Foiling on open ocean downwind swells is a lot harder than it looks. The conditions need to be good and it takes a huge amount of effort to overcome the additional drag from the foil to get the board up to foiling speed while making sure your feet are in exactly the right place. My first few attempts were frustrating and humbling. On my second downwind run with the new GoFoil Maliko 280 I finally started getting some longer rides and once the board lifts off the water it feels amazing- like you are flying with minimal drag. I'm still using a 12'6 board as I need all the glide I can get to catch the bumps. I'm thinking in really good conditions I would like to try a shorter board soon.

Since there is not much information available on the Maliko 280, we made this video review and comparison to the original Maliko 160:

Thanks Robert.. Great review..

Hmm i have an 12ft atlantis venom. Might have to seriously look at a conversion in the future.

Awesome. Cant wait!

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Bender said..
Hmm i have an 12ft atlantis venom. Might have to seriously look at a conversion in the future.

Now that would be a sight to behold.

Thanks DJ.
The 12' Venom would probably make a pretty good board to learn downwind foiling with, I found I really need the length to get it going.
Jeremy Riggs posted this DW foiling video and they are all using smaller boards in great conditions:
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