Hi guys. Is it possible to start foiling on a small slalom board (59cm) wide. I heard most recommend at least a big freeride but Ive also seen videos of pros foiling on freestyle board, with a single back strap.

I have tried foiling three times, by renting or demoing. Already got some stable flights of at least 15s without touching water. So I got a touch of that feeling.

Windsurfing level: a recreational sailor, waterstart, complete most gybes, sometimes planing out
Weight: 63kg

P.S. My widest board is 59cm. Others are old school slalom board, which I still sail often. Not wanting to buy new board yet for foiling.

Anybody input are welcome, probably suggesting a foil. Or simply foiling is not suitable with current equipment?

If your balance is good, no problem.
2nd day, I foiled on a 98 liter, 62cm wide slalom board, getting rides of 1/2 mile, but the wind died to 1-3 mph, and I swam most of the way back.
A 122 liter board would have allowed me to barely sail home.
My Naish foil weighs 12 lbs and I weighed around 175 lbs ready to go.

Select to expand quote

LeeD said..
If your balance is good, no problem.
2nd day, I foiled on a 98 liter, 62cm wide slalom board, getting rides of 1/2 mile, but the wind died to 1-3 mph, and I swam most of the way back.
A 122 liter board would have allowed me to barely sail home.
My Naish foil weighs 12 lbs and I weighed around 175 lbs ready to go.

Is your board "foil ready"? I have heard fin box breaking even for deep tuttle on old formula board. Or your Naish foil has a plate which spread the load to the bottom of board? Is it tuttle box?

I would not recommend it, allthough if you really feel you want to, id choose a low aspect wing and a shorter (70-80) mast. Think of the slingshot infinity 76,84,99, or the starboard supercruiser, for they dont require you to power the rail, but sail better with the windsurfer on top of the board.

For reference, the smallest production foilboards are about 63-65 wide, with a tail equally wide and only the really expert foilers are using them. A slalomboard of 59 wide is probably only 40 wide in the tail or so, that is very very narrow.