I've done a lot of surfing around reefs, but never done any wing foiling around them. Any advice?

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crashflow said..
I've done a lot of surfing around reefs, but never done any wing foiling around them. Any advice?

Go swimming with goggles at high and low tides prior to putting the foil in the water. Its really hard to visually gauge depth in clear water unless you are under the surface.

Not specifically a reef thing, but I also find that shallower breaks move more water around, essentially causing micro current between waves (sucking water into the face, then pushing water out the back of the wave). You need to be conscious of this because it can increase or decrease flow over the foil and you need to time your pumping, glides, gybes, etc... so you don't get caught without power and come off foil. Kind of hard to explain, but these movements in the water can basically feel like holes in the wind - even if the wind is consistent.

I'm guessing that hitting the reef is to be avoided at all costs? Seems like it could be pretty nasty coming off the board in 3 feet of water...

Helmet? Crash vest?

Avoid sea mammals and turtles.
When you hit reefs, you are damaging the enviorment.
Don't blindly stand on reefs, especially barefooted.

Hopping off the foil into a foot of water, even on a sandy beach can leave you with a broken ankle, wrist, or arm. Dropping onto rock or coral could be far worse. Don't do it. If you hit anything, hang onto the wing and hope it slows you a bit. But spend the time to see what's up where you foil.

Whenever trying a new spot, talk to local riders about what's out there. Also, it's usually easier to see the reef when the sun is higher in the sky.