Dockstart & Pumping

To do dockstarting, you have to choose a compact, light and solid board, which allows you to easily launch from the pontoon and to pump effectively on the foil. The ideal board for this practice is our Pocket foilboard SROKA. This board is designed specifically for dockstarting and wake-foiling, but it can also be used for towed surf-foiling or kite-foiling. It is constructed with a PVC fiberglass sandwich to offer the best strength to weight ratio. It has a size of 4’0 x 18.5″ x 1.5″ (122cm x 47cm x 2.54cm) and a volume of 16L. It is equipped with long US rails to adapt to all foils on the market, a kick tail to optimize control on the board, and 55 strap inserts to adjust the position of the feet according to practice. Its pronounced rocker allows it to react to touches in the best possible way. The SROKA Pocket foilboard is therefore the perfect board if you are looking for a versatile, high-performance and fun board for dockstarting. You can find it on the site.

To do dockstarting, you have to choose a foil with a load-bearing and slippery front wing, which will allow you to stay in the air easily and cover long distances in pumping. We recommend the following products:

• Front wing High Aspect 1350 Lift: an ultra high aspect front wing that offers smoothness of flight, exceptional glide and ease of pumping. It will do wonders in surf foil and wingfoil in small swells.
• Front wing High Aspect 2000 Lift: this is our wing ultimate dedicated to pumping. Its Lift profile coupled with a wingspan of 140cm gives it the best performance on the market in terms of dockstart.
• The 1190 Lift works well for dockstarting, but requires speed of high start. The 1190 Speed can be used, but it will be difficult for someone who is not already very experienced in this area. It requires a very high starting speed.
• The front fenders of the Classic range are also suitable for pumping. They will even be easier to start with, due to their reduced wingspan, which allows them to be more manageable and therefore to correct errors at the start more easily than with a high aspect. We recommend the 2000, or the 1750 for lighter riders (<70kg). The 1500 and 1250 will also work very well, requiring more speed and strength.

To choose a good spot for dockstarting, several criteria must be taken into account: the depth of the water, the width and stability of the pontoon, and the absence of current or wind. You should avoid places where the water is too shallow, because the foil risks touching the bottom and being damaged. It is also necessary to avoid places where the pontoon is too narrow or unstable, because it is necessary to be able to run with the board in the hands without becoming unbalanced. Finally, it is necessary to avoid places where there is current or wind, because they can disturb the takeoff and the sliding of the foil.

The dockstart consists of jumping from the pontoon onto your foil board and pumping to take off and glide on the water. To make a successful start, you have to run with the board (or take a step or two depending on the foil), jump on the board, position your feet well and start pumping to keep the foil in the air.

If you want to start the dockstart, I invite you to consult the full article on our website.

The starting speed for the dockstart depends on the foil you are using. As a general rule, the bigger the foil, the less speed you need at the start. For example, with our HA 2000 cm2 with high aspect ratio, you can leave without starting speed, just by jumping on the board. On the other hand, with a smaller foil or mid aspect ratio (mid aspect), you will need to run faster to generate enough lift.

If you want to know more about the dockstart, I invite you to read the full article at how to start the dockstart.

Here are some tips for pumping efficiently in dockstart:

• Position yourself correctly on the board: the rear foot is level with the mast and the front foot is well ahead of the centre.
• Vary the intensity of the pumping: pump harder at first to take off and gain speed, then pump more slowly to maintain flight and save energy.
• Keep your center of gravity right above the foil, vertically, so as not to go off to the sides.

Find all of our advice and tips for getting started with the dockstart in this article.

The departure in dockstart is a practice which involves risks of falls and injuries. You must therefore be careful and follow a few safety rules:

• Protect your face with your arms when falling: the most dangerous thing is falling on the foil, which can be sharp.
• Be careful of the pontoon, which can become slippery if you put water on it.
• Wear a helmet and a protective vest to limit the risk of injury in the event of an impact with the foil or the pontoon.
• Choose a suitable spot: to practice dockstarting, you must choose a spot that offers favorable conditions. The pontoon must be wide and stable enough, the water deep enough and unobstructed, the wind weak or non-existent and the swell calm.

If you want to know more about dockstart and foil pumping, I invite you to consult the full article on how to start pumping from a pontoon.