SUP foiling with Keahi de Aboitiz - video

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

I'll admit there's something faddish about SUP foiling, a little too peculiar, too striving for the cutting edge. Yet at the same time it's pretty captivating stuff, especially when done by an adept pilot in gin clear water so we can see the foil and also note the lack of wake. Like Keahi de Aboitiz here, hydrofoiling around the Tweed back beaches earlier this week.

And though you may not agree with my assessment of SUP foiling, you best keep your criticism in check and target the craft not the rider. See the following vid for Keahi riding standard equipment at Backdoor.

Comments

p-funk's picture
p-funk's picture
p-funk Wednesday, 2 Aug 2017 at 11:25am

Keahi would have to be in the conversation for current best all-round ocean skills with his Kiting, SUPing, now foiling and std board riding abilities?

jmarc's picture
jmarc's picture
jmarc Wednesday, 2 Aug 2017 at 1:55pm

I think Kai Lenny has already earned that title.

batfink's picture
batfink's picture
batfink Wednesday, 2 Aug 2017 at 12:46pm

Deeply ambivalent about that. Beautiful flow and grace in it, and no doubt a great rider, and so pleased to see him riding it at an empty line-up, the only place they should be.

But first time I see one at the local, SUP or standard board, I'm getting the fark outta town. They would add an element of danger to surfing that freaks me out.

nogo's picture
nogo's picture
nogo Wednesday, 2 Aug 2017 at 1:37pm

Agree it looks great and would be heaps of fun but keep them out any line up that has a crowd of more than 1 imo.

freerider.'s picture
freerider.'s picture
freerider. Wednesday, 2 Aug 2017 at 3:28pm

I don't know guys, all that hopping up and down and carrying a canoe paddle (club). Your board isn't even touching the water. I like feeling the water underneath my feet (board). Only time will tell what will become of these mutants.....

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Wednesday, 2 Aug 2017 at 3:32pm

All of the above and I couldn't think of a more appropriate track.

That was quite enjoyable to watch, almost mesmerising.

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Wednesday, 2 Aug 2017 at 3:50pm

Why the need for a surfboard/SUP shaped deck? Hardly touches the water so surely something more cut down would make these a little more manoeuvrable? I see how the general shape might be for familiarity when throwing around.

kurrawa's picture
kurrawa's picture
kurrawa Wednesday, 2 Aug 2017 at 4:06pm

There should be a rule that only guys who can pack barrels like that can try to foil, or ride a SUP for that matter.

lonely lines's picture
lonely lines's picture
lonely lines Wednesday, 2 Aug 2017 at 4:14pm

deep ocean lines. No land in sight... catching ocean swells for as far as you can ride them... sailor / surfers have a new 'must have' item...

savanova's picture
savanova's picture
savanova Wednesday, 2 Aug 2017 at 4:18pm

How funny big bottom turn to top turn combo with a look back thrown in .... then the dissapointment .....shit no spray

crustt's picture
crustt's picture
crustt Wednesday, 2 Aug 2017 at 4:56pm

You sound like a bunch of old men LOL

frog's picture
frog's picture
frog Wednesday, 2 Aug 2017 at 7:52pm

Interesting how wave quality becomes much less important with these things to get speed and flow than normal surfing. It would nlt really matter if the a rip channel and bnak was lining up and the wave hugging the bank. As long as its not a total closeout it would ride okay.

Looks like lots of fun for empty funky beachbreaks. But can imagine them moving into crowded lineups over time with some real injury risks if they do.

Fuzzy Mammary's picture
Fuzzy Mammary's picture
Fuzzy Mammary Thursday, 3 Aug 2017 at 11:55pm

I remember back in my day before all this new fan-dangle gobbily gook when boards had only one fin, simple soft bladed rails and the missus Beryl still had her looks.
I don't like it, I don't understand it and I don't want to be f***ed by it, so I surf to get away from Beryl. Now I've got this contraption to deal with too! Oh my days.

Bungan33's picture
Bungan33's picture
Bungan33 Wednesday, 2 Aug 2017 at 10:24pm

Man...... haters crack me up! It's a human harnessing energy to create flow and stoke....surely that's surfing. But it's NEW...scary NEW things!!!!! Aaaaggghhhhhh!!!! (And yes fuzzy I picked the ironic tone and thought that was very funny)

Fuzzy Mammary's picture
Fuzzy Mammary's picture
Fuzzy Mammary Thursday, 3 Aug 2017 at 12:10am

You haven't met Beryl.

crip's picture
crip's picture
crip Wednesday, 2 Aug 2017 at 11:38pm

I can't see the problem with them, in the right hands in the right places at the right time. But, and that's a big but, change any of those "right"s to "wrong" and you've got BIG problems.
I wonder if anyone has tried catching open ocean swells on one? Imagine hooking onto a big southerly swell marching up the coast - how far could you travel, and what speed?!

Legrope's picture
Legrope's picture
Legrope Thursday, 3 Aug 2017 at 1:17am

Out of curiosity, I'd secretly like to try one out at an uncrowded wave or open swell outer reef. The SUP board is what would be required to get you up and going without assistance. Kai Lenny uses a 3 foot something board but the footage he released shows a whip in from a ski to get him going. Savanova, that's a pisser about no spray! Looks like something missing eh. Open ocean distance challenges is where its at with this contraption in my opinion. Just don't hit seaweed, sharks, plastic bags, whales, etc.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Thursday, 3 Aug 2017 at 11:37am

I'd love to try it.

Maybe a mission to paddle out the back ?

Looks like a magic trick.

Beautiful flow.

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Thursday, 3 Aug 2017 at 11:41am

Ok...J.O.B.s onto it step offs from a foil - Stabmag insta

Goodwolf's picture
Goodwolf's picture
Goodwolf Thursday, 3 Aug 2017 at 2:53pm

Begs the question; if a cutback leaves no spray, was it ever done at all?
Mesmerising.

Fuzzy Mammary's picture
Fuzzy Mammary's picture
Fuzzy Mammary Thursday, 3 Aug 2017 at 11:46pm

I asked Beryl the wife and she said, "It's not called a bloody flaming sprayback is it Bill!"
I was too terrified to argue.

jaunkemps's picture
jaunkemps's picture
jaunkemps Friday, 4 Aug 2017 at 8:18am

Hey Fuzz, you made my morning, freeking brilliant........Giddyup

Fuzzy Mammary's picture
Fuzzy Mammary's picture
Fuzzy Mammary Friday, 4 Aug 2017 at 5:34pm

Yeeehar young fella!

* freaking (Beryl made me do it).

derra83's picture
derra83's picture
derra83 Thursday, 3 Aug 2017 at 2:58pm

The surfing from the first video in the waves from the second would be pretty entertaining.

batfink's picture
batfink's picture
batfink Thursday, 3 Aug 2017 at 6:10pm

Ha ha. Yeah, express the view that you are scared of being sliced in two with a flying guillotine, of course I'm old. Just not stoopid.

Fuzzy Mammary's picture
Fuzzy Mammary's picture
Fuzzy Mammary Thursday, 3 Aug 2017 at 6:29pm

*stupid

batfink's picture
batfink's picture
batfink Friday, 4 Aug 2017 at 11:24am

*oh yeah!

Fuzzy Mammary's picture
Fuzzy Mammary's picture
Fuzzy Mammary Friday, 4 Aug 2017 at 11:44am

Don't mention it mate. When you get to our age its understandable

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Thursday, 3 Aug 2017 at 6:42pm

If you like surf cruising check out these Brown Pelicans.
These birds only take off on quality waves and slot into sweet spot.
Allow 30 secs on both YouTube Vidz then blow your mind on higher plane surfing.
*[Pelicans Pacifica]
*[Pelicans air surfing on ocean waves]
Surf just Surf.

dastasha's picture
dastasha's picture
dastasha Friday, 4 Aug 2017 at 8:31am

Relevant link trueblue. It never really occurred to me that the birds are riding the ground effect

simba's picture
simba's picture
simba Friday, 4 Aug 2017 at 6:50am

or on a knee board or even boogie board....skys the limit!

waxer's picture
waxer's picture
waxer Friday, 4 Aug 2017 at 8:03am

Watermen are not so tunnel visioned that their only interaction with the ocean is to ride a surfboard. Hence they try their skills in as many ways as possible. Those who only ride a surfboard, should open up their minds a little bit and try these other activities. They are a damn load of fun to boot.

batfink's picture
batfink's picture
batfink Friday, 4 Aug 2017 at 11:26am

Oh waxer!