5 tips for practicing Sup Foil

Imagine gliding over the waves, almost as if you were flying over the ocean!

The SUP Foil is a mix of paddle and foil. Sup foil or also known as stand-up paddle foil is an activity where you come to surf waves with a stand-up paddle board equipped with a foil under the board. The foil is an “underwater plane” that flies underwater and uses hydrodynamic flows.

Surfing with a surf in soft waves is not very pleasant. On the other hand, this wave is perfect for Sup foil. A gently sloping and round wave will be ideal for foiling. There are different disciplines in Supfoil. there are beach waves that can be foiled and there is downwind foil. In this article, we’re going to talk about sup foil only. Here are some key points to know:

Who can sup foil?

SUP Foil does not require much prior paddle or foil expertise. It is a discipline that is quite easy to learn, allowing you to discover the joys of foiling at the beginning. Indeed, learning SUP Foil is generally more accessible compared to other disciplines in the world of foiling. This practice not only offers the discovery of the foil environment, but allows you to discover another reading of waves for experienced surfers. To get started, you can start with a boat. This simplifies the learning process by being towed by the boat.

Here are our 5 tips for practicing sup foil.

Tip 1: Choosing the equipment to practice Sup foil

1. How to choose your stand up paddle for sup foiling?

SUP Foil consists of surfing on a stand up paddle board equipped with a foil (or wing) below the surface. You can’t take a standard paddle board unless you make a modification. Ideally, hard paddle boards are much more efficient. Generally, sup foil boards are much smaller than sup boards . The board is just for getting on the board and holding the foil. This foil, attached to the mast, allows the board to rise above the water as you pick up speed, much like an airplane. Of course, don’t forget the paddle. So, let’s break it down point by point.

A beginner is going to be looking for a bit of board length to glide and go earlier. Unfortunately, this type of board will have a bit of inertia and won’t be very responsive for the best. The size that might fit can range from 6’3 to 8 feet. These are boards with a bit of width to maximize stability.

The right rider will use a shorter board to maximize turns and decrease wingspan. The boards will be narrower and will paddle much sooner, but require more balance

If you have mastered the sup foil, go on thinner boards to maximize glide and reduce drag.

2. Choose your SUP foil

The mast: as a general rule, the mast is between 60 and 80 cm. Indeed, if you are on a beach break the waves do not break very far, so choose a shorter mast.

Front fin size : To start with a 1250 cm2 wing and even 1500 cm2 can be a good alternative to start with a fairly compact shape like the control range in order to gain in maneuverability.

Fuselage: a short fuselage will not give more maneuverability, a long fuselage will give more stability. So to start, take a 68 fuselage to regain control and stability.

The stabilizer: a large stabilizer stabilizes your foil. A smaller stabilizer makes the foil more maneuverable.

Carbon or Aluminium foil: Both work very well, it’s a matter of budget. An aluminum foil will be cheaper and stronger on impact. A carbon foil will be faster and more manoeuvrable, but it will be more expensive.

3. The choice of paddle for sup foil

A carbon paddle will clearly be more efficient, more responsive and lighter. To be the most efficient when paddling, you should opt for a carbon paddle with a minimum of 50% carbon to recover nervousness and good propulsion.

Tip 2: The choice of the spot to practice Sup Foil

Don’t overestimate yourself, choose a spot with few people to start with and above all get away from everyone else to avoid colliding with another person.

Favor soft waves that reform. Don’t go off on impact.
Be careful at low tide or usually there is no bottom.
Opt for a wave at maximum hip height to start.
When you want to get in the water, hold the foil by the handle and when you enter the water, never put your foil between you and the wave to avoid getting the foil or board caught in your head. Push your foil to get enough depth and flip your foil back into the water. Then get on the board.

Tip 3: Learn balance and stability in sup foil

Before you set off on a wave, get used to the stability of the paddle. If you are a total beginner, first try to get towed by a boat to discover flying. Otherwise you can get closer to the wake ski lifts, most of them do introductions to foiling.

When you’re comfortable, head to the spot and look for soft waves with a gentle slope.

Tip 4: Efficient sup foil paddling technique

The technique differs slightly with a short and long board. But the efficiency of the train is fundamental to leave easily. It is the explosiveness of your movement that will make you move quickly and allow you to gain speed and be propelled by the wave.

The placement of the feet is essential, the center of gravity must be positioned above the front wing of the foil. If you fly balanced, then the placement is optimal. If you have too much pressure in the back leg, back up on the foil, if you have too much pressure on the front leg, move forward on the board.

The position of the shoulders is important. Avoid keeping the same position as surfing, put your shoulders facing the wave (open your shoulders). This allows you to balance better on the board and avoid being unbalanced.

Tip 5: Catch the waves in a sup foil

The advantage of sup foil is that you are standing, so you can observe the waves from a great distance and therefore optimize your placement as best as possible.

Put your back to the wave and start paddling. The goal is to be able to pick up speed before the wave catches up with you so that you can, by the time the wave arrives, go with it. So don’t exhaust yourself too quickly by paddling like crazy if the wave is far away from you. Speed up your paddle stroke as the wave gets closer to you.

When you feel the wave pushing you, transfer the weight more to the front leg to speed the board down the descent and then transfer your weight backwards so that the board takes off. Stabilize it by loading your weight forward again.

This will allow the foil to accelerate and generate lift quickly and start flying.

At first, don’t try to turn, go straight ahead and follow the wave.

Favor the lefts if you are “goofies”, and if you are “regular” favor the right.

Tip 5: Safety and best practices in sup foil

Choose a soft wave with few people.

Take a leash that is large enough to avoid getting the foil or board caught in your face.

Never put your equipment between you and the wave, otherwise you will catch it in your nose.

Don’t go all the way to the edge or you’ll hit rock bottom

Avoid navigating crowded areas

Find out about the size and period of the swell. A wave of 80 cm to 1 m with a period of 8 to 10 seconds to start will be ideal.

Our tips for progressing quickly in sup foil

Increasing the size of the wave to have more power and have more speeds, it will force you to decrease the size of the foil, but you will increase the speed and maneuverability.

String together more turns and cut-backs to position yourself where there’s more power.

To increase your efficiency, especially on the ascent to the peak. Decrease the size of the board to increase maneuverability and decrease the overall volume of the board. Opt for wings with a higher aspect ratio.

In conclusion: The choice of material and wave conditions determine the speed of progress. The more time you practice, the faster you will progress. Unfortunately, on this type of activity. You have to spend time in the water to progress and better master the different techniques.

Sup foil is a first step. If you have mastered the sup foil perfectly, you will be able to go downwind foil either with a wing and if you master the oar enough, with a paddle. The idea is no longer to surf waves from the shore, but from the swell of the open sea by letting yourself go downwind.