Now that summer is here (call it summer, this year the weather has been terrible in the UK), here is my 2c to getting to the point of able to catch and ride bumps on a downwind foil setup where I when this started out I couldn't stand on the board. Based on my very limited experience these were things that stood out.

Equipment

  1. Try a bunch of boards before committing to a shape
  2. Narrow, long, is absolutely far easier. 18.5" wide isn't that hard once the board goes beyond 8', especially after a few sessions on wider shorter boards.
  3. Get a few sessions on the mega wings like Axis 1300/1150, they make things so much easier, but I think quickly will outgrow them as they are super slow and "track" really badly (once leant over, **** to get it straight again)
  4. Borrow a few boards as your balance could improve super quickly
  5. Hand paddles seem like a viable shortcut to learn SUP but you end up doing so much while half lifted off where the hand paddles would no longer be in the water. Also the safety strokes when you get low.
  6. Make sure to catch a few prone waves so that you know the setup is viable for pumping
  7. Smaller paddle fine, 85" is more than enough to get moving. £200 for a decent paddle

Location

  1. Definitely try avoid offshore bumps with combined swell for the first few sessions, as it is way harder to read and time the bumps with swell in the mix, same applies with trying proper downwinds. "Bay run"

  2. Learn to SUP paddle in flat, then surf, then bumpy surf, then bumpy surf with rebounds, as each is a big jump in difficulty

  3. Ideal initial conditions are bay runs, and generally finding the best combination of fetch, shelter, wind and lack of swell can be the most frustrating. 15kn stea

  4. A swing in wind direction confuses the bumps, as does rebound from rocks and hard objects.

    Weather

  5. Logistics is a pain, 2 short runs can easily suck up 4 hours of your time with very little achieved.

Technique

  1. Take it easy, build up SUP paddle technique before hurting yourself, my knees, back, shoulders and hands were smashed from 5 consecutive sessions and I'm glad to have used a smaller paddle and not injured anything.
  2. Easier to paddle onto waves than bumps or flat, so do that as a break from the bump or flatwater practice