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juandesooka said..
I bit the bullet and threw down the copious dineros to get a Lift3. I intend to DIY one eventually but decided life's too short to wait, can consider selling this one when mine's built. Or best case scenario: if I can entire the missus to join, we'll need his n hers.
Had it a month, probably 25 sessions so far (yes, most days I'm on it). Initial thoughts:
-- flat water gets boring quick. Frankly, same as kiting and winging where flat water is for practice / training for more effective wave riding. Funny thing is it isn't great in glassy conditions, a little dapple is better for height awareness. Also done it in 20kts, the chop doesn't matter much (same as winging), but you can sure notice the wind on the upwind side, have to throttle up and lean into it. Wind swells are foilable without power, briefly.
-- waves are super fun. The majority of my riding is focused on wake thievery. Most are small speedboats passing by quick, so it's practicing top/bottom turn combos for a few minutes at a time. Occasionally a bigger slower boat goes by and can get some unpowered rides. This is a daily driver for me, 2 mins from my house, 5mins set up, an hour total I can get a good burn and back to life with a smile on my face. No wind, waves, driving, or intensive set up needed. Check.
-- first surf trip with it was a wow. Reminds me a lot of wingfoil surfing, high speed self tow in, then the long glide. Have the advantage of 360 degree wave chasing angles plus quick shot to where you need to be. Not a lot of dynamic turning yet (or maybe never, unless I channel my inner Keahi). It's trippy pumping these things, you really feel the weight on the downstroke. Most of my riding was 100m further out and 100m down the beach from any surfers, riding the swells forming up and kicking out as they break. I was probably 80% for re-engaging power without touchdowns or having to re waterstart.
-- I did a 10km no-wind downwinder on Long Beach (beach break). Was wild, tagging into swells, kick out, into the one behind, on and on. But the best part was a section where the swells formed up 100m further outside than anywhere else on the beach. 4-6' walls, like powder snowboarding, then 20 seconds later they dissipate to nothing. Middle of nowhere, nearest surfer 5km away. All for me and an experience that realistically will never be gained with any other craft, at least around here. Cloud break self tow-in.
I am frothing for the big days in winter, when it forms up way outside. It can be challenging to catch them surf/sup foiling.
Also frothing to get to the marina where the big pleasure boats come and go, and also ferry and freighter lanes. Endless big wakes.
So, yes, stoked on the purchase ... as they say, the sting of the price fades quickly, but the quality and fun last a lot longer. This will not replace my other foil sports ... it's an add-on, for a different experience, and I intend to use it along with whatever surf, sup, or wing tool is best on any given day.
Good to see you've changed your tune from 18 months ago!
what size board / wings etc did you end up with?
Agree about flat water, but I do tend to chase it if I want to film with the Skydio in really scenic places which is one of the novelties
And it's funny because the Facebook group demographics tend to be people who solely just ride in the flat and think it's some crazy idea to take it out when it's windy or whatever
Watermen do not seem to be the target market
After an East Coast swell chasing mission recently I put more time into unpowered riding, and while it's cool to be able to catch 4-500m+ rollers IMHO it's still a gimmick and you have a better ride keeping just enough thrust to not stall
I've become more involved with Flite with the content creation and a visit to Byron, like all other aspects of foiling the pace of the improvements is pretty promising
I have more of a minimalist outlook, so for the outlay of cash I'm not interested in spending to have 4 different types of craft that I won't utilise all the time and double down on pushing what it possible on the eFoil