What Is Hydrofoiling?

A hydrofoil is a sit-down waterski type product. It is towed behind a watercraft with a driver and a spotter. The rider straps into the hydrofoil and secures the safety straps on the seat and the bindings. Starting in deep water, they lean back to keep the tip of the board out of the water and then once the board begins to plane, the rider leans forward to keep the hydrofoil from leaving the water. To jump out of the water, the rider leans back. The hydrofoil is steered by moving your knees in the direction you want to go.

One of the benefits of riding a hydrofoil is that the rider can ride above the waves which makes it a great water sport in rougher water. In fact, the rider is usually limited by speed the boat can go. If the water is too rough, the boat may not be able to go fast enough for the rider to get enough lift from the foil to rise above the surface of the waves. Another benefit is the ease of riding. There is far less strength need to ride on a hydrofoil than a waterski or a wakeboard. Hydrofoils actually ride underneath the water, which reduces the amount of friction on the riding surface, which in turn reduces the tension in the rope. A waterski, on the other hand, rides on the surface of the water where the friction is much greater (surface tension). This effect can be demonstrated when watching a rider release from the rope. A hydrofoiler will "coast" for a longer distance than a waterskier or wakeboarder going at the same speed.

Hydrofoiling is an exciting sport that has things to offer at all levels of expertise. From riding and enjoying a smooth ride in rough water to performing aerial tricks anywhere behind the towing watercraft.

For more information visit www.hydrofoil.org