Fliteboard Walkerville catching some swells #22

Ripping session on the Fliteboard riding some swell that was wrapping around Bird Rock down past Walkerville North.  Not riding unpowered (yet) but definitely feeling the power of the waves.

 

Two Fliteboard sessions at Walkerville with the Trueglide prop #FB19 #FB20

First sessions with Trueglide prop. 

It feels the same as the standard prop under power. The difference will be more obvious when foiling a wave with the motor off - there will be reduced drag.

3 January 2024.  (FB session 19)

4 January 2024 (FB session 20)

Fliteboard at Walkerville up and going - best session so far

Session 6. Best Fliteboard session so far!  

Flat water and very little wind made it very cruisy. I launched at Walkerville North and cruised up into Walkerville South and out to Bird Rock. 

I was cruising most of the time on power setting 6 and was able to stay on the foil. Lots of carved turns and no crashes.

This was definitely a magic carpet ride.

Getting back to shore at Walkerville North is tricky - there is a very narrow corridor of sand near the ramp to beach.  I bumped into some reef with the foil - next time  I will invert it when coming in.

Apollo Bay Fliteboard session #6

Session 6. Launched off the beach next to the harbour breakwater pier. There were some good swells rolling through. Up on the foil going into the wind (northerly) then touching down when going down wind.

There was some surface chop that made planing a bit tricky.

Getting the hang of this.

Great session, but a bit chilly.

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

Fliteboard at Aspendale kneeling and foiling! Session 2

I got planing and on my knees quite quickly and felt very stable. I tried standing up once and fell off so I decided to focus on getting some speed up while kneeling. This went well, I was able to get on a fast plane then some short sections on the foil then touching down. 

Letting go of the trigger brought me to a rapid stop - its better to adjust "gears" to regulate speed.

#5: I can get planing prone and on my knees

#6: Faster planing and short sections on the foil

#7. Faster again and longer sections on the foil.

Turning was fun. I made good progress during this session.  Standing up is next.