Windsurfing techniqueFoil windsurfing

Stephan Gölnitz

 · 16.05.2018

Windsurfing technique: Foil windsurfingPhoto: Stephan Gölnitz
Windsurfing technique: Foil windsurfing
Flying in 10 knots of wind - we take you to the flying school of foil pro Sebastian Kornum. In this special, he will take you safely into the air and gently back down again: Check before take-off, safety rules and foil jibe.
Torben Kornum, Foil proPhoto: Stephan GölnitzTorben Kornum, Foil pro

Two hours, 50 jibes, dry shirt - professional pilot Sebastian Kornum demonstrated real foil aerobatics at a shoot on Lake Garda. With this special, we would like to help all beginners to the somewhat "off the beaten track" world of foil windsurfing get off to a safe, successful start together with the professional. Safe freeride surfing with outside loops, a water start and decent ratios in the power jibe are the prerequisites for a successful experience. Sebastian has a few rules of thumb ready before the detailed explanations.

"You usually use a sail that is two square metres smaller than normal. You prefer to foil underpowered, the board should be at least 70 centimetres wide, otherwise it will be extremely difficult to keep the windward edge down. To start with, stand upright and don't push sideways against the edge like you would on a normal board. This will unnecessarily power up the foil, the board will turn and you will crash. And: Be prepared, the first crash will happen. It's difficult to understand in theory until you've experienced it yourself, but you'll learn it just as quickly on the water!" On the following pages, Sebastian Kornum has programmed what is probably the most comprehensive flight simulator currently available. Thank you.

You can find the entire article on foil riding technique in the download area below:

Foil surfing - height controlPhoto: Stephan GölnitzFoil surfing - height control
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You can read this article or the entire issue of SURF 8/2017 in the SURF app (iTunes and Google Play) - the print edition is available here.Photo: Stephan GölnitzYou can read this article or the entire issue of SURF 8/2017 in the SURF app (iTunes and Google Play) - the print edition is available here.

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Stephan Gölnitz

Stephan Gölnitz

Deputy Editor in Chief surf

Stephan Gölnitz comes from Bochum and had Holland as his home windsurfing territory for many years before moving to Munich in 1996 for the job of test editor at surf magazine. The materials engineering graduate worked as a surf instructor on the Ijsselmeer during his studies and competed for several seasons for the Essen sailing team in the Surfbundesliga and the Funboard Cup. He completed a traineeship at surf-Magazin in the test department and since then has actively accompanied almost all tests on the boom and for more than 10 years also as a photographer. Stephan has covered many thousands of test kilometers, mainly on Lake Garda and in Langebaan, but also in Egypt and Tobago. He gets his hands on over 100 new sails and boards every year as his company car. Privately, he prefers to surf with a foil on Lake Walchensee or “unfortunately far too rarely” in the waves. SUP is Stephan's second passion, which he pursued for several years at numerous SUP races. Today, he prefers to paddle on river tours with family or friends - even for several days.

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