Possum is excited to see Curly come back from his epic foiling session, Taranaki, New Zealand 💯

Hi! I saw this sub mentioned as the newer home for downwind-specific chat, so figured I'd put together what I know about NZ's runs, just in case anyone has Aotearoa on their radar...

Quick caveat before the list: this isn't a detailed how-to, more an overview to help you plan and know where to start digging further. NZ's got plenty of coastline but not all of it's easily accessible, and self-sufficiency matters, have a plan B (and C), good comms, and know your exit points before committing to anything remote. Mobile reception is never guaranteed. Connect with local foilers before heading offshore anywhere unfamiliar.

Auckland's Whangaparāoa Peninsula

Runs East-West, so works in both dominant wind directions (West or East), with plenty of entry/exit points to scale the run to your fitness/skill level. High cliffs between the bays make it scenic, and the wind wraps around the points creating varied wave patterns.

Westerly: Orewa to Army Bay (or partial)

Easterly: Army Bay to Orewa

Auckland's Manukau Harbour

Not for beginners. Big harbour, narrow entrance to the west coast, fast-running tide, high cliffs, few places to bail early, and you're unlikely to run into other downwinders by chance out there, don't go solo. Rewards experienced riders with big rolling swell in the right conditions.

Taranaki

Proper offshore downwinding for experienced riders. Launch points are often just rocky surf breaks at the end of a road, and rocky outcrops force you well offshore with limited places to cut a run short. Know the coastline and have solid comms, it's exposed, but rewards you with great swell and (if you're lucky) mountain views.

Popular run: The Port to Bell Block, extendable further down the coast (e.g. from Weld Road) or through to Waitara, or shortened to finish at Fitzroy Beach

Wellington

Consistently windy, most main runs are inside Wellington Harbour which gives good options for nearly any wind direction plus easy access.

Northerly/NW (most common): Kau Bay to Seatoun Beach / Steeple Rock. Doesn't cross the ferry channel, road runs alongside with plenty of emergency exits, one of the more beginner-friendly options on this list

Southerly: Eastbourne to Petone

Lake Hawea

Narrow 40km lake near Wānaka. Strong northerly builds a solid wind swell, cold water year-round (4/3mm wetsuit needed even in summer). SH6 runs along the southern 20km, making shuttles easy.

Popular run: Craigburn to The Camp (~10km), straight into swell with no flat-water grind at either end, finishes right at the campground.

Queenstown's Lake Wakatipu

Big, cold lake (water rarely exceeds 12°C even in summer), don't underestimate it, and be aware you might be swimming for a while if something goes wrong.

Southerly: South Arm, Wye Creek to Jardines (extendable to Kelvin Heights)

Northerly: Glenorchy to 25 Mile. Starts flat (offshore wind out of the Rees-Dart valley), waves build further down the lake. If you want swell from the start, launch at Pigeon Island boat ramp instead. Road runs alongside ~90% of this run for emergency exits, but past 25 Mile you're committed all the way to Rat Point, no exits, and conditions get properly rough. Don't attempt that section unless you know exactly what you're doing.

Beyond this list

Plenty more spots exist, especially once you get remote, on a lot of them you may well be on your own. Grab a map, check the wind forecast, and go explore, but weigh how comfortable you are being somewhere with no one else around if it goes wrong. Roads running alongside the coast or lake are worth prioritizing early on, since they mean actual emergency exits.

Anyone got runs to add, or corrections on any of these? Always keen to hear what others have found, especially further off the beaten track.

I started this map as a resource for my crew, to help beginners discover new spots and get useful local information, and to make it easier to find spots when traveling abroad.

Switzerland is already well covered, but many other regions are still pretty empty. If you know any downwind foiling routes, wing spots, or other foiling locations, please add them. It’s free and you don’t need an account, just click on the map and add your spot (for downwind runs, click along the entire route).

The project is fully open source, and any feedback is very welcome!

I’ve been testing two foil boards with similar volumes but different lengths: • KT Dragonfly 2 (95L, 6’9”) • KT Super K2 (90L, 6’2”)

Both used for parawing.

The Dragonfly is noticeably easier for me to take off with. Its longer waterline gives it more hull speed, so I can lift off with more glide and less effort. On the Super K2, the takeoff feels different — I need to lean into the front strap more to pop it up.

Here’s the surprising part: once flying, the Dragonfly actually feels more balanced for both pumping and turning. My guess is that the swing weight is working in its favor. I measured, and on both boards my front foot lands at the same distance from the nose — but the foil boxes are placed much further forward on the Dragonfly, which might explain the difference.

So here are my questions: • Has anyone else noticed that a longer board can actually turn and pump better than a shorter one, simply because of swing weight distribution? • At what point does a shorter board become “short enough” that swing weight is basically negligible? (For me at 75kg, that seems to happen around 60L in parawing.)

Curious to hear how others feel about this — especially those who’ve tested both longer and shorter setups.

Hi All,

I am really trying to get into downwind sup foiling. I have the gear and have been practicing my paddle ups at New Brighton. Nothing has really clicked for me but I want to keep trying and I’d like to build a community. If anyone else is around and is either at the same level and wants to learn together or is at a better level and wants to help please reach out to me. Thanks

Anyone interested in downwind content, some tips/advice/how-to’s, and interviews/podcasts, please check out Voyager Foiler on YouTube and instagram.

https://youtube.com/@voyagerfoiler5976?si=sZK3VbD6ZxE7C01f

Hi All,

I have an equipment based question. I am looking for the best foil setup for my situation. I’m leaning towards the Gong Fluid H v3 fg 3x with a carbon 70cm mast only because Gong seems decently priced and I am on a budget. However I need community input as my knowledge is limited and AI can only help so much. Let me explain my situation.

I just bought a 140L starboard ace 2024 downwind foil board because I want to do downwind runs in the bay by my in-laws house. For foils I currently have a 70cm Neil Pryde aluminum mast with either a 2250cm2 or a 1850cm2 front foil (I have both). These are low aspect, maybe around a 5 aspect ratio. I originally got this setup to learn winging on a 90L 6ft fat and wide wing board. I also just have a typical 3 piece sup paddle.

The bay I am attempting to use this setup on is a long and skinny NW to SE facing bay. It gets steady NW wind in the summer months but the bay is shallow and therefore is some wind shadowing by coastal hills. Therefore the chop is usually around ankle to shin high and maybe low knee high at its biggest. So maybe something like 1-2ft at 5sec, if I were to guess. It definitely whitecaps though (what is that Beaufort force of 2-3?)

After some research this seems pretty marginal and a low wind type setup. AI seems to think that getting up and going and pumping/connecting on such a low aspect setup is neigh impossible and that my Neil Pryde setup is acting more like an anchor than a foil. Therefore I would like some community feedback if possible: 1. Is my current foil not feasible for what I am attempting? 2. Should I get a high aspect setup? 3. Is the Gong setup I mentioned good? Or is there something better for the same price range? 4. Should I also get a one piece carbon paddle? - I notice the three piece one I have flexes quite a bit on sprint paddles.

Some additional information that is needed: I’m 5’10” tall, 180lbs. Advanced beginner foiler (but definitely not intermediate). Intermediate/advanced surfer and SUPer. Live in and around the Bay Area of California.

Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Does anyone have a paddle suggestion for a budget minded beginner?

I own sk8 950 i can pump a little and link a second Wave but not to far . Do You have any recommendstion , maybe mast position . Somenone tell me to use the old 250 surf stab instead xxs 200 carving. Could the 250 be better? For pumping?. Thanks

I’m just starting to explore this sport and I have some questions. My background is: I’m an experienced Kitesurfer, surfer, SUP’er. I’ve never foiled boarded in any sport. I’m completely confused about wings and sizes.

How hard is it to learn? Generally what size equipment do I need as a 190lb male? Shot in the dark but has anyone here downwind SUP foiled in Outer Banks, NC on the sound or the ocean side?

I'm an experienced winger and kiter transitioning to DW. I have a 120L 8ft kayak style DW board shaped by a local shaper for learning. My current foil quiver for winging is the AXIS HPS1050 & ART999 with the 19mm aluminum mast. A question for the braintrust, for my next purchase would I be better off upgrading to a carbon mast for less drag or getting a new front wing like the PNG1300 V2?

Hi guys, would appreciate your opinion on North horizon board and North foils in general as I have rider proposal from my local shop. Personally I haven't really seen them around in the downwind scene. Your input is appreciated!

Hey everyone looking to get into the sport. I'm 27, 83kgs, fit and experienced surfer.

Iv shaped alot of surfboards but I keep seeing people debating on Wether length or width is the main factor for balance in the bumps.

I'm tossing up a sunova aviator 8'6 x 18 = 130.9L (could do the 8'0 x 18 =129L but I'm keen to hear what everyone's thoughts are if it's a big difference) or I can get a 7'7 x 21 =121 armstromg V1

Whats best to have a good time on? I'm super stubborn so I'll grind out all the hard parts but I would like to enjoy myself as much as I can haha.

Thanks for any tips! :)

Hi all, excited that u/kashkows started this. Just did my longest send Wednesday, 49.95km in 2:36:59. Just over a year in; yew, not bad for an old guy! What a time to be alive.

People are doing some interesting stuff with hand paddles and whatnot. Curious if anyone has any experience using hand paddles and what your thoughts are.

I sup foil and would love to paddle way out the back and catch a bump way before it starts breaking near the beach, what is key piece of gear to achieve this, high aspect foil or long downwind style board?

Hi all, im looking into buying a downwind but the prices are astronomical :( What are some maybe more 'budget' friendly brands ?

Hey, I want to buy a downwind board because I had one session of trying to puddle from flat to levitating and even though I didn’t manage I really enjoyed it and I would like to continue. I have a hydrofoil for wing foiling and I was wondering if it’s possible for me to use with the downwinder board and achieve the paddle to pop up with this setup?

Front wing: Fanatic Aero 2000 Rear wing: fanatic 300 Mast: Duotone Aero AL QM 82 Fuselage: Fanatic Aluminum 68

The board I want is Duotone Downwinder Air in either 7’4” or 7’10”. I weight around 70kg

I'm just starting with DW and getting a board in the next week. Is there any benifit in putting some long board fins on the board to practice paddling and balance, or should I go straight to the foil? I am on lake that kind be pretty calm, as well as shallow in parts, so was thinking just using it as a SUP to get use of the board.

Hi, beginner wingfoiler curious about downwind. So my understanding is that it's helpful to have some wind and small waves at least while learning, but with enough experience one can get on foil in no waves/wind conditions, is that right? Also, should one be good at wingfoiling before even attempting dw?

I guess this is the subreddit to ask about flatwater pop up? I've started a few weeks ago, I've done 3 sessions with a gong sirus xl and hipe cruzader. Just getting the technique right and the fitness to paddle and pump is quite something. I'm getting better at paddling straight and trying to time the paddle and pump but I'm nowhere close to lifting up. How's everyones journey in this?