I use to be so scared of the foil. The first time I foiled behind the boat I was able to get up on the first try. Learning to balance the foil was easy. However, the first time I tried to pull into the boat wave the foil bucked out and flipped up. Seemed like the foil had a mind of its own. This left me scared, because the reaction of the foil was unpredictable and it seemed like I would never be able to control it.
It took about 8 sessions behind the boat to feel more comfortable with how the foil acts in the water and on the wave. Here are a few tips that helped me finally surf the wave without a rope and get a better feel for the foil.
IMPORTANT WARNING | NEVER FIGHT THE FOIL
IF IT WANTS TO POP UP. JUST LET IT AND BAIL OFF THE BOARD. THIS WILL HELP YOU AVOID BEING STRUCK BY THE FOIL!
Step 1.) Getting Comfortable On The Foil
Spend some time in the glassy water outside the boat wake playing with your foot position and learning how to balance the foil as close to the water surface as possible. Front foot pressure will lower the foil and back foot pressure will raise the foil out of the water. If the foil breaches the water surface, it will slam the board back into the water. If you hear a gurgle sound coming from the foil this means the foil is about to breach the surface. Apply front foot pressure to avoid the board slamming.
Something that helped me feel like I had a little more control with how the foil reacted is playing with my foot position. I am using a little wider of a stance that I would normally use while I surf. This is helping me gain more control of how the foil reacts in different water current and flow. Learning to shift my weight with the water is also helping. For example when I pull into a wave I apply a massive amount of pressure on my front foot to keep the foil in the water.
Step 2.) Pulling Into The Wave
Once you are comfortable balancing on the foil it is time to pull into the wave! You will be surprised at the amount of energy the foil generates even on the smallest waves. An easy way to pull into the wave, is to cut to the outside of the wake zone as soon as you are up on the board. From the outside of the boat wake slowly swing into the wave applying front foot pressure until you adjust to how much lift the foil will generate from the wave.
If you are pulling into the wave from behind you will need to put a massive amount of foot pressure on the front foot while you pull over the top of the wave. If you try and pull over the wave without massive front foot pressure. The energy will throw the foil into the air!
I have been having so much fun surfing the 2nd wave back. I have even been able to transfer from on side of the boat wave to the other. It is my goal to be able to fly across from one wave to another super easy. I am slowly working on getting my pumping skill down and want to SUP flat water and some downwind races next year!!!
Stay loyal to the foil and I will see you on the water!!!
Life as a surfer living far from the ocean is a never ending battle. Your daily grind is filled with fleeting thoughts of perfect barreling waves, exotic locations, and most importantly, THE SEARCH. Snap back to reality, and here we are, strapped to our ocean-less cycle dreaming of the next surf trip. Let’s stop waiting for the next trip! There are ways to score surf now! All you need is creativity and a willingness to try something new.
The community of riders Wake Surfing behind inboard boats is growing like crazy, and now it’s so easy to convert your grandpa’s/friend’s/uncle’s or your own ski boat into a monster wave throwing beast! How is this possible? It’s all about the right kind of weight! WakeBallast bags, are one of the simplest ways we’ve found to turn a regular in board boat wake into a great surf wave; capable of filling the void between your surf trips.
Here’s how it works:
Build Your Dream Wave
For best wave results, evenly spread weight bags throughout the boat. Then, fine tune your surf wake preferences, by moving Wake Ballast bags from one side of the boat to another. With this foundation in place, you start stacking bags in the back to increase the size of your surf wave. When your passengers move around for better surf viewing, the small size of the bags make it so easy to shift weight on the fly.
Save Storage Space
We recommend steel filled bags with soft durable coverings that don’t take up your precious storage space and limit the number of friends you can bring along to experience the joy of surfing.
Pad Your Wallet
Wake Ballast Bags allow you to convert older (less expensive) boats into cost effective surf machines, or even bring a newer boat to the next level! Time is money right? Now you won’t waste any time pumping bladders full of water, and emptying them just to shift your surf wake for regular or goofy footers!
To learn more about building your own endless wave, check out our partner WakeBallast.com
Comment below with the best way you found to build the perfect surf wake, Keep The Stoke Alive!
As a global crew of Land Locked Surfers, one of our goals is to build an archive of Community Leaders passionate about helping others discover the stoke of surfing outside of the ocean. This will help accomplish our vision of having an accessible point person for each surf community, location, and discipline. For example, if you live the United States, especially in the Georgia region, and you are trying to get into inland surfing then Ashley Harel is our recommended resource for you. Her inland surfing network runs deep in Georgia and she is passionate about sharing with others the stoke she finds out on the water!
For questions about surfing in Georgia it’s best to contact Ashley through her Instagram: @ashleytheskateboardingnurse
Let’s get to know Ashley, your Georgia surf connection!
Q: Give us some background, who is Ashley Harel?
Ashley: I am 28 years old and currently living in Atlanta GA. I was born in Connecticut, and grew up in Greenville, South Carolina. I received my nursing degree in Charleston, SC in 2012 then moved to Atlanta a month later. I grew up skateboarding, snowboarding, playing Basketball, and many other sports. I just love trying new things and pushing my own limits. I have always had a love and pull towards the water, so when I discovered I could surf other places besides the ocean I was so excited.
Q: How and when did you get into Surfing in Georgia?
Ashley: In 2015 my good friend introduced me to Thursday Surf Nights with Jenny and Perry from Pull Water Sports. I went out with them that summer about 9 times then entered my first wake surf nationals that year. When I started wake surfing I was instantly addicted. I was so amazed that there was an endless wave! As a skateboarder, once started seeing all the tricks that were possible it made me even more excited to learn everything I could about wake surfing.
Q: Through your eyes describe the surf scene in your area, what are you doing to help it grow?
Ashley: The Surf scene in Atlanta and the surrounding area is booming with a constant flow of new and experienced wake surfers. At multiple lakes including, Allatoona, Lanier, sinclair, and more! People are out on the water every week all year long. We have many people to surf with on each lake. Two big surf nights we have are with Danny B, from Allatoona Adventures, near little river marina on Lake Allatoona, and Thursday Surf nights with Jenny and Perry from Pull Water sports on Lake Lanier. They both offer board demos, and Perry offers Tige boat demos. Jordan (@wolfe.jordan) and Taylor wolfe (@taylor_wolf3) also offer lessons as pro riders in wake surfing. They are located on Lake Sinclair and can be contacted through instagram as well as email and by phone. I, myself, offer lessons on the south end of Lake Allatoona at Holiday Harbor Marina. Lessons and introducing new people to the sport is how I am helping the surf scene grow in the greater Atlanta area. In the last two years I have introduced over 50 people to wake surfing.
Q: In Georgia, what are few types of inland surfing riders are taking advantage of, which is your favorite, and why?
Ashley:
Wake Surfing – This is by far my favorite because I feel it is most closely related to ocean surfing.
Flo-rider
Stand-up paddle boarding
Q: As a Locked Surfing Community Leader, what are your areas of expertise new riders should ask you about?
Ashley: If you need a place to surf, rent/buy gear, get lessons, set up your boat or just have questions about a specific trick, Im your girl!
Q: What drives you to get better everyday?
Ashley: Surfing is so much fun and a very safe sport. The feeling of cruising on your board over the water and landing new tricks is like no other. Its a rush of excitement, accomplishment, and happiness all at once. It’s addicting because there is always something new you can learn. What drives me to surf better everyday is pure excitement and fun!
Q: What are your surfing/life goals for this year?
Ashley: My surfing goals for this upcoming season are to learn as many tricks as I can and maybe even invent some new ones. I’d love to compete well in the outlaw division and also establish more relationships with all my fellow wake surfers ! My life goals are to keep being a good nurse, wife, friend, and person. I want to spread surfing, skating, and all things that I am passionate about to others, so they can feel the joy of these amazing sports as well.
Q: In your world of surfing, who do you look up to most and why?
Ashley: This is always a hard question because there are so many great surfers and people out there. The two people that inspire me the most are John Ackerman and Jodi Grassman. They are both great surfers that are constantly pushing the limits of the sport, but the most inspiring thing about them is that they are humble and kind. I love both of their outgoing spirits and their love for board sports.
Q: Outside of land locked surfing what are your other passions?
Ashley: Oh man this is a loaded question for me lol. I have so many passions and many of them came before wake surfing. My biggest passion besides surfing is skateboarding. I have been skateboarding since I was 9 years old and its given me a little head start with wake surfing. I also enjoy snowboarding, ocean surfing, dirt biking, irish hurling, basketball, climbing, parkour, running, videography, photography, traveling, playing music, and art. Overall, I just enjoy trying new things, and exploring the world. I love being outside in the sun and trying anything that looks fun!
Q: What is something funny very few people may know about you?
Ashley: Okay I am going to be completely honest with this question, and see how many people still want to be my friend after sharing this stuff,haha, so hear goes: I love to make animals noises and impressions. The Chicken is probably my best one, but I have many more. I am really really good at running on all fours. I enjoy eating raw garlic, especially when I feel bad haha. Basically I am really goofy and dorky. I enjoy reading medical books in my free time and researching things about health.
