I had my first session on my new Hover Glide / Dwarfcraft 54 combo this afternoon. I was on the 15" Fight School mast. Kite was a 9m Catalyst. Wind was around 10kts gusting to maybe 12kts.

What a humbling and frustrating experience - I loved it though. The first 10 minutes were spent trying to position myself to water start strapless. This went ok thanks to advice I'd read in some of these foiling threads. By putting some heel pressure on the deck while sining the kite side to side directly down wind, the foil had enough resistance as it was travelling through the water to allow me to sink the heel side rail into the water without the need to use my hand to hold the board on it's edge. This probably won't work once I switch to the full length mast though.

It was then a matter of waiting for a strong enough gust to get me on top of the board. Once up, I tried my best to stay on top of and directly above the board / mast and keep my weight forward. Easier said than done. Just a little too much toe side pressure and the board spat me to leeward. After several of these clumsy attempts just trying to stand up straight and not pi55 the board off in any way, I actually went for a 10m - 15m cruise before a lull had me sinking. Progress!

A few more short "on the water" runs and I decided to try and get on the foil. A few minutes waiting for the 8 - 10kts to gust up to 12kts and I was up onto the board. After maybe 5m going at what seemed like a slow jogging pace, I shifted my weight slowly rearward. Suddenly the board began to simultaneously lift, accelerate and begin to point upwind. A brief gurgling sound was heard and I was back on the water. I was probably only on the foil for a second or two but my god, I was excited. It felt amazing and I wanted more. My earlier frustration with the difficulties I was encountering melted away and for the next 20min I tried anything I could to replicate "that feeling".

I managed maybe 5 or 6 very short foil rises after that initial one, then the wind finally died to less than 5kts and I trudged my way back through the currently stinky and brown Swan River to the shore at Nedlands. The wind was way too light for my initial go at foiling (with a 9m) - I knew that going in. It didn't put me off though. It's just made me realise how efficient foils are and that I'm going to need a 5m or 6m kite when a decent sea breeze kicks in again. I love foiling already.

Similar experience for me on similar gear however Alien Air.
I am now as at today 3 sessions in with lots of long runs and even the 15in mast up on foil feels high out of the water.

The Slingshot beginners package is working for me however not tried anything else.

The only slight negative is that the board is so bouyant it can be a challenge to get front foot in the strap but that gets easier. The positive of a bouyant board is it gets one through the lulls making for much longer runs so very forgiving.

Certainly recommend having the experience even if one does not stay with it.

Select to expand quote

warwickl said..
Similar experience for me on similar gear however Alien Air.
I am now as at today 3 sessions in with lots of long runs and even the 15in mast up on foil feels high out of the water.

The Slingshot beginners package is working for me however not tried anything else.

The only slight negative is that the board is so bouyant it can be a challenge to get front foot in the strap but that gets easier. The positive of a bouyant board is it gets one through the lulls making for much longer runs so very forgiving.

Certainly recommend having the experience even if one does not stay with it.

Agree - the Slingshot short mast learning system is great. I couldn't imagine learning on the full size mast and I can only admire the people who have done it and made it through to the other side. I was worried my Dwarfcraft was going to be too small to learn on but I'm really happy with it so far. It feels great strapless and to be honest, the idea of locking even just my front foot into a strap fills me with dread. I get that racers need them, but for me, just wanting to free ride, I have loved the freedom to move my feet where I think they need to be and the ability to just fall away from the board and foil when things go pear shaped makes me feel much safer.

Day 2. Went out again with my 9m with the wind on Melville Water sitting at 13 - 15kts. This was much better for me than the 10 -12kts of the previous day. Once up on the board today, I used yesterdays experiences to focus on standing tall and relaxed and just let the board pick up speed. Once going fast enough the board would slowly rise and I had enough time to get my weight forward to level it out and I was almost immediately getting 5 to 10 seconds on foil before the gurgle heralded my next water start.

Then it just clicked - and from little 10 - 20m runs, I was suddenly going 50m - 100m at a time. I was motoring upwind as well. This was on my my non natural stance (right foot forward). Strangely, my preferred left foot forward stance wasn't yielding the same length runs - still ok - up to maybe 20sec - but not as long as the other tack. I was getting to the stage where I was staying on the foil long enough that i was intentionally stopping and turning around so I didn't gain too much ground upwind. Crazy stuff on a 9m in marginal wind.

Total time foiling - just under 2 hours. It's tricky to learn for sure, but not that bad so far and even small gains in skill leave you buzzing for hours after. It really does feel like your being towed through the air by your kite. Really bizarre and exhilarating but also somehow relaxing. If you're on the fence about trying it, don't hesitate. You're a long time dead.

Things I learned today:

1. Kite parked a bit higher was good to control speed.
2. Back hand on the bar and front hand for balance was good
3. Pointing the board upwind when wanting to pop up on the foil seemed to work
4. I must buy a smaller kite soon
5. Foiling is a drug and I'm an addict

Well done!

You can get away with more kite power when you are doing the touch and go phase. 13-15 is probably ideal on the 9m when you are up and going.

Select to expand quote

Plummet said..
You can get away with more kite power when you are doing the touch and go phase. 13-15 is probably ideal on the 9m when you are up and going.

I agree - it was much easier to concentrate on the board and foil with more wind and reasonable power in the kite. I would think maybe up to 18kts on my 9m would be ok and after that, a switch down to a 6 or 7 would be more comfortable - but I haven't been there yet so I don't really know that for sure. Do you find yourself using kites larger than 9m very often when foiling?

My first session was in 10 to max 12kn and at time it almost felt like no wind at water surface level.
I was using an 11 m Griffin AX in side shore flat water and after a couple false starts did a 200 m run jibed to toe side and back to shore.
Did another run but on return almost no wind just made it back and that was it. As you can imagine I was happy.
I now practice in a location with no sharks but wind is on shore mostly and a bit weedy.

Select to expand quote

warwickl said..
My first session was in 10 to max 12kn and at time it almost felt like no wind at water surface level.
I was using an 11 m Griffin AX in side shore flat water and after a couple false starts did a 200 m run jibed to toe side and back to shore.
Did another run but on return almost no wind just made it back and that was it. As you can imagine I was happy.
I now practice in a location with no sharks but wind is on shore mostly and a bit weedy.

Wow that's impressive on your first day of foiling. Experience on a surfboard is a big advantage I think. I have been riding a surfboard strapless for several years and have no doubt it's held me in good stead for this new adventure. There is some common ground between foiling and riding a directional - not much, but some. TT on the other hand - not so much.

Select to expand quote

DukeSilver said..

Do you find yourself using kites larger than 9m very often when foiling?

No is the short answer. I'm mostly on my 8m or smaller.

But i do bust out the 12m chrono for 8-12 knots on occasions.

Day 3 - 7am Easterly at 17 to 24kts on my 9m. Managed some foiling but much harder in the steep chop and gusty wind on the short mast. Feet had to be positioned correctly as soon as I was up and riding as the immediate power meant almost instant foiling and ventilating if my positioning was incorrect. Managed some 20 - 30 second runs on the foil, but the large chop and short 15" mast meant ventilation of the front wing was happening frequently.

I have ordered the 24" mast and am looking for a 6m kite. Would have been a more fun session with those 2 items. Still loved it though.

Short mast sucks, too easy to vent, even on flat water. Only good if you're riding real shallow location and that's your only option.

Too much wind if it's that gusty...

Select to expand quote

Kamikuza said..
Short mast sucks, too easy to vent, even on flat water. Only good if you're riding real shallow location and that's your only option.

Too much wind if it's that gusty...

I've found the short mast excellent as a learning tool but I'm now ready for a slightly longer mast. The shortness of the mast makes you earn every metre up on the foil and getting a regular longish run means you're likely gaining a measure of control and some muscle memory. That's my theory anyway. My local spot is shallow - 300m - 500m of knee to waist deep before getting to a suitable depth. The short mast has allowed practice in this water meaning easier/faster board retrieval and water starts so less ginning around with activities that don't involve standing up and trying to foil. But in strong winds and choppy water - yes, they suck big hairy ones.

Day 4- 20 plus kn gusty still on Alien Air and 15in mast now with 7m kite.
Got going but difficult so lesson learnt - learn in lighter wind as first 3 sessions.

Day 5 - Really great session today. Wind was perfect for the 9m at 14 - 17kts. Was really concentrating on being relaxed and upright over the board. I also tried placing my rear foot a bit further back which felt pretty good for some improved control. Getting some long runs going both directions and was able to manage a couple of 400m- 500m tacks without a nose dive off the front of the board. Was able to practice going upwind as well as bearing off the wind on a broad(ish) reach. Heading off the wind was mind blowing on the foil. No noise from the board or the wind and, with the kite drifting down wind with me, no pressure on the bar. It was like I was flying close to the water while holding a stick at arms length. Going deep downwind must be nuts. Really hanging out for the longer mast to arrive as the 15inch mast is now redundant and Im ready for the next step.

Day 6 - Took the Hover Glide and Dwarfcraft down to Penguin Island chasing some clean wind and clean water today. Wind was sitting between 14 - 18kts and I started on my 9m. This was a bit too much kite for me to be comfortable - not out of control, but not ideal. I swapped kites with a mate of mine who was using a 2015 7m Drifter. This was better. I could control speed pretty well and when I needed to head down wind, it, well, drifted nicely. I think a 6m or maybe a 5m would have been in the sweet spot for my 80kg today.

I then decided to pull out my new BRM Cloud C.5 3.5m. I only got this a couple of days ago and really only pumped it up to give it a fly on the beach as I've been curious about this kite since the foiling bug hit. After lightning dives and loops revealed some unexpected power I thought I'd see if there was enough to get me onto my board. I waded out, placed my heels on the deck and gave the kite 3 fast vertical up and down sines and I was on the board and chugging along. It took some energetic flying, but it came up and was on the foil for maybe 30 - 50m. The problem was, to maintain enough speed to keep the foil flying through the lighter wind, I had to keep the kite moving like a mosquito on acid, so my focus was shifted away from the board and the crashes came thick and fast.

But regardless, here was a 3.5m kite I thought would need a minimum of 25kts to be anywhere near usable on the foil board and I could water start and be up on foil in probably 16-18kts. So now I'm thinking it's usable range might start as low as 20kts. Hydrofoil efficiency blows me away.

Select to expand quote

Cool. You are progressing fast!

Try the infinity loop for start up on little kites. Back loop/front loop combo. Yeah when you are underdone the kite needs to be flown like ****. But you get more efficient on the foil and if you have enough power to get on the foil you have enough to ride.

Sounds like you are ready for the longest mast!

DukeSilver are you on your 24in mast in session 6.
Session 6 is next for me and it will be on 24in mast but no suitable wind forecast for a while.

Select to expand quote

warwickl said..
DukeSilver are you on your 24in mast in session 6.
Session 6 is next for me and it will be on 24in mast but no suitable wind forecast for a while.

I was ready for the 24" mast after my second session but there seems to be no Slingshot foil gear anywhere in Australia at the moment. WA Surf have ordered me one in from the US which should arrive by the end of this week. Really hanging out for this as I'm over the constant ventilation in any sort of chop.

Select to expand quote

Plummet said..

Cool. You are progressing fast!

Try the infinity loop for start up on little kites. Back loop/front loop combo. Yeah when you are underdone the kite needs to be flown like ****. But you get more efficient on the foil and if you have enough power to get on the foil you have enough to ride.

Sounds like you are ready for the longest mast!

Thanks - will definitely give this technique a go. This kite is so quick it takes a little getting used to but even in the short time I flew it, I could see the potential it had. It has a very short bar throw between trimmed and completely switched off. I think this is the benefit of the Cloud kites. When I switched back to the Drifter, even with the bar fully pushed out, I was still accelerating. At one point, I took both hands off the bar and was still cruising along on the foil. If I did this on the Cloud I would have fallen arse-backwards.

Cool! How did you manage to get yourself the Cloud kite?

Select to expand quote

DukeSilver said..
Day 6 - Took the Hover Glide and Dwarfcraft down to Penguin Island chasing some clean wind and clean water today. Wind was sitting between 14 - 18kts and I started on my 9m. This was a bit too much kite for me to be comfortable - not out of control, but not ideal. I swapped kites with a mate of mine who was using a 2015 7m Drifter. This was better. I could control speed pretty well and when I needed to head down wind, it, well, drifted nicely. I think a 6m or maybe a 5m would have been in the sweet spot for my 80kg today.

I then decided to pull out my new BRM Cloud C.5 3.5m. I only got this a couple of days ago and really only pumped it up to give it a fly on the beach as I've been curious about this kite since the foiling bug hit. After lightning dives and loops revealed some unexpected power I thought I'd see if there was enough to get me onto my board. I waded out, placed my heels on the deck and gave the kite 3 fast vertical up and down sines and I was on the board and chugging along. It took some energetic flying, but it came up and was on the foil for maybe 30 - 50m. The problem was, to maintain enough speed to keep the foil flying through the lighter wind, I had to keep the kite moving like a mosquito on acid, so my focus was shifted away from the board and the crashes came thick and fast.

But regardless, here was a 3.5m kite I thought would need a minimum of 25kts to be anywhere near usable on the foil board and I could water start and be up on foil in probably 16-18kts. So now I'm thinking it's usable range might start as low as 20kts. Hydrofoil efficiency blows me away.

Select to expand quote

dorothyinste said..
Cool! How did you manage to get yourself the Cloud kite?

DukeSilver said..
Day 6 - Took the Hover Glide and Dwarfcraft down to Penguin Island chasing some clean wind and clean water today. Wind was sitting between 14 - 18kts and I started on my 9m. This was a bit too much kite for me to be comfortable - not out of control, but not ideal. I swapped kites with a mate of mine who was using a 2015 7m Drifter. This was better. I could control speed pretty well and when I needed to head down wind, it, well, drifted nicely. I think a 6m or maybe a 5m would have been in the sweet spot for my 80kg today.

I then decided to pull out my new BRM Cloud C.5 3.5m. I only got this a couple of days ago and really only pumped it up to give it a fly on the beach as I've been curious about this kite since the foiling bug hit. After lightning dives and loops revealed some unexpected power I thought I'd see if there was enough to get me onto my board. I waded out, placed my heels on the deck and gave the kite 3 fast vertical up and down sines and I was on the board and chugging along. It took some energetic flying, but it came up and was on the foil for maybe 30 - 50m. The problem was, to maintain enough speed to keep the foil flying through the lighter wind, I had to keep the kite moving like a mosquito on acid, so my focus was shifted away from the board and the crashes came thick and fast.

But regardless, here was a 3.5m kite I thought would need a minimum of 25kts to be anywhere near usable on the foil board and I could water start and be up on foil in probably 16-18kts. So now I'm thinking it's usable range might start as low as 20kts. Hydrofoil efficiency blows me away.

I bought it from our very own Seabreeze Buy and Sell. There might still be a 17m one for sale from the same person. It's a great little kite and the CCS bar is a work of minimalist art. So light and uncomplicated. I believe that Greg Drexler is releasing a new iteration of the Clouds (D) in April. It's a more conventional plan shape with rounded tips. The problem is, he doesn't ship internationally for some reason.

Duke
There is a set of SS masts in for sale

Select to expand quote

warwickl said..
Duke
There is a set of SS masts in for sale

Thanks for the heads up. Wish I'd seen it earlier as I've ordered the 24" mast already. I'll let a couple of mates know who are looking at going the Hover Glide route as well. I have the full length mast so don't know what use I'd get out of the 30". I think the 24" will be good in the shallow water spots I frequent though.