Hydrofoil Beginner's Guide: Fly Over the Water!
This discipline will allow you to fly over the waves with the help of an underwater wing system, elevating your board above the water and giving you an unparalleled feeling of freedom.
But be careful! Before embarking on this adventure, it's essential that you master the basics of kiteboarding. Don't rush, remember: first learn to walk, then learn to fly.
In this article, I'll give you a complete guide to help you start your hydrofoiling journey on the right foot (or rather, like Goofy!).
Don't know what Goofy is either? Here's the explanation:
Golden tips for successful learning:
Master the kite first: 🪁 Make sure you have full control of your kite before launching into the hydrofoil.
Protections: Always wear a helmet, long wetsuit, and all possible protection. Remember that the hydrofoil is like a sharp machete.
Experience with directional boards: It's recommended to have previous experience with these types of boards to make the transition to hydrofoiling easier. Since the waterstart will function as similarly as possible to surfkiteboards, some brands also offer surfkite and hydrofoil sets to make this transition easier.
Start in calm waters: Find a place with calm, shallow waters to practice your first flights. That's why I can learn any modality in La Loteta in less time than at sea.
The strength of your kite: The kite must be the right size to make a waterstart without having to do figure eights and to make a progressive body lift without sudden movements.
Lessons with an instructor: Do not hesitate to take classes with an experienced instructor who will guide you through the learning process. This can be difficult to find, since schools usually use twintips and their instructors do not necessarily have to control hydrofoils. However, you are in luck if you search for SUELTALABARRA schools here KITESCHOOL .
Patience and perseverance: Remember that learning takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if you don't succeed at first!
Choosing your equipment: wings and mast, the key to success! ⚙️
Front wings: For learning, a wing between 1000 and 1200 cm2 is ideal. Larger options (around 1200 cm2) will give you greater stability, but may make the initial takeoff a little more difficult. ⬆️
Neck: The ideal size for beginners is between 70 and 80 cm. A longer neck will give you more height and control, but will also require greater skill and balance. If you feel agile and advanced enough on a strapless, you can start with a set that you'll use later, choosing a high 90 cm neck and a short 80 cm wing.
Big or small board? Volume and size, which should I choose?
For beginners: Large boards are recommended, not necessarily with a lot of volume (liters of board). The important thing is to have enough surface area to avoid breaking the surface tension of the water. The initial idea is to keep gliding without flying, always keeping your weight on your front foot. You'll gradually pull the mast out as your feel improves.
Why not volume? Excessive volume can make it difficult to control and maneuver the board, especially when starting out.
Here I am @alex365sport and the board I learned on and still use after 5 years, a 4'8" surfkite board with an 800 wing.
And remember! SUELTALABARRA has a great community; we're here to help you on your journey to hydrofoil mastery. If you have any questions or need advice, don't hesitate to contact me on Instagram. We're always happy to answer!
