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On the Island of [[Maui]], Mango Carafino began the development of fabricating hydrofoil boards for riding with the use of a kite. Carafino later went on to fabricate Carafino Hydrofoil foil boards in China, at the Jin Li factory, with the assistance of Maurico Bauldi and Paulo Iannetti. For over ten years, the world laughed at Carafino, calling him a kook for introducing a board too futuristic for the industry to accept.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}
On the Island of [[Maui]], Mango Carafino began the development of fabricating hydrofoil boards for riding with the use of a kite. Carafino later went on to fabricate Carafino Hydrofoil foil boards in China, at the Jin Li factory, with the assistance of Maurico Bauldi and Paulo Iannetti. For over ten years, the world laughed at Carafino, calling him a kook for introducing a board too futuristic for the industry to accept.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}


Carafino introduced the hydrofoil in 2008 in [[Frejus]], Cote 'd Azur, France. There the French began to race with the Carafino Hydrofoil board, creating the competitive aspect of Hydrofoil Kite Board Racing. The sport later went on to experience back yard designers tweeting the foils to garner more speed when racing. Finally, the Olympic sailing federation incorporated the Hydrofoil Kiteboard into the Olympic class. In 2014 Carafino left the industry, apparently as a result of the flood of competition and knockoffs of his design. <!--Despite the revisions of new comers to the Wikipedia history of foilboarding.--> Laird Hamilton innovated the use of the board riding in swells <!--and is a legend to this day of riding the board like no other in the world, in the biggest waves in the world -->with the assistance of expert waterman Terry Chun of Kauai, North Shore. Carafino may be considered the God Father of creating and carrying the sport of Hydrofoil Kiteboarding from the Island of Maui, Haiku, North Shore to the rest of the world from 1999 to 2014.... <!--Many of the people who claim fame by the use of a hydrofoil kiteboard or hydrofoil wave riding board, were infants at the time of the initial hydrofoil boards pioneering days on the Island of Maui in 1999 and through 2012. If not for the efforts of the aforementioned watermen, all of whom were twenty years ahead of their time, it is possible that no one would be riding a hydrofoil board today.-->{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}
Carafino introduced the hydrofoil in 2008 in [[Frejus]], Cote 'd Azur, France. There the French began to race with the Carafino Hydrofoil board, creating the competitive aspect of Hydrofoil Kite Board Racing. The sport later went on to experience back yard designers tweeting the foils to garner more speed when racing. Finally, the Olympic sailing federation incorporated the Hydrofoil Kiteboard into the Olympic class. In 2014 Carafino left the industry, apparently as a result of the flood of competition and knockoffs of his design. <!--Despite the revisions of new comers to the Wikipedia history of foilboarding.--> Laird Hamilton innovated the use of the board riding in swells <!--and is a legend to this day of riding the board like no other in the world, in the biggest waves in the world -->with the assistance of expert waterman Terry Chun of Kauai, North Shore.


==Windsurfing==
==Windsurfing==

Revision as of 12:04, 9 August 2023

A foilboard, also known as a hydrofoil board or foil surfboard, is a type of board used in water sports; it is distinct from surfboards in that it has a hydrofoil rather than fins mounted underneath.[1] This hydrofoil design allows the surfboard and its rider to rise above the water’s surface, allowing for fast speeds and increased maneuverability in a wide range of surf conditions.[2]  Foilboards are becoming increasingly popular across many water sports, including surfing, kiteboarding, and wakeboarding.[3] Foilboards have also been used in competitions, with riders reaching speeds of up to 30 km/h while performing acrobatic maneuvers such as flips, twists, and more.[4]

History

[clarification needed]

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Laird Hamilton, an influential big wave surfer and waterman, began experimenting with attaching hydrofoils to surfboards, with the aim of achieving faster speeds and smoother rides on large waves.[5] Laird Hamilton later discovered the foilboard's capability to harness swell energy with the use of a jet ski, pulling the rider into a wave.[6] 

Dave Kalama, a renowned stand-up paddleboarder and big wave surfer, also contributed significantly to the advancement of foilboards, focusing on refining the design and performance of foilboards, particularly in the realm of stand-up paddleboarding.[7] His efforts helped expand the application of foilboard technology, making it accessible to a wider range of water sports enthusiasts.[8]

The original stand-up design, used with the use of snow board boots, allowed the rider to glide with the moving wave by harnessing the kinetic energy with the underwater swell.[citation needed]

In 1999, Mango Carafino, a prominent waterman of big wave Jaws tow-in surfing, designed the first Hydrofoils and brought them to the market.[citation needed]

In 2009 an Australian Inventor Brett Curtis built and rode the first paddle-in or prone hydrofoil. He posted photos on surfing forums 'Swaylocks' and 'RealSurf' of a friend, Alex Budlevski, riding the foils in 2013.[9] 3 years later Kai Lenny made surfing hydrofoils famous.[citation needed]

Design and Components

The design of a foilboard consists of two primary components: the board and the hydrofoil. The board is usually made from lightweight materials such as carbon fiber or foam, making it easier to lift above the water.[10] Attached to the bottom of the board is the hydrofoil, which consists of the mast as well as the front and back wings.[11] The front wing is responsible for providing lift, while the back wing helps with stability and maneuverability.[12] The mast, usually made with carbon fiber, connects the bottom of the board with the hydrofoil, keeping it submerged in the water in order to generate lift.[13] Foilboards also typically have foot straps or pads for the riders to secure their feet to the board so they can control their balance as they approach higher speeds and move with greater agility.[11]

Hydrofoils work by generating lift as they move through water, lifting the board out of the water and reducing drag.[14] As water flows over the hydrofoil, it creates a pressure differential that causes the water to push up on the foil, generating lift.[15] Adding a hydrofoil to a board can significantly increase the speed and efficiency, allowing the rider to reach greater speeds proportional to the lift generated; because of this, hydrofoils are extremely popular in racing and high performance applications.[14]

Types of Hydrofoils

Foilboards can be categorized into three main types based on the shape of the hydrofoil wing, each of which catered to different ability levels.[16]

Flat-wing

Flat-wing hydrofoils have a straight, flat wing profile that are known for their stability and ease of use, making them ideal for beginners or recreational users.[17] They are relatively inexpensive compared to other types of hydrofoils and are also commonly seen on yachts, boats, and surfboards.[18]

Dihedral-wing

Dihedral-wing hydrofoils have an angled wing profile, with the front edge of the wing being higher than the back edge, creating a dihedral shape, resembling the wings of a bird. They are known for their improved stability and maneuverability compared to flat-wing hydrofoils.[16] Commonly used in high-speed boats, racing sailboats, and hydrofoil surfboards, they are preferred by more experienced users due to their increased performance capabilities.[17]

Anhedral

Anhedral-wing hydrofoils have a downward-angled wing profile, with the front edge of the wing being lower than the back edge, contrary to a dihedral-wing. They are known for their speed and agility, making them ideal for advanced users and racing applications.[16] Commonly seen on high-performance sailboats, racing yachts, and hydrofoil kiteboards, anhedral-wing type hydrofoils require a higher level of skill and experience to operate effectively, as they can be much more challenging to control compared to other types.[17]

Techniques

Beginners Guide

Step 1: Choose the right foilboard and foil. Make sure to select the appropriate size and style of foilboard and foil that suits your skill level and riding conditions.[19][20]

Step 2: Practice your balance and stance on the beach. Get comfortable with the foilboard by practicing your balance and stance on the beach before getting in the water.[19]

Step 3: Start foilboarding in shallow water where you can easily touch the bottom for stability and control.[21]

Step 4: Ride behind a boat or jet ski. Start by riding behind a boat or jet ski to get used to the feeling of being pulled by the foil and maintaining your balance.[22]

Step 5: Learn to pump the foil. Practice pumping the foil to maintain speed and lift as you ride over the water's surface.[22]

Step 6: Try short flights. Once you're comfortable with the basic riding and pumping, try short flights above the water to experience the feeling of flying on the foil.[22]

Step 7: Focus on balance and control. As you progress, focus on maintaining your balance and control, and gradually work on longer flights and more advanced maneuvers.[22]

Step 8: Be aware of safety guidelines. Always follow safety guidelines, wear appropriate safety gear, and be mindful of other water users while foilboarding.[23][22]

Kiteboarding

Hydrofoil kiteboards allow the rider to achieve the same result with the use of a kite.[24] The hydrofoil minimizes the effects of choppy or rough conditions. Due to the hydrofoil's underwater characteristics, the rider can angle higher into the wind than on traditional kiteboards which ride on the surface of the water.[citation needed]

On the Island of Maui, Mango Carafino began the development of fabricating hydrofoil boards for riding with the use of a kite. Carafino later went on to fabricate Carafino Hydrofoil foil boards in China, at the Jin Li factory, with the assistance of Maurico Bauldi and Paulo Iannetti. For over ten years, the world laughed at Carafino, calling him a kook for introducing a board too futuristic for the industry to accept.[citation needed]

Carafino introduced the hydrofoil in 2008 in Frejus, Cote 'd Azur, France. There the French began to race with the Carafino Hydrofoil board, creating the competitive aspect of Hydrofoil Kite Board Racing. The sport later went on to experience back yard designers tweeting the foils to garner more speed when racing. Finally, the Olympic sailing federation incorporated the Hydrofoil Kiteboard into the Olympic class. In 2014 Carafino left the industry, apparently as a result of the flood of competition and knockoffs of his design. Laird Hamilton innovated the use of the board riding in swells with the assistance of expert waterman Terry Chun of Kauai, North Shore.

Windsurfing

Rush Randle, a noted acrobatic surfer and big wave windsurfer, is credited with being the first ever to mount a hydrofoil to a windsurfing board, performing forward loops with the hydrofoil mounted below on the outer reefs of Maui.[citation needed]

Foils are used on wind-surfboards through design development from Neil Pryde Maui, inventors of hydrofoil sailing "windsurfing" boards.[citation needed] Using a moderately sized sail, a foil windboard can achieve speeds over 6 knots faster than the apparent wind. With advancements in hydrofoil design the energy required to stay on foil was reduced to levels achievable by human power alone. Kai Lenny pioneered a technique now called "pumping" in which the rider shifts their weight over the axis of rotation, driving the foil through the water column which generates lift.[25]

Electric-powered hydrofoil surfboard

In 2009, professors Jakob Kuttenkeuler and Stefan Hallström, from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, published their Evolo project. Evolo was a vehicle invented, designed and built by 15 masters students studying Naval Architecture and Lightweight Structures, who received an assignment from the two professors which combined an electric motor with a hydrofoil to create a personal watercraft that was controlled with weight shifting and motor speed.[26]

In October 2016, Dan Montague former head of R&D at the Naish International posted a youtube video from Jetfoiler showing an electric hydrofoil surfboard (now commonly known as an eFoil) flying above the water in Fiji.[27]

In 2017, Lift Foils, a small company in Puerto Rico, developed the first commercially available electric-powered hydrofoil surfboard; it went into production in 2018. The board has an electric motor, propeller, and carbon fiber foils and carbon fiber mast below the waterline. A rechargeable lithium battery and electronic speed controller are encased in a waterproof compartment inside the carbon fiber board. Motor speed is controlled by a wireless handheld Bluetooth remote with a trigger actuated accelerator.[28]

After Lift many other companies brought efoils to the commercial market, including Levitate Foils (California), Fliteboard (Australia), Waydoo (China), Takuma (France/Japan), Foil (USA), MSLR (Canada), Flying Rodeo (Slovenia), ArtFoils (Russia), PWR-Foil (France). There are efoil DIY maker/builder communities online.[9]

Notable journeys

In 2021 a father and son crossed the English Channel on propeller-powered hydrofoil boards. They covered 23 miles in one hour and 44 minutes at speeds of up to 35mph on a single battery charge, arriving with 4% charge left.[29]

Safety

Like Surfing, using a foilboard presents safety concerns for riders. The risk of drowning is a principal concern, which can be mitigated with a strong swimming ability and a deep understanding of the ocean and its dangers. Participants should wear helmets, full-length wetsuits, and booties, and always use a leash to prevent the board from getting away.[30] Riders should start in flat, open bodies of water and avoid crowded areas, as the hydrofoil's sharp edges and unpredictable behavior can pose danger to others.[31] Adhering to beach flag warnings and restrictions is crucial to ensuring that riders are aware of hazards such as when lifeguards are not on duty or when waves are unexpectedly large.[32] Lastly, it is important to conduct regular maintenance of the hydrofoil to ensure safe operation over sustained use.[31] It is recommended that beginners consult experienced riders.[30]

  • Foil by Mango Carafino
    Foil by Mango Carafino
  • Windsurf Hydrofoil with Deep Tuttle Box fin system[clarification needed]
    Windsurf Hydrofoil with Deep Tuttle Box fin system[clarification needed]
  • Hydrofoil on windsurf board
    Hydrofoil on windsurf board
  • The Lift eFoil, an electric hydrofoil surfboard
    The Lift eFoil, an electric hydrofoil surfboard

See also

References

  1. ^ Alexander, Alan John; Grogono, James Lyon; Nigg, Donald J. (1972). Hydrofoil sailing. London: Juanita Kalerghi. ISBN 0-903238-00-4. OCLC 806163.
  2. ^ "Hydrofoil | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  3. ^ Bryja, John (2015-08-26). "Foilboarding Beginner's Guide". Kitesurfing Magazine. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  4. ^ "A Look Into the Rising Popularity of the Foil Board". Men's Journal. 9 December 2019.
  5. ^ Dave Kalama Hawaiian big wave surfer talks foil boards, Laird Hamilton and more!, retrieved 2023-04-07
  6. ^ Scott Bass (2009). "Laird Hamilton: A Surfermag.com exclusive interview". Surfer Magazine. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  7. ^ "Kalama Performance". kalamaperformance.com.
  8. ^ Stott, Dave (2017-07-05) [2009]. 50 Top Tips for Managing Behaviour (1st ed.). London: Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781315175522. ISBN 9781315175522.
  9. ^ a b "Shortboard Hydrofoils - Page 3". RealSurf Surfers' Forum. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  10. ^ "The Components of a Hydrofoil Board: Airwave Hydrofoil". www.airwave-hydrofoil.com.
  11. ^ a b "Foilboarding: Surfertoday". www.surfertoday.com.
  12. ^ "Hydrofoil Parts: Surfertoday". www.surfertoday.com.
  13. ^ "The Components of a Hydrofoil Board: Airwave Hydrofoil". www.airwave-hydrofoil.com.
  14. ^ a b "How do hydrofoils work?: Explain that Stuff". www.explainthatstuff.com.
  15. ^ "Hydrofoil Design". Hydrofoil.org.
  16. ^ a b c "The Ultimate Guide to Foilboarding. Wannasurf. (2021). Types of Hydrofoils for Foilboarding". www.wannasurf.com.
  17. ^ a b c "How to Choose the Right Hydrofoil for Kiteboarding". www.surfertoday.com.
  18. ^ "The Different Types of Foil Wings". www.thekiteboarder.com.
  19. ^ a b "How to Start Hydrofoil Surfing". www.thekiteboarder.com.
  20. ^ "Foilboarding - A Beginner's Guide". www.surfertoday.com.
  21. ^ "Foilboarding for Beginners". www.slingshotsports.co.
  22. ^ a b c d e "How to Learn Hydrofoil Surfing - Beginner Tutorial". www.progressionsports.com.
  23. ^ "Foilboarding Safety: Tips and Guidelines". www.adventuresportsnetwork.com.
  24. ^ "Carafino Hydrofoils". Archived from the original on 2009-06-14. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  25. ^ Ekona (2019). "A Brief History of Hydrofoil Surfing". Ekona. Archived from the original on February 26, 2020. Retrieved Aug 25, 2019.
  26. ^ eVolo, flygmac7.flyg.kth.se, accessed 17 June 2023
  27. ^ Introducing... The Jetfoiler — Electric Hydrofoil (eFoil) Kai Concepts via YouTube accessed 21 January 2023
  28. ^ Nicholas Leason (2017). "How We Built an Electric Flying Surfboard from the Ground Up". Liftfoils. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved Aug 14, 2017.
  29. ^ "Father and son cross Channel on electric boards". BBC News. 20 August 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Safety and Risk Information". Action Sports WA. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  31. ^ a b "Foil surfing: safety tips, reminders and warnings". surfertoday.com. April 6, 2023.
  32. ^ "Safety Info". Surf Life Saving Queensland. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
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