To those who have paid their dues on foil in the surf:

[pafoil]

SUP Foil is basically all I do now. This is coming from someone who SUP surfed probably 150 days a year. I'm 42, 175 lbs, and SUP surf wise I ride around a 100L board (8'2 x 27.5").

1. Learn to foil initially with something that doesn't involve you powering it up. I learned to foil with a kite, having time on foil and understanding the mechanics is key before trying to do it with a SUP.

2. Learn somewhere with crumbly waves, this is the hard part, I didn't see where you live, but you need crappy, mushy, barely breaking waves. Luckily, where I live those are available a bulk of the time. Something in the knee to waist range, barely breaking.

3. Board wise, definitely go for more volume (not length) and just suck up that you will progress and need a smaller board. It's better to have a bit more volume to learn with so you don't become aggravated, yes, you could attempt a 90L board, but I wouldn't advise it. Paddle wise if you aren't already, head length, it's crucial to not have too long of a paddle. Foil wise, you are good to go with the 1550.

Board progression, here's mine:
1. JL Flying-V 6'5" 115L - great board to learn on.
2. I tried to progress too quickly in dropping volume, Naish Hover 95L, great when I could catch a wave, too much of a pain.
3. 5'8" 105L Kings, great board to progress, except it delam'ed after 6 months.
4. 5'2" 105L Kalama E3 - current board, I have no desire to go any smaller, blows the Kings out of the water on initial catch (even as a smaller board).


All of them are in the 28.5" range on width, width is key for stability.

I'm same weight as you and ended on a 5.0 kalama E3 95 litres, I'm absolutely in love. Never say never until you try.

[Vancouver_foiler]

Don't bother. It'll just make you frustrated.

Sell it and buy a bigger board.

YUP