Latest opinions and gear for a beginner foiler?

[kishtsang]

Hi all!

I first encountered foiling while living in Oahu back in 2015. As a beginner/novice not really convinced at that moment, but now the foil-crazyness calls me. I'm not really into racing, but like the idea of foiling in the lightest of winds and would love to play in the waves as Greg Drexler does! I have been thinking about the Takuma for a while, but have seen some riders like Evan Netsch and Jesse Richman going out on surffoils lately (and being really positive about it). Would a surffoil be suited to a beginner rider? Gong has a great deal now on a aluminum surffoil with fibreglass fins, which is even lower priced than many of the Chinese foils

Thanks

[Kamikuza]

IMO yes but no. The lift comes on early and strong, as with a kite they pretty much foil the instant the board is moving. Which can make getting up onto it and controlling it tricky after the water start, but they cruise at slower speed and are more stable.

With smaller wings, you need more board speed to transition to foiling, and that gives you time to adapt to the different board feeling and trim...

You could try. How much do you like being beaten up?

[gbrungra]

True, learning the feel of the foil during surface-riding is part of the foiling progression.

But at least surf-foils have shorter masts, which help when learning to foil.

Maybe use a surf foil, but shim the stabilizer to increase angle of attack, and reduce lift of the foil, so you can practice surface riding.

What board would you use? Could also move foot position far forward to reduce lift. Or, if Tuttle box is put in a conversion plate, the foil mount position could be moved backwards for less lift.