I'm approximately 80 kg, currently riding a 90 liter board and looking for a second board around ~60 liters. Im a novice / intermediate surfer (primarily long boards and mid lengths), but I havent ever prone foiled. While the 60 liter board would be used 80% for winging, I would love to tool around and try some prone surfing when there isn't any wind. While I realize it isn't ideal, is there any reason I couldn't crossover a 60 liter board for some prone surfing? What characteristics would I look for in a board that I could crossover? Any board recommendations for this?

One local is digging the Amundson Uncle Nubby. Check it out. amundsonfoil.com/products/uncle-nubby-v2-foil-board?variant=39779878731819

Seems to work for both. Can't comment on the prone. But the guy is the best winger around here in the surf.

Based on your self described surf skills, it might be an ideal way to get into prone foiling. That's because the additional paddle speed and volume make the moment of flight much less critical. You can get up a bit earlier, before the wave jacks you.

Thinking about it more, this is a great way for you to get into it

Width is key, don't want to go too wide or it will be awkward to paddle. I am really happy with my Armstrong 4'11 as a crossover board. Works great on the small days for prone. Makes learning easier for sure. Once it gets big enough where you need to duck dive though its too big and I go back to my 4'5.

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CFLKiter said..
Width is key, don't want to go too wide or it will be awkward to paddle. I am really happy with my Armstrong 4'11 as a crossover board. Works great on the small days for prone. Makes learning easier for sure. Once it gets big enough where you need to duck dive though its too big and I go back to my 4'5.

Yeh I picked one up the other day. Only winged it. Was wondering what it would be like to paddle and prone. Will find out. My only concern is how it go pumping back out with that extra width. Figured sup foilers do it on much bigger boards.

Thanks, fair to say I want something sub 23" wide? The Naish might do the trick.

Narrower the better I suspect once you are past the pop up phase. But I am not there yet.

Weight and width are the killer for prone on all the cross over boards . If you are a serious proner you won't like it at all . Yes they still work well but are a compromise.

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Piros said..
Weight and width are the killer for prone on all the cross over boards . If you are a serious proner you won't like it at all . Yes they still work well but are a compromise.

Agree. The crossover board is a transition board that will help the learning process but likely is not a long term solution. Ultimately you will want a dedicated prone board. But it definitely helps to have a stable floaty platform when learning the pop up on a foil. It's honestly the most difficult thing I have ever tried to learn. A board like the uncle Nubby looks like a great solution that could be a long term solution for both as long as you have strong winds or a bigger wing board for light wind days.
At 86kgs the Armstrong 4'11 FG is the biggest board I need now for winging. See no significant advantage riding my old 90l board. The FG boards just start so easily.
But I can tell you as soon as my pop ups are locked in I will only be riding my 4'5 for prone.

We have been playing around with some Prone/semi sinker wing boards.

This is one of my favourites as a semi sinker plus my mate is learning to prone on it as it paddles so easy.
5ft x 20 x 52L

Couple of guys here paddle their wing boards. One took prone lessons on Maui from Zane and he had him ride his wing board.

Be careful if you paddle it a lot that it's not too wide. Bad for your shoulders. But 23" is longboard width so I'm sure fine.

I'm building a board now that's made for travel. 4'7"x23"x4" ~64l I'm 66kg. I should be able to wing and prone it well enough as I'm a beginner. And it'll paddle like a monster. Should save me a lot of hassle when traveling too. Should be able to get 2 wings, a foil set and board for both disciplines in one bag.

I'll post up when it's done.

I'm a big fan of 1 board for everything (and foil) as I feel at home on it and instantly know the sweet spot for my feet etc.. Plus I don't need to adjust between winging, prone surfing or downwinding and even dock starting.. Also I'm not sitting in the water wishing I had my other board (foil etc) and it's easier to pack the car / travel bag..

I've had great success with Cab Autopilot.. very light .. Im sub 70kg, don't use straps and don't jump so not concerned about snapping one. (Not a PVC sandwich)

4'6 x 21 x 36L or 4'10 x21x41L seem like the best sizes for prone / winging.. 4'6 for sub 75kg, 4'10 for heavier..

Bottom shape is pretty simple .. rocker pretty flat..

I think the Axis Pump boards are similar shapes and sizes... my local shop has some coming next week which I hope to demo..

I haven't tried a dedicated narrow prone foil board so can't comment on width but I would think that as you're going from displacement - to planing - to foil rather than displacement - to foil on an SUP, width is probably less of an issue.. A bit like how a fish paddles vs a regular short board ..

I would like to see a fish paddle.

I think the difference between a prone and wing board is the tail bevel. The bevel is handy on a prone board, makes the wave easier to catch, and wingboards like the sharp release tail. It does depend on the waves you are catching. I have a 4'6 oes Australia prone board that I wing on when its windy. It is so good in waist high waves but as they get bigger I'm struggling to catch them, especially when the period is up. I have s 60 l board too that I prone on when the waves are head high, just so I can catch them. I'm not connecting waves yet, so the wave catching ability is relevant, same as you. Another helpful thing I found was shimming the mast plate back, the take off is a lot more controlled with the foil angle of attack reduced. My 60 l has tail rocker and I don't use a shim for surf, but I have a 10mm shim for winging, makes take off a lot more efficient. To my mind, a crossover board would have tail rocker, and shim adjustment for winging.
Its a but clunky in the photos, but the board wasnt designed with this in mind, but it still works. I think wide tails also benefit prone boards when beginning, they lift and force the nose down as the wave hits. The paddle efficiency matters.....its insane how far you can travel.....
I love doing both, winging and prone ( and sup) because the improvement you gain crosses both disciplines, and seems to be more than the sum of the parts if you know what I mean.

Well I was able to pump my FG 60 litre back out to sea yesterday (with wing flagged) as long as I wanted to . so that's a good sign. Waiting for prone waves though . like all summer