The easiest way to get up and foiling
Hydrofoiling is an experience worth sharing. It will also dramatically increase your chances of foiling on your first few attempts. Bring them along for the experience and learn together.
In this section you will learn how to successfully beach launch - highlighting the key techniques needed to get you up and foiling.
Once you have selected the appropriate area to launch from, assembled your bike and completed the safety checks you are ready to foil.
Location
When learning to ride your Hydrofoiler, it’s best to start off in calm water conditions, with deep enough water to launch from.
It is important to find a suitable location, well clear of obstacles, traffic and also away from people. Smooth waters, free from weed and debris are the ideal first ride conditions, so stick to these.
Ground surface
For your beach launch you must always select a location that has a reasonably flat, sandy surface.
Do not attempt a beach launch with rocks, or other abrasive surfaces as these will likely damage your foil. Instead choose smooth and sandy seabeds/lake floors.
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HINT: we don’t recommend soft 'gluggy' sand beaches, as your foils could get stuck and impede your ability to launch.
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Water conditions
Avoid attempting to launch into water with waves. Calm riding conditions are ideal for first time riders - if you wouldn't swim there, don’t foil there.
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ATTENTION: Manta5 recommends a water depth of at least 1 m to beach launch in and for riding a draft of 1.5 metres.
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Launching
Step 1: Place the bike into the water
Begin by placing your bike into the water, no shallower than 1 meter. Make sure both foils are flat to the ground and your mini tiller is sitting freely and not resting on the ground.
Turn the battery on by pressing the button and wait to hear a loud beeping sound, the button will also light up solid.
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HINT: In bright sunlight you may want to shade the light with your hand to ensure it is lit up.
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Step 2: Mount the bike
When ready, mount the bike by placing your non-dominant foot on the pedal and step up, over the frame, grabbing the handlebar with one hand and the seat with the other.
Your friend should hold the bike steady from the seat post as you climb onto it.
The key thing is to ensure that the front tiller section does not drop and rest down to the ground when mounting the bike.
Step 3: Lean Back
Once you have both feet on the pedals, shift your weight backwards lifting the front of the bike up off the lake floor and balancing on the rear foil.
Step 4: Balancing
Standing behind you, your friend will need to grip underneath the seat and pull the bike towards them, helping you and the front of the bike raise up.
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IMPORTANT: Make sure the rear foil also is angled upwards to ensure a clean launch.
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The key is to keep your weight over the back of the bike and use the handle bars to keep the front of the bike in a balanced position.
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Once you are balanced, lean forward and begin pedaling quickly.
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Your friend should push firmly from the back of the bike to help you get moving, the harder the push the better.
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When your friend pushes you this should lift the rear foil from the ground giving you the green light to lean forward over the handlebars and pedal hard.
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Continue to pedal strongly to get foiling. Once up, relax and enjoy the ride!
If the front of the bike goes down after a failed launch and the front foil is resting on the ground some people are able to lean far enough back to bring the bike nose up. If you cannot lean far enough back we recommend dismounting the bike completely to allow the front to rise up again.
Take extra care to ensure that you do not pull on the frame side to side in order to mount it. Try to keep your weight as centered over the frame as possible to avoid stressing the frame.
Common Mistakes
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Leaning forward before you receive the push: will mean the foil is still on the ground surface and cause the rider to nose dive.
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Relying on a friend's push without pedaling hard as well: will mean that the bike slows down shortly after the push, and will sink. The push is only a “boost” to get the bike moving, after that you will still need to pedal hard (briefly) before the bike begins to foil.
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Letting the front of the bike drop to the floor when climbing on: try keeping your weight further back while you climb on. This might mean that you put more weight through the and holding onto the seat, and less through the hand on the handlebars.
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Taking more than 10 pedal strokes to get up foiling: if it happens, you should pedal harder for a shorter period of time.
Key Takeaways
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Your friend should give you a very strong push - the harder, the better!
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Only lean forward once you have received the push from your friend.
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Pedal hard and stay out of the saddle.