Progressing to 'kookermediate' (not complete kook anymore but not quite intermediate), and I was wondering where folks are 'aligning' their foil on the wave when just aiming for a straight line/across the wave face flight.
Are you aiming for foil to be well below the bottom of the wave face, at the bottom, or having it somewhere bottom to mid face?
I'm at the point I'm getting some great little runs or some quality splats but feeling like I've not changed anything, positioning wise, from the good run vs. 'splat run'.....
Of course this can vary depending on wave type....but just in a general sense, where are you sitting that foil?
P.S. Thanks for the dedicated foil section SB!
For me, things were easier when the flow of water on the foil stays constant. It is very had for me to control the foil when moving a bit on the wave changes a lot the water flow, like at the top or bottom. Mid-wave is best, basically look for the sweet spot where to do the first part of a cutback, it should be good also for foiling.
Also, the foil needs speed, so on slow waves, you should aim for places where the wave moves faster, definitely avoid the flats at the bottom of the wave. The high line may be better then (plus the foil sits lower in the water than the board position indicates)
Definitely as high as possible. As will all surfing the higher in the wave the more speed you can generate. You can actually almost sit out the back of the wave but this feels pretty weird
Stay as high as possible...Almost surfing off the back of the swell.....Try NOT to surf the wave as you would on your shortboard or sup...
Safest place on the wave is half mast height in front of the pocket . When you are learning this is the most fun place to be. As you start to push the boundaries you will fly away and carve back , keeping the mast mid flight during the carve is the challenge. You will inevitably surface a tip and fall in. Foiling is just not pumping to create speed but turning does the same. The more you move it will go. So just running down the line and moving from the top to the bottom of the wave it will accelerate. Hard part from here is when you come off the top it will want to surface , this is when you push your knees forward to keep it down. It takes practice but you reap the rewards of awesome long runs.
I find it changes depending on the wave you are riding. But in general, if I want to go fast, I ride very high, having the wing basically sitting on top of the swell. It will fell like you're off the back of the wave, but the speeds you'll get are epic. It is tricky to transition from here into turns, but once you get them dialed, it is my most favourite part of foiling, simulating dropping in on a skateboard half pipe. But to start (as piros said), stay safe in front of the wall. You will still get the plenty of energy. Once you are not breeching, dropping or purling, then start playing with the wall. Once you start going fast, things change really quick, and you need to have your skills dialed.
Enjoy the glide,
Ride safe,
JB
Great input folks. Looks like if I aim a little higher up the face and keep it moving around a little more it should work in my favour. Glad I asked. Many thanks. Surfboards and SUP's have been collecting a bit of dust since the foil arrived 3 months ago.....so glad it's everything I'd hoped...
Has anyone else noticed that on a foil you can take a line across a wave that is that little bit closer to the wave and therefor faster?[This happened to me down at Apollo Bay, Vic and may have something to do with the power of the ground swell]
