Learning to Flat water paddle up onto the Foil. VLOG #43

After a failed start due to lack of skill, fitness, balance and good learning conditions I have come back to trying to learn how to do this mythical discipline. And a 53 year old who has lost a lot of fitness due to life and age its been a struggle but it's also been a great way to incentivise myself to get fit and to learn new skills. Here's my journey so far.

[RonDriller-djlp]

I would like to thank you for keeping things real.
A beautiful location, much healthier than a gym.
All the best for the journey forward!

[anthonydecarojr]

I am right there with you. One expert recommended getting into some areas with small waves. Flatwater pop outs are crazy hard even for pros.

[lawrenceteresa]

Very impressed by your commitment and effort. Never give up.

[marcuswahlin]

Well done, great progress!!! I’m in the same point of progression, or behind, but on my way!!!😅

[frazzx]

Thanks for sharing your experience, this is how it is, it's not as easy as it looks in most video's

[bastialdehoff]

Get a longer and narrower board and you will be up instantly (min. 8'6" - 9') You will be able to put down a lot more power without pushing the nose under water, since the board will and feel alot more stable in pitch axis. Also the the glide and efficiency of the longer waterline will accelerate so much faster with less effort so you still have some juice left in the arms to dig deep when the board is off the water to keep pumping and not get a heart attack once you are up. It's a night and day difference no one can imagine without feeling it.

[elliottaylor]

Well done mate im loving your determination
Its the only way i ever learnt anything was after days and days of failure 😊

[stkl]

Keep at it, mate! Repeating it over and over again is what helped me learn flat water paddle ups last year. In the end it's balance and technique that get's you up on foil.

[mmnnmt]

Really enjoyed that. I've just started. ...

[richardclarke]

Great to see you again, your wingfoil tips got me foiling 2 years back, not sure I’ve got the cash for another board but keep us posted on your progress what a turnaround 🙏🙏👌

[marianoremartinez]

Tienes ese canal de agua perfecto para dockstar. Bien hecho, sigue practicando 🤙🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[alastairpollard]

Loving it Lee, you are a true inspiration. Keep the good work up. Because of you I now can’t resist giving it a go on an 8ft x 22ins 155L Downwind Takoon Air Escape board I bought for light wind winging. (Yes, is great, and like you, the “downwinder” has now become my “go to” wingfoiling board!).
Not expecting success but will be fun to go through the motions towards a flat water paddle up with the foils & lack of ability I already possess. So, for interest, how far off from where you are now do you think you would you be if you re-tried using your Armstrong HS1850 which is also what I have available? (Or do you think I should try with my bigger existing RRD 2400 Universal foil wing?).
If it looks like I am getting close then I guess at that stage I could look at buying some better gear - perhaps one of the new Armstrong wings which I would hope could also double up as an even lighter wind wingfoil quiver?. I am 67 & just over 90kgs.
Thanks

[asaintx]

great post, thanks for putting me on to the existence of higher volume dw sup boards. I didn't realized Gong had an Xl in a 165L that is something I can actually stand on. May look at those, everything else I see is way too small imo. Inspiring to see your progress.

[RobertFaller-muyp]

I really like this vid; well done, thanks! I started wing foiling this year (up and flying but not gybing yet :-)) and spotted 1 vid where the guy just starts pumping from a standing start and gets up on foil (like, really?!). I can't find that post and have not found another like it (anyone seen it?). Anyhow I got all inspired to at least plan to give it a go sometime in the 'off-season'. Looks like hard work! I'm 70Kg on a 111L Sunova Board and a large (Gong) Foil; if anyone knows for a fact that my efforts will be futile, do shout 🙂Cheers, Rob

[benjamin]

Thanks for this video, but now i am worried. Most videos suggest that paddle up is possible within 4-5 sessions with a board of 30l above your weight. Bought a quite expensive 7‘0 109l sup downwinder yesterday. Maybe to optimistic as a beginner/intermediate wingfoiler with 80kg ? 😮

[AdamsHadEnough]

Nice progress! I am 87kg and hoping to give it a shot on the Sirus 156 next week after falling short on a Fluid XXLT with the 7'6" inflatable Cruz during several sessions. It's a long road for sure!

[jswguitar]

Great effort - I know because I've just started on this journey. Same age, a bit lighter than you. Inflatable cruz. I'm impressed with how straight you are paddling, harder than it looks. BTW, what paddle are you getting (i.e. size of blade). The PPC and QB ones I've seen recommended online are about the same price as my board !!!

[kiteingkev]

Great commitment!
What do you think of the cruzader for ease of release? Have you had a chance to ride others to compare?
Any issues with its strength?
Im hinking about going 8'2 x 20 145L cruzader for my 88kg for flatwater paddle ups..
I'm currently sup foiling and dw on my 7'x22 118L.

[Hanssupansnow]

Nice vid. Don’t know your height and the length of your paddle (shaft). It looks like your paddle (shaft) is too long. Max about 4cm above your bodyheight and it may be a bit shorter so you can easier reach a faster cadence. Good luck with the cardio.

[OrelQir]

Bien fléchir les jambes à chaque poussée