Riding some swell on the Fliteboard at Walkerville South - Session 5

Session 5. I took the Fliteboard out after catching some nice waves on my SUP at Walkerville South. 

The beach is good to launch from. There is a good sandy bottom.

There was a decent swell rolling in which added excitement. 

I kept well away for the surfers and got the feel for riding the swell, it adds a new dynamic to the experience.

I was able to stay up on the foil for 20+ seconds and crank out some turns. It was fun!

Fliteboard at Walkerville carving turns - session 4

Session 4. Making progress. I stayed up on the foil and carving some nice turns off Walkerville North. 

Getting out past the reef and back in again is a bit tricky.

I bought a Fliteboard, here is why

I have been keen to get into using a foil board for kitesurfing for some time. However, good conditions  and locations for learning are hard to find. The best combination is around 15 knots and flat water with some protection from swell (e.g. a breakwater). I find it is too easy to go kitesurfing instead.

I have thought about buying a Fliteboard to get more experience using a foil and for those days when there is no wind.  While there are obviously differences between electric and wind power, I am hoping more experience controlling a foil board will help.

I looked into products and decided that Fliteboard, locally designed and made in Australia, is the market leader for good reason. They are excellent quality and well designed, but they are expensive. I decided to wait and see how electric foil boards developed.

These two things changed my mind.

1. COVID-19 pandemic

Two years of restrictions of lockdowns and restrictions have given me incentive to take on new challenges and get out there as often as I can

2. Fliteboard 2.0 second generation and waves.

Fliteboard 2.0 innovations include a Trueglide prop (like a free wheel bike cluster) that reduces drag. With the prop guard also removed, drag is reduced to make it possible to foil onto a wave under power, then ride the wave on the foil with the power off.

I really like kitesurfing in big waves. This gives me the possibility of  extending flat water e-foiling into waves.

3. Fliteboard demo ride

I did a demo ride a Fliteboard at St Kilda and was able to stand and foil on the standard Fliteboard. Its like a magic carpet ride!

So I decided to get a Fliteboard.

Specifications

• Fliteboard Pro Board - 67 litre board will harder to learn on but better once up and going.
• 75cm mast - to cope with swell
• Flitecell Explore battery - better endurance, more time on the water
• Front Wing: Cruiser 1100, Flite 290 stabiliser - for learning and general use
• Flow S 1300 wing + Flow 245 stabiliser - better turning foil for wave riding
• Trueglide prop + prop duct removal kit - for "Pro Mode" wave riding