First Time Prone Foiling

Jeff Yates takes me prone foiling for the first time and here’s how it went… Success! …well sort of… I come from a lifelong surfing background and in the last 3 years have really taken to wingfoiling. I winging because of a nerve issues in my neck when paddling prone, making surfing very difficult. Using a 70 L 23 inch wide board, 1400 low aspect foil, and a 70 cm mast I was able to get up and ride 3/10 waves! On one hand, I thought for sure I’d be able to get it based on my experience. On the other I knew it was very different to surfing and winging. My old surfing instincts kicked in and I wanted to paddle into the peak, but new better. Seems best to start by just catching the rolling foam, and like Jeff said, 'Go straight.’ The first several attempts I simply popped up too fast and did not keep the board (and foil) level. As soon as my feet were planted I was already leaning into an unrecoverable angle. After a few times of the same thing happening, it really sunk in that I need to slow my pop up and make sure I was keeping the board level. Then it worked! By the 4th attempt I was able to activate the foil and glide a little. Each wave after that got a little better and by the 10th wave I was able to pump and glide to the beach! Stoked!