96 SPOTLIGHT
Taking off – sans
footstraps
One of the biggest advantages for
our foiling exploits is the 7.6ft’s lack
of deck clutter. Some foiler tips
suggest front straps help lock riders
onto the board which can help
during take offs. We actually found
having the ability to tweak foot
placement was more rewarding.
With just a few millimetres of
movement riders can find the
optimum position without being
constrained. Depending on wind
strength, gustiness, tootsies can
move to optimums. If it’s on the
lighter side, for instance, then feet
planted more centrally is better. As
the wind increases you can then
move outboard accordingly.
The back foot also doesn’t really
need a strap. Again, tips from the top
suggest removing back types during
learning anyway. We’d then not see
any reason to revert. Also, with AHD’s
AFS-1 foil sometimes it’s key to being
able to bring your back foot closer to
the mast, while at other times a wider
stance is needed.
Lift control
AHD’s AFS-1 foil is designed to be
early flying and deliver riders to fully
foiling in light airs. With a 5.3m,
uk
WIND
SURFING
and (again) steady wind, lift off
became increasingly efficient. We
found in low wind strengths a sail
with grunty bottom end power
helped during lift offs. Five batten
rigs tended to be the most
balanced for upright stance foiling
with slightly more
downhaul/outhaul than you’d
initially think helping control foil lift
once flying. The whole rig thing is a
fine line and a degree of
experimentation is needed to find
what works for you – we’re sure the
subtle nuances of foiling will
change depending on rider weight,
ability and kit being used. stronger, however, you find
dumping power more critical and
the whole ride becomes
uncomfortable. For sure, changing
down sail sizes helps but you do
reach a point… (There is a new
Mk2 front wing for the AFS-1,
which we are about to be loaned.
This is a higher speed foil, aimed at
the wind foiling side of the
performance envelope. This we are
told lifts slightly later so needs
more oomph for take off, but is
smoother and more comfortable as
speeds increase. We can’t wait to
transition onto this while using the
original wing for SUP foiling).
Moving up the wind strength
spectrum and we’ve had the Sealion
Wings 7.6ft and AFS-1 foil out in 22
knots with a 4.2m. Whilst doable it
definitely feels like you’ve reached
the foil’s limit. The main problem
with too much sail power and/or too
much wind is over foiling. You can tell
when it’s going to happen. The foil
starts gurgling, riders lift (what feels
like) even higher and then suddenly
you drop from the air – during initial
phases resulting in a hard nose first
touchdown and subsequent catapult. Something else we’ll mention is
using harness and lines. We find
ourselves often switching between
hooked in and not bothering at all.
If the wind’s stronger then
committing slightly more to the
harness helps with rig control
(make sure lines are long).
You can control the sails power,
and ultimately foil’s lift, by subtly
sheeting in and out. As winds get
In light airs, when the sail needs to
be more upright, not using the
harness feels more efficient. Due
to its frictionless ride, and reduced
rig pressure, they’re not actually
needed during flight. Initial hovering
is helped by a degree of mastfoot
pressure from being hooked in, but
having taken off riders could