IN MALLORCA KITE FOIL AND WINDSURF FOIL!!!

BACKGROUND

To begin with, we are going to introduce this new navigation module by explaining why “foiling” has exploded into the world of sailing, the equipment and ideal practice conditions. In years 2008 and 2009 many speed records were broken by catamarans using foil wings, instead of the more conventional centre boards.

Then in 2012 and 2013 tests were run using various sailing equipment from the American Cup on the basis that from 2015-2016 this famous competition world use catamaran with foils.

Going back in time we can see that the Hobbie Cat brand used a model trimaran in the 90’s and that they had already begin navegating with foils.

The foil which is fixed below the craft enables the craft to be lifted in order to gain speed, preventing the board or vessel tubbing against the surface of the water and gaining great speed with minimal wind, making it easier to double the speed with the wind pushing the “foil” navigation. Another fundamental characteristic of the foil is you are able to achieve navigating tight angles with the wind, which are unthinkable with conventional equipment.

This method has become so popular that it will be the latest craze for the oncoming months if not years. The craze for foil has led to including existing surf and sup board to surf the waves using them.

ONLY FOR ADVANCED NAVIGATORS

It´s important to know that this is a very high level piece of equipment and should only be used by those navigators with a high level of experience and discipline with the conventional modules. Under no circumstances must you be a beginner to try this method, as it could put the person and his or her equipment at risk.

At all times it is important to take precaution and wear a life jacket and wetsuit to learn and of course be guided by a professional or instructor.

This modality, which is becoming very popular at present, is being marketed to such an extent that it is inevitable that it will be the attraction and novelty of the coming months and even years.

Materials

The more attainable and recommended foils for beginning are those of aluminum, and for higher levels and regattas those using carbon although these are more expensive.

Another reason why foil is a method of the future are due to its performance in navigation, you don’t require as much as wind as the more conventional boards, in other words , in the days where there is not enough wind to sail with a foil you can. For example in Kitesurf we are able to use much smaller kites than the normal ones used, and with winds up to 6-8 knocks we are able to fly; with windsurf, we can go from using sails of 7 to 8 meters square to a smaller 5 meters and achieving greater speeds.

We can now confirm that using this future piece of equipment, the “Foil” is the best option for navigating in slow and soft winds. Therefore places like Mallorca and its bays are the perfect spots to practise this technique ; with the constant thermal winds from May until October, Mallorca is the perfect destination for “ foiling”. Daily winds of between 10 and 16 knots from midday until the evening provides the ideal conditions to exploit all performances of this style of navigation.

Water Sports Mallorca Foiling

Marc Alvarez

Marc Alvarez es de Barcelona y es el fundador de Watersportsmallorca. Es instructor profesional de deportes náuticos desde el año 1988. Está capacitado para dar clases de Windsurf, Kitesurf, Catamaran, Surf y SUP y puede hacerlo en una gran cantidad de idiomas: catalán, español, francés, inglés, alemán e italiano. Le gusta practicar surf-kite y ha viajado en busca de viento y olas a Australia, Indonesia, Marruecos, Islas Canarias, España, Brasil, Costa Rica, País Vasco, Portugal…