Foil surfing has gained traction since Kai Lenny bolted an extra large foil to his surfboard and released footage of himself gliding on open ocean downwinders in 2016.

Foils harness wave power much more efficiently than regular boards and don’t require a lot of “monkey pumping” to maintain speed. Consequently, they are easier to catch and ride waves on. For professional surf foiling, click here.

Foiling Basics

Whether you’re already a surfer or a complete beginner, learning to foil can initially seem intimidating. But with these essential tips and beginner-friendly techniques, you can fly high quickly!    

The main draw of surf foiling isn’t the extra maneuverability or the novelty of gliding above the water (though Laird Hamilton has described it as “feeling like flying”). It’s the ability to surf waves that were previously unsurfable. The wings of the foil push down against the water, creating lift and reducing drag, allowing you to ride much smaller and more crumbled waves that you could only dream about before.

Foil surfing requires more skill and experience than traditional surfing, making it challenging to control. It can also be dangerous for other ocean users if it isn’t done safely and respectfully by other surfers and swimmers. Foil surfers should avoid crowded surf lineups and learn to hop or glide in small waves before moving to bigger ones.

Getting Started

Foiling is an enjoyable sport that allows surfers to ride waves they wouldn’t dream of riding without. However, it does require a certain level of skill to be safe and to minimize risks to other water users.

Foil boards don’t lose energy to friction like regular surfboards, and the fact that they can be pumped up and down generates more back-and-forth energy that helps you stay on top of the wave. It’s essential to know your limits and never push yourself beyond them. Foils are very sharp and can cause serious injury.

Surfing the Foil

Surf foiling isn’t just about speed; it also opens up surfing in places that are impossible or too dangerous to surf with a board. The same aeroplane technology that causes the foil to lift your board out of the water makes it easy to generate enough momentum from whitewater to keep going in small surf or even no wave at all.

Practising with a friend and learning the basics before trying it yourself is essential. Foiling is very dangerous and should only be done by experienced surfers who have mastered riding a regular surfboard. Foil surfers should avoid crowded surfing lineups and stick to the crumbling whitewater where they are not disturbing other surfers. Foil surfers should also police other surfers who are being unsafe while foiling.

Safety

Foils have sharp edges, and colliding with another person or natural objects like rocks, logs, or reefs can result in injury. Foil surfers should avoid crowded surf breaks and be aware of their foil and the surfers around them. Foils can also carry momentum and drag on reefs and sandbars, so it’s essential to not foil in shallow water. For professional surf foiling, click here.

Shanks said his shop sometimes holds foiling clinics for newcomers to the sport, but most of their customers learn behind a boat and then take their foiled boards out at their regular crowded lineup spots. “That’s a dangerous thing to do,” he said.

Foiling requires more balance and skill than surfing a standard surfboard. But when untrained riders bring their foils to crowded lineups, they put themselves and other surfers at risk. Foils are more dangerous than traditional boards in the hands of unskilled surfers and should only be ridden in open ocean swells, outer reefs or empty beginner spots.

Adding a foil to your surfboard dramatically changes the way you ride waves. It’s not just faster but also more fun. Foiling is a technical sport that requires specific skills and techniques. It’s best to learn with an experienced instructor who can teach you the basics, help you choose the right gear and ensure your safety.