Wake foiling, also known as hydrofoil wakeboarding or wake surfing, is a relatively new and exciting water sport that combines elements of wakeboarding, surfing, and hydrofoiling. In wake foiling, the rider stands on a wakeboard or a specialized foil board equipped with a hydrofoil, which is a wing-like structure mounted on a mast beneath the board.
As the rider is towed behind a boat or a personal watercraft, the hydrofoil creates lift as it moves through the water, lifting the rider and the board above the surface. This reduces drag and allows for a smoother, faster, and more exhilarating ride compared to traditional wakeboarding or surfing. You can experience a completely smooth ride even while it’s choppy.
Wake foiling requires balance, control, and skill, as the rider must adjust their weight and stance to maintain stability and control the foil’s lift and direction. I continually tell people there weight needs to be way more forward than they think and they after they try it, I hear the same response from them,” I had to be way more forward than I though”. It offers a unique sensation of flying above the water and gliding effortlessly across the surface, making it a popular choice among water sports enthusiasts looking for new challenges and experiences. I would say it does not replace surfing, but for some people it is their sport of choice over wakesurfing as the more difficult maneuvers on a foil are based more around turns. Advanced surfing is based more on technical spins.
Some are very worried about trying for the first time, but at Surf n’ Foil Tahoe we know how to teach a safe progression. There are specific dos and don’ts with learning to foil. There are specific foils and driving techniques that make a world of difference. Come fly with us!