Kite Foil Tutorial (bodydrag, taxi, microflights, long flights, gear, how to kite foil etc)

This detailed tutorial guides you to your first flights on a hydrofoil. It provides step by step drills to help you to learn with less chance of injury:
00:00 carrying, handling and bodydragging etc
01:13 balance, weight distribution, depowering the hydrofoil & surface riding (taxiing), and hand transitions.
06:23 short safe practice flights, ascending and descending the hydrofoil
07:55 longer hydrofoil flights and speed control
09:14 How to crash and how NOT to crash
10:07 Basic tips for the safest equipment and conditions
Access the kite foil playlist for more tutorials:
• Kite Foil Series

[@kitesurfcollege]

Access our playlist for kite foil tutorials: kzbin.info/aero/PL41dAinz_9ZfUzHOJ5Od6dmZSU3kszdDe

[@wyatteaston1000]

sorry to be off topic but does someone know a tool to log back into an instagram account?? I stupidly lost the password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me.

[@kenzolionel8674]

@Wyatt Easton instablaster ;)

[@wyatteaston1000]

@Kenzo Lionel i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Seems to take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@wyatteaston1000]

@Kenzo Lionel It worked and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thanks so much, you really help me out :D

[@kenzolionel8674]

@Wyatt Easton no problem xD

[@TomKiteman]

This guys voice is just.. I could listen to this as a sleep aid! I love it! Thank you for all the videos, a huge chunk of my kiting knowledge came from these videos. Thank you!!

[@steveburkey]

Agree. About the voice, and the instruction too

[@stveloop9452]

100cm2 per 10kg is the best tip ever given, no one has explained it before. Great tutorial.

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thanks Stephen, I'm glad you find it useful. I would say that 100cm2 per 10kg is actually the minimum for being able to ride at lower speeds. You can go quite a bit bigger, actually. I've seen people practising with 150cm2 per 10kg, having a great time and learning lots of new skills/tricks without the need for speed. I am planning to cover this in detail in a separate hydrofoiling equipment video. All the best, Alex

[@stveloop9452]

@@kitesurfcollege In my case my foil is 67cm2 and I found I didn't want to ride particularly fast, so it would stall seemingly at any moment.

[@stephensinnhuber8401]

Another corker. Well done! I'd like to add that foot hooks are a real benefit for those who want to use a strap but are afraid of getting stuck in it. I teach using them and it ensures a quick and easy bail when it all goes wrong :)

[@aschwa5]

Couldn't agree more. Wish I had switched before tweaking my ankle the first time.

[@tevele9116]

Probably the most complete tutorial I have seen on hydrofoiling. Thanks

[@jankowalski2652]

The quality vidoes you deliver is AMAZING ! WOW

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thanks Jan

[@brentkochan8992]

Hey Alex. I started kiting two years ago and am fully hooked. As there's no wind where I live, I only get the opportunity on vacations, all of which now revolve around kiting. I've found your vids to be invaluable in my progress and especially as quick reviews after extended periods off the water. Just wanted to say thanks. I just donated 50 bucks as a token of my appreciation.

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thanks very much Brent, and I'm glad the tutorials are helpful. Are you learning to foil? That might help one day if you live somewhere with minimal wind.

[@joelderby4380]

Thank you very much for your videos! You explain topics clearly that many people cannot.

[@kitesurfcollege]

Cheers Joel

[@joaopaulolopes8224]

By far the best kitesurfing channel!

[@alter7181]

Literally the best explanation of foiling I've ever seen. Your videos are always excellent!

[@Lucky-uk1bv]

Excellent clip for the those learning to foil, by far the most comprehensive I have seen. Removing the front hand for balance is essential, particularly if you are kiting in an area where wind gusts are large and you are using front foot strap. From my experience: Take caution not to reach out if you are crashing at speed otherwise you can injure your shoulder. ie: tuck your arm close to your body as you crash.

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hi Brad, thanks for the tips. Have you had some bad crashes or injuries when holding your arm out? I guess at enough speed you could even dislocate a shoulder if your arm is pulled behind you (I managed to do something like that snowboarding once). I am hoping this video helps people limit their speed with a larger wing, and limit their crashes by taking more time to practice taxiing and microflights.

[@Lucky-uk1bv]

@@kitesurfcollege Just the odd minor soreness from reaching out - nothing major! Agree with your point that practising the basics early builds a solid foundation for later. Keep the videos coming - thanks

[@afozzie40]

Best instructional channel on you tube. Thanks!

[@georgewhtelse3516]

I am agree

[@georgewhtelse3516]

I am agree

[@Pete_R63]

Thank you! Your tutorials are always so well thought out and complete. The details, explanations and diagrams break down a technique and don't just give how to do something but why it works or happens. Excellent.

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thanks Pete

[@scientificfraud5016]

This guy is a brilliant trainer..

[@CruiseW]

First session today went really well was only about 10 knots on a 12m kite got up and foiling crazy how fast you can go up wind, thank you for the helpful tips and guidance.

[@irf888]

Thanks for making this excellent content. I started just over a year ago and well past this so I can say from experience your advice is 2nd to none, very well structured and the presentation is so beneficial to people starting out. If this video was available when I started, learning would've been faster and safer. Regards.

[@river2000sg2]

Thank you very much, can't wait for the next episode!

[@kallepilli1]

Can't wait to try foiling. Great tutorial!

[@JustGoKitesurfing]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do those videos. A great tutorial like all of the previous you made. Keep up the great work!

[@dustinoflynn]

Solid video looking forward to more videos beyond this level of progression. Thank you.

[@frederikkite]

Great Tutorial, I will definitely give it a try!

[@jerome6947]

🙌 Great tutorial as always.... looking forward to the next videos

[@edwinengland4860]

Very well done, as always!

[@davidvanderzanden7053]

Amazing tutorial on foiling. Had my first foil session today and this video helped a great deal. Thank you!

[@bookeaterintube]

As Always TOP quality tutorial. Your skills in explaining complex movements is just amazing. Thank you!

[@blooskyy7]

Thank you, amazing tutorial with essential information, think I've watched it 10 times already!

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thankyou and I'm glad it was helpful.

[@dimitarpopov2856]

Super cool! Thanks!!

[@Filipedsm1]

By far the best foil video on KZbin. Thanks and congrests!!

[@kshred3043]

This content is too good to be free. Donation sent via PayPal. Encourage others to do the same to support this channel. FWIW, kite foiling has never appealed that much to me, perhaps due to the fear factor. However, I definitely want to give wing foiling a go. It seems a more user friendly way to get foiling. Hopefully my windsurfing sail handling skills will provide a head start on the wing. This is an excellent introduction on foiling and I suspect and hope that the principles will cross over. Looking forward to your first wing foil how to.....

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thankyou K Shred, it's much appreciated.

[@Alex1211s]

I wish this video was out a month ago and learning to foil would have been so easy!! So useful

[@aschwa5]

One thing I would add (that was the difference between me swimming and finally foiling) is pointing the board downwind right after standing up. That initial release of energy is something I found necessary to prevent being bucked. I also found it really helpful to stay as low as possible, "rolling" up, like I've heard described necessary for a strapless water start. Thanks for all the great videos!

[@pbrisforathletes425]

One less kook on the foil here, thank you!

[@kitesurfcollege]

I'm glad to hear it. Thanks, Alex

[@LuigiSimoncini]

Great as always, thanks

[@mike19767]

great video. very clear and helpful. Thank you. Mike

[@jenshannemann9275]

Great tutorial! Great as always, thanks

[@Marcelo-he8gf]

Excellent video thanks for sharing.

[@normsbigwindow9379]

Superb mate. Really useful.

[@nrkzcu]

Amazing explanation

[@LuboMirtchev]

Great video!

[@angelpena9425]

Great vid guys!

[@florentboisseau8764]

Thanks a lot for this video! It’s really well explained, I followed every step, it was so helpful! Especially the reaching of the arm upfront, the foot placement and the placement of the foil itself under the board! Thanks a lot, you saved me a lot of time and troubles!!!

[@aggeloskoutos7238]

during your explanation I could picture myself foilng :) . thank you very much

[@energymusic7641]

One of the best video in the internet.. I learn a lot.. Thanks

[@directsound]

Thanks great video!

[@massimoprincipi2843]

top video for beginner! great!!!

[@westfinger8630]

Great tutorial, looking forward to getting out and giving foiling a go.

[@ThirdEyePinecones]

Tb l

[@movieman12341]

Awesome! Really good vid. Now do jumping with a hydrofoil!

[@francis2867]

good information..thanks

[@zapzen]

Great tips! Thank you!

[@zapzen]

I must say, I learned more in this short video than in my first 2 hours of paid personal instruction!!! Thanks again!

[@patrickdunne1508]

Great video thanks 🇮🇪

[@xaviermaulave1423]

Thank you very much. I was waiting your move to hydrofoil for a while!....Your tutorials are always my favorite ones even though English is not my Mother's Language; every footages are impeccable the addition of slow motion is a great plus, the explanations are Xtal sharp and precise. Thank you Maestro!

[@brainchild6455]

i think they have the tutorials in Spanish as well if that helps

[@nickwojcik4391]

Great ! Thank you!

[@shadyhill1476]

Just ordered a foil, stoked to give it a go! Good video hopefully it saves me some frustration

[@kitesurfcollege]

Good luck!

[@williamoneil4606]

Excellent

[@mikelurban892]

Nice slowly explained 😻😻

[@imuahayn8082]

Awesome video! best tips and tricks on youtube, also helps foiling in prone and sup for beginners

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thankyou

[@jakobbraun6193]

There are so many kite tutorials out there... non of them help as your tutorials do. Keep up the good work! Amazing help! Got my own foil yesterday - can’t wait to get started. In case your kite drops - what would you recommend doing with your foil while relaunching the kite? Where would you put it?

[@looper2006]

Good video 👌

[@matteologgi]

very nice.

[@johnrobinson5506]

Best Foil tutorial ever ❤️🙏💯💯

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thank you

[@edsykes1825]

This video is great! I learned so much from it. Thank you!

[@kitesurfcollege]

Glad it was helpful

[@BisZwo]

nice ! very good tips ! as always ! ;-)

[@mlpmoto1977]

Muito bom esse vídeo aula, parabéns.

[@SuperHyee]

Thanks !

[@fluke1494]

Thank you so muchhhh

[@stflafond1390]

Wow this is such a great video! Thanks! Do you have one about how to control a kite?

[@kitesurfinchaffar5772]

thans for your video

[@XPRESSBBOYSOPRANO]

What do you think about North Sonar surf edition 1650cm2 + 70cm mast for 105kg biginner. What is down side of that big front wing? Maybe going upwind as good as on the smaller wing?

[@JoaoGuilherme-og6vg]

Excelent tutorial! What combination of board size and wing to do board off jumps with a hydrofoil?

[@MatDGVLL]

Awesome tutorial as usual 👌🤩

[@eusoogabriel2401]

Obrigado, sou do Brasil, e você não sabe o quanto me ajudou a legenda em português, muito grato!

[@user-ev7wq1ft3b]

Спасибо большое. Очень полезное видео))

[@christrainor7524]

Nice venue........wheres that?

[@softydreamygirl4310]

Its like gliding a plane under the water

[@rnelias]

Please, take a look in the pt-br subtitles I've sent to this video ;) They were sent some time ago but still requires your approval to be published

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thanks Renato, I've approved them.

[@drumtouch]

looks easy..but it is not... great tutorial !!!

[@GaetanoCrisci]

Hi Alex ! Yesterday I took the first 2hour lesson, I was on a 7m with approximately 20knots with chop(unfortunately booked lesson are not always with the best conditions), 1290cm2 wing, 80cm mast for my 82kg, I have to admit was far more difficult that I was thinking, I tried water start near 15 times, the best times I made 2/3 meters on the foil because was almost impossible to take the board down in the water ... water starting is really very different from twin tip even knowing that weight have to be front balanced

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hello Gaetano, it's really a unique experience riding a foil for the first time. When you say you did 2 or 3m do you mean up foiling? That's not bad for a first go. What happened after that? Did the foil lift and breach the surface?

[@GaetanoCrisci]

@@kitesurfcollege yes, 2-3 meter up foiling, water starting I have experienced mainly this situations: - the foil come up and breach the surface - a face plant - a stall without power with the board on the surface and then a face plant

[@kitesurfcollege]

@@GaetanoCrisci With a 1290 front wing, and 20 knots, you will find that you can get LOTS of lift from the foil. You will need to keep significant weight on the front foot, or maybe even shift your back foot slight forwards towards the nose of the board, to stop the wing producing too much lift. Rather than trying to increase your 3m foil run to a 10m foil run, I would try and foil 3m and then see if you can bring the board back down to the water, taxi for a bit and then see if you can foil again. When the foil lifts, increase front foot pressure and bring the board back down to the water. It's a better goal to see if you can do multiple short flights, than try to do longer flights. If you can foil and taxi a few times that means you are actively controlling your foil's pitch / lift. Of course this is harder to learn on choppy water as you can't taxi so easily. Speed control might be another issue. If you go too slow, you can sink. If you go too quickly you will find a big front wing lifts too much. You really want to maintain a medium speed at all times. As well as the bar position and kite steering, while foiling the angle of your kite has a big affect. Lowering your kite from 1 to 2 will help you speed up. And raising your kite from 2 to 1 will help you slow down and limit speed. Good luck Gaetano, let me know any other questions or problems that come up.

[@GaetanoCrisci]

@@kitesurfcollege Thank Alex! I have update, as you know I was struggling and a little discouraged, so I discovered that one of the school of my beach was giving hydrofoil lesson starting with 1 hour of wake hydrofoil towed by the 40hp dinghy, and this helped me a lot, the 4th start I could hydrofoil for around 100m and then I always done at least 30/50m, I moved the mast on the board 2 times and finally I found a good (very back but not too much) position! now I'm waiting a good location to retry with the kite...

[@kitesurfcollege]

@@GaetanoCrisci glad to hear that went well. Foiling behind a boat is a good way to focus on foil control.

[@alexhargreaveskite]

great

[@ErmisAnargyrosAvgoustidis]

I just buy the freeride spirit 700sqcm, i hope will learn easy

[@antoniocarlosfaggian8302]

Muito bom.

[@tommyschmidt251]

I recommend to watch the Video: I am addicted Hydrofoil Kitesurfer Borja Garcia 🏄‍♂️😲 For Inspiration!💪

[@stephanebrouillette3287]

Hey! Your tutorials are the best ! Where was this video shot?

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thanks Stephane. This was shot at the Breede river in South Africa.

[@BoardsAndWetsuits]

I am curious to know if getting up to your feet with an upstroke of the kite makes it a bit easier to first get up on the board in light wind?

[@erickhernandez-sv3wx]

Where can I buy the whole kit and how much is it kind sir?

[@MattLV]

Excellent video - where is that beach that it was filmed at?

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hi Matt, that's the Breede River in South Africa.

[@drewby4563]

What about the heavier rider ..or the taller rider

[@crocodile172]

Thank you for this video. Awesome as always. I'm thinking to try foiling this spring so trying to choose proper gear for myself. In this video you explained what side of foil should beginner use but what about board? Could you please share your recommendation regarding it? Should board have a lot/some/minimal volume? Will bigger board help with learning process? I lately visited our local kite shop and sales guy (who is foiling himself) pointed me towards skim boards (like Nobile Skim Foil) saying that I can learn with it no problem. I'm actually looking toward bigger one (like Slingshot Simulator 5' 6"). Could you please suggest? I am 100 kg rider. Thank you.

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hello Gennady, it's a tough choice. The simple flat skim board type has the advantage that it's light weight (which is great for foiling), it's portable, it stacks well with other boards, and it's usually much cheaper. Whereas a board with a bit more thickness will provide bouyancy and beveled / rounded edges. This is an advantage for taxiing, getting started in light wind, and it's far more forgiving if the board touches down or if the nose catches the water. If you look at 07:32 for example you will see I'm using a board with a bit of volume and beveled edges (a 4'6 duotone pace), and it is very forgiving even when the nose hits the water hard. If I had done that with a flat board, it would have gone under and I would have flown off. If I were taking gear on holiday however, I would definitely take a flat board for convenience.

[@crocodile172]

Thank you for your replay! I guess I will get board with volume for easier learning process and as I advance I will get skim board for travels. I actually tried my friend's board during this Christmas. It is hybrid CRX package. Board can be used as twintip as well so it does not have any volume and mast is 90cm. So I couldn't even start going...

[@simpleman5494]

Location ??

[@alensukaj4226]

Looks good! Where is this spot?

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hi Alen. That's the Breede river in South Africa.

[@opti2k4]

What board, mast and wing are you using here? I tried North Sonar 85cm with 1150 wing and sense board. sooo heavy and hard combo. I tried playing with it while standing still but it so hard to turn it by hand... and wind was carrying me downwind so in the end I gave up after 30min. Not sure is it equipment not fit for beginner or me.

[@opti2k4]

pace 2019, don't know which size. can't tell mast and wing info

[@nicolasboudet9302]

Great tutorial as always! Why do you keep the front strap? Isn’t more dangerous ? During taxi learning do you need to learn jibe and tack on the surface or would you learn it later when flying?

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hi Nicolas. Good point. You do need to be careful about foil board footstraps when learning. Generally a single, loose, centered front strap is still best for most people to learn with. Of course, it must be very loose and you should never jam your foot in there. Having a centered strap is important because this means only your toes are in the strap. Whereas, if you have 2 front straps then you need to push your foot fully inside to get your foot close to the center line of the board. Therefore 2 front straps can be very risky. Going strapless is an option of course (as it removes the chances of twisted ankles), but most people will really struggle to keep the board in position prior to the waterstart. After a few sessions, however, you should find the waterstart easier and can easily go strapless.

[@nicolasboudet9302]

Thank you ! Well understood for strap. Your views on jibe/tack learning on the surface?

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hello Nicolas. It is definitely a good idea to learn your transitions riding on the surface. But I suggest you do this after you can foil fairly well. It's harder controlling your weight distribution during a turn, so the more experience the better.

[@sonjaweise3799]

Can you please put the subtitle to the top of the video? Most of the interesting part is covered by the text. Thanks

[@mbkiteboarding]

this spot looks amazing. Which spot is this?

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hi. That's the Breede river in South Africa.

[@mbkiteboarding]

@@kitesurfcollege tnx

[@wspek]

@@mbkiteboarding I could have sworn this was New Zealand, north island, around Auckland.

[@cascaderetriever7618]

👍👍👍

[@ernestosuarez900]

👍

[@ErmisAnargyrosAvgoustidis]

Which size of pace duotone board is best for entry , 88 kg rider and i decide to take 950mm wing and 75 mast, what do you think?

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hello Ermis, that's what I learnt with and it's a really nice set up. You don't need much speed for the 950 to lift you, but later on you can still ride pretty fast on the 950. There's not much need to get a bigger mast than 75 as well. Unless you start trying to really max out the speed or ride in very choppy conditions.

[@ErmisAnargyrosAvgoustidis]

Kite-Surf-College Tutorials and Tricks and about board size, you think that for my 88 kg the 4,6 pace is right?

[@ErmisAnargyrosAvgoustidis]

Kite-Surf-College Tutorials and Tricks ,so no need to take a look to the 1250, if you think that i can learn to 950, 75 with pace 4,6..?

[@GaetanoCrisci]

Hi Alex! this year I was thinking to start hydrofoiling and than fund this super video! always grateful! About the size of the wing I'm thing to go pretty big like 1290 cm2, also because I found a good occasion, I'm 82kg, you think that going too big can be less than optimum? with bigger front wing is exactly like a bigger TT? so I will go with less wind right? and what could happen if the wind rises a little? the bigger wing act like a speed limiter or I will be more likely overpowered?

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hello Gaetano. 1290 is a fine size. That is pretty much the easiest size for your weight. It will be ideal for learning the basics safely and will be excellent for light wind. It will be usable in strong wind with the correct size kite as well. The only limitation will be top speed. If it's a thinner more hydrodynamic hydrofoil then you will have a good tip speed, if it's a thicker or more basic 1290 you won't have much top speed.

[@GaetanoCrisci]

@@kitesurfcollege thank you Alex! what LEI kite sizes you suggest with this wing from 8 to 13 knots ?

[@kitesurfcollege]

@@GaetanoCrisci Hi, probably a 13m2 to go down to 8 knots. With a light weight 15 to 17 lei you can go to 6 knots, and with a large foil kite you can go down to 4 knots but it's not much fun. When the wind is 6 knots it can easily lull to 3 knots and then you can't waterstart anymore and you better hope you're not too far from shore. Basically there's not much point going way bigger than 13m2 when using a fun/ larger-surface-area hydrofoil.

[@GaetanoCrisci]

@@kitesurfcollege great thank you! I have a 12m and a 9m, at which point/wind power I should choose the 9 instead of the 12?

[@kitesurfcollege]

@@GaetanoCrisci it depends on a few factors but I'll try and give you an approximation. When learning you want to be underpowered by twintip standards. You only need enough power to pull your body up onto the board. If the kite is strong enough to roll you forward onto your feet that's plenty. If the kite can do that then you can foil as foiling requires less pull than getting on the board. I'd say at about 15 to 18 knots you would be switching to the 9m when learning.

[@jpberti]

Where are you kiting here in this video?

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hello JP, that's the Breede river in South Africa.

[@Luis-jy6to]

Este video en Español por favor 😓

[@daimondhead98]

One important thing when you fall : don't look backward like the guy in de video . Keep looking forward or they might call you scarface in the future :-)