time for me. I thought my surfing days were over. Ironically my back gives me no more problems since taking up SUP. Good for Core Muscles which support the spine 
). So for me I found the learning curve steep but short. I've just ordered myself a F-one swing wing with no wind sport experience. Loving this new sport.
one or two sessions behind a boat is extremely helpful for someone who has never been on a foil board. just helps with getting a feel for balancing on the damn thing.
Select to expand quoteFitzsup said..
Hi,
Im interested to know if everyone used a boat to learn to foil ???or did some just go straight into small waves.
Boat or ski is the best way. Fast track to getting comfortable in waves.
thanks for the replies,the reason I asked is because Im not sure my shoulder (footy injury) could cope with the pull of a boat.Waxhead same herniated lower back thats why,after 50yrs of of prone I went standup,love it.Interesting you started on your knees,novel approach,wouldnt have thought to try that.We have plenty of waves,but at the moment a s*&%load of wind,thats why I want to foil,so I can get into a wing.Living on the coast is great,the downside is the summer northerlies,a foil and wing you have it covered.Maybe there should be a beginners thread so,all learners, can get help from guys that are good at it.I think kitesurfers has a beginners section where you dont feel like a goose asking dumbass questions.thanks all
Select to expand quoteFitzsup said..
thanks for the replies,the reason I asked is because Im not sure my shoulder (footy injury) could cope with the pull of a boat.Waxhead same herniated lower back thats why,after 50yrs of of prone I went standup,love it.Interesting you started on your knees,novel approach,wouldnt have thought to try that.We have plenty of waves,but at the moment a s*&%load of wind,thats why I want to foil,so I can get into a wing.Living on the coast is great,the downside is the summer northerlies,a foil and wing you have it covered.Maybe there should be a beginners thread so,all learners, can get help from guys that are good at it.I think kitesurfers has a beginners section where you dont feel like a goose asking dumbass questions.thanks all
Do you know about hanging for your shoulders? (youtube) I have partial rotator cuff tears in both and it's made an amazing difference for me. Once I got stronger there I went to rowing on a concept 2 rower. Shoulders 99% better and I'm much stronger paddling as a fringe benefit.
Wing is VERY hard on the shoulders.
Thx mate,I know the missus wants to hang me every time I buy a new board.
I do a lot of rowing with a machine and paddle everyday on the 14' and accupuncture
I didn't know about hanging until now,YouTube has some good videos,I'll give it a go
I was in Bali, goofing of water skiing,the boat driver hit the throttle and it took 6 months to recover.
4 months out of the water,so now I'm very wary of boats and the pull on my shoulder.
There is very little drag with a foil so it's much easier on the arms & shoulders than water ski's, even before it's up and foiling there would be a lot less pull on a SUP.
You have so much buoyancy with a SUP, your body is already out of the water and you don't need a lot of speed to get up and foiling so the boat has no need to take off fast and a decent driver should be able to gentle roll on the throttle.
I learnt foiling by kiting but have had a go behind a boat on a foil SUP and found it very easy on the arms and shoulders, my little prone board is much harder on the arms as you do need to give the boat some berries to get the person up and out of the water.
So I don't think a boat will be an issue, however there is no reason you couldn't learn on some small waves it will just take a bit longer to get foiling comfortably
I use a small tinny with a 10hp motor to help people learn to foil. With a SUP foil theres bugger all pull because you're already standing and you don't have to get pulled up on the board like you do with a prone or kiteboard. Barely need to crack the throttle pulling a SUP foil but a kite or prone setup, it's flat out till they're standing up.
Yeah a small outboard motor boat or jet ski is nice for learning. Some bigger boats have a hard time dialing in the the right speed for towing a cooler. Ether they want go under 7 mph or get on a plane going. Over 17mph.
