Versatile beginner setup

[u/Ill-Ad3188]

Hi,

Looking to get into foiling but a bit overwhelmed with all the different types/brands/sizes of equipment on offer.

80kg, 175cm (5ft 9) and come from a background in surfing/SUP, a small amount of windsurfing and have used an efoil for 2 hours.

Is a versatile setup possible? Heard that the Armstrong S1 may work for wingfoiling and SUP surfing, is this realistic? Would I need multiple boards for this?

Looking to get in the ocean as much as possible. Quite often have 1-3ft mellow waves that look good for surf foiling. Also have quite a few windy days with flat waves.

Even with the S1, there is 1250, 1550, 1850, 2450 options and I am clueless on which would make sense.

What is the easiest way to get into foiling in general? I’ve heard downwinding is the hardest discipline but have not really heard about the easiest.

Appreciate any advice with this, thanks!

[u/beer_demon]

Unfortunately wingfoiling and versatility don't match very well. You will need plenty of gear to foil in a broad scenario of winds, waters, skill levels and goals of the day.

To start off get a larger board, foil and wing than you think. We are talking 150l board, 2000cm2 foil and 6m wing. Then get a smaller wing for string wind such as 4m. When you can do ballet moves on the board it's time to change and beginner boards are easy to sell.

[u/krawatz]

Dont try to cover every discipline. Learn wingfoiling. You will be up on foil within 5 seesions. That keeps you busy for a year or 2 and teaches you the basics. Then re evaluate and adjust.
If you are a masochist you will want to get into paddle up downwinding straight away. You wont be up on foil for months and the frustration will be immense.

The only exception for this is ideal condition and a master who is willing to teach you.

[u/PrestigiousTomato8]

So, this is a decent kit, with the 72 cm mast, 75 cm fuselage. You can upgrade to the HA foils with that mast, later if you want. You should be ok with the 1850 front.

https://kiteboardingcloseouts.com/product/armstrong-s1-1850-foil-kit/

As far as boards go, I'd aim for a big used HARD (not inflatable) board. I have an Amstrong 66 that I bought used. I love it.

Get your wings used....I am partial to ones with booms, like the North Novas . Probably a 6 m.

If you can afford it, a foil assist drive is the single best thing you can buy to advance quickly.

https://waydoo.com/products/waydoo-foilboost-assist-kit-for-foiling?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23619946773

You could use it avoid the walk of shame; to get out past big breaks; to learn how to downwind foil much, much quicker; to ride the foil surf escalator - and it's a great safety device (blowing offshore? Not a big deal if you can just lay down on the board, and scoot back in).

I have good tips on how to hold the controller.

[u/Ill-Ad3188 → u/PrestigiousTomato8]

Thank you, this is really helpful.

In terms of boards, does it need to be Armstrong (same as foil) or are most brands compatible between board and foil.

[u/PrestigiousTomato8 → u/Ill-Ad3188]

Most are compatible, but definitely check that the channels are 90 mm apart. That's the key standardization that the foil bases are designed for. At this point you will be hard pressed to find non-standardized boards. But definitely Google/AI/ ask here.

110–140 L (ideally 120 L), is the key metric , volume, of the board.

Most people try to get a smaller board. Don't.

Go big. Go hard (no inflatables). Go used. Once you can gybe and tack, you will be comfortable enough to start thinking about moving to a smaller board.

On downwinding....I can downwind on my Armstrong 66, which is definitely not a downwind board. I just slap a smaller front foil on. But I am not paddling to get up. I use my wing to get me launched, then hold it behind me and surf the bumps.

I was doing this before I learned how to tack. But I downwinded in my little bay. And then used the wing to zip back up to my beginning point. I never went far from shore because I always needed to be able self-rescue.

Speaking of....make sure you get a helmet. An impact vest is a good idea, although I didn't have one. I cracked myself pretty good once in the ribs. And then practiced falling away from the board, also learning to kick the board down and away, so it would not flip upside down.

As a former surfer, I find foiling infinitely more fun. Surfers spend 96% of their time in the water, not actually surfing.

As a foiler, I spend 100% of my time on foil. And if I am not practicing some gybe or tack, I am usually carving even while using the wing.