SUNS new foil line
So SUNOVA who need no Introduction , Have come out with a very interesting line of SUNS foiling boards.
Featuring the amazing construction accompanied by Sunova product and featuring foot strap inserts.
SUNS FOIL BOARDS IN STOCK NOW
SUNS SUP/ WING FOIL BOARDS 6'3
contacting us - by email [email protected]
THE PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF FOILING
FOILING
So firstly if you're reading this..it’s because you have 'foil brain' or soon to have it ! Having personally tread the foil path for 2 years I've noticed many changes to my outlook on the ocean , equipment and also my body’s limitations. The latter has made me question and challenge my body more than ever before in search of consistency and progression in a body 40 plus years old. So get training..!
Foiling is starting to create niche players in new ocean realms and because we've never done this before and the sensation is so addictive ...sometimes we all need a new endeavour
The demands of foiling are different to other board sports, some even say that foiling is the most physically demanding of all the board sports! You can spend a lot longer in an engaged riding stance when foiling compared to surfing or SUPing, and as well as the usual left to right control and balance needed for other boarding, foiling has the added dimension of the front-to-back balance and control for your muscles to deal with. Also, once you’ve finished riding a wave, you can pump your way out back again, without having a break! So, having these extra demands, and requiring them for longer, means you can certainly expect your body to be aware of these demands during and after surf foiling sessions… Feel the burn!
The riding stance
Pic credit - Glennel Jordan - IG ocean_baby
Winging it
Getting out foiling with a wind wing and learning to ride in switch stance will completely change the loading and could also help even you out a bit in terms of left/right biases. That and the brilliant brain training of having to relearn things backwards!
(WARNING; May involve some entertaining crashes.)
THE RIDING STANCE
The foil board rider controls height and turning with weight shifts, upper body movements and balance through their riding stance. This riding stance involves a specific foot position, which is required right from the starting moment of riding.
The riding stance
Jonathan at ClubBluePearl
Involves having your chest up facing the oncoming horizon (Imagine you're iron man with that circular ring facing forward) , front knee bent and loaded, and rear ankle and knee bent and loaded. This rear foot position (knee and ankle bent) is something we do in prone surfing when riding, but the limited amount of time we spend in this position, and the absence of the vertical force demands involved in surfing mean it rarely causes problems.
In hydrofoiling, you are essentially hovering above the water, thanks to the wing ‘flying’ beneath the surface of the water.
As such foil-boarding uses the same terminology as that used in the aviation industry;
- PITCH is the front to back vertical rotation of the board. This, as well as your speed, controls the board height above the water
- YAW is the left to right horizontal rotation of the board.
- ROLL is the left to right vertical rotation of the board.
YAW and ROLL can control board direction, but you also have to take into consideration your PITCH when changes of direction come into play- which in itself is a delicate balance between your speed and your front/back weight distribution!
THE BIOMECHANICS
There are certain positions that your body needs to be able to deal with to foil well. You need to be able to keep your chest up which requires a lot of upper back opening (or ‘thoracic extension’), else your lower back will compensate which could lead to a sore lower back. You need to be able to achieve deep squat positions, which requires good ankle and hip flexibility (‘ankle dorsiflexion’ and ‘hip flexion’). You need to be able to turn your knees in and out to control direction (‘Internal and external rotation’ at the hip). What’s more, you need to be able to do this in deeper squat positions. Internally rotating at the hip with your foot planted leads to what look like a ‘knock-knee position’ (Also known as valgus, see below). This isn’t the most natural of positions for the body, but also happens a lot in skiing. For you body to manage these positions well it’s important to have good flexibility, strength, and control at the ankle and hip.
If you want to understand the demands of foiling as a non foiler
Try going upstairs with your foot at right angles and pelvis facing forward…. actually don’t !
The valgus knee position, also seen in skiing
SO, WHAT CAN WE DO!?
It’s important to have good movement mechanics, strength and control, especially around squatting, lunging and rotating, due to their clear relevance to foiling. Muscles shorten to deliver power but lengthen to give control and to help absorb and then re-deliver force. Having strong muscles, particularly quads, hamstrings, glutes and calves, which are good at this helps avoid overloading forces getting concentrated in tendons, joints and ligaments, where problems can tend to ache and niggle. It might be worth seeing a Strength & Conditioning coach to improve in these realms. If you have any pain or old injuries that might interfere with what’s required of foiling it would be worth seeing a physiotherapist of course!
Flexibility around hips and ankles is really important.
(MobilityWOD on youtube has good ideas for flexibility and the positions mentioned above in biomechanics!).
Steadily building up your foiling time, being diligent with warm-ups, recovery, stretching, rollers, even massage will help.
Core strength and endurance is, of course, also important.
These are all things that would be included in the regimes of the world class athletes who are foiling.
If you are starting something new always remember to start slow/small /low impact and build really steadily!
By far the easiest form to learn with limited stress on the body and joints is using the adapted electric motorised hydrofoil - known as the Efoil board
If you are interested in trying hydrofoiling and learning to foilride book on one of our Efoil Intro Experience
Co Written by the following - Thanks for your input both
Alec MacHenry MCSP- Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist
Matt Barker Smith- Foil specialist
Chris Chucas- Strength Coach
SUNOVA FOIL BOARDS
So excited to show these great Foil products to you all
Opening of the wee little 5'4" x 27 1/2" x 3 15/16 -83.5 Litre Sunova SUP FOILBOARD.
Obviously for the smaller person with such low litreage , but the wind wing surfer looking for a small but relatively accessible board , the dimensions on this board make it look favourable to the wind orientated riders looking to wind wing.
A wide template with accessible width at 27.5" to allow speed generation in the pumping and stability to get onto foil if wing surfing.
Available to purchase - buy this Sunova 5'4 SUP FOILBOARD
WSA Foil Workshops
WSA Symposium 19th 20th October on Gower
So on the weekend of 19/ 20th we hosted the first WSA hydrofoil workshop based from Port Eynon along side the WSA trainer meeting and Symposium


Foiling Portugal
A great Autumnal trip to Portugal travelling with the full carbon Takuma LOL 1600 ...this wing can take some serious size and power and does not overfoil !
Board - trying the 2019 ZK mini 5'6 - 100 Litres
Takuma LOL FOIL
Takuma has a new foil !
Cyril Coste owner of 'Takuma' has has been busy working alongside foil genius Laurent Borgna.
The foil was tested extensively in New Caledonia in all conditions from 'surf' to 'downwind' and is quite unique to the foil market.
The foil is super efficient and has been described by testers as a 'magic foil ' with an unreal feeling giving long flight and incredible speed in turns.
The fuselage has been re -worked from previous models and features a hexagonal fitment to the wing spigot and tail shims 1 & 1.5mm shims are provided for tuning. Hardware provided is M6 Torx.
Primarily designed for use with their Efoil Electric Hydrofoil board) allowing a smaller motor to be used . It is super efficient even though it looks unlike any other foil on the market.
Available in Alloy mast and fuselage with carbon wings (pictured below) and a full carbon fused mast and fuselage version Pro foil version.
1300/ 1600 and 1900cm2 wing sizes to suit all conditions.
Short Review 1600 LOL - I've been using this 1600 foil for over 2 months now and its game changing. Why ? Well a few key points
- When I would normally need a 2000cm front wing - this wing catches the same slow swell with ease!
- Pumps with so much more speed - so you can catch the bit of swell in front of you and drop in when foiling
- Does not overfoil easily and holds true when you get those sudden surges of swell energy this foil has your back - it just soaks it up , no more wing breaches and nose rinses!!
- massive range - I've used this in 1 ft to 4ft plus - the best allround foil.
Short Review 1900 LOL - I’ve been using the 1900 wing over the past week in strong-very strong winds in downwind foiling conditions.
- It catches steep blown swell well and carves nicely once up on foil.
- The thing i’m mainly impressed with is: it’s top speed , I dropped into some meaty wave troughs and it didn’t breach like other larger wings can do.
- The 1900 always makes you feel, you’re in control.
- Pumps well too when you scanning the horizon for the next bump to run with !
If you are interested please get in touch for ordering [email protected] or 01792 446511
Prices - Alloy / carbon
£1,039 /1300 Foil |
£1,169 /1600 Foil |
£1,349 /1900 Foil |
Full Carbon
£1,330 /1300 Foil |
£1,449 /1600 Foil |
£1,699 /1900 Foil |
TAKUMA CONCEPT 5'9 ZK MINI
Takuma ZK Mini 5’9 review
It’s scary considering going this small , but safe to say if you’re are eager to get up on foil as soon as possible and want a board you can truly whip around in the surf, pump easily but also retain stability,
The Takuma 5’9 mini board feels more like flying than ever before!
- Buoyant enough to paddle into most sized waves and compact enough to remain agile and playful once you are foiling
- High volume "Flow-Rail" paddles like a board twice its length.
- Pumps like a breast feeding Mother!
- Flat deck gives lively heel-toe leverage for responsive turning and carving.
- Compact, easy to travel with and transport. UK - Sri Lanka tested!
FEATURES - Takuma Concept ZK Mini 5’9
ADJUSTABLE US TRACK
Move your foil forward or back to find your sweet spot depending on size, weight, conditions foil choice.
ROCKER
Board slightly tapers in the nose and tail to thick in the middle for easier paddling and more buoyancy where you need it. Flat through the bottom for paddle speed planing.
FLAT DECK
An important design feature for stability, reactive turning and heel-toe agility.
CHINED Flow - RAILS
Beveled on the underside give the board earlier release from the water and prevents setting an edge once you’re on-foil.
EARLY TAKEOFF TAIL
Contoured tail release shape helps break water tension and release sooner for a quicker, easier push to get on-foil.
WIDE NOSE
Thick voluminous nose prevents pearling and helps you bounce off the water and ride it out instead of crashing.
CARBON REINFORCEMENTS
Provides additional support and durability on strategic areas of the board.
DUAL LEASH ATTACHMENT
A secondary connection point helps spread from leash load on crashes.
DIAMOND DECKPAD AND INSERTS
LIGHTWEIGHT
The 5'9"x26 3/4''x 4 7/8 Weight TBC 5.5kg
The diamond deck pad is grippy and comfortable and if you choose to foil with or without foot straps the 5’9 ZK has the options, with a straight set of multiple foot strap inserts all the way down the boards deck pad.
I decided to take this board on holiday with me without really getting to grips with it at home and I admit it did take a few sessions to get the foil placement figured out.
It paddles well , although being so short it doesn’t accelerate quickly so you need to factor that into your spot , steep waves were a challenge but managable ! The Takuma 5’9 really comes into its own if you want to get up on foil as quickly as possible on the shoulder , it’s so light and responsive to pop up and turn , just turn your head and its rotated you, I love it puts a big smile on your face for foiling.
Im 84kg I did try and flat water pump foil the board in a pool and for my weight even using a Go foil Maliko 280 was too demanding of me. The 6’2 ZK mini would be better or the ZK 6’10 has a longer waterline .Takuma Concept are due 2 foil downwind models later in 2019. If you are interested in the 5’9 Takuma ZK Mini - Get in touch we have stock.
Also available in below models
MINI ZK 5'9"x26 3/4''x 4 7/8 : 112L
MINI ZK 6'2''x27 1/2''x 5'' : 130L
MINI ZK 6'6''x29 1/2''x 5''7/16 - 145 litres
Foiling Sri Lanka part 2 - Dickwella
-
-
Dickwella looking at Spot
'P' -
Dickwella beach -
-
Break point Unakuruwa
1.Dickwella Beach.
The second part of our foiling article on foilsurfing in Sri lanka, for our first part detailing Welligama area click here
Myself and my family had a great trip there in November with plenty of swell and unridden wave / foiling spots to explore.This article features spots I SUP foiled in and around the Dickwella , Nilwella and Tangalle regions.If your'e staying in Dickwella area, Tangalle is around a 20 minutes tuk tuk ride away.We chose to stay in Hiriketiya beach at a lovely place called Jasper house.
Hiriketiya beach is not a suitable foilsurf location , due to its small size , number of surf beginners and shallow rocks beneath the surface. After watching it for 20 minutes I didn't even entertain the thought of foiling there. However around 5 minutes away there is a superb foil spot.
I had pre planned to look here, as on google maps it looked like a good spot There are lots of options to foil here and I was the only one out on all occasions I chose to foilsurf. The wave options break far from shore so it can get a bit spooky at Spot L .We also had shelter in form of a beach tent which proved very handy, although the palms at the high water line do offer some shelter.
There is a cool place called Verse collective recently featured in the Times and Sunday Times ! which you can get food and a great coffee from just over the road which I can highly recommend.The beach and the shallows are great for the kids to splash around in too.

SPOT L
This right hand wave breaks around 300m from shore over some flattish rock slabs. The wave however jacks up pretty quickly and then immediately breaks into deeper water so it took me a while to get it wired. As the wave has a lot of power on take off its also better to consider going out slightly under winged to handle the drop as I discovered. You can ride left on take off but the swell is directed better right.
SPOT P
The best thing about Dickwella beach for foiling is you can paddle to other foilable waves pretty easily .
Spot P is a short paddle over a deep channel from Spot L. It's technically a left hand point break which fizzles out very quickly and can break wide when bigger sets come through. From take off it jacks up and then pushes a foamball into deeper water straight away. This means positioning is key, if you can stick the take off, the wave / swell then bends around the point meaning you right angle your ride next to the point and follow the swell towards the shore . It's awesome riding over shoals of fish who dart beneath you . They seem to like the protection the point gives them from the sun and waves.
People in the water - Very Quiet
2.Kudawella Beach.
Not a great wave but swell does seem to be pushed into this beach and directed by the Harbour wall.
Lefts and rights over sand
People in the water - Very Quiet
3.Unakuruwa - Break point in Tangalle

A lovely spot! Basically a right hand point break which breaks into deeper water into the middle of the bay .The take off is relatively shallow best surfed on a longboard or mal .For a foil its doable if you're experienced but there are some shallow coral heads, it's just lucky the water is so clear so you can see. Friendly locals who have the spot wired ,although 5-6 people on the peak and it's busy, there are no other options for wave riding in this bay.
Mainly rocky bottom next to the point but sand filled in middle of the bay.
People in the water - Moderate – busy
Please respect locals and any others in the Water – you have a responsibility to show Foiling in a good light.
Takuma ZK Mini 5'9 SUP Review
Takuma ZK Mini 5'9 SUP Review...Coming soon
Dimensions : Size : 5'9" x 26 3/4" x 4 7/8"Vol. : 112L Construction : EPS
Foam with Full Carbon sandwich construction.