I have gotten really comfortable with back side wave riding on my slingshot wizard 105, wings i76,i65 and using wave sails(3.5-5.2). Been out in anything from 8-12kts waist high waves and 30kt 4.5ft waves. But have found 20kts with 3ft wind swell super fun. I mostly sail the great lakes so we get onshore or side on conditions. I feel that the foil combined with small sails slower speeds(compared to fins), more glide has made me a better overall sailor for someone who never learned to do proper wave riding on fins.

Anyone get to experience front side wave riding on the foil?

Please share your wave riding setup/ techniques. however you do it whatever conditions you get, there is no right to ride a wave
My current technique for backside wave riding is to find a nice clean wave, have good speed carving up towards the top of the wave sheeting in with the back hand and carving down the wave sheeting out a bit as I reach the bottom tilting the rig forward a bit and remembering to shift my weight and repeat as long as possible or until I find a better wave to ride
I also don't mind running down a wave at full speed oversheeting to depower the sail and try to catch the next one.
Would love to try front side if we ever got the right conditions, would be rare.

Your video didn't come up in the link for me.
I haven't tryed any clew first sailing approaching the wave. Especially in onshore conditions the body position looks really twisted...would be hard on the foil I think unless your Balz

In this video the guy is riding frontside and stuffs the nose after hitting the lip. Some nice crashes in that video too

BritWindfoiler said..
I updated the link.

Clew first is just the same position as normal side-on wavesailing, the difference being in normal windsurfing the clew is very powered up as the wind is a lot faster than your speed down the wave. It's difficult to hold onto this power without the rail of the board being engaged.

Just saw your video, I see what you mean now, looks very smooth, nice rides.

What spot do you sail?

I have tried a little bit of Swell foiling both backside and frontside in Maui and on small lakes. My observations are:
1) It turns bumpy 3ft swells into a lot of fun.
2) Have only tried front side a few times at Kanaha (side on wind) could not get aggressive in the top heel side turns with the wind at my back (I think because I am moving with it). The swell gives speed to the bottom turn but with no sail/wind assist to speed and back winding in light winds had to be dealt with.
3) I found back side swell riding at Kanaha a blast as you end up going slightly up wind and the sail has power to help the top/toe side transition as well as help straighten you up at the bottom turn. It seems more like the lake swell riding but I find it better.
Carving is just fun and although I a far from an expert I also find I also like using the mast height to help generate speed into the heel side turn. By that I mean if I come out of the toe side carve high on my 105 mast and drive it downhill I gain more speed going into the heel side carve and can get more G's which means fun for me

Just like windsurf wave riding, the top cutback must be done with help from the sail. You open it to "catch" wind, while raking it back to pivot the board back down the face.

Frontside is toeside down the line sailing in side to sideoff winds.
Hookipa, Backyards, Davenport, Cabo Verde, Desert Rose, Palo Marin.

Mucel said..
Hello
Amazing videos. Could you tell me the conditions in which wave windfoiling is suitable for normal people? I guess soft swell without shore break and stable winds, offshore wind tends to be less stable.

What do you do when falling in the waves? waterstarting or uphauling? I guess waterstarting, but then you need to be on the limit of the sail range without breaching, right?

Any advice in equipment, tunning, etc is highly appreciated

Thanks.

When the wind is up and I am on my Moses 683 I would say I water start most of the time. I have a new 790 and I find I can use a smaller sail so I think I will be up hauling more with the bigger wing.

Talking onshore wind wave riding.
Uphaul in deep water and light wind.
Beachstart when you crash in chest deep water, even if you have to grab mast with front hand.
Don't spend time in whitewater as you can hit bottom.

790 and I 76 are both around 1550 sq cm, but your mind knows carbon does everything better, and your lightened pocketbook reinforces that idea.

For front side riding (both side & onshore):
Also check out Reefwarrior.

www.instagram.com/p/CGbRftbjrNH/?igshid=ylnuve0xsd16