Hi All,

Brand new here. Not sure if I should piggyback on another thread or start my own.

I bought a 136 L Armstrong downwind board (~1 or 2 yrs old?) With the Unifoil Hyper 250X on the 74cm mast.
I'm 90 kg and just shy of 6'. I haven't been able to see any foil movement in flat water at all. I've spent a a few couple months trying the flat water paddle up but it seems like I'm plowing through the water. And the foil doesn't engage at all.

My question is if this combo should work or do I need a bigger foil? Should I suck it up and keep practicing? I'm happy to swap it out but don't want to buy another foil with the same result. The 250 is the biggest unifoil makes so I'll have to swap the whole rig.

I'm decently athletic and have tried going in waves but it's a bit sketchy around here. Most waves are steep and pretty full on. The smaller long board places with crumbly waves are more shallow so the mast is really close to the bottom.

I have no foil experience, some long board surfing, lots of white water paddle experience. Was planning on getting used to the foil on flat water then progress to waves, etc.
I'm based on the South Coast (Narooma) without a ton of other foilers. So I'm pretty much figuring it out as I go.

Was considering a wing to get used to the foil instead of swapping foils.

Anyway, looking forward to the suggestions.

If bigger foil - brand and aspect advice also appreciated

Are there other wingers around? Your gear will work. But hard to know what's wrong without video. Film yourself paddling across the frame from one side to the other. Even better upload that footage to coach Casey club for the free week trial. James Casey will coach you.

Thanks Hdip good info. I'll work on the video mainly wanted to double check if I was way off on the gear. Sounds like its a me thing :) Not many wingers or DW folks, just a few kite surfers when it's really blowing. Ok got it on Coach Casey - also thinking about that but again wanted to double check the gear.

Chuck your gear in the car one weekend and head up to Broulee and you'll find crew to get out with, watch and get some tips. Local wingers and downwinders plus a few guys from Canberra get down most weekends.

"Was considering a wing to get used to the foil instead of swapping foils"

Learning to wing is a whole journey on its own...how much gear do you want to buy and how many swear words do you know ?

Definitely not a you thing. Its a most of us thing. Been trying for quite a while through a number of boards and foils. Check out some youtubers like lee burling, iamdustin, dave west has some good stuff, and jeremy from oceanbound also has a few good vids. Cant give advice as I am still stuck in the mud but do not see anything dramatically off with your gear, but just in case check to make sure the center of lift on the foil is at least able to be in line with the center of balance on the board, I lost 6 months trying on a foil/board set that was not a match in that regard.

And don't give up.

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camerongraham said..
"Was considering a wing to get used to the foil instead of swapping foils"

Learning to wing is a whole journey on its own...how much gear do you want to buy and how many swear words do you know ?

Hey Cameron, thanks for this. I was thinking the wing would be an easier endeavor to at least get to do something. Definitely don't want to buy more gear and make my kookfest worse.

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kersh said..
Chuck your gear in the car one weekend and head up to Broulee and you'll find crew to get out with, watch and get some tips. Local wingers and downwinders plus a few guys from Canberra get down most weekends.

Kersh, thanks for the advice. I'm in Broulee somewhat often. Would be awesome to tag along.

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Weatherman12 said..
And don't give up.

Pretty tempting some days :)

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LastFledgling said..
Definitely not a you thing. Its a most of us thing. Been trying for quite a while through a number of boards and foils. Check out some youtubers like lee burling, iamdustin, dave west has some good stuff, and jeremy from oceanbound also has a few good vids. Cant give advice as I am still stuck in the mud but do not see anything dramatically off with your gear, but just in case check to make sure the center of lift on the foil is at least able to be in line with the center of balance on the board, I lost 6 months trying on a foil/board set that was not a match in that regard.

Thanks, I just checked out some videos on the center of balance. Will check this out. My biggest issue is I can't seem to feel anything from the foil. At least if I had a breach or something it could tell me I'm heading in the right direction.

I'll see if I can work on a video next week.

Best way to learn to foil is towed behind a jetski or boat. Slow speed just enough to get up. Learn wing separately. Flat water paddle up is extremely hard to do.

Hilly that wasn't my experience. I had 2 tow sessions on a great big log of a SUP. And struggled despite years of surf and SUP experience.
Then jumped on a smaller board with Foil Drive and boom I was off right away. I think the tow board was just too big and loggy for my size, I couldn't move the thing.
Keen to do some towing with a smaller board now though.

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Whassup said..
Hilly that wasn't my experience. I had 2 tow sessions on a great big log of a SUP. And struggled despite years of surf and SUP experience.
Then jumped on a smaller board with Foil Drive and boom I was off right away. I think the tow board was just too big and loggy for my size, I couldn't move the thing.
Keen to do some towing with a smaller board now though.

Answered your own question there.

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Whassup said.. I think the tow board was just too big and loggy for my size, I couldn't move the thing.

He already has a good board just needs the foiling skills. Boat or ski gives that assistance. Not sure he has access to a foildrive.

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hilly said..
Best way to learn to foil is towed behind a jetski or boat. Slow speed just enough to get up. Learn wing separately. Flat water paddle up is extremely hard to do.

Agree, sounds like you are trying to start with one of the hardest things to do, if you gan get a tow you will
get more time on foil and you will be able to feel out your equipment