How to prone FOIL | SURF FOILING

This is one of the hardest ways to foil but very rewarding! True surf foiling opens the door to so many new locations you never thought were surf-able, they are now foil-able. The feeling is mind blowing and it takes time, but you can do it! Today we share some tips and tricks on how to prone foil so you can go out and enjoy surf foiling!
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[@GB-jt7eq]

Damo, your positivity is inspiring and your life comments are terrific!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@nikfrey5]

Rad dude. Love all your stuff from kiting to this

[@ArthurKite]

Amazing tips. I’m willing to try it but don’t want to get another board. I’ll try it with my 4’10” 80L wing board and see what I can achieve.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

It will work, just really look for a tiny push-in, not a huge breaking wave! :) A little crumble!

[@pedroforonda]

I think! Therefore I foil. True, nothing but truth was spoken on this video. Thank you for shearing.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you!

[@Dreadysays]

Loved that sign off brother, invite someone to something outside their comfort zone, live a better life. Stay awesome bud!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you we appreciate you!

[@NimaBirgani]

Damien is like Mr. Rogers of water sports. Great dude, awesome videos. You definitely inspired me to start foiling and for that I'm forever thankful. I'm in the process of getting my first board. However I noticed something called "Lean Factor" while I was browsing Cabrinha foil boards. I have no idea what it is and more importantly should I care about it as a beginner?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thanks for the kind words! Lean Factor might be the chime or double concave they may have in the boards. Honesty the only thing you need to worry about is volume! Get yourself something you can stand on easy and your learning adventure will be on its way! Anything new is hard and will have its challenges and struggles. What really matters is you go for it and in time you will learn it. Volume will help a ton in the learning process. My thoughts.

[@HadrianBourdon]

Great video. I tried to prone foil on my board however its just a wakesurf board with a foil mount and i struggled to even come cose to catching a wave. Im guessing its the boards low volume? Not really sure what it is but when i sit on the board im about lower chest height in the water. What do you think? Thinking about buying some 2 inch foam and taping it to the bottom of the board to increase its volume. Would just buy a board but schools expensive and i cant afford it right now. Let me know your thoughts on my situation. Thanks!

[@Karmidzhanov92]

Got a gong 55l foil surf board and that seems to be the hardest part - getting up on the board. Idk I'm physically fit to do many push ups but when I'm on the board I feel I have hardly any explosive strength to jump up quick and I miss the wave. The board was kind of slipping under my hands and I had to keep my grip really strong. Not sure if it was the wet suit ot the 9 degrees Celsius water, just felt like I had no strength (wasn't very tired) The waves were pretty good 0.5-1m and I rode some on my knees, but could never get up. This was my first time trying any surfing (have snowboarding experience) but it was much harder than expected. Your words confirmed my suspicion that this is the hardest way to start foiling even for experienced surfers. I may try the 400 times dry practice you suggested! When in season I'm consi renting a jet ski to pull me, heard it's the fastest way to learn. Any other tips for someone like myself?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

It just takes repetition friend. Enjoy the learning process it will come. A jet ski tow or behind a boat will help a ton as well.

[@MartialArtUK]

That was great advice listened to it twice just what I needed

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Amen! Thank you friend....

[@gulfsurfco]

Solid tips as always! Thanks for the +vibes!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you!

[@JetSurfingNation]

Great tips Damien. I want to try it after learning efoil

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

100% you will love it!

[@darrenhockey2191]

Excellent Damo great presentation 👍

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you!

[@martinnovation1]

Again: amazing video. So what would be the three in-between steps? Like could I just lay on the board (prone) and raise on my hands to get the first glides, could I then jump up to kneeling, and then jump to standing? Or are there nothing in between? Is it just "you're doing it" or "you're doing wrong"???

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Martin, I would recommend laying on your board on the beach and going over the process of going from laying to standing up on the board about 400 times! :) Get comfortable jumping up to your feet. Then head into the waves and do the same thing. Not really much in-between.

[@jeromesurffoil7033]

❤❤❤ Thanks Damo for the video! I wish I would have seen this video months ago. I have been struggling with prone foiling and I finally am having progress! I got a nice ride today and was able to go down the line on a little 3 footer. Everything you mentioned is solid advice. I was going out in the wrong conditions, i.e. too big or too choppy, my mast was a bit too long and I was hitting bottom, and my foot placement was too far back. I am so glad to be finally progressing. I appreciate you mentioning how challenging prone foiling is. I have 40 years surfing experience and I thought the transition would be easy. Prone foiling is frustratingly difficult. Now I'm going to add another mode of fun and transition to wing foiling!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Great to hear friend! It is not easy for sure and the ride you got that day the next time will be 2 and 5 and 10. Enjoy friend!

[@jeromesurffoil7033]

@@DamienLeroyKZbin Thanks for the positivity and encouragement. You are much appreciated!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

@@jeromesurffoil7033 Thank you!

[@chrismriscin9161]

I'm 165lbs. Is the Lift 200 Surf V2 a good wing for beginners?

[@joeumana]

Thank you Damo for these amazing videos !

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you Jose....

[@jeremychanys]

You mention a good volume would be 35l onward. How about board length? What would be good board length for catching waves and pumping?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

A great size recommendation would be 4'6. More advanced riders are on as small as 3'8 to 4'6 but a good all around size is 4'6 and more beginner around 5'0. The more volume the easier. I hope that helps Jeremy!

[@jeremychanys]

Damien can you make a video on surf foiling with foot strap (type of footstrap , positioning of strap etc. 😃 )

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

@@jeremychanys We can add it to the list my brother! :)

[@olshov111]

Great tips!!! That exactly what I needed!!!! ))))Thank you very much!}}

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

No thank you! Enjoy friend.....

[@ILikeWindyDays33]

Hi Damien, what would you say is the best foil from Lift for wingfoil surfing? Love the channel, thanks!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

All depends on the area and conditions but the 120HA is a great wing for all around. If you are more advanced the 90HA is also an incredible ride. A lot use the 150 surf V2 for the roll on the waves. Turns incredible vs the HA wings. The 160 Camber pro is so nimble and easy as well. We have lighter conditions in FL so my goto is the 120HA but we don't have a lot of pumping well.

[@IRWE905]

Position of Foil in the Box? Most Kiteboard Hydrofoilers are told to start with the Foil all the way back in the Box for the least amount of lift. Too many variables to say where you should position the Foil in the Box. So assume small waves or swell How much pressure do you want on your feet when first learning to ProneFoil (Front Foot % vs. Back Foot %)?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Friend, this would be the same, I would suggest to start with the Foil all the way back in the Box for the least amount of lift. Same as you know already, learning how to stand up first. Get to your feet then you lift up the foil when learning by shifting your weight back or putting more back foot pressure. Then you can keep adjusting your foil forward to the perfect place. The main goal is just not to have the foil jumping up on you as you catch the wave when learning or in the beginning. Like you said every position on a board or foil is different so best to start safe and then find it. Hope that helps.

[@rctrix9063]

this is great video but what if you want to prone and wing with the same board?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Totally possible, you can get a sinker board (less than 45L) and use it for prone and winging. Check this deal at our shop: wingfoilprocenter.com/products/kt-ginxu-step-bottom-foilboard?_pos=2&_sid=40f614e09&_ss=r

[@albertwesker2507]

Can Axis png1150 Prone foil？！

[@glyntaylor7093]

Great video Damien. You have mentioned that to make it easier for our Florida waves (I’m in Miami) that more volume is always smart, but not too wide. I’m looking for a prone board like that - no longer than 4’6 and at least 45- 50 L or more. When you get a chance, could you recommend a board like that. The only board that I found similar is an Uncle Nubby 4’6 50 L, but they say is not ideal for jumping or hard landings... Thanks for everything!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

I would recommend the LIFT 4'4 44L it rocks! liftfoils.com/product/4-4-x-44-liter/

[@matthewellis3004]

So prone foiling means to start out laying down / paddling into the launch correct? thanks for the tips

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Laying down! Yep the is the word prone. Actual definition: lying flat, especially face downward.

[@jamiehawkinsk96]

Hi Damo. Love your vids. Thankyou. What size foil is the guy in the full wetsuit using. We have similar waves to that here in the uk often and your guy is flying on them? Cheers Jamie

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you for the kind words! It was Brendan Healy on the 1000 H series Cabrinha foil, a great foil for prone foiling and wing foiling!

[@jamiehawkinsk96]

Thanks Damo. What size would that be in cm? 1000? Can’t believe the lift he was getting.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Yes it is 1000 cm2, this foil is just so good!

[@jamiehawkinsk96]

Wow!!

[@michelespaggiari9684]

Hi Damien, thanks for all your great videos, lots of great content and always good vibe. I'd like to get into prone foiling, mainly to get more time on the water in the no-wind season. I don't really know how to surf, I have tried a few times but never really learned. On the other side, I have a lot of experience wingfoiling (I can surf a wave letting go the wing). Would my lack of surfing skills make it really hard to go straight into prone foiling?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

You can do it! It is like anything just takes time. Learning how to pop up! Why not give it a go!!!!

[@mcfuzcut]

Damo - I have a 2019 Naish Thrust XL wing with a 55cm mast. I want to learn to pronefoil but do you think this hydrofoil is out of date and not suitable compared to a modern HA wing? I’m 6’2, 187 lb.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

I would get your self something newer friend! Will make everything easier!

[@harrypotter-zo9xv]

You have the best content thanks ! I have a question for the gear : I am 175 cm 72kg, intermediate surfer and prone foil beginner. I bought a gong rise foil to begin paired with a 39l board and I always fall on the right or left. Would a high aspect wing with longer width help with lateral stability ? Thanks !

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Harry, Does not sound to me like the foil. It sounds to me like you are in the learning curve, it's hard to stand up and balance on a foil. I would try to ride it a few times behind a boat, jet ski or efoil. If you do not have that option. It just takes time to keep your balance on it. I would recommend get up on the board not on foil then slowly shift your hips back and stay low when it comes up on foil. Its hard keep at it you will get it.

[@harrypotter-zo9xv]

@@DamienLeroyKZbin Thanks for the quick answer ! I only have 2 hours foiling so I am for sure a beginner. I have the option to try behind a boat and will do it ASAP ! thanks for the great videos they help a ton !

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

@@harrypotter-zo9xv Happy to help you will get there! Its hard....

[@angolinchos]

as always, great explanation! now, time to hit the water with my foil!

[@Surfnflycom]

Another awesome vid ;) love it about it’s challenging ;) 🤙🏼

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you!

[@mikeb4414]

Hi Damien. Great video and great positive vibes. Lots of wing and kite foil experience and a bit of longboarding. Was gonna try prone with my 55L fanatic wing board. Noticed straps on the boards in the videos. Is it better for a beginner to start with or without straps? currently have a v strap set up on my board. Strangely on kite and wing i'm better goofy, but prone surfing definitely L foot forward.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Mike, Thanks for the kind words.. Straps are a personal preference. Sometimes it helps to have a front strap, straps, to have a little leverage but if its in the wrong spot, it can be quite tricky. I would try it and if you like it boom!

[@foilfanatic]

What is the best spot to give this a go along the coast of Florida from Brevard down to Miami? I wing on the surf side, but have zero prone experience.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

I would say anywhere there is a tinny crumble wave you are ready to give it a go!

[@sleepdoctor09]

I usually longboard on 80-90l lonboards. not the strongest paddler, what volume would you recommend? am I correct in thinking that you catch waves where large sup‘s usually catch them? cheers

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

The foil has lift the second it moves so you can get away with a smaller board say 32- 40L board. I am 155 and on a 28L 4'0 board.

[@sleepdoctor09]

@@DamienLeroyKZbin cheers. I am 6 foot 3 and around 180-187 pounds…… was wondering about one of thise hybrid boards for foil sup‘ing, wing foiling….. would you still stick with 40l then?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

@@sleepdoctor09 Its easier to learn on a SUP for sure as you are already standing. It also could be a wing board. You want a board you can stand on but as small as you can get away with so you have less surface tension! At 187 you should be at around 100L or 120L Maybe like: adventuresportsusa.com/collections/wings/products/cabrinha-custom-macro/?ref=DAMO

[@fitnessandinjury]

This is a hecka good video. Sincere af

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you so much! We appreciate you!

[@fredhamblin3970]

Thanks for the awesome video Damien, it has re-kickstarted my motivation to look for a prone hydrofoil again! However, there's a slight issue I hoped you could help me with; I have intermediate surf experience, weigh under 60 kg and am under 170 cm tall. However, I am struggling to find a good board and foil for under the total of $1000 aus (about 750 usd) as I live over an hour away from a decent beach. In your opinion is it worth getting into? If so, is there any way you recommend getting the board within my budget?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Fred, Hard to find anything good for that price, second hand, older will not be very good. I would work a little more and save up for something a little more expensive and it will be very worth it.

[@xyzct]

Damien, I live at the beach in northern Oregon (where there is _always_ a swell), am 6'1" and 173lb (180lb with full suit), very fit, and have surfed for decades. I am set to buy an Armstrong FG Wing/Surf board (and their HS1550v2 foil). I am torn between the 4'-0" (27L) and the 4'-5" (34L). The tradeoff is paddling efficiency vs pumping efficiency. I have no idea how to evaluate this. Your guidance would be most appreciated.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Those are both very small honestly! I would go with the 4'-5" (34L). You can still pump a 4'5 with ease and should catch a few more waves int he session! ... My thoughts..

[@xyzct]

@@DamienLeroyKZbin, great, that was my intuitive choice (because 27L is _very_ small!), so your add guidance will enable me to buy with confidence. Thank you so much! I genuinely appreciate your inpu ... and your awesome videos!!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

@@xyzct Happy to help! Enjoy your Christmas friend.... Thank you!

[@319bryce]

Damien, What is your opinion on foil board bottom contours? I’m about to order my first prone foil setup and I see alot of thicker boards with boat hull bottoms and others that are more traditional surfboard style. From what I can see, those simpler designs (such as cabrinha autopilot) appear to go better once up on foil.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Friend, I would go with maybe a double concave or a little sharper on the rails as it will release the water or drag. The round rails are very sticky! My thoughts....

[@MartialArtUK]

Hey Damo , is there any difference duck diving a prone foil ? Is there limits ? What are they? How big a wave can a prone foiler duck dive ? Thanks 🤗

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

The only main issue is water depth. Many times you will hit bottom with your foil duck diving. Other than that as long as your foil surf board is not massive in volume it really works the same as surfing. I think the how big of a wave is a questions would be better for Kai Lenny! :) The only thing I would keep an eye on is if you use a leash sometimes it will load up as a huge wave goes by and drags you and can foil back at you.

[@concretewaveslongboardcomm6729]

Hi Damien! I am Davide, from Venice, Italy. I love your footage here and how much passion you are sharing with all of us! I have been following you a lot since I am working in a Cabrinha kiteschool and use this brand for myself. I am sorry to bother you but I have a question and I can't decide myself. I want to buy my first Autopilot: I would use it to improve kite foiling (I already windsurf foil since the past season and I tried kite foiling with a friend's board), and I would like to start surf foiling, in my region but mostly in California since my girlfriend is from Malibu. I weigh 66 kgs and I am an intermediate surfer (rollercoaster/foam climbing/top-bottom turns). What size would you suggest me to buy? I can't decide myself between the 4'10 and the 5'2. The first would be better for kiting, the second for surf and winging (when I improve and I can hopefully sink a 40 lts)...what do you think? Could you give me your opinion?thanks!!!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

4'10 you are a smaller human! :) Especially that kiting is first priority. It would be high volume for Prone foiling "Good" and when you get better at winging will be a high performance board. My 10 cents.

[@concretewaveslongboardcomm6729]

@@DamienLeroyKZbin thank you!!! Do you think I will have trouble to sink it to start with a wing? Best! Dave

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

@@concretewaveslongboardcomm6729 It is always a little tricky and hard to learn you should be fine, but worst case scenario you can knee it up as well. I can on my 4'4 44L LIFT board and love it... You will be golden.

[@jasemurphy977]

Looks very interesting compared to wing foil. How many litres is this board in video

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Around 40L is the board in the video. You got this friend.

[@jasemurphy977]

@@DamienLeroyKZbin ah thank you. I’m looking at purchasing a 40 ltr , you just made up my mind. Many thanks. 👍

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

@@jasemurphy977 Sure man happy to help!

[@GARAASJ]

Thanks again for the great video and all the tips! I’m wondering however, how hard is it to get into prone foiling for someone who has decent skills in wing foiling and the basics and regular surfing?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

You can do it friend! I think prone foiling is the hardest to learn as you have to catch the wave and go from laying down to standing up on a foil. It just takes practice friend. You can do it for sure.

[@Rocco_Kurokawa]

If you can pump the Foil and waveride when wingfoiling and know the basics of surfing it shouldn't be too difficult. I tried it once this autumn when there where 1.5m waves but no wind, with my Wingfoilboard strapless and a 1500 ha Foil, 4th try and I was riding. The first times I tried to pop up too quick and misplaced the feet and lost balance on the foil, but when I gave myself more time to stabilize before and while pop up it worked. Now I kinda want to get into prone foiling. The wing board was annoyingly big to pump out, now I'm contemplating to buy a lightweight 40L prone board for better pumping. The freedom of just surfing without a wing is really nice. On the other hand, I really like being able to get out and catch the next wave in no time where as prone it takes alot of time to wait for the next set. Except the waves come quick and you can endlessly pump out again. Mhmm. I wanna spend the next summer in Portugal, gotta see the ratio of days with wind and waves compared to days without wind but waves, cause if there's wind I'm definitely winging.

[@GARAASJ]

@@Rocco_Kurokawa thanks a lot! I’m going to quickly shape myself a 45-50l prone board (150x50cm, squared tail and round nose). It’s not real difficult and I don’t want to be complaining all summer that I don’t have the right gear. Should also work for winging with decent winds!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

@@Rocco_Kurokawa Thank you friend.

[@tom-foil]

Could you enable automated captions please

[@alexsandra3962]

Nice teaching....

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you!

[@guybartlett9587]

Thanks

[@mbkiteboarding]

Why is it called pronefoiling and not surffoiling?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

It's kind of both! :)

[@daversj]

Damo, i am an intermediate kite foiler and can wake foil. At 180lbs what wing would you recommend for prone surfing? V2 surf 200? I have a 170 classic for kiting light wind. I want a foil that pumps so i can try to link some waves…

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

​ @daversj Tough Question! It all depends on the wave you have but a good goto wing for smaller waves at your size would be a 200HA wing. Great for pumping. 250HA will be easier to learn still pumps, slower but everything is easier. The 200HA can do it all though. 200V2 will work but I think the HA will be better for you, my thoughts.

[@nrl_editz6229]

Im 11 and for my wing i use a 1050 and 1250 front wing because it suits my weight

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you Liam

[@Foilonly]

Thanks!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you!

[@launchpadamedbali706]

Legend

[@Wksfr]

Tried prone foiling today with a gong 85l 4ft 10 Lemon. Total bloody disaster, I failed to catch a single wave, felt like a right tit.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Its very hard take you time pick tinny waves in the beginning....

[@albertwesker2507]

😂

[@brock1550]

Same

[@sifly_efoil]

nice description.. But you can as well first learn efoiling then start catching the waves without a motor..--easiest way to learn;-)