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SUP
FOILING
PROGRESSION
WORDS : TEZ PLAVENIEKS PHOTOS : OLI LANE-PEARCE & TEZ PLAVENIEKS
SUP FOILING HAS FASCINATED ME FOR A WHILE NOW . RECENTLY , THE DISCIPLINE HAS EVOLVED TO INCORPORATE THREE DISTINCT AREAS : SUP FOILING IN WAVES , DOWNWIND SUP FOILING , AND FLAT WATER PADDLE-UPS . FOR ANY EXPERIENCED PADDLER IN OPEN TIDAL WATER , SUP FOILING IS MORE ACCESSIBLE THAN YOU THINK .
SUP foiling types You can split SUP foiling into three distinct areas . SUP foiling in waves is an evolved form of SUP surfing . Using breaking waves to ride on foil and ‘ surf ’ albeit in elevated form . Downwind SUP foiling is a step on from downwind SUP . Chasing bumps and using wind and rolling wave power to ‘ drift surf ’ along the coast has caught the attention of many flyers .
SUP foiling paddle-ups is perhaps the trickiest thing to master . Paddling flat out from a standstill , riders aim to generate enough speed and momentum to pop up on foil before pumping around until their bodies give up . Learning takes a while , but it is no less possible with the right gear and paddle technique .
Paddle technique is everything As the title suggests , SUP foiling is all about paddling technique . There are ways to bypass this , such as using electrical foil assists like FoilDrive . But for the purist , there ’ s a challenge to SUP foil sans additional propulsion .
By default , any long-time stand-up paddler will have developed enough technique to SUP foil . Paddle-ups require more refined strokes and power . With downwind SUP foiling falling just behind . SUP foiling in waves , meanwhile , isn ’ t quite as susceptible to bad paddling . But still , you ’ ll need your ‘ chops ’ sorted and be able to call on a variety of strokes . Seasoned got this - over and above those wanting to learn the art without prior paddleboarding experience .