I couldn't find a prone foiling category on this forum, so I'll ask here. I SUP a 105L board. Logically, I plan to SUP foil a similar board. I'm 82kg. However, for actual shortboard surfing in gutless waves I use a 35L 5'6" quad fish. For good waves, 30L 6'0" shortboard.

I want to start prone foiling and I considered I should simply use a 35L board to match my quad fish. Thing is, I also need a smaller wing-foil board at the moment, aiming to go around 60L for that. Given I plan to mostly ride smaller 1-3 foot waves at first, do you guys thing I'll be happy prone foiling that 60L wing board instead of a dedicated 35L prone foil board? I think the only issue would be duck-diving, but the same would apply to an SUP... I can't duck dive those anyway... I guess I would eventually still get the 35L dedicated board, but if I can wait a few months that would be better for my wallet. Thoughts?

Hdip said..
It's fine. You can wait a few months for the smaller board.
i have a cabrinha macro 4'8" for sale.
losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/spo/7534327806.html

Hi, I actually contacted you via Facebook or CL about that board last week or so. You said you were considering taking it to the shop at Seal Beach. I've had that at the back of my mind as it would be good to get used to a smaller board. I'm just so busy that taking a day to get up to LA can easily cost me as much as the board is worth. I have a client in OC that I might need to go see soon... or maybe meeting at Belmont / Cabrillo so I can get some riding in as well. Just an idea.

As you're already a competent short board surfer: skip the sup foil. You can prone foil a bigger board, but sounds like you're a performance surfer, ok for learning but you won't be happy on it once you're riding. You'll want to prone the smallest board that you can paddle effectively -- and keeping in mind that the paddles backs may be longer than you're used to, until you get good at pumping. I have stayed on a 40L ish board as there's no way I am paddling a 30L surfboard any more LOL

Winging: big mistake to try to learn on too small a board. Frustrating and extends the learning curve. Try to find a sup size board for first few sessions at least, to borrow or buy it cheap and pass it on when done. I went from big board down to 75L (I am 75kg), then back to up to 90L where I stayed as a one-board-all-conditions solution. The 75L was generally fine except when water exceptionally choppy or wind just slightly too light, then an intensely frustrating nightmare of falling off over and over and over trying to knee start *. My 90L is 5.4 and is nimble enough to ride waves and turn. Short of doing airs or truly next-level ripping, I think the small board thing is over-played in winging, the pros don't outweigh the cons. But hey, that's just one kook's opinion! Lots of people seem to disagree online, though I don't see all that many local examples of people winging small boards.

[* my experience was before the "stinkbug" start became the standard for starting lighter boards...so it may be less frustrating once you learn that...but I've stayed on my 90L, satisfied with it]