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WHAT IS HYDROFOILING?
A Hydro foil is a big wing under a sort of surfboard. It’s exists since 10 years and was mainly used for waterskiing, fast sailboats and in racing for kitesurfing. In 2014 the kite industry realized that this could be an interesting addition to your kite quiver, a whole new impulse to your kite style. With very little wind you can start to ride, and once you’re up you float with hardly any resistance. It’s amazing! Now possible to try at our kite centre. We developed a special program to learn this new sport fast and save!
> Why on Zanzibar?
In the lagoon in front of the kite centre, high tide provides perfect conditions for foiling. We teach with a special short mast which will get you on the board and flying in no time. When you get the hang of it and you’re able to go, you can move to the higher, normal mast.
Hydrofoil Lessons
In the Hydrofoil Course we practice the waterstart and riding with a foil board. We focus on board control, and you will notice you are able to ride with less winds than you normally do with kite surfing! We give Hydrofoil Lessons (incl. hydrofoil excl. kitegear) for € 75,- per hour.
By taking lessons you get 1 on 1 feedback from our certified instructors which leads to a quick and effective progression.
Hydrofoil Package
We advise taking at least two hydrofoil lessons to really be able to ride independently. The Hydrofoil Package is for two days. You will get a private lesson for two hours per day. The Hydrofoil Package (incl. hydrofoil excl. kitegear) costs € 300,- for 4 hours.
First hydrofoil lesson (no experience)
The goal of your first lesson is to learn about the principles of Hydrofoiling. We explain about the best conditions for you to learn hydrofoiling and the new safety aspects you have to know before you head out there. We deal with getting into the water while body dragging out with the foil, and then how to start on the board. Practicing a proper water start and riding and lifting on the short mast. Once the board is out of the water, the hydrofoil kicks in. You will rise out of the water and fall back down like a dolphin repeatedly until you learn to balance your weight to drive the board. In short we will deal with:
– Setting-up of the foil
– Safety aspects (walking, bodydragging)
– Board starting
– Riding and lifting on the short mast
Some words of advice:
The stance while hydrofoiling is very different from riding a twintip. In kiteboarding with a twintip you are used to have all your weight on your back foot and edge deep into the water to ride upwind. This is different in foiling. So don’t be surprised, but you will crash a lot. Therefore it might be wise not to have your foot in the strap at this stage. Eventually you will use the back straps when you get the basics so you can ride faster up- and downwind. Also, it’s important to fall away from the foil, you can do this by using your kite. So, for the right stance for hydrofoiling, make sure to keep your weight low and don’t push on your back foot like you do on your twin tip. Think about snowboarding, you’re weight distribution is more neutral. And be ready to push down on your front foot when you feel that the foil gets too much lift.
Second hydrofoil lesson
Depending on your personal skill and technique we can continue with what’s next:
– Lifting and slowing down
– Riding techniques
– Riding straight
– Jibe
It might sound crazy but you will most likely end up far upwind after your first runs on the foil. Take small steps by making bigger runs for a longer period of time. If you have any troubles coming back downwind again, since it can be very tricky, it’s also possible to body drag with your foil downwind.
Supervision
Are you able to foil by your self? But are you still developing your skills in this new amazing sport? Then choose Supervision with one of our assistants. He will keep an eye on you, so you can practice walking, waterstart and riding by yourself in a safe way. Supervision costs € 15,- per hour.
Have you seen our other Kitesurfing Lessons already? Like the Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Lessons.
If you have any questions, contact us, or read the FAQ!
