Foil Drive Progression: 3 Common Beginner Mistakes

Ryan and Hunter are sharing the top three mistakes beginners make with their Foil Drive system to help get you up and having fun sooner.

1. Standing Up Too Early

Don't:

The first major mistake is standing up too early and not allowing the board to get on plane. A lot of beginners like to get the board moving and stand up immediately. When you do this, you end up putting the board at an upward angle where you are plowing the water.

Do:

You need to get the board planing first. Think of it like wakeboarding: if you have a boat with a ton of weight in the back, you are plowing that boat and pushing a big wake. To go faster, the bow of the boat needs to go down so it can plane out and move faster. It is the same thing with the Foil Drive; you might not get enough juice if you are plowing your board.

Before you stand up, spend a little more time on the board. Cruise around on your stomach for a bit. It can be fun to just get the board going fast while on your stomach. This helps you feel the board actually get on a plane plane. Once you recognize that moment and know what you are looking for, then it is time to stand up.

2. Choosing the Wrong Gear

Don't:

The second mistake is using the wrong gear for the job. Many people get into Foil Drive coming from other sports like kite foiling or wake foiling. They often have small wake foil or kite foil boards and want to put them on a Foil Drive. While you can do that, it is a very advanced skill and not something you should start with.

Do:

You want to start with more beginner-friendly boards that have a bit of volume and float to them. In general, the bigger the board, the better for a brand-new rider. A larger board is going to allow you to plane much easier. When it comes to the foil, a mid-aspect, easier-going foil, perhaps something above 1,000 square centimeters, will give you more lift. Some people try to start with their dockstart setup, but that can be tough. A super wide wingspan might not give you the roll and maneuverability you want when you are first learning. You need that foil to be maneuverable so you can have control over it.

3. Starting In the Wrong Conditions

Don't:

The third mistake is going out in the wrong conditions. These might be the right conditions once you learn and progress, but initially, you want to go out in nice, easy conditions without outside factors being thrown at you. Flat water is ideal for your first session.

Do:

Use the flat water to practice getting up, motoring around, and, if your motor is in the higher assist position, popping up onto the foil without the motor. Getting those things dialed before you take your Foil Drive into the waves will help you progress much faster. Trying to learn to Foil Drive while also learning to ride waves creates too many variables. In Hunter's first sessions, he tried learning in the waves, only to fall every single time because he was trying to learn two different things at once.

As you progress, you can slowly step up the conditions. Don't go from flat water to shoulder-high waves and expect it to go well. Take into account the wind, the chop, and the wave size. If it is windy out, start by going downwind, not upwind. Going downwind can actually give you a little bit of assistance getting onto plane and getting up. Once you are proficient, you can point upwind, but for the learning stages, going downwind with the swell is key.

If you have any other questions about the Foil Drive, feel free to reach out to us. We're here to help you out!

MACkite Subscription Links:

YouTube  |   Instagram  |   Spotify Oddcasts

Contact MACkite Below:

800.622.4655  |   Kiteboarder@MACkite.com  |   LIVE Chat Messenger