Foil surfing is redefining what's possible on the water - smaller waves, lighter winds, longer rides, and a sensation unlike anything else in watersports. If you're curious about that board with the unusual fin and underwater wings, here's everything you need to know.
What is Foil Surfing?
Foil surfing (or surf foiling) is one of the most exciting developments in modern watersports. At its core, it's simple: a surfboard fitted with a hydrofoil - a long hydrodynamic fin with underwater wings - that lifts the board clear of the water's surface as you gain speed.
The sport has been around longer than most people think. Legendary big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton first introduced it back in 2003, but it's only recently exploded in popularity thanks to major advances in materials and technology that have made foils faster, lighter, far more accessible and enjoyable for surfers.
What Does It Feel Like?
Foiling delivers a sensation unlike anything else in watersports. Instead of sliding through waves like surfing, you're flying above them - smooth, silent, and weightless. Many riders describe it as snowboarding through deep powder, or floating on a cloud. It's deeply addictive. Most people are hooked after their first session.
Why Foiling Changes Everything
One of foiling's biggest advantages is how dramatically it expands your options on the water:
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Ride smaller waves: catch more waves, spend more time riding
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No waves needed: flat water, open ocean, lakes; if there's water, you can foil
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Go faster: foils can reach roughly twice the speed of a regular surfboard, making even average conditions fun
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Ride in light wind: kite and wing foilers can get moving in as little as 6 knots
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Explore further: downwind runs between islands, miles of open coastline, offshore breaks that were previously unreachable
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No wind, no waves?: hitch a tow behind a boat and ride the wake using the foil's momentum
Foiling also extends to other disciplines: wing foiling, kitesurfing, SUP foiling, and e-foiling all share the same core technology.
Safety: What You Need to Know
The main hazard in foiling is the mast - the long metal strut connecting the board to the wings. It's rigid and sharp, so a few basic precautions go a long way:
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Always wear a helmet or bump hat
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Try to fall away from the foil when you come off - and you will, especially early on
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Keep your distance from other surfers in the lineup - a foil in a crowded break is a serious risk
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Wear a PFD / life jacket or an impact vest, especially when starting out - even experienced foilers keep one as a permanent part of their kit.
Respect those precautions and foiling is an incredibly rewarding sport - one with a passionate, fast-growing community always chasing the next innovation.
Foiling FAQs
Is foiling harder than surfing?
Yes - foil surfing has a steeper learning curve than regular surfing. The balance mechanics are quite different, so it genuinely helps to have solid surfing or kitesurfing experience before you start. Even experienced surfers typically need several sessions to find their feet. It can be humbling at first, but the payoff is worth it: once it clicks, you can make the most of almost any conditions the ocean throws at you.
How do surf foils work?
Foil wings work on the same principle as airplane wings. As you gain speed, the wing directs water pressure downward, reducing drag and generating enough lift to raise the board clear of the surface.
How do you control a foil board?
Balance and weight distribution are everything. The takeoff is similar to regular surfing, but once you're up, it's more like snowboarding:
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Shift weight to your front foot to bring the board down and reduce elevation
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Shift weight to your back foot to tilt the wing upward, gain speed, and rise higher
Finding that balance point is the core skill — everything else builds from there.
What should you wear for foil surfing?
Good gear matters, especially while you're learning. At minimum you need a helmet or bump hat and a PFD or an impact vest - non-negotiable. Beyond that, the right kit depends on your conditions:
Vaikobi's foiling range is developed alongside performance athletes, including the Australian Foiling Squad. See the full range on the Foilsports page.
