Affordable Dockstart Foil Kit? Ensis MANIAC STRIDE with HIP HOP PRO Tested

Tucker just got in a session at his favorite (and top-secret) dockstarting spot with the new Ensis Maniac Stride pump foil and Hip Hop Pro board, and he was pleasantly surprised at how good it was for someone as bad as he was at dockstarting. Not that he's a complete novice, but he'd much rather have a wing in his hands and just doesn't put much time into dockstarting. There are those pesky days that are flat across the board, though, so having a decent pumping foil in your back pocket is always nice.

What's the Stride Foil Like?

The Stride and Hip Hop Pro were designed to work together as a kit, though you can get the Stride in aluminum or carbon. Tucker decided to try out the more budget-friendly version since that's what most casual dockstarters will check out.

Right away, Tucker could tell that Ensis didn't skimp on the design. As he put the Stride together, everything fit snugly and there was no flex. The tolerances were nice and tight, so much so that he had to pound the mast plate on a bit. For a pump foil, that's a good thing! You get a lot of torque with those big 2050cm2 wings, and you don't want any wiggle room so all your energy goes into forward drive rather than flex.

What's the Hip Hop Pro Board Like?

Small. But in a good way. It's like a skate deck for your foil, and it's just enough for a comfortable stance without a lot of extra board to pump around. It doesn't block your view of the foil, yet it's wide enough to get some leverage when you want to rip a turn. The 98 x 38cm (3'3" x 15") size, combined with the carbon construction, keeps the board light and nimble as you pump.

What's Assembly Like?

The board, though quite light, isn't fragile like some featherweight boards seem to be, and everything feels solid when you connect the mast. You can slide the mast into the track without taking your screws all the way out since it's open in the very back. If you've got a vehicle that lets you leave your foil assembled, this means you'll be on the water in a minute or two, but even if you have to take it apart, the foil goes together quickly.

The hardware is standard Torx M8 screws, so it's easy to replace lost screws, and it's nice and durable.

Where Should I Place the Mast in the Track?

The track goes all the way to the tail, and Tucker put the mast about 3.5 - 4 inches from the back. Large riders who need their front foot far forward can shift that back even more, but Tucker felt that this was a good spot for most foilers. His feet landed in the right spot and it felt right. Whether you have a wider or narrower stance, the sweet spot will be about the same, so this is a good position to try first.

Can a Beginner Use This Kit?

Tucker's not a frequent flyer when it comes to dockstarting, yet he was able to have successful starts almost right away, so that says a lot. It's an easy setup that doesn't want to overfoil when you're pushing it. It flies nice and flat, so you won't have problems with the wings running up and ventilating. This also means that it won't want to go all over the place when you first jump on. It holds its course.

How Does Its Speed Compare to Other Setups?

In terms of speed, it's right about in the middle, and that's a good thing for most dockstart foilers. But that's not to say it drags at all. It feels speedy, and once you get moving, it's easy to accelerate and pump out of a hole. You can slow down, then give it a couple quick pumps to pick it back up.

What's the Rider Weight Range for This Kit?

This setup works best for riders 150 to 225lbs, though experienced riders can push that limit higher. The construction can handle it without it beginning to feel like you're losing stability and durability. If you're a heavier rider, this may be a good option for you.

How's the Price for What I Get?

Tucker gives Ensis two big thumbs up for offering a budget-friendly option. The amount of performance you get for the price exceeds the other brands out there.

Tucker's Nitpicks

Tucker loves to find something to pick at with any product he reviews, but if there hadn't been an issue with one of the screw fittings, he wouldn't have had anything to gripe about this time. He loved everything about the kit. But there was a bit of paint inside one of the screw holes that he had to tap out. That's not unique to this foil, though. He's seen it on plenty of others, and it's just something to be aware can happen. Never force your screws. If you get them stuck or even snap them off, that's a session-killer.

Who's the Stride and Hip Hop Kit For?

The kit is for more than just dockstarting. It's also designed for foiling tiny waves and wake foiling. But it'll also work for winging or parawinging very light wind days, SUP foiling, and even downwinding. It gets up easy and loves to pump around.

Tucker wouldn't especially consider himself a dockstarter, yet he had a blast on the Ensis Stride and Hip Hop Pro combo. There was no wind, but instead of sitting around, he was able to get some exercise and work on his pumping technique. If you're wondering whether this is your ticket to no-wind sessions, give us a shout and we'll help you decide.

Shop Wake Foil Packages

MACkite Subscription Links:

YouTube  |   Instagram  |   Spotify Oddcasts

Contact MACkite Below:

800.622.4655  |   Kiteboarder@MACkite.com  |   LIVE Chat Messenger