Master launching from a beach
Introduction
Once you have mastered beach launching with the assistance from a friend, give solo beach launching a go.
This technique is ride-changing once mastered. You’ll no longer need to choose riding locations with platforms in order to get out onto the water, unlocking even more riding experiences.
In this course you will learn how to successfully solo beach launch - highlighting the key techniques needed to get you and your bike foiling.
Location
Remember, when learning to ride your Hydrofoiler, it’s best to start off in calm water conditions, with deep enough water to launch from. We recommend water deep enough that if the bike is parallel to the lake floor/seabed that the buoyancy modules are halfway submerged in the water.
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.
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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 that have white foam. Small rolling waves are alright if you are a more experienced rider but avoid breaking waves. Calm riding conditions are ideal for first time riders - if you wouldn't swim there, don’t foil there.
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 to mount the bike, try to keep the bike parallel to the water level. This is done through placing your non-dominant foot on the pedal and step up and over the frame, grabbing the handlebar with one hand and the seat with the other.
Step 3: Pull the bike nose up and lean back
Shift your weight over the back of the bike using the handle bars to lightly pull the front of the bike up so that you are balancing on the rear foil.
Once you have both feet on the pedals, lean back and lift the front of the bike further up. The front buoyancy must be out of the water and exposed.
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IMPORTANT: Avoid putting excess lateral force through your Hydrofoiler when beach launching! Keep your weight centred.
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Step 4: Launching
Now that you are balanced, stand up over the bike, lean forward and begin peddling immediately.
As you pedal hard, you will feel the rear foil start to move. Once moving, shift all the weight to over the handlebars and leans as far forward as possible, whilst maintaining optimum pedal power
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IMPORTANT: You should only lean forward when you feel the bike begin to move. Leaning forward when the foil is not lifted off will cause the hydrofoiler to immediately nose dive. This can sometimes mean you must pedal (leaning back) for 3-5 seconds before feeling the rear foil move before leaning forward and pedaling hard to get up and foiling.
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Make sure to pedal hard, the rear foil will lift up from the ground, your motor will engage after the pedals have spun 180 degrees and you will be able to begin foiling. Continue to pedal strongly until you are up foiling.
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HINT: It's better to put 5-10 strong pedal strokes in when you’re close to foiling, than to maintain a constant effort. That will conserve your energy while learning. You need 100% of your strength when learning to launch, but then once you’re up foiling you only need 5% of your potential.
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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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Getting the timing of leaning forward WRONG. If you are letting the bike dip downwards over and over again, then practice balancing on the rear foil while you pedal. You won’t launch, but this helps get you familiar with the feeling of pedaling while balancing.
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You pedal before leaning forward yet you still drop the front. This means the bike was stuck on the lake/ ocean floor and the propeller wasn’t pushing it enough to dislodge. You either need to :
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move the bike to a bit of smoother ground that doesn’t stick to the foil as much
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pedal harder
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try shaking the bike (while pedaling, and balancing on the rear foil) to help dislodge the bike.
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As soon as you feel the foil come unstuck (the bike begins to move) shift your weight forward.
Key Takeaways
- Ensure that the front tiller section does not drop down and rest down to the ground when mounting the bike.
- Ensure at all times the bike is level - avoid placing the front foil on the ground. If it does, it’s easiest to dismount and try again
- You must ONLY lean forward when the rear foil is lifting off the surface
- Pedal hard