Foil Question

peter19ue · Post by **peter19ue** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 4:24 pm

So I'm just getting into kiting and have foiled behind a boat. Would it be helpful to start off on a kite foil behind a boat until I get the hang of it and then move to a kite? I'm getting ready to pick one up since I just sold my SkySki and am also debating between the Lift and Liquid Force foils. Seems like the LF is more sturdy which would be good but I want a foil I can progress on and not outgrow within a season or two. Seems like LF is coming out with some more intermediate wings so that might be an option. There is also the new Slingshot foil but it looks like is uses a Lift foil. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Can't wait for the start of the season.
Pete

Aloha · Post by **Aloha** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 8:36 pm

Damn my fingers are crossed Slingshot develops a T-Rex 5 fin option that also accepts the Lift foil.

It would pretty much serve 90% of my kiting days with the exception of Alaia skim sessions

dwaynej · Post by **dwaynej** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 10:37 pm

peter19ue wrote:Any suggestions would be appreciated. Can't wait for the start of the season.
Pete

I know of no one who is the route you are taking to learning. Learning to kite and foil all take time and attempting to merge the two difficult learning activities into one experience may delay kite time and foil time.

IMO - You will benefit most from time on the water flying kites in different locations and conditions on a twin tip before making the jump to a foil. Flying the kite should be second nature/muscle memory before jumping on a foil, and the best judge of this would be this simple test... If you have to look at your kite to fly it, you are not ready to foil.

By the by, you mention two foils but there are literally a dozen manufacturers now. Horue, TKF, AlpineFoil, Sword, Spotz just to name a few. LF and SS are brand new foils to the market and there is absolutely no info on their longevity, although the SS/Lift relationship is based on proven products.

Some foil questions to think about...

- Aluminum + SS in salt water?
- 4 bolt / tuttle / kf.box mounting? Adapters to switch between board mounting solutions??
- Replaceable components (separate strut/fuselage/wings)?
- Freestyle/Light wind vs Race wings available today?
- Convertible boards / Fin mounting points available today?

Lastly, foiling is a very specific activity and you have yet to discover whether you prefer freestyle vs surfing vs xc kiting? I'm a huge xc fan.

peter19ue · Post by **peter19ue** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 10:05 am

Thanks for all the info. My goal is the get proficient with flying the kite on a twin tip this season and ride the foil behind the boat when there is no wind and hopefully I'll be able to put the two together soon. I mentioned Lift and LF since they are beginner/intermediate foils at a reasonable price but it looks like I should consider other brands. Is XC kiting cross country kiting?

dwaynej · Post by **dwaynej** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 10:56 am

Awesome plan! Yes XC = Cross Country. Instead of 20 miles of "mowing the lawn", I look for opportunities to go places. So many foil choices and I really like what Horue H13, TKF, and AlpineFoil have been up to. I think you cannot go wrong with Lift or SS. I have concerns with LF and Aluminum/SS in salt water so time will tell... Personally, I went with AlpineFoil.

Sonny · Post by **Sonny** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 11:04 am

peter19ue wrote:So I'm just getting into kiting and have foiled behind a boat. Would it be helpful to start off on a kite foil behind a boat until I get the hang of it and then move to a kite? I'm getting ready to pick one up since I just sold my SkySki and am also debating between the Lift and Liquid Force foils. Seems like the LF is more sturdy which would be good but I want a foil I can progress on and not outgrow within a season or two. Seems like LF is coming out with some more intermediate wings so that might be an option. There is also the new Slingshot foil but it looks like is uses a Lift foil. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Can't wait for the start of the season.
Pete

I personally don't think there is much of a difference between Lift and LF other than weight, especially if LF does come out with the high aspect wings. If the cost is not an issue, I highly recommend the Spotz foil. You will not outgrow the Spotz. I have never raced anything in my life and I had no intention of ever racing but I bought a racing foil so that I can go fast. I actually started racing because it was so much fun. There are few of us who foil at 3rd AVE, come by and talk to us this season. Since you are kind of learning to kite, just do the research and take your time buying one that is right for you.

peter19ue · Post by **peter19ue** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 11:19 am

Thanks for the advice. I will probably hold off on buying a foil for awhile and concentrate on my kite flying skills. I am going to LV next month and plan on taking a few lessons with Nat so that should help. I'll primarily be kiting at 3rd and hopefully Sherman soon (since I windsurf there all the time) so hopefully I will see you guys there so I can get some insight over a cold beer!
Pete

Sonny · Post by **Sonny** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:55 pm

peter19ue wrote:Thanks for the advice. I will probably hold off on buying a foil for awhile and concentrate on my kite flying skills. I am going to LV next month and plan on taking a few lessons with Nat so that should help. I'll primarily be kiting at 3rd and hopefully Sherman soon (since I windsurf there all the time) so hopefully I will see you guys there so I can get some insight over a cold beer!
Pete

One more thing, the foil is best thing I have ever bought for water related sports and I wish I wouldn't have waited and bought one right away.

peter19ue · Post by **peter19ue** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 5:08 pm

I know, the feeling of foiling is incredible. I have foiled behind the boat a lot but recently sold the foil since I'm always at Sherman. I'll keep my eyes out for a used one and if I get the kite flying part down quickly I'll pick one up. Would love to be on one by the end of season but that may be pushing it. I've windsurfed all my life but foiling and riding strapless on a surfboard got me interested in kiting and now I'm hooked! I'll probably still windsurf when it's really windy and kite the other times. Last year there were many times when I was sitting on shore because there was not enough wind to windsurf and you kiters were out there having a blast. My goal is to get as much time on the water as possible. Also seems like you can foil with a lot less wind.

ozchrisb · Post by **ozchrisb** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 5:24 pm

Sonny wrote: One more thing, the foil is best thing I have ever bought for water related sports and I wish I wouldn't have waited and bought one right away.

+10,000 I was one of the doubters (especially when it came to racing) but foiling is by far the best thing I've done on the water, and rivals the best powder days I've had in the mountain but I get to do it multiple times per week! (Or did until my first child arrived, but anyway)

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