I think this concept by Eric Christensen might be better for me than the hand paddles and much easier than learning to SUP a 19in wide board in +20kt chop :)

www.instagram.com/reel/Cl9P2AvjdzN/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Eric is a very good foiler and those waves look great for the kayak paddle in. Pumping the board is a major part of the technique needed to paddle up in the ocean, along with board speed and paddle power. I think it would be very difficult to pump whilst sitting. Maybe we will see skis with foils one day?? Only one way to find out whether it works and that is to get out there and give it a go. To anyone really keen to get into downwind paddling my advice is to sign up to the basic membership on Coach Casey. Weekly coaching tips from James and so much online content to watch and a great group of like minded folks sharing the stoke.

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baldy123 said..
Eric is a very good foiler and those waves look great for the kayak paddle in. Pumping the board is a major part of the technique needed to paddle up in the ocean, along with board speed and paddle power. I think it would be very difficult to pump whilst sitting. Maybe we will see skis with foils one day?? Only one way to find out whether it works and that is to get out there and give it a go. To anyone really keen to get into downwind paddling my advice is to sign up to the basic membership on Coach Casey. Weekly coaching tips from James and so much online content to watch and a great group of like minded folks sharing the stoke.

Some guys are pumping up in wind chop with hand paddles (even in the flats, i think it has been done?)
,they still pump the foil from a knee stance and the paddle should allow for the same.
Not saying it will be "easy" but certainly easier than developing advanced SUP balance skills.

Why is it that we all got into foiling and were going on and on about how fun it is to learn something new. It feels like being a teenager again and having progress breakthroughs every session. Then you ask a surfer to put a paddle in their hands and they will kick and scream and do ANYTHING other than hold a paddle in their hands :)

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Hdip said..
Why is it that we all got into foiling and were going on and on about how fun it is to learn something new. It feels like being a teenager again and having progress breakthroughs every session. Then you ask a surfer to put a paddle in their hands and they will kick and scream and do ANYTHING other than hold a paddle in their hands :)

??
This thread is actually about holding a paddle in your hands...