Foiling Diaries Part 2

Over the last couple of weeks I have had some amazing Foil sessions in a wide range of conditions ranging from 6 knots flat water and gusty to 25 knots and big swell all at Marazion.

On my first windy session, I was super nervous again, with the main worry being how hard the crashes would be and would I get destroyed in the 25 knot+ gusts. Using the 7m Evo on the standard 24m 4 line bar, I planned to take the first run pretty easy. Popping straight onto the foil, all my nerves were soon gone as it felt exactly the same as riding on the 13m in super light wind. Foiling is just so amazing as you are flying above the chop and don’t have any of the trouble you get riding a race board in 25 knts. 
Riding upwind the foil was super stable and after almost making a few tacks I was way out to sea amongst the rolling swell and it was now time to come back downwind. 

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Cranking Upwind

Bearing off and powering up, the noticeable difference was catching up and overtaking the waves which means you suddenly get lower in the water and if you aren’t careful, crash straight into the back of the wave and quickly lose speed. After a few near crashes I started to get into a rhythm of sining the kite and pumping the foil in time to the swell lines to stay at the same ride height. This feeling is great fun and still super smooth and silent once you have the rhythm going and are able to maintain speed. On this first run I just could not believe how much more fun I was having than I would have had on the raceboard in the same conditions and how fast I was going with relative ease!

Top Tips for Starting

•  Leave the back footstrap off, wear a helmet and impact jacket/buoyancy aid.
  

• For first 10 or so runs concentrate on keeping the board on the water while bringing the power on in the kite. Then when you are able to go along powered with the board staying on the water, slowly start to come onto the foil using back leg pressure.
  

• Make small adjustments with the bar to keep the power constant.
  

• Try and stay over the foil at all times.
  

• Keep the runs to a max of 500m once you start flying. Otherwise you will be miles upwind!
  

• Keep at it. You are looking at between 1-10 hours before you stop crashing and are able to make long runs staying on the foil the whole way.
  

Kite Foiling takes a lot of work before you start to feel comfortable on all points of sail and you have to really persevere with the tacks and gybes but it is so worth it. I would recommend everyone to get out there and get a foil and you will never be bored on those non perfect days again.

New production Sencillo foil and board will be available soon at www.fastafoil.com

For Kitesurf lessons in Cornwall, Clinics and Coaching Hoildays go to my school www.pastyadventures.co.uk

Cheers and Happy Flying

Lee ‘Pasty’ Harvey

Sponsored by: North Kiteboarding, O’Neill, Fastafoil