“ If you already SUP surf , you ’ ll have all the necessary fundamental skills to get involved with SUP foiling .”
119 volume can feel more stable than platforms with more volume and narrower tails / drawn out noses .
For first-timers I ’ d suggest choosing something slightly longer , with more volume ( 130L-160L ) and widths around 78cm ( 30 ”). This is based on a rider weighing 85kg-95kg . Feel free to adjust these numbers according to your build and weight .
Those riders looking to tentatively dip their toe in the world of SUP foiling could find a convertible board may be the best bet . There are a few available that can be ridden with fins or foil . Convertibles are fine for those wanting to test the water or for paddlers who have limited space and need a one board solution . Usually , though , they ’ re a compromise on both types of performance . So a foil specific board will be the go if and when you get bitten by the foiling bug proper . ( You can also buy convertible foil specific boards that accommodate SUP foiling , wing foiling and windsurf foiling . Be foil specific ; these are a better option than convertible sleds offering fin and foil performance . At least a foil specific type is focused on flying so that it will be optimised for that ).
And don ’ t forget inflatables , which can be good choices if you have even less space for storage and transport . These days , foilspecific inflatable boards are pretty good performance-wise , and though still not quite as on par with hard foil boards .
Foils Hydrofoils generally come in two styles : low aspects and hi aspects . Low aspect foils are more shovel-like , whilst high aspect foils are wider and much thinner . Low aspect foils can be measured in cm 2 surface area , whereas this doesn ’ t equate to high aspects . At around 1800cm 2 – 2000cm 2 , low aspect foil wings have oodles of lift and will rise progressively with even the merest
hint of a wave to propel you along . Low aspects are also slower and easy to dial in , so they are often a better choice ( generally ) than faster hi aspect foils .
Rider weight and conditions will be dictated by how big you need to go to achieve easy takeoffs . I ’ m 90kg ( dry ) and would use a low aspect foil with 2000cm2 to lift in 2ft waves . If the swell ’ s bigger or punchier , I ’ d drop the front foil wing ’ s size to something smaller and more manageable .
It ’ s possible to get hold of hi aspect foils that perform well for beginners . Some have a low stall speed ( the amount of forward speed it needs to start and lift ). Stall speed is critical as it can make or break a session – especially if you ’ re learning and haven ’ t yet acquired the skills to make foils with higher stall speeds work . Hi aspects mostly require more oomph from the wave , rider input , and a more refined way of riding . If you ’ re torn between choosing a hi or low aspect foil , I ’ d suggest going down the low aspect foil route to start with . You can always swap it out later down the line .
“ If you already SUP surf , you ’ ll have all the necessary fundamental skills to get involved with SUP foiling .”