Hi everyone! New member here from Spain.

Lately I've been watching videos of people doing prone foil on DW boards and I'm going to give It a chance. Being a fairly recent modality (prone/ hand paddle DW), it's difficult for me to find references of measurements and shapes that suit what I want.

In order of importance, I would want a board for:

1- Surf waves that unbroken in prone/knee/hand paddle
2- Winging in light winds
3- Do my first steps in downwind, also in prone,...
4- Surf small waves.

72 Kgs, 20 years of surfing, average winger. My doubts are the following:

1- Reducing the width of a board is a problem in SUP due to instability, but does it have any drawbacks in prone? Would it be winging? is there a width limit in winging?

2- Board length, I normally surf boards from 5'6 to 7'. I want a good paddle, but not a mess. What length would you choose?

3- Volume, 90 liters? too much for prone? Good for light wind?

4.- About shapes...that's where I get lost. Any recommendation or insigth? bottom, rails, nose tail...

I would be very grateful if someone with the same goals would share their experiences. "Normal people", not just pros doing what they want in any kind of board. ??
I've been looking at some amos, apletrees,...

Thanks guys!!!

In my opinion, you need two boards to do everything you want to do - a 110-125 liter downwind board which will easily double as a lightwind wing board, and a 35-40 liter prone board.

The large DW board is going to be a very big compromise in prone surfing and make your progression much harder. I've tried to prone a larger downwind board and found it was very challenging (im a novice prone foiler). The larger size is a lot to manage when catching broken waves (which is how you get up prone). The foil gives too much drag to prone paddle into an unbroken wave (even with a long board) until it is steep, and once it gets steep enough the length of the board is an issue. Secondary issue, but the DW board is also going to be more challenging to pump.

Winged a DW board for the first time yesterday, Sunova 82L 6'6 x19. Amazing! I estimate about 2-3 knots less wind to get going than my regular 60L Cabrinha Code and the narrow width means you can really lean it over to crank upwind and in tacks. Didn't really notice the extra length on a wave either. I'm 70kg and it would be fine to prone on too but unless you're a pro you'll need bigger to paddle up. Definitely not for jumping. I'm getting a dedicated light wind DW inspired wing board after trying it, better investment than a bigger foil and wing.

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Velocicraptor said..
In my opinion, you need two boards to do everything you want to do - a 110-125 liter downwind board which will easily double as a lightwind wing board, and a 35-40 liter prone board.

The large DW board is going to be a very big compromise in prone surfing and make your progression much harder. I've tried to prone a larger downwind board and found it was very challenging (im a novice prone foiler). The larger size is a lot to manage when catching broken waves (which is how you get up prone). The foil gives too much drag to prone paddle into an unbroken wave (even with a long board) until it is steep, and once it gets steep enough the length of the board is an issue. Secondary issue, but the DW board is also going to be more challenging to pump.

This ^^

Really depends on your focus (sup vs hand paddle or prone surf) vs. wing. If you have open ocean ground swell, or similar the long narrow board will get you to speed to lift, then the Kalama or whatever bottom will release. The easy release is why these things lift and pump so well. This is great for light wind winging too. Because these boards are built so light and narrow, the swing weight isn't as negative a factor as you'd think and volume should err on the more side.

Catching a barely breaking wave prone is easily doable on a DW board if the wave stands up but doesn't throw out, but most of us surf prone in breaking surf that has a take off spot (jacking wave) followed by a flat spot (catch the whitewater) and then a mushy standing wave. We trade the easy paddling for easy pumping and trimming of the foil as well as control during powered take off. There's lots of new and used prone boards for cheap and one a bit bigger 4'8"-10"and more volume 40-45 liters is not bad for prone and great for high wind winging.

In regards to narrow for prone hand paddle, narrow is good as you'll be on your knees. For prone surf, narrow board (less than 19") is great in the air, but with broad shoulders and chest, I have to place one hand forward and one back to get my knee under my chest and it's a weird adjustment especially as I still surf a regular and wider non foil surfboard 20-22". (I'm looking at the JS Industries Mister Bennetts as my next prone board due to the widepoint forward where your hands go prone.) Most DW boards are 20-22"

Thank you all guys!T hanks to your experiences, more questions come to mind:

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Velocicraptor said..
In my opinion, you need two boards to do everything you want to do - a 110-125 liter downwind board which will easily double as a lightwind wing board, and a 35-40 liter prone board.

The large DW board is going to be a very big compromise in prone surfing and make your progression much harder. I've tried to prone a larger downwind board and found it was very challenging (im a novice prone foiler). The larger size is a lot to manage when catching broken waves (which is how you get up prone). The foil gives too much drag to prone paddle into an unbroken wave (even with a long board) until it is steep, and once it gets steep enough the length of the board is an issue. Secondary issue, but the DW board is also going to be more challenging to pump.

Hi Velociraptor, which board did you use? The foil gives drag but once you pick up little speed should help, shouldn?t it?

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Relapse said..
Winged a DW board for the first time yesterday, Sunova 82L 6'6 x19. Amazing! I estimate about 2-3 knots less wind to get going than my regular 60L Cabrinha Code and the narrow width means you can really lean it over to crank upwind and in tacks. Didn't really notice the extra length on a wave either. I'm 70kg and it would be fine to prone on too but unless you're a pro you'll need bigger to paddle up. Definitely not for jumping. I'm getting a dedicated light wind DW inspired wing board after trying it, better investment than a bigger foil and wing.

Cool Relapse! I'm not looking to jump either. Would you go 18 wide for winging or would it be too narrow? I say this because it would help to prone. I?m thinking about similar volume, how it is its stability when choppy? When you say a wave, was it winging? Which type of wave was (size, steep/mushy)? How is going to be your dedicated light wind DW board after trying the Sunova?

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Hwy1North said..

Velocicraptor said..
In my opinion, you need two boards to do everything you want to do - a 110-125 liter downwind board which will easily double as a lightwind wing board, and a 35-40 liter prone board.

The large DW board is going to be a very big compromise in prone surfing and make your progression much harder. I've tried to prone a larger downwind board and found it was very challenging (im a novice prone foiler). The larger size is a lot to manage when catching broken waves (which is how you get up prone). The foil gives too much drag to prone paddle into an unbroken wave (even with a long board) until it is steep, and once it gets steep enough the length of the board is an issue. Secondary issue, but the DW board is also going to be more challenging to pump.

This ^^

Really depends on your focus (sup vs hand paddle or prone surf) vs. wing. If you have open ocean ground swell, or similar the long narrow board will get you to speed to lift, then the Kalama or whatever bottom will release. The easy release is why these things lift and pump so well. This is great for light wind winging too. Because these boards are built so light and narrow, the swing weight isn't as negative a factor as you'd think and volume should err on the more side.

Catching a barely breaking wave prone is easily doable on a DW board if the wave stands up but doesn't throw out, but most of us surf prone in breaking surf that has a take off spot (jacking wave) followed by a flat spot (catch the whitewater) and then a mushy standing wave. We trade the easy paddling for easy pumping and trimming of the foil as well as control during powered take off. There's lots of new and used prone boards for cheap and one a bit bigger 4'8"-10"and more volume 40-45 liters is not bad for prone and great for high wind winging.

In regards to narrow for prone hand paddle, narrow is good as you'll be on your knees. For prone surf, narrow board (less than 19") is great in the air, but with broad shoulders and chest, I have to place one hand forward and one back to get my knee under my chest and it's a weird adjustment especially as I still surf a regular and wider non foil surfboard 20-22". (I'm looking at the JS Industries Mister Bennetts as my next prone board due to the widepoint forward where your hands go prone.) Most DW boards are 20-22"

Hi Hwy1North1! Good points. I got it the way you surfoil, but I?m trying to find some other less crowded spots or take the wave earlier in crowded places (before than longboarders, SUPers). It?s not to be the smarter guy in the beach, it?s only to avoid other people (surfers, etc...), and stay more relaxed , more out of sea, offshore. Do you think is it possible?

Thank you guys!

Have you surfed before? Like Hwy1North says, most surfboards are 19"-22" wide so you don't need to go super narrow. I've proned my 4'10 23" wide wing board without too much trouble so I wouldn't fixate on width.

The 6'6 x 19" 82L I winged the other day didn't feel to narrow to me but I'd prefer 20" for a bit more stability but a lot comes down to the individual. Another competent winger tried it and struggled. Another with the longer "20 version has taken quite a while to click.

Was riding tiny wind swell but the boards owner takes it out in solid coast waves no issues. I'm not planning to DW sup mine, it's just for winging but 19-20" width is my ideal.

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Relapse said..
Have you surfed before? Like Hwy1North says, most surfboards are 19"-22" wide so you don't need to go super narrow. I've proned my 4'10 23" wide wing board without too much trouble so I wouldn't fixate on width.

The 6'6 x 19" 82L I winged the other day didn't feel to narrow to me but I'd prefer 20" for a bit more stability but a lot comes down to the individual. Another competent winger tried it and struggled. Another with the longer "20 version has taken quite a while to click.

Was riding tiny wind swell but the boards owner takes it out in solid coast waves no issues. I'm not planning to DW sup mine, it's just for winging but 19-20" width is my ideal.

Thanks Relapse!

Yes, I'm a surfer already, and my regular surfboards are, like you and hwy1North said, in that range of width. Until now, I haven't played very much with the width of the Boards, but I know that the length (among other things) impacts hugely in the paddling speed and the timing of catching the wave, so, I suppose, narrower will be better also for a soon entry in the wave...but I don't know the real impact, so I don't want to go too narrow.

Thanks for your input!

Check this out

?si=RMUcfNZ_hz3gwwYy

6'2 95L and 19 wide

Again, it all depends on the conditions available to you. Do not take an 8' DW board into a crowded lineup... you'd be about as safe and popular as an 11' race sup. And you'd probably crease the board on your first over the falls.

I'm 80kg dry riding a 7' 19" 100L. Works great for light wind winging and prone. This board is super light and surfs amazing. Only real downside is control when hitting white water.

Quick Prone Foil Surf on the KT Dragonfly 7' 100L on Lake Ontario

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Relapse said..
Check this out

?si=RMUcfNZ_hz3gwwYy

6'2 95L and 19 wide

What a beautiful video. It?s al about playing with the water and 100 % enjoy, thanks!

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Hwy1North said..
Again, it all depends on the conditions available to you. Do not take an 8' DW board into a crowded lineup... you'd be about as safe and popular as an 11' race sup. And you'd probably crease the board on your first over the falls.

Love also this video, especially the 0:40 seg!

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foilthegreats said..
I'm 80kg dry riding a 7' 19" 100L. Works great for light wind winging and prone. This board is super light and surfs amazing. Only real downside is control when hitting white water.

Quick Prone Foil Surf on the KT Dragonfly 7' 100L on Lake Ontario

Awesome foilthegreats! I will follow you, it would also be great to record some video from outside instead of POV to make an idea of the wave and paddling, it seems you are having a blast in small conditions! So do you recommend this length of board for for a balance of paddling power and pumping/maneuverability? I?m 72 kg, maybe a few liters less.Thanks guys!

Yes, it's a good all around choice. I'd only go bigger if your main use would be SUP/DW

These boards ride way smaller then they look.

But.....@foilthegreats I think in similar condition you were connecting way more waves with your small compact board?(based on past video)

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NordRoi said..
But.....@foilthegreats I think in similar condition you were connecting way more waves with your small compact board?(based on past video)

I mean ya, it's not going to ride like a 4'2" but it sure does not feel like its 7' long. Maybe feels like something around 5'

Cool! Maybe you can't connect so many waves but you can paddle way better, so one thing for the other right?
Have you tried to paddle an unbroken wave?

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calmwater said..
Cool! Maybe you can't connect so many waves but you can paddle way better, so one thing for the other right?
Have you tried to paddle an unbroken wave?

It pumps much better than you'd think. The big downside is hitting whitewater, it's extremely hard to ride out without losing control. I have, it gets going early. Just need a ramp and you're good to go.

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foilthegreats said..
The big downside is hitting whitewater, it's extremely hard to ride out without losing control.

yeah.maybe it's what i'm not used to see in your video!!!!

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foilthegreats said..
The big downside is hitting whitewater, it's extremely hard to ride out without losing control.

yeah.maybe it's what i'm not used to see in your video!!!!

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foilthegreats said..

calmwater said..
Cool! Maybe you can't connect so many waves but you can paddle way better, so one thing for the other right?
Have you tried to paddle an unbroken wave?

It pumps much better than you'd think. The big downside is hitting whitewater, it's extremely hard to ride out without losing control. I have, it gets going early. Just need a ramp and you're good to go.

Good to hear that!! Thanks!!