Twin Tip Hydrofoil

[ed257]

Twin tip hyrdrofoil kitesboads seem like a good idea, but is anyone riding these?

http://www.synapsekitesurfing.co.uk/products_hf.htm

Ed

[Dave_5280]

The one shop they list as carrying it doesn't seem to have it on their web site at - http://www.s2as.com/

I did find another picture of it -

http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/esbe/research/humaninteract.shtml

[Kirok]

I can think of many disadvantages of a foil board but have problems thinking of any advantages. Are they good for swells and open sea? Course racing?

Kirk

[ed257]

I can think of many disadvantages of a foil board but have problems thinking of any advantages. Are they good for swells and open sea? Course racing?

Kirk

I have not ridden one, but from what I understand, they reduce drag significantly - so your low end planning improves a lot. Less drag also means a lot more speed and better top speed too.

Also, because you are up off the water, it really smooths out the shop.

I am not sure if you can jump with them though.

Ed

[OzBungy]

I too have not ridden a foilboard but I would love to try one.

There are a number of guys with hydrofoil Moth sailboats near where we ride. Those things rock in light to moderate winds. I would love to be able to do that.

The Carafino boards are very expensive and I would not buy one without trying it first. I organised a demo board over a year ago but it never showed up. I am concerned about the bulk of the thing. Maybe the twintip board might lead to something more user friendly.

[Peter_Frank]

I too have not ridden a foilboard but I would love to try one.

There are a number of guys with hydrofoil Moth sailboats near where we ride. Those things rock in light to moderate winds. I would love to be able to do that.

The Carafino boards are very expensive and I would not buy one without trying it first. I organised a demo board over a year ago but it never showed up. I am concerned about the bulk of the thing. Maybe the twintip board might lead to something more user friendly.

The hydrofoilboards like the Carafino (AirChair principle) are excellent in light winds it seems, and small chop.
But like you, because of the "bulk" I dont think it will really catch on...
The reason I love my new raceboard in light wind f.ex - is that I can ride in spots impossible with a windsurfer (with a 73cm fin most likely in light wind)
No way I could ever do that with the Carafino

Would still love to try an AirChair type foílboard though - fascinating
Especially the strapless ones I saw some french guys using for racing, anyone who has more info about these ? (or these guys ?)

Peter

[tautologies]

The hydrofoilboards like the Carafino (AirChair principle) are excellent in light winds it seems, and small chop.
But like you, because of the "bulk" I dont think it will really catch on...
The reason I love my new raceboard in light wind f.ex - is that I can ride in spots impossible with a windsurfer (with a 73cm fin most likely in light wind)
No way I could ever do that with the Carafino

Would still love to try an AirChair type foílboard though - fascinating
Especially the strapless ones I saw some french guys using for racing, anyone who has more info about these ? (or these guys ?)

Peter

yup they are...the funny thing I think is how small waves they are actually able to ride..it makes sense when you think about it, but it did take me by surprise. It is definitely not a shallow water board...and I am very careful to not hit the coralheads or anything else when I ride it, it can go in enough wind to get you out of the water. It is definitely not a board that lay in my car, but a fun alternative. It's a very very different perspective. Super smooth, but more painful to fall.

[tripman]

[/quote]
Especially the strapless ones I saw some french guys using for racing, anyone who has more info about these ? (or these guys ?)
Peter[/quote]

You can have a look at that video to see those 3 guys on long distance.
http://www.tropheesaintclair.com/
Their performances upwind tend to make some think that they should be in a separate category (always first on the upwing buoyant), but raceboards seem better downwind (quite logical wich such "a fin").

[le zee]

Hi all,

I'm Nicolas Caillou (we know together Peter!!!) and one of the guy riding the foil strapless.

I finished 2nd of 2 racing contest in France (overal of the year 4th), and the French racing Champion is a foil riding: Mac Blanc, we fighted hardly on the contests all the year long, but he is really good.

Foil riding is awesome in light wind, specially because you don't have to force to use the board and the feeling is the same as a "flying carpet".
You cannot describe the feeling if you don't know it.

here a small video about the contest in france
http://www.vimeo.com/6980941

[cglazier]

Hi Nicholas
I have been riding my Carafion hydrofoil strapless ever since I saw a video of you in that race. You inspired me.

I found strapless is not too difficult and it offers a very free ride feeling just like riding a directional kiteboard strapless is more fun than with straps. I do find the strapless waterstart difficult though. And I have never even attempted your jump foot-switch to toeside, but you make it look easy.

As far as course racing goes, I tried my Carafino once in a race and did poorly. I usually do much better on a race board or even Spleene type twin tip. I think it takes a lot more skill to use a hydrofoil in a race successfully.

Overall my hydrofoil is a lot of fun and provides an incredibly smooth ride. I am most happy with mine.

Chris Glazier
Vancouver

(This picture was taken when I was using straps)