New to Foil Drive? Get started with our first ride tips to help you build confidence and learn the basics safely. Learn how to prepare your equipment, use the Controller, manage power and throttle settings, take off, and safely return to shore.

Even if you have foiled before, using a Foil Drive is a unique experience and may require a few minor adjustments to your usual riding technique.Foil Drive systems provide significant torque and power, so take some time to familiarise yourself with the system and its response before entering the water.Follow these tips to help you ride safely and confidently.<h1 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Controller Safety Before Entering the Water</h1>Before entering the water, always make sure your Controller is being used safely to prevent accidental motor activation.Keep the Controller switched OFF while carrying or handling your Foil Drive on land and around the shoreline. Only turn the Controller ON once the motor is fully submerged underwater.For more information on Controller Safety, see: <a href="https://help.foildrive.com/en-US/controller-safety-before-entering-the-water-201685" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Controller Safety Before Entering the Water</a><h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Traversing &amp; Motoring Upwind</h2>Foil Drive systems have a lot of torque and power. Always take care when using the motor to move around, particularly at low speeds and power settings.Very low power settings can move you significantly faster than normal paddling speed. Even at low throttle, the motor can generate enough power to throw you off the board.<h3 style="line-height: 2;" id="when-motoring-upwind">When motoring upwind</h3>When motoring upwind into swell, be aware that your foil wing may approach flying speed and potentially stall.A sudden stall can cause the board and rider to pitch unexpectedly and may result in you being thrown from the board.If you experience uncontrollable or unexpected movements:<ol data-spread="false" start="1"><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Immediately reduce the throttle.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Slow your speed down.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Regain control of the board before increasing power again.</li></ol>If the board feels difficult to control, you are probably trying to motor too fast. Reduce the throttle, slow down and enjoy the scenery!<h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Falling Off &amp; Getting Back On</h2>As with any foil setup, falling off is one of the highest-risk moments when riding.Never try to save a crash.If you feel that you are losing control:<ol data-spread="false" start="1"><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Jump away from the board.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Immediately release the controller trigger.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Allow yourself to fall clear of the board and foil.</li></ol>Trying to stay with the board or save a crash can increase the risk of contact with the foil, mast or board.<h3 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Getting Back On The Board</h3>Ensure the throttle is OFF or LOCKED before climbing back onto your board.Never attempt to use the motor to bring the board back towards you.Never use the motor while you are in the water or while attempting to climb back onto the board.Once safely back on the board, ensure you are in a stable position before turning the Controller back on and resuming operation.For more information on throttle lock, see: <a href="https://help.foildrive.com/en-US/understanding-throttle-lock-411702" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Understanding Throttle Lock</a><h1 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Returning to Shore</h1>When you have finished riding, follow these steps before leaving the water.<h3 style="line-height: 2;" id="1-turn-the-controller-off">1. Turn the Controller OFF</h3>Always turn the Controller OFF before jumping off your board to head back to shore.Do not leave the motor system powered while handling or carrying your board.<h3 style="line-height: 2;" id="2-never-open-the-electronics-box-near-water">2. Never open the Electronics Box near water</h3>Never open your Electronics Box while in or near the water.The Electronics Box is designed to protect the electronics from water when correctly sealed. Opening it near water can allow water to enter the system.If water has entered your Electronics Box, stop using the system and follow the appropriate water-ingress troubleshooting procedure before using it again.<h3 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2;">3. Remove the Battery immediately after every session</h3>Always remove the battery from your Foil Drive after every session.Leaving the battery connected can allow the system to continue drawing power and may over-discharge the battery, potentially causing permanent damage.For more information, see: <a href="https://help.foildrive.com/en-US/battery-care-and-best-practices-8083483" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Battery Care &amp; Best Practices</a><h3 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2;">4. Rinse, Clean &amp; Check</h3>Rinse, clean and inspect your Foil Drive after every session.For more information, see: <a href="https://help.foildrive.com/en-US/post-session-and-weekly-maintenance-checklist-203714" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Post-Session &amp; Weekly Maintenance Checklist</a><h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Quick Safety Checklist</h2>Before entering the water:&#x2610; Familiarise yourself with the Controller and throttle &#x2610; Start with a low power setting &#x2610; Maintain a stable riding position &#x2610; Be aware of your foil&apos;s speed when motoring upwind &#x2610; Know how to safely release the throttleIf you fall:&#x2610; Jump clear of the board &#x2610; Release the trigger immediately &#x2610; Turn the Controller OFF / Ensure the throttle is LOCKED &#x2610; Never use the motor to bring the board back to youWhen returning to shore:&#x2610; Turn the Controller OFF &#x2610; Never open the electronics box near water &#x2610; Remove the battery after every session &#x2610; Rinse and clean the entire system &#x2610; Inspect your equipment before the next sessionTake your time, start at low power and build your confidence gradually. Foil Drive provides plenty of power&#x2014;there is no need to use it all at once.

Foil Drive First Ride Tips – Traversing, Falling & Returning to Shore

Learning to Foil Drive? Learn how to find the right throttle setting for a smooth, controlled ride. These simple techniques will help you improve control, conserve battery power and enjoy a more comfortable ride.

When learning to Foil Drive, one of the most important skills is learning to find the right throttle setting.It is tempting to hold more throttle when you&apos;re getting started, but&#xA0;more throttle doesn&apos;t always mean more useful power. Too much throttle can make the board difficult to control, cause the propeller to surge in and out of the water, waste battery power and make your ride much less efficient.The key is to find a smooth, comfortable cruising speed where the board, foil and propeller are working together.For instructional video, see: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tmPT6jqZAk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">How to Avoid the Bucking Bronco</a><h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Finding Your Cruise</h2>Once you&apos;re up and riding, gradually reduce the throttle until you find a comfortable cruising speed.At the right throttle setting:<ul data-spread="false"><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">The board feels stable and predictable.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">The foil and propeller work together smoothly.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">You aren&apos;t constantly accelerating.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">The motor isn&apos;t aggressively surging.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">You can comfortably maintain your speed without holding excessive throttle.</li></ul>Once you&apos;re up and riding, back the throttle off and settle into a comfortable cruise.This will make the Foil Drive much easier to manage while you&apos;re learning.<h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Avoid the &quot;Bronco&quot;</h2>A common mistake when learning is holding too much throttle.When excessive throttle is applied, the propeller can lift out of the water and spin up rapidly. When it re-enters the water, it creates a sudden surge of thrust.This can cause the board to accelerate unexpectedly and make it difficult to maintain your balance.If the board starts&#xA0;bucking, surging or feeling difficult to control, you&apos;re likely using too much throttle.<h3 style="line-height: 2;" id="what-to-do">What to do</h3>Back the throttle off.Reduce the power until the board settles into a smooth and predictable rhythm.If you hear an aggressive&#xA0;thrashing or churning sound, this is another indication that you&apos;re using too much throttle and the propeller is repeatedly coming in and out of the water.You&apos;re using battery power to churn the water without getting much useful thrust in return.<h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">What Should It Sound Like?</h2>A small amount of propeller noise or a soft surging sound can be normal when the propeller occasionally moves in and out of the water.However,&#xA0;an aggressive, loud or continuous thrashing sound usually means you&apos;re running too much throttle.If this happens:<ol data-spread="false" start="1"><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Reduce the throttle.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Allow the board to settle.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Find a smooth cruising speed.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Maintain that speed rather than continuously accelerating.</li></ol>A quieter, smoother motor sound generally means you&apos;re operating more efficiently.<h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Want More Speed?</h2>If you want to build more speed, don&apos;t simply keep increasing the throttle while allowing the propeller to repeatedly come out of the water.Instead,&#xA0;keep the propeller submerged while building speed.Gradually increase the throttle while maintaining a stable board position and keeping the propeller in the water. Once you&apos;ve built enough speed, you can transition onto the foil and continue riding smoothly.The goal is controlled acceleration rather than constantly running maximum throttle.<h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Be Considerate of Other Water Users</h2>A Foil Drive can be surprisingly powerful and noisy when operated at high throttle.If you&apos;re riding around other people, try to avoid unnecessarily running the motor at high power when you&apos;re not gaining useful speed.Find your relaxing cruise speed and enjoy the ride.You&apos;ll use your battery more efficiently, have better control and create less unnecessary noise for everyone else in the water.<h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">The Key Takeaway</h2>More throttle isn&apos;t always better.When you&apos;re learning:<ul data-spread="false"><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Start with lower power.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Get up and riding.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Back the throttle off.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Find a comfortable cruising speed.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Avoid aggressive propeller noise and surging.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Keep the propeller submerged when building speed.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Gradually increase power as your confidence and control improve.</li></ul>The best throttle setting is the one that gives you smooth, predictable and controlled thrust.

Finding the Right Throttle & Cruise Speed

Learn how throttle settings affect Foil Drive performance, power consumption and battery run time. This guide explains how to use different throttle levels efficiently, when to use higher power and how to maximise your session time.

To maximise run time, system performance and battery life, it is important to understand the relationship between throttle input, motor thrust and the speed you gain on the water.The more throttle you use, the more power the motor consumes. However, increasing throttle does not always result in a proportional increase in surface speed, particularly once board drag becomes the limiting factor.<h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Throttle &amp; Run Time</h2><h3 style="line-height: 2;" id="30-throttle">30% Throttle</h3>At around 30% throttle, the Foil Drive can provide a speed faster than typical paddling while using relatively little battery power.This is useful when traversing or moving around the lineup and you are not in a hurry. Using a lower throttle setting can significantly extend your session time.<h3 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2;">40% Throttle &#x2013; Common</h3>Around 40% throttle provides a comfortable speed that is faster than normal paddling.This is a common setting for returning to the lineup efficiently without using excessive battery power.<h3 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2;">50% Throttle</h3>At 50% throttle, you can achieve approximately&#xA0;twice the speed of typical paddling, providing a noticeable increase in surface speed.However, power consumption increases significantly as throttle rises, reducing overall run time.<h3 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2;">Above 50% Throttle</h3>Above 50% throttle, the additional power does not always translate into significantly more surface speed.For riders above approximately 70 kg, board drag can become the limiting factor when traversing. Increasing throttle beyond this point may create larger bow waves and consume considerably more battery without providing a meaningful increase in speed.More throttle does not always mean more speed.<h3 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2;">70&#x2013;80% Throttle</h3>This range can be useful when you need additional power for:<ul data-spread="false"><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Making fast corrections</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Changing direction</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Positioning for a wave</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Maintaining speed while e-foiling</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Situations where 100% throttle would be unnecessarily aggressive</li></ul>It provides additional acceleration without immediately using maximum power.<h3 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2;">Above 80% Throttle</h3>High throttle is primarily useful for&#xA0;catching waves and getting onto foil.<h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Make Your Battery Last Longer</h2>For maximum session time:Use low throttle to move around, and save high throttle for when you actually need it.A typical surf session may involve travelling around the lineup at 30&#x2013;40% throttle, then using a short burst of high power to catch a wave. Once you&apos;re on foil, reduce or release the throttle and allow the foil and wave to do the work.This approach provides a good balance between speed, battery consumption and overall session time.<h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Downwind &amp; Wing Sessions</h2>Run time can be considerably different when down winding or winging.A proficient rider may use significantly less motor power because the wind, swell and wave energy provide much of the forward momentum.As a result, it is unlikely that an experienced rider will use a full battery during a typical downwind or winging session.<h3 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Key Takeaway</h3>Throttle management is one of the easiest ways to extend your Foil Drive session.Use lower throttle settings for efficient travel and repositioning, and reserve high throttle or 100% power for short, purposeful bursts such as catching waves and getting onto foil.The goal isn&apos;t to use less power all the time &#x2014; it&apos;s to use the right amount of power for the job.

Understanding Throttle, Power Usage & Battery Run Time

This guide covers transitioning from powered flight to gliding, pre-spooling and starting the propeller correctly in the water and safely recovering from a stall. Master these techniques to improve control and ride with greater confidence.

Once you&apos;re comfortable riding your Foil Drive, there are a few techniques that can make transitions between powered and unpowered flight smoother and more controlled.The key is to avoid aggressive movements. Let the speed and lift you&apos;ve already created do the work for you.For instructional video, see:&#xA0;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnqyOXExojE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Transitioning from motor to free-foil</a><h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Transitioning from Motor to Glide</h2>When transitioning from powered flight to gliding, you don&apos;t need to aggressively kick, push or force the board onto the foil.If you already have enough speed, the board and foil are generating the lift you need.<h3 style="line-height: 2;" id="what-to-do">What to Do</h3><ol data-spread="false" start="1"><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Build up your speed using the motor.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">As you reach your desired speed, gradually reduce the throttle.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Make a&#xA0;small, subtle movement to transition onto the foil.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Allow the board and foil to rise naturally onto the foil.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Once you&apos;re established, continue gliding.</li></ol>Less is more.Avoid aggressively kicking or pushing the board. A smooth, subtle movement will help maintain stability and keep the board and foil settled.<h3 style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;" id="what-not-to-do">What Not to Do</h3>Avoid making large or aggressive movements during the transition.An aggressive kick can:<ul data-spread="false"><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Unsettle the board.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Disturb the foil&apos;s stability.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Cause you to lose your balance.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Make the transition harder than it needs to be.</li></ul>If you have speed and lift, let the foil do the work.<h1 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Pre-Spooling the Propeller</h1>When you&apos;re gliding and the motor is out of the water, it is good practice to pre-spool the propeller before re-entering the water.This allows the propeller to already be spinning when it enters the water, helping you maintain your forward momentum rather than having to start the motor from a complete stop while submerged.<h3 style="line-height: 2;" id="how-to-pre-spool">How to Pre-Spool</h3>While gliding:<ol data-spread="false" start="1"><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Prepare to re-engage the motor.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Start the motor while the propeller is completely&#xA0;out of the water.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Allow the propeller to spool up.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Smoothly lower the motor back into the water.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Continue accelerating and maintain your forward momentum.</li></ol>This can be particularly useful when coming off a wave or when you want to transition smoothly from gliding back to powered flight.The aim is to maintain your existing momentum rather than stopping and having to accelerate again.<h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Starting the Propeller in the Water</h2>You can also start the motor with the propeller submerged.However, avoid starting the propeller when it is&#xA0;partially submerged.If the propeller is half in and half out of the water, it can cause increased vibration as the blades repeatedly enter and exit the water.For the smoothest operation, aim to have the propeller either:<ul data-spread="false"><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Completely in the water, or</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Completely out of the water when starting.</li></ul><h3 style="line-height: 2;" id="starting-in-the-water">Starting in the Water</h3>If you start the motor in the water, make sure the propeller is fully submerged before engaging it.Starting the motor in the water is perfectly workable, but you may lose some forward momentum while the propeller engages and the system builds speed again.Avoid running the propeller half in and half out of the water.<h1 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Recovering from a Stall</h1>If you slow down too much and the foil begins to stall,&#xA0;don&apos;t try to overpower the stall with a sudden burst of throttle.It can be tempting to slam the throttle on to try to recover, but a sudden increase in thrust can pitch the board upwards unexpectedly and make the situation more difficult to control.<h3 style="line-height: 2;" id="if-youre-about-to-stall">If You&apos;re About to Stall</h3>If you&apos;re losing speed and feel the foil beginning to stall:<ol data-spread="false" start="1"><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Stay calm.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Avoid making aggressive movements.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Don&apos;t suddenly apply maximum throttle.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">If you cannot safely recover, jump clear of the board.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Restart and try again once you&apos;re safely back on the board.</li></ol>It&apos;s safer to fall off gracefully than to aggressively try to save a stall.Never attempt to save a crash by putting yourself in the path of the board or foil.<h1 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">The Key Takeaways</h1>Smooth movements are better than aggressive ones.<ul data-spread="false"><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Use your existing speed and lift when transitioning from motor to glide.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Make subtle movements rather than aggressively kicking the board.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">Pre-spool the propeller when gliding to maintain forward momentum.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">When starting the motor, avoid having the propeller half in and half out of the water.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">If you stall, don&apos;t try to overpower the foil with a sudden burst of throttle.</li><li style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 2;">If you can&apos;t safely recover,&#xA0;fall away from the board and start again.</li></ul>With practice, these techniques will become natural and help you make smoother, more controlled transitions between powered flight and gliding.

Transitions, Pre-Spooling & Recovering from a Stall

This guide covers take-offs, using the motor strategically, transitioning from powered flight to gliding, pre-spooling, managing throttle, absorbing waves and navigating white water.

Wave Riding Tips & Techniques

Learn how to improve your take-offs when riding smaller foils and boards. This guide covers the importance of building speed, keeping the board flat, staying forward and allowing the wing to generate lift before standing up.

Take-Off Technique, Small Foils & Boards

Learn how Foil Drive can make wing foiling more accessible, particularly when learning, riding smaller gear or winging in lighter winds.

For many new riders, learning to manage a wing and a foil at the same time can be a challenging task. There is a lot to think about &#x2014; controlling the wing, maintaining balance, managing the foil and learning how to generate enough speed to get up and flying.With a Foil Drive installed, you can learn the fundamentals of foiling first.Once you&apos;re comfortable riding the foil and controlling your board, you can introduce the wing and focus on learning how to handle and power it without having to learn everything at once.This can be particularly useful when using smaller boards, smaller foils and smaller wings in lighter wind conditions.The Foil Drive provides the extra propulsion needed to get moving and onto foil, allowing you to concentrate on developing your wing skills and becoming comfortable riding the foil.<h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Why Use Foil Drive for Winging?</h2>One of the biggest advantages of using a Foil Drive for winging is that the motor can take care of the initial acceleration needed to get onto foil.Rather than relying on the wing to generate enough power to get a larger foil and board moving, you can use a&#xA0;short burst of motor power to get up on foil, then switch to riding under wind power.Once you&apos;re flying, you may not need the motor at all.This means you can potentially ride with&#xA0;smaller, more efficient foils and smaller wings, while still having the confidence that the Foil Drive can provide assistance when you need it.<h3 style="line-height: 2;" id="smaller-gear-less-wind">Smaller Gear, Less Wind</h3>Using a Foil Drive can make it easier to ride smaller equipment in lighter conditions.A smaller foil generally requires more speed to get onto foil, while a smaller wing produces less power in lighter winds. The Foil Drive can bridge that gap by providing the initial acceleration needed to get flying.Once you&apos;re up, you can release the throttle and let the wind and wing do the work.This setup can be particularly useful for experienced riders who want to keep their equipment smaller and more manoeuvrable without being limited by marginal take-off conditions.<h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">Winging in Light Wind</h2>Once you&apos;re comfortable, the Foil Drive can also be used to get up and riding when the wind is too light to easily take off using the wing alone.Use the motor to build speed and get onto foil, then reduce or release the throttle and let the wing take over.If the wind drops during your session, the Foil Drive can also provide a useful safety net. Rather than being stranded offshore because there isn&apos;t enough wind to get back up on foil, you can use the motor to assist your return to shore.Always make sure you have enough battery power remaining to safely return to shore. Don&apos;t rely on the Foil Drive as your only means of getting home &#x2014; plan your session around the conditions, your equipment and your remaining battery capacity.<h2 id="isPasted" style="line-height: 2; text-align: center;">The Safety Advantage</h2>Having a Foil Drive fitted can provide an additional level of confidence when winging, particularly when riding further from shore or in conditions where the wind may change.If the wind drops, the Foil Drive can help you get back onto foil and make your way towards shore.This doesn&apos;t mean you should venture further offshore than you otherwise would.&#xA0;Always assess the conditions, your experience, battery level and ability to safely return to shore before starting your session.

Winging with Foil Drive

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Foil Drive

How to use Foil Drive, foiling techniques, winging, prone, SUP foiling, wake foiling, 

Riding Tips & Techniques

Explore guides covering take-off, riding technique, throttle control, turns, waves and different riding conditions. Whether you're new to Foil Drive or looking to refine your skills, these guides will help you ride with greater confidence.