Chapter 2: Getting Started

Alright - so you want to fly? Let's begin!

I will be honest with you. Looking back, I probably started the worst way possible and I am lucky I didn't hurt myself.

Against the guidance of local foilers, I bought a setup and went straight into the waves with absolutely zero foil experience. And oh boy - did I eat shit. Over. And over again.

Coming from a longboard background, my body naturally wanted to lean back to avoid pearling/nose-diving. Unfortunately, putting weight on the back of your board causes the foil to take off violently and launch you off. Many of us compare it to getting 'bucked off a bronco'.

By taking my setup straight into the waves, I was trying to figure out way too many variables at once:

1. Positioning myself in the right wave at the right spot

2. Timing my take-off

3. Keeping my distance from other surfers/foilers

4. Getting used to a board over 4 feet shorter than longboard

5. And of course, learning how to ride a foil

Please for the safety of yourself and those around you, find a way to isolate #5 above - learning how to ride a foil. I recommend doing this before dropping $ on a setup to make sure foiling is for you!

Depending on where you are, you've got some options:

1. Ride an e-foil (How-to)

2. Foil Drive (This thing is a game changer - read about it here)

3. Learn behind a boat

Regardless of which way you isolate the foil, you'll probably only need one hour to understand the basics of rising/lowering and basic turning. I highly recommend borrowing a big SUP/Wing board with over 100L of volume to learn as it will give you a much more stable and forgiving platform. Once you are comfortable managing those basics, you are ready for the surf!

Alright - you've isolated the foil and are stoked to get into the waves. Time to get a setup!