Paddling out

[SUPdad]

What’s the trick to paddling out over a wave that’s close to breaking?  Seems a non-event on a standup unless it’s big and steep but with a short board and the foil, I keep falling off backwards and the board/foil shoots up...not too safe.
Then what about going over whitewash?  I’m only going out in small waves, waist to shoulder high at most.
Thanks!

[PonoBill]

The big trick is, don't do anything. Seriously, make yourself do nothing at all.  The foil will pull the board down as long as you don't step back. the big mistake is to brace your foot back because then you'll put weight on it, tilt the board and foil and you get launched. Just ignore the wave and keep going as you were. You'll pass right through. It's actually easier than on a SUP. Same for whitewater. Pretend it isn't there.

[Califoilia]

I find that using the foil to control your pitch in the easiest way out. IOWs, instead of trying to ollie up over anything...push the nose of the board slightly below the top of the swell or whitewater, and let the downward angle of the foil pull you and stabilize you through the wave...and then as soon as you just clear the swell with the nose, release the weight holding it (and thus the board down), and the foil will then pull the nose back up to the surface, and continue your paddle on out.

Also, if you use a front strap, I find it easier to stick your foot in it to help you push, and control the nose in the process. Also, having our feet in roughly the same positions as you fly with them...it makes keeping the foil and board going straight through the swell/whitewater much easier, and adds to the stability you'll get when you come out the other side.

There has been times where I've buried the board to end up under water above my knees, and have still been able to maintain my balance out the other side while controlling the board with the front strap. This doesn't happen often, but I've been pleasantly surprised that the foil is able to control things, and allow me to even attempt going through something that big...that I'd never been able to come close to doing with a SUP.

[jondrums]

I've had good success basically duck-diving the board only.  push the nose down into the face of the wave with your front foot (or if already broken, into the base of the whitewater).  The board and foil will suck right through the wave and out the back.  turn your body sideways to minimize the frontal area as the wave crashes over your legs (or hips in bigger stuff).  It works way better than a sup with a foil.