Standup Zone Forum

The Foil Zone => Foil SUP => Topic started by: Evan Lloyd on June 17, 2018, 04:51:01 PM

Title: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: Evan Lloyd on June 17, 2018, 04:51:01 PM
I’ve been here for three days and can’t get it dialed. The beaches have been tough due to stormy conditions. Town was fantastic, but the kelp was driving me insane. I’d get flying and feeling good, than Bam!!! - Over the handlebars.

Local sup shop recommended Cowells but it’s Cowells and there seems to always be a big crowd of rookie surfers.

I was thinking Davenport, but that place is usually booming.

If any of you have any ideas, I’m all ears. If you don’t want to name spots, you can message me.

Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: IRideYellow on June 17, 2018, 06:34:07 PM
Try Manresa State Beach which is kelp free. 
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: southwesterly on June 17, 2018, 07:11:26 PM
Depending on the sandbars, any of the beaches south of town are good for foiling.

In town there are just a few spots that are workable and even then, only at high tide.

Mr. Kelp never takes a day off.

Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: southwesterly on June 17, 2018, 07:18:09 PM
Although if you see a crowd on the beach, they are not there because they're foiling fans.
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: Evan Lloyd on June 17, 2018, 08:02:55 PM
The kelp is a huge bummer. Town was so good this afternoon but the kelp was having it’s way with me.
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: PonoBill on June 17, 2018, 10:06:53 PM
It's not just foiling. The kelp has ended many a good wave with a faceplant exit for me. Cowells is hardly kelp free except for the most trodden path through it, which is usually packed with beginning surfers. No place for a foil.
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: southwesterly on June 17, 2018, 10:20:03 PM
 Kelp is the least of your worries at Cowell's.
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: jondrums on June 17, 2018, 10:49:52 PM
Davenport can be kelp-free, especially the softish right on the north side.  The left needs some south size and mid-tide to work for a foil, otherwise the pocket is right over the kelp.  I haven't yet had luck with the right on the other side of the reef, but it looks like it could work
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: Evan Lloyd on June 18, 2018, 07:43:21 PM
I tried Manresa again but it was too big for foiling. Head high closeouts and foils don’t mix too well. Unfazed, I drove up to Cowells and had a great session. I scored parking in the main lot and didnt have to brave the stairs. The waves were great and the crowd was very manageable. I was able to pick my way through the group and grab a wave here and there- never really staying in one spot. I had my best flights yet and stayed in control from take off to landing. I left feeling very excited.

Santa Cruz was almost a bust, but Cowells saved the day. I haven’t surfed there in 10 years, but I’ll definitely be going back soon.
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: jondrums on June 22, 2018, 10:49:36 PM
I had a very fun session this morning at pleasure point.  nothing else looked good, so I figured what the hell.  Put the Maliko 200 on and paddled out through the kelp forrest.  I had to be super strategic finding a takeoff spot that had a little runway without kelp, then I had to get up high quick to keep from hitting any weeds/kelp.  It was actually super fun steering around and in between the bigger heads - felt like a video game.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that as long as I stayed up high, the foil will slide right up and over weeds and kelp.
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: southwesterly on November 10, 2018, 09:56:16 PM
High tide Pleasure Point works.

Once the tide drops, see photo #2.
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: Evan Lloyd on November 11, 2018, 08:49:38 AM
High tide Pleasure Point works.

Once the tide drops, see photo #2.

I remember when I tried to foil Shark’s. I caught a beautiful right that lined up nicely. I got flying and I was thinking - this is going to be my  wave of the day. 1 seconds later I launched from my board as it came to a complete stop with no warning. The foil hit a patch of kelp and I was toast. I spent 10 minutes trying to extract the foil from the kelp. I was super grumpy by the time made it back to the beach. Now I stick with the beaches or Cowells.
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: opie on December 19, 2018, 07:42:24 PM
What about Capitola jetty.  The cam makes it look good on days that are too big most places.  Is it filled with kelp?
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: jondrums on December 19, 2018, 11:14:33 PM
Even though it was high tide, I got a half dozen today at Indicators that I was able to ride to the beach - at least quarter mile rides.  The big ones were just barely breaking at Indicators and then backing off and reforming.  Once I got on the wave it was super wide rolling swell and I could carve back and forth.  Honestly, I've never had a bad day at Cowells/Indicators.
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: Evan Lloyd on December 20, 2018, 11:52:27 AM
That is good to know.  I've SUPd indicators a hundred times, but my memory was that it had a lot of kelp.  I'm sure the tide helps. 


Even though it was high tide, I got a half dozen today at Indicators that I was able to ride to the beach - at least quarter mile rides.  The big ones were just barely breaking at Indicators and then backing off and reforming.  Once I got on the wave it was super wide rolling swell and I could carve back and forth.  Honestly, I've never had a bad day at Cowells/Indicators.
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: Beasho on December 20, 2018, 12:04:12 PM
Since you guys brought it up.  I ran for cover on Monday.

20 feet at 20 seconds tends to do that.

There was some kelp but the outside was firing. 

812 yard ride well wide of Indicators (I think).  Averaged 19 mph with a top speed of 26.  Riding the Iwa with Big Tail because I thought it didn't look that sizey.  It was a 10 to 12 foot takeoff that STOOD UP and then backed off.  The first 200 yards of that long ride was with my back foot in FRONT of the rear strap (thanks COLAS) - aka too hot and fast to get my foot into the strap all weight forward.  You can see where I turned when I finally got it all together. 

I was flying along the pier in what I would call no-mans land.  The size had to be there because I think its too deep for any normal surf craft to ride.  I kicked out when I could see the whites of people's eyes on the beach.

I was out with Clay, met Olivier and there was one other guy with a Starboard on a foil.  Olivier (G?) is the guy clearing the kelp from his foil. 

Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: Califoilia on December 20, 2018, 12:26:00 PM
Dang, that's just flat out impressive Beasho....800+ yards, and 26+ mph at times...sheeeeeeet, that's hauling arse for a looong way!  :o :D
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: jondrums on December 20, 2018, 11:57:34 PM
Beasho - sounds like we had similar days.  It was really wild taking such long rides, and yeah the first little bit getting into the wave was a little butt-clenching...
Title: Re: Where are guys foiling in Santa Cruz
Post by: PonoBill on January 01, 2019, 12:55:06 AM
Yup, that's the deal with bigger stuff, once it gets over the reef and gets rolly again it's just fun, but getting in then it's over your head is a big deal. Dues to be paid.
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