Learning to Foil: The Kai, Maliko, Iwa and Maliko 200 Foils with Video

[Beasho]

I have spent the last 6 months learning to foil.  I was 100% dedication to foiling, at the expense of SUP’ing except when my foil was broken (happened twice) or the waves were significantly over 10 feet.

I originally posted and restate: YOU DO NOT NEED A BOAT TO LEARN TO FOIL.

The following shows progression from the GoFoil KAI model to the Maliko 160 (original) to the IWA and Maliko 200.

I weigh 180 lbs.  Haley Fiske 230#, Jeff Clark 210# and I all learned on the KAI foil.  Haley was still flying the KAI more than 6 months without complaints. 
When I flew the Maliko 160 I felt like I had superpowers.  I had borrowed the Maliko 160 from Cort Larned.  I got back on the Kai foil and until I purchased the IWA and Maliko 200 2-pack I was relegated to the smaller foil.

I have flown the IWA and Maliko 200 ~ 70 times on each foil.  I suspect I will NOT be using my KAI foil again unless I go out in waves that are >> 10 feet.  The IWA will be the go-to model.  It is stable and turns beautifully.  The Maliko 200 will be the foil to use when waves are consistently 4 feet or less. 

Here are the videos and photos of my progress.  This should emphasize that foiling IS NOT HARD TO LEARN.  I taught myself with some coaching from Haley Fiske and Jeff Clark. 

[Beasho]

Perfect Conditions: 6 to 9 feet and windy!

[Beasho]

Day 5:

Wind out of the South.  Not ideal.  Waves were a bit steep and boomy for spring 6 to 8 feet @ 11 seconds.  Took a few attempts to figure things out.  But eventually was able to keep the nose down and ride out some VERY long rides with a combination of Foiling and Planing.
 
This was taken with an iPhone at distance but you can see I am comfortable chasing down faces and hopping into position on the board.  I was surfing with my daughter Ruby.  Half the time I was encouraging her, the other half trying to take care of myself.  This was her first time surfing bigger ocean swell.  A few drops were very steep and fast.  This was my first day officially surfing my favorite left, which is front side for me as a goofy footer.

What I started to learn was that the energy varies greatly over the face of the wave.  Drop to the flats and you effectively stall out.  The video shows a few takeoffs.  I am comfortable pumping the board to get over the edge and pumping when things get slow.

[Beasho]

Day 19: Kai Foil

Surfing with Jeff Clark at Sunset in the Wind:  Au natural, no music.  Waves were 5 to 8 feet and I was feeling in control:

[Beasho]

Day 44: Maliko 160

Foiling the Flats with a borrowed Maliko 160.  This bigger wing made me feel superhuman

[Beasho]

Day 50: Kai Foil

Wish I knew you when I was young:

[Beasho]

Day 55: Kai Foil

Busted my Foil Board in 10 - 15 foot waves insided Mavericks.  I took a 12 footer on the Head.

[Beasho]

Day 56: Kai Foil
Board repaired.  Box reinstalled with Gorilla Glue.

[Beasho]

Day 60: Kai Foil

Price Tag: A family affair with Jeff Clark, Ruby Summers (my daughter) and Haley Fiske

[Beasho]

Day 65: Kai Foil

Flying the Wind and Chop.  Still a bit nervous about the box-repair.

[Beasho]

Day 75: Maliko 200

Flying the Un-Flown, Un-Surfed, Un-Foiled . . . .

The picture below shows a gap I named "The Royal Flight" because you fly below Crown Rock.  This gap was formerly Un-Surfable in anything less than 10 feet. 

With the IWA and Maliko 200 I am now able to catch peaky A frames that lunge and then fade.  I slingshot through these rocks shoot into the open ocean to the south and then catch rolling, unbroken swell wrapping the point heading East.  AWESOME!!!!!   

[Beasho]

Day 77: Maliko 200
The Royal Flight - Walking on the Sun.

Riding 250 yards on 2 foot waves complete with Salt-Arms from not falling in.  Last weekend, in smaller surf, I had a day on the Maliko 200 with an average ride length of 230 yards. 

Summary by Foil is below.  More to come on the IWA - It will become the go-to foil.

What is amazing is that with ONLY 6 months of experience I would be considered a TOTAL BEGINNER in any other sport.   Foiling is NOT HARD TO LEARN you just have to get over:

1) The cost
2) The first 10 sessions

[Off-Shore]

Inspiring man! And looks like a whole lotta fun too! Thanks for sharing

[PonoBill]

Had a good session in the harbor on my Maliko 200. Small kine waves, but I got a lot of them and got some long rides. I'm still mostly going straight, but I'm getting comfortable flying the foil.

[DavidJohn]

Day 77: Maliko 200
The Royal Flight - Walking on the Sun.

Riding 250 yards on 2 foot waves complete with Salt-Arms from not falling in.  Last weekend, in smaller surf, I had a day on the Maliko 200 with an average ride length of 230 yards. 

Summary by Foil is below.  More to come on the IWA - It will become the go-to foil.

What is amazing is that with ONLY 6 months of experience I would be considered a TOTAL BEGINNER in any other sport.   Foiling is NOT HARD TO LEARN you just have to get over:

1) The cost
2) The first 10 sessions

Great vid..