Foiling in the garage: foot switch

This setup works for practicing surf foiling and foot switch, and also for wing foiling -- slowmo jibes and tacks -- by attaching the wing with a stretchy rope to the wall. No substitute for time on the water but helps develop balance.

This setup is quite different from a balance board:
1. You get all 3 axes: pitch, yaw, roll axes (vs. only pitch).
2. You can use your actual foilboard to add realistic swing weight.
3. You are 1-2 ft above ground.

Gear: large cardboard or mat for padding, a rotating furniture stand, upside down exercise half-ball, a yoga mat for friction, and a board on top. Here I'm using my 38L Armstrong foilboard.

I do not recommend trying this on a hard floor as falls can lead to injury.

[petervanmeerem]

20 points for everyone who stayed for the kid yelling WHAT ARE YOU DOING! at him

[colomacountry]

I've been thinking about how to emulate standing on Foil, and this is perfect. What a great idea! Thanks!

[johnfletcher]

Hilarious ending and a great idea! thanks

[e.g.]

The best part is your kid coming into the room😂

[boardmaverick]

Sergey,

Thanks for an interesting take on switching feet. Not many people talk about how the board reacts when you lift your feet, and your comment about the center line got me thinking how/why I do it slightly differently.

I recommend keeping your feet slightly offset laterally, from the longitudinal center line, both before and after the switch, to maintain your ability to steer. Placing your feet on or near the center line of the board will help to prevent accidental turns when you switch feet, however, this also makes it difficult if to turn if you need to.

Now, because for me it just never felt right bringing my back foot forward, I recommend jumping with both feet at the same time, shoving the board a little bit in the opposite rotation to your body similar to a “shove-it” in skateboarding.

Prior to the “shove-it” foot switch, make sure you are balanced front-to-back. You can even “worm” both feet toward your front-to-back balance point prior to the jump so the distance your feet need to travel is shorter.

Jumping with both feet at the same time prevents the nose from diving e.g. if you lift your back foot first. Also, it will prevent the board from turning if your feet are positioned laterally as I recommend above.

Food for thought.

Thanks,
-Barely Standing Stu

[alessandrotorresani]

Hello! Great video! I just can't understand what kind of ball is that! what do you use a yoga ball inflate at half pressure?

[Burlr]

Great idea. Pls can you describe size of exercise ball and what is your “rotating disc”? Thanks

[Xfuera]

added note: Beginners please don't try this on an Armstrong board straight away, it may get expensive if you get it wrong, lol

[edwaingortin]

Genius. I will definitely try this. Question: does the board ever fly off the yoga mat /balance ball? I'm worried about damaging my 95 l epoxy board, not to mention my walls 🙂

[jetsurffuerteventura]

Cool concept. what do i need to assemble something like this at home?

[mindebrolis]

I do not think it simulates foiling at all. With the speed and foil creating lift you have a movement direction, that moves the “board center” back or forwards depending if the foil is going up or down and on your speed.
You can do foot switch kind of slow and you do not have to stand in the centre of the board for it. T

[StefanWelker]

I did this at the lake and put the board on my balled up vest

[naruemolebert]

Which balance exercise ball do you use

[louise]

Many people would ruin a board smashing it into the ground in their garage.

[fungalspore]

Try flying a kite above your head....its much easier. And you get WAY more power and