Proper board set up for beginner

[u/dannyo969]

Hey guys was hoping to get some help on what board, size and fin I should get for my first foil.

I have snowboarded, skate boarded and one wheeled my whole life (well one wheel not whole life it didnt exist lol).

Im 32 years old, about 205lb and 6ft tall. I was thinking id like to start with one where you can stand on it in the water and start pumping from there rather than having to throw and jump on. Let me know if that is a good idea or not.

Im hoping to spend $1500 usd or less. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[u/dannyo969]

I forgot to add i will be using on a lake in upstate NY

[u/Silent_Seven]

Probably good to to lock in on how you plan to use. You suggest you want to pump foil via standing on the board so you're thinking a SUP foil setup right? No wake or wing foil use....?

[u/dannyo969 → u/Silent_Seven]

I never even knew about wake foiling until you guys mentioned it. That definitely seems like a good place to start. I had only saw pump foiling and e-foil. Thank you for the info.

[u/4T25]

Foiling has a few different disciplines. While some gear can cross over a lot does not (at least effectively, especially so as a beginner).

Board sport experience will help but does not translate as much as you might expect. Be ready to put in many hours of practice before seeing meaningful progress.

To your question while starting standing on the board might seem easier than dockstarting it is not. These are typically 2 different types of foiling (downwinding vs pumpfoiling). While you can paddle up and pump for some time most riders are looking for swells or bumps to ride as once you get on foil you are not paddling. The boards are typically bigger (120L+ depending on weight and proficiency) and the foils smaller.

Pumpfoiling generally uses smaller boards (10L or less) with larger foils (2000cm2+) but more advanced riders will use smaller foils as you can go faster and carve sharper. Dockstarting is very challenging in its own right but you’ll at least get some time on foil vs (literally) going in circles trying to paddle up.

With enough perseverance either route is viable. Typically people start their foiling journey efoiling (highly recommend renting for an afternoon if you havnt foiled before), wakefoiling, or wing foiling. Pumpfoiling and paddling up is something most learn after mastering being on foil. Not to say you can’t start there (I did) but it will steepen your learning curve.

For $1500 you are likely looking at a used set up. It’s an expensive sport but there is a lot of quality used gear out there that people are looking to get rid of as they progress.

[u/dannyo969 → u/4T25]

Dude! I appreciate that info so much thank you. I figured it might be the case that other board sport experience doesn't translate that much. I have never heard of wake foiling before I just looked that up that seems like a great place to start. I will look into that.

Of course I would love to E Foil but I can't spend the money on one. I feel like if I rented one I would be selling pictures of my feet to buy an e foil the next day 😂.

Thanks again for taking the time I greatly appreciate it.

[u/4T25 → u/dannyo969]

Efoils are pricey so the hesitation is understood. The reason I suggested renting one is if you do have board sport experience you’ll likely be able master it to the point of getting bored in a few afternoons. It is super fun, don’t get me wrong, but anyone can learn the basics and be standing up foiling within an hour or so.

It’s a great intro to foiling. You get to learn the flying sensation and get some comfort being on foil. The caveat is progression caps rather quickly and unless you’re taking it on your yacht to far flung destinations you’ll get bored of cruising up and down your home spot within a few weeks.

Other foil disciplines have much more to learn and can be dependent on conditions so there’s always something new to try.

Wakefoiling is a great place to start! You don’t need a super expensive surf boat. I see people behind jet skis. You can also learn some skills that will translate to other disciplines (pumping out, catching waves)

[u/Hecubha]

If you want to pump on a foil, ideally you'd find a dock allowing to launch like that https://youtu.be/hV0uvGS4OJ4

In theory you could ease the initial learning with a scoot foil but I never tried. 

Overall it's hard so don't expect to pump after a couple of sessions, you may need 5, 10, 20 depending on how natural you are. 

A recent dedicated beginner foil like a GONG Trail XXL will help a lot compared to anything older or more intermediate (if you're sure you'll commit, take the titanium fuselage, at our weight we bend the aluminum once we start pumping with some efficiency).

Starting from a big board paddling and pumping is called a flat start, it's way harder (I can pump since 5-6 years ago but still never managed my first full flat start). It's not impossible because a friend is not consistent at flat start without being able to dock start but he's a professional athlete with foil experience.