The answers to your basic wakefoil questions
Summer has landed, lake trips on weekends with family and friends too. It’s time to get your old wakeboard out of the garage and transform it into a ruthless flying machine… But first, let’s answer some basic questions about how to start wake foiling!
1.Which boat speed is the most appropriate?
We recommend keeping a speed under 20 KM/H for beginners.
2. Should I use a fin… or not?
The fin will help to keep going straight. You can use it for your first rides, and when you’ll start to become a good wake foiler, it coul even help you stay in the air while increasing your speed!
3. What can I do to prevent screws getting loose on my hydrofoil while using it?
Here is the best way to tight your screws properly: screw at maximum hand force, then use a short Allen key and tight strongly, and then use pliers to turn the Allen key an extra 1/4 to 1/2 turn.
While learning, you are generating much more stress than normal… It’s very common that screws not tighten properly get loose!
4. Any other board, foil, location changes I should make to make it easier for first times?
Here are a few beginner suggestions: keep the boat speed around 15 km/h so that the hydrofoil can barely fly; it will give you time to align your board.
Before you take off, it is very important that your board is horizontal on both axes; put weight on your front foot to bring the front of the board level with the water.
When you are horizontal and stable, just move a bit more weight on your back foot (really just a bit), you will start to lift. As soon as you start to lift, increase the weight on your front foot to stop increasing altitude or you will slowly go down.
Wake boarders have a tendency to ride with the board pointing to the sky. When you foil, you must keep the board horizontal like a plane.
Enjoy your flight!