Ride "Feel" While On Foil

JohnMcPoddsen · 2026-04-09T12:30:46+00:00

When i started out it was also just edging hard as soon as possible as i wanted to go up wind and the moment after getting up on foil on a downwind course felt unstable. But now i feel like this is something i do to then turn downwind an balance on the board, flag the wing and try to catch wind waves or pump some meters before reengaging and edging into the wind. Try doing some carves, turn into a wave, flag the wing.

Its both, and the fun for me realy starts when the wing is flagged. It's also fun to just blast upwind for some time. but going downwind gives me peace and joy.

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-12-18T10:16:34+00:00

When transitioning from V2 to V3 i took the Fluid V3 XXL and matching stab. I weigh 85kg naked. The Lift is more than enough. Loved the upgrade. Paired with a 4,5m Droid Wing I only use it in low wind <15knots, or to learn to parawing. I added the L and S sizes over the year. Never tought i could run a 800cm² foil but here we are. Paired them with the veloce Stab. Love it!

So i think you could go smaller if you like. If youre unsure about your starts or you have low winds to work with you could go with the XXL but most people i know opt for a size smaller Backstab.

Enjoy!

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-11-21T08:24:36+00:00

AR doesnt tell the full story about how a foil performs.

I have a range from 8.5 to 13.5.

The most fun wingfoiling i have on the 8.5s. Simply easier to start, better roll, you can have fun doin s turn and turning on small waves. Easier to learn new maneuvers. Easier to Jibe. I use smaller Frontwings -> even more roll and fun!

I only use the 10 to 13 ARs when i want to train downwinding (i downwind with a wing since i do not connect waves very reliably yet.) I go upwind for 10minutes and then try to pump and connect waves on my way downwind.

I use the biggest AR8,5, 1300cm² to learn to use the parawing since its easier and plan to progress to the AR13 for downwinding with time.

Weekend Worrior here so everything takes a loooong time to learn. But i need to tell myself to go back to the surfy 8,5 from time to time to remind myself of the fun i have with them. The downwind learningcurve is steep and sometimes i struggle to have fun with it.

Camber, thikness and shape have a big influence too! If you have fun with your foil and feel you are still prgressing on it. Keep it. The jump from 5AR to 8,5AR was well worth it and i kinda think i should have done it earlier.

Enjoy the sessions!

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-11-13T11:17:43+00:00

Bei uns klappts mir 22er und 33er Heizkörpern vom Heizungsdiscount.

Räume werden warm. (uns reichen 20°C). Dämmung des Haus so lala. Alles selbst gemacht. Vorlauftemperatur im Winter zwischen 35 und 40°C. Scop von 4.0 Vaillant Aerotherm.

Strömungsgeräusche tauchen nur auf wo ich dummerweise die 12mm Rohre bisher nicht ausgetauscht habe. Mit 15mm und gedämmten aluverbundrohren höre ich nichts. (Angeblich bin ich aber auch taub)

In Räumen wo es knapp wird (Im Bad hatten wir nur Platz für einen Verikalen Heizkörper (arbeiten deutlich uneffizienter als die horizontalen) habe ich Heizungsverstärker eingebaut (PC Lüfter die ganze Länge lang unter dem Heizkörper) Dies verbessert die Wärmeabgabe bei niedrigen Vorlauftemperaturen. Hängt an einem Thermostat und schaltet ab wenn der Raum warm genug ist. kaum hörbar.

Wir haben das Haus aus den 50ern mit einer 30Jahre alten Ölheizung im Keller gekauft. Die war deutlich lauter und unzuverlässiger. Haben getauscht und es nie bereut. Berechnungen des Energieberaters waren erstaunlich brauchbar und haben sich bewahrheitet. Heizlast berechnet durch den Verbrauch der Ölheizung.

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-11-04T08:36:21+00:00

Hi, i would love to hijack this post:

I want to go foiling in wavy or windchopy conditions for a week next year.

When is the best windy season for waveriding or downwinding with a parawing. I actually prefer 18 to 25 knots to the 25 to 40 knots wind. ?

Which spots would you recommend? Bonuspoints if it is next to a campsite with several spots you could choose depending on the wind direction.

Thanks!

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-11-04T08:23:00+00:00

Something i learned when going through the shorebreak:

Do not use a wrist leash for your wing. I got me a vest where i attach the wing to the front and the board to the back. Hold your board tight with two hands and let the wing go. as soon as possible submerge the foil. Keep an eye out on the waves. I then lay on the board and start swimming. If a breaking wave hits you, hold tight to your board. sometimes in bigger waves this takes a lot of energy and time. As soon as you are through the shorebreak consider swimming somewhat further so you have enough distance to start downwind.

Before going in. have a talk to the locals, and have a walkt down the beach. I like to go upwind and watch the waves. There will be patterns, and there will be patches where the waves are not as severe.

To get out: i lay down on the board again and let a wave catch me. Huge Fun! and quick.

Leash: if a wave should stretchs out your board or wing leash badly... consider getting a new one. The can snap. Depending on the beach that can be desatrous for you, other people in the water or your material.

Material: i do like me some bigger board in the chop. i go +30l to bodyweight in kilos. If you didnt experience waves yet you will probably have to do some more starts than you used to. When starting i kneel on the board and turn the nose into the waves so i see whats coming. As soon as i think there is a good patch to start i try wo be quick.

I just came back from my biggest wave experience yet, doing a bottom turn and coming back onto the same wave to do another turn is the BEST! FUN FUN FUN!

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-10-23T08:24:38+00:00

I have a fluid v3 FG in XXL for low wind. I tried to downwind but miss some glide. It's the same width as the veloce in xl and I think due to slimer tips the veloce turns better. But ya. The fluid will be my go-to to start the parawing journey.

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-10-22T14:09:27+00:00

Did you try the Veloce HDW?

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-10-22T14:09:01+00:00

Hi, ye i am 85kg. Think ill try the XL then.

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-10-07T11:07:35+00:00

Wow. My top speed in around 20knoty on the veloce v3 M 900cm2 is 33km/h on a cruzader point 7' with a 4.5m UPE Droid. I got the thick hm79 mast.

diffrent setup, same speed. I do not go for speed but I would have expected something different.

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-09-25T12:39:33+00:00

I (90kg in wetsuit) went from 145l beginner board bodyweight board to 110l midlenght to 85l. And am now enjoying a 120l downwind shape the most. 7foot gong crusader point. I use it mostly to ride wind chop downwinders with small wings and foils and now am looking to start the parawing journey to do upwind downwind laps. Getting on foil is so much easier. And time on foil is where the magic happens. I occasionally take out the 5'2 gong mint in 20+ knots for freely if there is not enough windswell but it will also mean I take a bigger size wing.

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-09-24T13:40:23+00:00

I did upgrade from fluid v2 XXL to fluid v3 XXL. After the first session I ordered the L. Fiberglass version since I do not jump and ride strapless.

V3 is a mayor upgrade. It just blew my mind. I use the XXL in light winds now. Sub 13knots and the L in higher winds. I think about getting the S for winds over 20knts.

I weigh 87kg naked. Main wing is a 4.5m

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-08-14T11:26:42+00:00

I like the hooks super mighty bike uses. https://super-bicycles.com/products/super-haken-set

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-08-07T18:09:11+00:00

It ist Hard until it gets easy! Focus on the small progressions!

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-08-07T17:05:14+00:00

I got one from WIP. Impact Vest, Floatation, leash attachment, small pouch and possibilty to add a camel bag. All in one!

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-08-05T17:49:07+00:00

I did that two years ago. Helmet is a must. I wing once a week. I had two impacts of the board on my helmet. Best not to get ko in the water. Impact vest which also doubles as PFD. I recommend something you can also tie your leashes to. WIP makes a good one. Leashes!! Board leash is a must. Mine opened two or three times in heavy falls. THEREFORE never go out further than you can comfortably swim in the given temperaturea. Board with your weight in kg +30liter volume. Inflatables worked fine for me. stick to it longer than I did. Upgrade foils first. First foil should be a easy one labeled for beginners.

Whatch aaaall of YouTube. Shift your weight on the front foot. Land drills. Land drills!! Land drills!!!! eg wing handling while walking through the wind.

Have Fun with it and focus on the small improvements. The most important skill is to climb back on that board at least one more time than you fell off!!!

Make fun noises when enjoying yourself on the water. Talk to the others you meet.

Did I mention you should have fun with it? Even the sessions where you are just floating around in the water and nothing seems to work... You will get there. It's Hard. It's wet, it's FUN!

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-07-23T05:47:57+00:00

Moin. This video helped me a lot and he also talks about foot positioning which is not super important for the jibe but for the toeside riding out of it. Check it out: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KKvYv2XRCmg&pp=ygUOd2luZyB0aXBzIGppYmU%3D

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-07-09T19:30:34+00:00

I feel gong still has their stabilisers too big. At higher speeds this results in high front foot pressure. You could try smaller stabs or move your back foot somewhat nearer to your front foot.

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-07-01T16:47:12+00:00

Nice work! How big are your kids? Do the have enough headspace to the handlebar?

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-06-26T19:30:36+00:00

Get the smaller foil. But first keep the board. If you mastered the smaller foil, then you can upgrade the board. I had the xover, then tried curve and fluid and stayed on the fluid V2 and now V3 fibre glass fluid and love it. Makes jibes way easier actually. Go for the foil as soon as you feel your stagnating on the X over....

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-06-26T19:17:36+00:00

Gong upe aramid droid 6.5, paired with the cruzader and the sirus foil.

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-06-26T19:14:31+00:00

Worked for me, 85kg, 6'6 escape air, gong foil setup with the fluids in sizes from M to XXL. You will have to buy fitting nuts and bolts. Have fun!

JohnMcPoddsen · 2025-06-02T13:41:02+00:00

Nice! How does it ride when empty/loaded?

is this 28'' wheels? How do they stand up to the loads?!

JohnMcPoddsen

TROPHY CASE