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Comrades - I'm considering making the switch to a foil from a surfboard. Been kiting for over a decade on a surfboard, might be time for a change. Are there any local shops (or fellow kiters) that would let me demo a board at SI this weekend? Would like to try before a buy.

I'm happy to share my LF Foil Fish the next time I visit Sherman, although I caution against using your first session as an indicator as to whether or not you will enjoy foiling! I'm still learning, and it wasn't until my 2nd day when I was consistently riding in one direction. I also find it harder to go downwind than upwind, so maybe it's worth looking into an "upwinder" for lessons:)

I've been talking to a lot of new foilers and the general consensus is that it's not something that you "try".
Your experience riding a surfboard will be useless and it's like learning a brand new sport (which is why so many old-timers have been jumping on it, I guess it brings them novelty, plus you know... they are getting old so their knees are not what they used to be. )

Like kyle just said, sure, you could find someone as nice as him to let you give it a few tacks but it wouldn't tell you much since you wouldn't be able to ride the thing.
Plus, do you really want to take the risk to borrow someone's $1,000+ board and take the risk of hitting something under water?

Just bite the bullet and get a used cheap rig on the classified.
Worst case scenario: you end up not liking it and re-sell it for close to the price you've got it for (if you've bought it used).

I've been thinking about it for a while as well... the F-One Mitu convertible surfboard is REALLY appealing to me... I like the idea of having a good surfboard that I can convert into a foil if I want to.

And you may want to "try it " 5 times...
To get the feel of things
Boardsports is getting a shipment of sorka's in next week
You might ask them...

There is nothing to be gained by "trying" a foil board since it could take 10-20 hours before you are up and riding comfortably... if you don't hurt yourself in the process. There are some decent second hand MHL Lift's for sale or try one of the quality foils such as MHL, TKF, Alpine 5.0, or Horue.

CdoG wrote:And you may want to "try it " 5 times...
To get the feel of things
Boardsports is getting a shipment of sorka's in next week
You might ask them...

CDog.. how is your foiling going?

kingkonger wrote:Comrades - I'm considering making the switch to a foil from a surfboard. Been kiting for over a decade on a surfboard, might be time for a change. Are there any local shops (or fellow kiters) that would let me demo a board at SI this weekend? Would like to try before a buy.

Like the others said.. just take the plunge and buy one.. you won't regret it. If you borrow one you won't get far enough in a session or two to get the feeling of it

Loscocco wrote:

CdoG wrote:And you may want to "try it " 5 times...
To get the feel of things
Boardsports is getting a shipment of sorka's in next week
You might ask them...

CDog.. how is your foiling going?

Well with my I.Q its slow
But im still working on it and dont do any surfboard or tt riding
Just the foil
Still trying to ride the board flat on the water

Demo foilboards will be difficult to find, more so than demo kites. They require a certain degree of care and they are dangerous to beginner riders. There's a different technique you must learn before things start feeling normal and in control. It's best to stick with one that you can ride consecutively for days so you can develop the technique and get used the setup-strap width, board shape, foil lift, strut length, etc... But go for it and try to find one! It's the the best thing that happened to me kitesurfing!

I offer Foilboard lessons with Boat Support. There's deep water and a ton of space to ride around. I have a foilboard for a you to use.

le noun wrote: I've been thinking about it for a while as well... the F-One Mitu convertible surfboard is REALLY appealing to me... I like the idea of having a good surfboard that I can convert into a foil if I want to.

Yeah, you are not alone looking at this board.
I've tried already 2014 mitu and loved it, but 2015 foil mitu is heavier (probably they had to reinforce it more) and uses kfbox, AFAIK only 2 foils will fit and not sure if it will be possible to fit other systems using adapters.