Best Conditions to learn to Surf Foil
Before you paddle into the waves with your foil for the first time, if at all possible get the hang of foiling behind a boat or jetski first. This is not a mandatory step, but it will give you a huge head start in the learning process. With the steady pull of a boat or jetski, you’ll gain a lot of foil experience in a short amount of time. You’ll have to paddle your butt off and dedicate a lot more effort to get the same amount of foil time if you head straight for the waves.
Once you are ready to start paddling, find small, mushy waves, far away from other surfers, with plenty of depth so you don’t run aground with your foil. Steeper, faster, breaking waves you would normally surf with a shortboard is NOT what you want to go for when you’re learning to foil.
Do not, we repeat DO NOT, no matter how good of a surfer you are, paddle out to your local break and try to learn to foil around other surfers.
If you have the proper setup (a high-lift foil like the Ride Engine Futura Surf Foil package and a short high-volume board shaped by your local shaper), you’ll be able to catch inside waves that have already broken- the kind of waves someone might learn to longboard on for the very first time. Once you’re on your feet, you’ll have enough speed to engage the foil, get in front of the white water and ride it all the way to the shallows.
Of all the foiling disciplines (surf, kite, windsurf, wake and SUP), surf foiling is probably the most difficult to learn. If you can already foil in another sport, or if you can get a little foil time behind a boat or with a
jet ski, you’ll have a huge head start in the surf.
Learn How to Eliminate Foiling Fear HERE.