Foil Drive opens up a completely different way to approach surf foiling. The motor gives you the ability to generate speed, connect with swell and waves, and spend more time on foil.

But using a Foil Drive in the surf is different from traditional prone foiling and requires some adjustments to your technique.

This guide shares practical tips and techniques to help you use the motor effectively, make smoother take-offs and transitions, navigate waves and white water, and ride safely around other water users.

This is not a guide to learning how to foil. It is about learning how to use your Foil Drive effectively once you're comfortable controlling a foil.

For instructional video, see: Foil Surfing Tips

Getting Onto Foil

Use the Energy Around You

One of the biggest advantages of Foil Drive is that you don't always need to rely entirely on the motor to get onto foil.

When you're riding smaller boards or smaller wings, learn to combine motor power with natural wave energy.

Building speed before asking the board to rise is particularly important.

Speed first, lift second.

If you try to pop up too early, before you have enough forward speed, the wing can stall and the board can become unstable.

The J-Turn Take-Off

A J-turn can be extremely useful when riding a smaller board or smaller foil.

Instead of trying to launch directly from flat water:

1. Approach a wave as though you're going to catch it.
2. Build speed with the motor.
3. At the last moment, turn away from the wave.
4. Allow the wave energy to pass underneath the foil.
5. Use that energy to help lift the board onto foil.
6. Continue forward once you're flying.

The wave passing over the wing can provide a significant boost of lift, making it much easier to get onto foil.

The smaller your board and foil, the more useful this technique can become.

You don't need to force the take-off. Use the energy of the wave together with the thrust from your Foil Drive.

Transitioning from Powered Flight to Gliding

Once you're up and riding, avoid making large or aggressive movements when transitioning from motor power to free foiling.

If you already have sufficient speed, you have the velocity and lift needed to get onto foil.

Less is More

As you approach your desired speed:

• Reduce the throttle.
• Make a small, subtle movement.
• Allow the foil to lift naturally.
• Maintain your balance and continue gliding.

You don't need to force the board into the air.

An aggressive kick or sudden movement can unsettle the board and foil and make the transition more difficult.

Pre-Spooling the Motor

One of the most useful techniques when surfing with Foil Drive is pre-spooling the propeller.

When you're gliding and the motor is out of the water, you can start the propeller before putting it back into the water.

This means the propeller is already spinning when it re-enters the water, creating a much smoother transition back to powered flight.

How to Pre-Spool

1. Continue gliding at speed.
2. Prepare to re-engage the motor.
3. Start the motor while the propeller is completely out of the water.
4. Allow the propeller to spin up.
5. Smoothly lower the motor back into the water.
6. Continue your forward momentum.

This is particularly useful when peeling off a wave and returning to powered flight.

Avoid starting the propeller when it is half in and half out of the water.

A partially submerged propeller can create vibration and an inconsistent surge of thrust.

Use Less Throttle

One of the most common mistakes when learning to surf with Foil Drive is using too much throttle.

Excessive throttle can cause the propeller to repeatedly enter and exit the water, creating a strong surging sensation.

The result can be:

• Unpredictable acceleration.
• Increased board movement.
• Reduced control.
• Unnecessary battery consumption.
• Excessive propeller noise.

If you hear the motor aggressively churning or feel the board repeatedly surging up and down, back the throttle off.

Find a smooth cruising speed where the motor provides consistent drive without constantly breaking the propeller out of the water.

Smooth power is more useful than maximum power.

Keep the Motor Engaged

When riding through swell or uneven water, try to maintain a consistent connection between the motor and the water.

Allowing the propeller to repeatedly "air" can reduce drive and make the board feel less predictable.

Aim to keep the motor operating smoothly in the water while allowing your legs to absorb the movement of the ocean.

Absorb the Waves with Your Legs

When riding towards an incoming swell, don't stay rigid on the board.

Instead, use your legs to absorb the energy of the wave.

As the wave approaches:

1. Lower your body slightly.
2. Allow your knees to bend as the wave passes underneath.
3. Keep the board and foil controlled.
4. Extend your legs again as the wave passes.

This helps prevent the board from being pushed excessively high by the wave.

If you stay too rigid, the board can rise with the wave and the foil may breach as you travel over the top.

Think of your legs as suspension.

Keep the Board Flat During Take-Off

When prone paddling or preparing for a take-off, keep the nose of the board down and the board relatively flat.

Move your body towards the front of the board if necessary to maintain control.

A common mistake is allowing the board to lift off the water too early while you're still trying to get to your feet.

A smoother sequence is:

1. Build speed.
2. Keep the nose down.
3. Use the motor to accelerate.
4. Move your hands into position.
5. Get your feet underneath you.
6. Stand up.
7. Allow the board to rise once you're ready.

Don't let the board start flying while you're still trying to stand up.

Prone Take-Offs

You can paddle with the Controller in your hand, although it may take some practice to become comfortable.

For a prone take-off:

• Position yourself towards the front of the board.
• Keep the board flat.
• Build some forward speed.
• Use a short burst of motor power when required.
• Paddle normally.
• As you begin to stand, reduce the throttle.
• Maintain control of the board before allowing it to lift.

Avoid holding excessive throttle during the stand-up phase.

Too much power can create excessive lift and make the board harder to control.

Merging With a Wave

When approaching a wave, avoid heading directly into it whenever possible.

Approaching at a slight angle gives you:

• More time to assess the wave.
• More options for your line.
• A larger section of wave face to work with.
• More opportunity to peel away if the wave becomes too aggressive.

Build enough speed before asking the board to rise.

Don't try to pop onto foil too early.

If you don't have enough speed, the wing may stall as you attempt to lift.

Be Careful Around White Water

White water can be extremely unpredictable and powerful.

When you're learning, avoid riding directly into breaking white water whenever possible.

If a wave begins to break in front of you:

• Assess the situation early.
• Peel away if you have enough space.
• Avoid making a last-second aggressive turn.
• If you're not confident you can safely navigate the white water, go with the wave and safely separate from the board.

Trying to force a turn through breaking white water can cause the wing to breach or become unsettled and increase the chance of falling onto the foil.

When in doubt, give the white water a wide berth.

Turning and Peeling Off Waves

Don't rush your turns.

When approaching the end of a wave or preparing to peel away:

• Start the turn early.
• Reduce the throttle if appropriate.
• Keep your movements controlled.
• Give yourself enough room to complete the turn.
• Avoid leaning aggressively into the wave face.

If you feel you're approaching the limits of your control, don't try to save the turn at all costs.

Safely separating from the board is preferable to forcing an aggressive manoeuvre and falling onto the foil.

Heading Back Out Through the Surf

If you're uncomfortable heading directly towards incoming waves, try approaching them diagonally.

Travelling diagonally across the swell gives you more time to deal with the approaching wave because you are crossing it over a longer distance rather than hitting it directly.

This can also reduce the amount of power required when riding into a headwind.

When approaching a wave:

1. Build enough speed.
2. Keep the board controlled.
3. Approach at a slight angle.
4. Absorb the wave with your knees.
5. Maintain your momentum.
6. Continue through or around the wave.

Duck Diving With Foil Drive

Foil Drive can make duck diving a board with a foil attached much easier.

When approaching a wave:

1. Turn the throttle OFF or reduce power as appropriate.
2. Move towards the front of the board.
3. Keep the nose of the board down.
4. Hold the board securely.
5. Use a small amount of controlled motor power to help push the board underneath the wave.
6. Maintain momentum as you pass underneath.
7. Allow the board to rise naturally on the other side.

The key is to keep the nose controlled and avoid allowing the board to rise prematurely.

A small amount of power can help you maintain momentum and get through the wave without being pushed backwards by the swell.

Always ensure you have sufficient space from other water users before performing a powered duck dive.

Know When to Let a Wave Go

You don't have to catch every wave.

If the wave becomes too steep, too powerful or too close to breaking, give yourself an exit.

It's better to safely peel away early than attempt a last-second manoeuvre that exceeds your current ability.

Take your time and gradually expand your limits over multiple sessions.

Surf Etiquette

Foil Drive gives you the ability to catch waves and access swell that traditional surfers may not be able to reach. With that capability comes responsibility.

For more information, see: Surf & Foil Etiquette: Sharing the Ocean Responsibly

The Key Takeaways

The best Foil Drive surf riding is often about doing less, not more.

Remember:

• Build speed before trying to get onto foil.
• Use wave energy together with motor power.
• Try a J-turn when riding smaller boards or wings.
• Make subtle movements when transitioning onto foil.
• Pre-spool the propeller before re-entering the water.
• Avoid running excessive throttle.
• Keep the motor smoothly engaged with the water.
• Use your knees to absorb wave energy.
• Keep the board flat during take-off.
• Approach waves at an angle when appropriate.
• Avoid aggressive turns into white water.
• Give yourself plenty of room when peeling off.
• Don't try to save a manoeuvre if you've lost control.
• Give other water users plenty of space.
• Take your time and gradually build your skills.

Foil Drive gives you access to more waves, more swell and more time on foil. The more you learn to use the motor as a tool rather than relying on maximum power, the smoother, more controlled and more enjoyable your surfing will become.