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Ok guys.
What do you think now that hydrofoils are being well developed and many people are switching to them.
Also in the California foilboard championships we saw Johnny, Bryan, Adam Koch, Joey and a few other top racers all foiling...

Aswell they said they're 20 percent faster than race boards.
So can we say RIP race boards?
Or you guys think both classes will develop in parallel?
Cheers

I don't think foil boards are faster in absolute speed,
but the up wind angle is higher, so the VMG is higher.

andrewkiter wrote: So can we say RIP race boards?

YES

It seems like the two things holding back the raceboard fleets from growing has been:
1. Steep learning curve
2. Expensive

Aren't the racing foils more expensive and even harder to ride (especially fast downwind)?

Hawaiis wrote:I don't think foil boards are faster in absolute speed,
but the up wind angle is higher, so the VMG is higher.

Exactly VMG, which means they're faster in an all around course!
Isn't the goal of kiteboard course racing be the fastest in an windward leeward course?

davesails7 wrote:It seems like the two things holding back the raceboard fleets from growing has been:
1. Steep learning curve
2. Expensive

Aren't the racing foils more expensive and even harder to ride (especially fast downwind)?

I think the newer high AR foils are probably easier to ride at high speeds...and it really isn't that hard to ride a foil...but they do hurt more when you fall

I would say that getting good at raceboard or foil is a bit similar.

http://blueplanettimes.com/?p=11758
good article!

davesails7 wrote:It seems like the two things holding back the raceboard fleets from growing has been:
1. Steep learning curve
2. Expensive

Aren't the racing foils more expensive and even harder to ride (especially fast downwind)?

I just don't see myself spending $3000 for a sword and extra $1000 for a board...

andrewkiter wrote:

davesails7 wrote:It seems like the two things holding back the raceboard fleets from growing has been:
1. Steep learning curve
2. Expensive

Aren't the racing foils more expensive and even harder to ride (especially fast downwind)?

I just don't see myself spending $3000 for a sword and extra $1000 for a board...

I will bet Johnny got his for free.

ah , people realizing foil boards go faster than raceboards

ah shit! quick, control the foilboards formula raceboarding is about to self destruct!

Olympic foilboarding campaign - safe as any other sport, huuge participation, well know spectator sport, urban sport feel , can participate from 2-50 knots and from 0.5cm to 1km deep

lol lol lol