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WORDS : TEZ PLAVENIEKS PICS : TEZ PLAVENIEKS , OLI LANE-PEIRCE
SUP FOILING , AS WITH ALL FLIGHT DISCIPLINES , IS ATTENTION GRABBING . THERE ARE PLENTY OF EXPERIENCED SUP SURFERS THINKING ABOUT GETTING INVOLVED WITH FLYING ABOVE WATER . BUT IT CAN BE A CONFUSING AND ANXIOUS LEAP PULLING THE TRIGGER . SUPM ’ S EDITOR , A FAN OF ALL THINGS FOIL ( AND WATERSPORTS IN GENERAL ) DELVES DEEP INTO THE TOPIC TO SHED SOME LIGHT .
Ever since I first discovered SUP , it ’ s the wavier side of the sport that really pricked my interest ( and still does ). Coming from a surfing background , this stands to reason . Added to the mix is my local area , that ’ s perfect for a spot of SUP surfing . Whilst many traditional prone surfers may scoff at adding a paddle , for me , it ’ s a tool that ’ s enhanced the whole act of riding waves . Plus , with my backyard in mind , it ’ s the most efficient solution to accessing where the surf breaks – sometimes a mile offshore .
When hydrofoils first came around , I jumped at the chance to take this new-fangled kit for a whirl . The first foiling discipline I got involved with was windsurf foiling ( which will not surprise those who know me and my other penchant for wind-driven sports ). But this was closely followed by attaching a hydrofoil to a SUP board . Pretty soon , I was loving flying along in the gusts and above barely breaking waves .
Fast forward to now , and I ’ m still very much a foil lover – even more so of late ! Wings have also entered the mix . And whilst some paddlers may struggle to see the synergy , there ’ s plenty if you paddle and don ’ t partake when it ’ s breezy . A wing , in many ways , is an extension of the paddle when it ’ s blowing . But more on winging in a while . For now , it ’ s back to stand up paddleboarding and hydrofoils .
Why SUP foil ? SUP foiling can generally be split into two main categories . Riding swells , ala SUP surfing ( but with a foil attached ). And downwind SUP foiling ( riding rolling open ocean swells with the breeze adding further propulsion ). My passion is the former . Although SUP foil downwinding is starting to catch on more and more in the UK . It ’ s still more of a thing overseas in Hawaii and Australia . Yet it ’ s catching up here .
One of the big reasons to stand up paddle surf is because riding an oversize SUP board , in tandem with using a paddle , allows exploiting surf conditions that prone surfers will turn their noses up at . Think too small , too weak or too far off the beaten track . SUP boards carry additional momentum than surfboards . And coupled with paddle propulsion , riders are poised to enjoy longer rides than previously thought possible . Of course , anyone into sliding atop 10 ’+ nose riding longboards will enjoy the same benefits . But the paddle is where the efficiency bar is raised . You simple get ‘ more ’ from utilising a paddle ’ s many benefits . Purists will still scoff , but you can ’ t fault the fun element .