Choosing the Right SUP Foil

Do you dream of soaring above the waves with a single paddle stroke? SUP foiling is a discipline that will allow you to experience the first sensations of foiling. Indeed, if you are proficient in stand-up paddleboarding and want to try foiling, we recommend starting with SUP foiling. This will help you begin discovering foiling, understanding and analyzing how it works. You will quickly feel the incredible sensations of gliding and speed that this water sport provides. The feeling of freedom and escape as you fly above the water. This will open up the opportunity to discover downwind SUP foiling for dozens of kilometers, with only the sound of the wind – it's simply exceptional. Here is our advice for choosing the right SUP foil.

SUP foiling involves flying with a stand-up paddleboard mounted on a foil, using a paddle to gain speed and take off. The board's volume allows you to start standing up while paddling to catch a wave.

First of all, getting started with foiling requires a minimum level of technique and skill. That's why it's advisable to begin foiling with SUP foiling. Indeed, a paddleboard is larger and more stable than a kitefoil or surf foil board. Although this activity is accessible to everyone, we recommend having a solid foundation in SUP surfing . It's difficult to start directly with a foil. This activity demands a great deal of precision, especially in positioning your center of gravity. Moreover, it can be dangerous if you don't use the correct techniques.

If you want to start surfing on your own, we recommend choosing very gentle waves that break slowly and have little power. Also, avoid spots crowded with surfers to prevent conflicts in the water. Ideally, it's a good idea to take lessons to learn the basics, especially to overcome the fear of falling on the wing and to understand how to control your height.

For more information, we have taken the time to give you all our advice on choosing the right spot when starting out in SUP Foiling in this article.

Pumping in foil surfing is a technique that involves making the board fly above the water using leg power and the movement of the foil. This allows you to take full advantage of the foil's potential, link several waves, and glide on almost invisible ripples. Here are some tips for learning how to pump in foil surfing:

1. Get out of the wave at the right time, preferably when it is flat or before it breaks.
2. Make a wide, smooth turn to maintain maximum speed and momentum.
3. Look far ahead, towards the wave or target you are aiming at.
4. Coordinate your arms and legs to give the foil momentum and make it go up and down.
5. Lighten your weight on the board and let the foil accelerate on its own.
6. Alternate between periods of pressure and periods of relief on both legs.

For more detailed explanations, see our article dedicated to pumping in surf foil to learn the movement step by step .

SUP foiling offers numerous advantages, notably the ability to have fun in a variety of conditions, even with waves as small as 50cm. Downwind paddling is even faster with this technique. It's also a complete and excellent cardio workout: with practice, you can pump back up to the peak, catch waves, and then pump back up again, endlessly!

Looking for the perfect SUP foiling equipment for your needs? SROKA Company offers all its advice in this article. Our goal: to make the sport accessible to everyone by designing equipment we enjoy using ourselves, all at an affordable price (and manufacturing our boards in France).

All our answers to the questions you have about choosing your Foil!

• How to choose your SUP Foil board

The way a foil works is similar to that of a "submarine" aircraft, thanks to fluid dynamics. Speed ​​creates lift on the front wing, allowing the foil to lift off. The higher the foil's speed, the more it is pulled upwards. Therefore, you need to apply more pressure to the front leg or reduce the size of the front wing. The rear wing, also called the "stabilizer," balances the lift of the front wing. Keep in mind that your weight (center of gravity) acts as a counterbalance between these two wings.

The foil consists of a mast, attached perpendicularly to the board and fuselage, and two wings: a front wing and a rear wing. The front wing is the larger of the two, with a curved upper section and a rounded leading edge that quickly thickens before tapering to a thinner trailing edge. At the rear is the stabilizer, which is similar in shape to the front wing (but inverted), with a smaller surface area and a different profile. The size of the stabilizer determines the maneuverability and speed of your foil.

In SUP foiling, a low-aspect fin will turn very quickly but will be slower and less efficient than a medium-aspect front fin . The latter offers the advantages of a fast-turning foil while being very forgiving and allowing for more control over mistakes. High-aspect models can be a good choice because they are more efficient when pumping.

The fins:

• A classic S-Foil Classic SROKA fin (Mid Aspect) is accessible to all skill levels and very versatile. Beginners looking for lift and stability should opt for the 1750 (XL) or the 1500 (L). These two fins will allow you to sail equally well in SUP foiling, wake foiling, or wing foiling. They are suitable for riders around 80kg. The 1250 (M) will be faster and more maneuverable due to its smaller size.
• A High Aspect fin will offer performance, but will require a bit more technique. For those who want to take their SUP foiling to the next level, the HA 1190 L (Lift) will provide lift and surprisingly easy gliding.

As for the stabilizer, the S-Foil's offers the best compromise between maneuverability and stability. We are working to offer you a wider range and make your foil even more fun. (Available in 2021)

Everything you need to know about the differences between a High Aspect and Low Aspect foil

The mast:

The shorter your mast, the easier it will be to get started. However, a longer mast will allow for more progression over time.

• A 70cm mast is ideal for beginners learning to foil. Its relatively short length will be more forgiving of any positioning errors, and falls will be much less dramatic.
• An 80cm mast is extremely versatile. It will allow you to progress, pump , surf, and maneuver more efficiently.

The fuselage:

The length of the fuselage impacts the maneuverability of the foil:

• • A standard fuselage will provide more stability, pumping will be less physical but less maneuverable.
  • A medium fuselage will turn better, be more maneuverable, but will require more frequent pumping.
  • A short fuselage will be very maneuverable but will require even more pumping frequency.

• If you want to surf waves under 90 cm, we recommend the S-Foil HA 1190 Lift ; it's ideal because it offers good lift and stability. If you want to gain speed or surf bigger waves, the S-Foil HA 1190 Speed ​​is what you'll need.
• The other option is to choose the S-Foil 1250, which offers a good compromise between maneuverability, lift, and responsiveness. The 1250 will be more maneuverable in turns and for effortless carving thanks to its more compact shape.
• Finally, if you want to enjoy small waves with minimal effort, the S-foil HA 1350 Lift is the foil for you because it allows you to pump very easily and fly for a long time, its glide seems endless.

Our rigid SKY RIDER boards (7'8", 6'3", 5'8", and 5'5") are made in Brittany, showcasing the best of French craftsmanship. This production method is more expensive but guarantees unparalleled quality and durability. SROKA Company is first and foremost a team of enthusiasts, and we take pleasure in developing products that we use ourselves. That's why all our products are thoroughly tested and approved by Bruno Sroka, the brand's founder, and his team of ambassadors.

CHOICE OF MATERIAL:

• Carbon paddles are the best on the market in terms of quality. Unlike aluminum paddles, which are prone to breakage during this type of activity, carbon paddles are both lightweight and strong. A carbon paddle is more responsive than an aluminum one (depending on the carbon content: 100% carbon and 50% carbon , they will be more or less rigid). For SUP foiling or a sporty SUP tour, we recommend a 50% carbon paddle for optimal paddling performance and the best value for money.

FIXED OR ADJUSTABLE PADDLE?

• • The fixed-blade paddle from SROKA Company was designed for optimal paddling, with a lighter weight than 2- and 3-piece paddles. As a result, it offers greater responsiveness: you'll experience less energy loss while paddling compared to an adjustable paddle.
  • The adjustable paddle from SROKA Company offers the advantage of versatility, allowing you to change the height to suit the paddler's size and paddling style. Keep in mind that the more sections a paddle has (2-section and 3-section models), the heavier it will be. Another advantage is that they are undeniably easier to store and transport than fixed-section paddles.

If you're looking for a high-performance, versatile, and durable foil surfboard, the Fast Flyer 4'6 is for you. This 38L volume board will allow you to easily catch all waves, even the smallest, thanks to its compact and rounded shape. Once airborne, you'll appreciate its lightness, control, and responsiveness, whether you're pumping, carving, or even jumping. Its double concave and lip will prevent you from losing speed when touching down, while its concave deck will offer unparalleled comfort and precision.

The Fast Flyer isn't just a foil surfboard. It's also a multi-sport board that lets you enjoy wing foiling, kite foiling, or wake foiling equally. It features footstrap inserts and a perfectly positioned fin box to accommodate all foils on the market. It offers the best balance between lift and performance, as well as maneuverability and stability.

The discipline of SUPFoiling can be dangerous; several precautions must be taken before entering the water.

Practitioners must:

• Choose a deserted spot or one with very few surfers around.
• Choose a spot where there is sufficient depth (the longer your mast, the more depth you need).
• Choose a spot you know, to avoid rocks.
• When launching, remember to position your foil upside down behind you and slide it onto its back until there is enough depth to turn the board over and start paddling.
• Look for gentle, flat, peeling waves; these waves generally occur at mid-tide. Ideal and fun waves for foiling are 40 cm to 1 m for more experienced riders.
• Don't hesitate to protect yourself by using a helmet, impact vest, and any other mandatory or recommended safety equipment.

Choosing the right SUP-Foil package will determine how you foil. Our advice is therefore to consider:

• Choosing your foil: For beginners, a classic, medium-sized fin like the SROKA Mid Aspect (1750 for larger riders, 1500 for those under 85 kg, and 1250 for those under 70 kg) will be the most suitable. Already proficient in SUP foiling and looking to improve your performance and technique? A High Aspect foil with an 1190 L fin will allow you to easily catch waves while maximizing your speed.
• Choosing the mast: Starting with a 70cm mast will be easier. However, a standard mast (80cm) will last longer.
• Choosing your board: rigid or inflatable. The larger the volume of your board, the more suitable it will be for beginners and larger riders. This type of board guarantees stability. Medium-sized boards will be just as easy to handle but will be more versatile and allow for progression as you improve. A board with a small volume will be light underfoot, easy to pump, and will allow you to ride with technique.
• Choosing your paddle: carbon paddles will be the most suitable for SUPFoiling, which is the perfect compromise between lightness and strength.

Each of our boards is a model of versatility, allowing you to fully explore everything that foiling and its disciplines have to offer. Whether it's wing foiling, surf foiling, SUP foiling, wind foiling, or wake foiling, our Sky Rider boards adapt to you.

The SROKA Air board allows you to sail in SUP-Foil or Wing-Foil, depending on your preferences, the location, or the conditions. All you have to do is choose the volume that suits you.