Will's Downwind SUP Foil Journey - Diary # 3 - A new board, more runs and the SMACKDOWN!

Downwind SUP Foiling mania is sweeping the world...this exciting discipline has captured the imagination of many including our co-founder, Will. In part 3 will gets a new board, has a few more runs and gets the SMACKDOWN reminding himself of how challenging ( yet rewarding ) this journey can be. We reflect on comments from the community after parts 1 and 2, share lessons learnt and pass on some hints and tips!
A lot of you have said theres very little real world information about how to get into it so we decided to capture our our journey and share it with you.
You can find the next episode 'Part 4' (exclusive to SUPboarder PRO) here:
wp.me/p38Bcs-nhW
In this part Will takes you on a winging session and talks you through how he develops foundation foil riding skills that will help him on his next downwind run.
SUPboarder PRO is the subscription side of SUPboarder - giving you access to LOADS more content, Ask the Experts as well as pledging your support to the magazine and helping it continue to make real world, quality content. Thanks for your support, we couldn't do it without you!!
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[@mikesiddells3211]

Really enjoying your long form chats on this topic. Have been trying to crack the DW code for a few months now , on a 6’9 x 26 x 128L board with Foildrive assistance. Have made some progress not always consistently long runs - however I had a recent revelation which came from my GPS watch. My most frustrating runs have consistently been when the bump speed has been around 9-10kts. A lot of foils struggle to properly engage at this speed , let alone manoeuvre. So the secret for me in these very common but gutless conditions has been to find a foil that is happy to go slow , doesn’t stall, can still turn well, and allows you to ride high on the mast . I tried the new Axis Spitfire 1180 last weekend and it had exactly these properties. I believe the likes of Code and Armstrong have similar large glidey, turny foils which are happy to go slow . There’s way more 15 kt days than 30kt days in most parts of the world I’m sure !! Though I would share my thoughts on this as a lot of super high aspect foils simply won’t work at this 9-10kt threshold. Hope this helps

[@SUPboardermag]

Thanks for your comment and thoughts Mike - yep, match the foil to the conditions for sure and I think the newer generation pump foils do work well as slow but turny foils. Not tried the Spitfire yet but it does sound like its got these properties too. Thanks for sharing. Will

[@grahamreed8443]

When jumping on a big slow foil, don’t be scared to use a smaller tail and/or shorter fuse to help free up the maneuverability. Nothing worse than not being able to get the foil in the right spot because its slow as.

[@Twizz1979]

@7:48... Accept that you are a paddle boarder now! That hit a little too close to home 😂😅😅. I definitely have headphones on and watching the video in the dark so I don't have to admit that I'm thinking of becoming a paddle boarder. 😆. Absolutely fantastic video. I really really appreciate your inputs! I can't wait till episode #4. Thanks!

[@SUPboardermag]

Thanks for the comment, glad you liked it. Stand proud with your paddle ;) Cheers, Will

[@mattstephenson6281]

Nice work, great to follow along with the journey! I can’t wait for the pump tips video!

[@SUPboardermag]

Thanks Matt, great to have you a part of the journey as well! Big up the Bude foiling crew! Will

[@avinashbikha]

Great video, great info! Can't wait to see the rest of the journey!

[@SUPboardermag]

Thanks for following along! - Will

[@ShawnEwingShaka]

Lots of variables to consider here. Paddle and pump techniques are what I am lacking - coming from wing/kite background. Thanks for the info.

[@SUPboardermag]

We are diving into pump technique in part 5 - in edit now, so hopefully it will be able to help. Cheers, Will

[@WebbedFootage]

Really interesting video, as usual. I'm also starting the DW journey from a winging and wind sports background. One thing I've found really useful in the early stages is an anchorman wing leash, allowing me to wing upwind, drop the wing and ride my board only downwind, getting used to it and the big foil- the only downside is some long upwind prone paddles back to the wing. I can also now paddle up on the flat reliably, but paddling up in the chop still challenging. Hopefully all the elements will come together soon. Need some more practice in bay run conditions.... Keep the content coming! 🤙🤙🤙

[@SUPboardermag]

Thanks for the comment! The anchorman looks like a cool option, but I would certainly get put off by the upwind paddle as well! I'm sure everything will come together in time, its all about working on the pieces of the jigsaw to bring it all together into a dw run! Enjoy and good luck - keep us updated! Will - SUPboarder

[@kiterJ]

Hop backwards on the board when flying too low to get a bit more height. Also narrow your stance as you hop. It'll really help. Helps me prone foiling anyway

[@SUPboardermag]

Thanks for the tip - will give that one a go next session. We are editing up the part 5, a pump foil vlog now which goes some way to improving my technique.... Cheers, Will

[@svensshed1564]

Im a decent paddler and I used to downwind my SUPs down to about 23 inches wide, but that was a good while ago and I was a younger man. But here are some universal truths, for the average punter, you will lose some ability as you age, your balance will start to get less reliable. So does that mean that you can’t DW a foil, no, but it will be tough and you need to be ready for disappointment and dont be fooled by the legends that will tell you a 18 inch board will be fine for you, go wider, it will be more stable, stable is fast. Once again, just be prepared to do the work or get a foil drive ( i did) and I have dropped from a 31 inch wide board to a 27 and now a 25 and each time its pretty hard but not unattainable. Enjoy

[@SUPboardermag]

Thanks for the comments - a lot of very fit and agile athletes out there showing us whats possible, but like what you say not always the reality as we all get a older. Will - SUPboarder

[@ridewithandryx9382]

Hey did, you shim the Armstrong mast on the KT ? thxx 🤙🏾

[@SUPboardermag]

Hey, no, we didnt. Have been using the foil just forward of mid way in the box generally. Will

[@ptj6412]

You mentioned that you changed the foil when you tried the older JP board, but I didn’t catch which foil you were on. I realize you have been learning mostly on the 1675 pump…also, I notice at the end that you are using the 220 glide tail. I have the pump (202) tail paired with the 1675. I’m Still struggling in my flat water paddle up. How does the 220 glide compare?

[@SUPboardermag]

Starboard Glider 1700 and 250 tail. It would be worth you watching part 1 and 2 as this gear is discussed a lot in here. At the end of part 2 I discuss using the pump 202 and Glide 220 back to back on flatwater paddle ups. The 202 tail gives more lift for easier paddle ups not huge but noticeable. Cheers, Will.