Hydrofoiling
WHAT IS HYDROFOILING?
Hydrofoiling is a rising sport internationally. Cloud 9 Foils specialises exclusively in manufacturing Hydrofoils for surfing. With the help of hydrofoils, you can stay on top of the waves for a longer period of time and enjoy a more thrilling surfing experience. Hydrofoil surfing enables surfers to glide atop the water at speeds that are impossible without hydrofoils.
The hydrofoil is a long fin-like object that shoots a couple of feet off the board’s bottom. At the end of the fin, you’ll find what looks like a tiny model aeroplane attached. Depending on where you plan to ride them, they may vary in size and design.
Hydrofoils were originally used for ships and sailboats because they allow you to go much faster compared to a normal boat that floats directly on the water. The major appeal of the hydrofoil design is that it allows you to skip over choppy water without feeling the full force of the waves and drag, as you would while floating on a boat. More speed is therefore achieved.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF HYDROFOILS
WING FOILING
Wing foil surfing is quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of hydrofoiling. It’s a new water sport that mixes elements of several types of surfing. The combination of surfing, windsurfing, and a little kitesurfing. Wing foiling is normally done on a larger board particularly when you start. A board which will float you while standing is a perfect beginning point. Wing Foiling allows you to ride incredibly fast and perform advanced tricks such as flips, twists and rotations mid-air or you can just cruise and enjoy the effortless glide.
SURF FOILING
Surfing on a foil board or hydrofoil is known as Surf Foiling or Prone Foiling. These boards are simply a surfboard with a hydrofoil that extends below the board into the water. A hydrofoil is a long, hydrodynamically designed fin with wings. Surf foiling is more of a relaxed style of hydrofoiling, which focuses on just riding waves. You can ride waves in a more relaxing way by catching the wave without having to sit in the pocket or the steep part of the wave, you can sit wide and enjoy an unbroken wave and enjoy the silent glide.
SUP FOILING
Sup foiling, while still in the development stages, is quickly becoming a popular form of hydrofoiling. Sup foil surfing uses a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) to catch waves more efficiently than with just a regular surfboard. To successfully go SUP foiling you will need to find some waves breaking gently into a gutter or deep water. If you are paddling out on a lake or river, you’re not likely to get enough speed to really get up on the foil.
KITE FOILING
Kite foiling is a new and very exciting sport. By combining kiting and hydrofoil you can glide across the water with impressive speed and control. This is the most extreme form of hydrofoiling and definitely not for beginners. To kite foil, you will need a lot of wind. If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, then kite foiling is the perfect activity for you!
COMPLETE HYDROFOIL PACKAGE
A hydrofoil complete package is a great way to get started in the sport of hydrofoiling. These packages typically include a board and foil. The package can also include a leash to the board.
COMPLETE ALUMINIUM FOIL MAST & CARBON WING KIT
COMPLETE CARBON FOIL KIT
CLOUD 9 WIND WING ORIGINAL DESIGN
CLOUD 9 HYDROFOIL BOARDS
Our range of Hydrofoil Boards the Cloud 9 Board scales from the 5′ 60 ltr through to the 5’4 105 ltr which are perfect all-rounders for all styles of Hydro Foiling.
Shop NowDESIGN AND SHAPE
Australian Made, Hawaiian designed by Blain Chambers. This Hydrofoil Board over-delivers in every aspect, easy pop-up and its epoxy built so buoyancy is very high, whilst still lightweight but strong enough to take on even the biggest of jumps.
DECK AND STRAPS
Creatures deck grips, included and strap inserts to suit a natural and/or goofy stance make our range of Hydrofoil Boards perfect for beginners to experienced hydrofoil riders.
Make sure to check out all our complete kits pages to choose the appropriate wing and mast for your new board.
CLOUD 9 HYDROFOIL MASTS
Cloud 9 Surf Carbon Hydrofoil Masts range. They are built for high-level performance, optimal speed, and superior strength. All our carbon masts come in 3 sizes to enjoy any level of hydrofoiling.
24″ 61cm – The 24″ carbon mast is ideal for people who love to jump and prefer to foil in shallow water conditioning. The 24″ Mast is also perfect for young kids and beginners to learn on.
26″ 66cm – The 26″ carbon hydrofoil mast is just that little bit longer and is a great all-rounder that works for every discipline.
30″ 76cm – The 30″ carbon mast adds extra length for you to deal with the chop or take a big dive. Or you may also just want to sit nice and high in the water!
HOW DO HYDROFOILS WORK?
There are several scientific rules in action when it comes to what makes the board float above the water without touching it. There are a number of different theories floating around, but the fundamental concept behind how a hydrofoil board works is that it slides through the water at an upward angle, forcing water downward. The water shooting downward produces an upward force that lifts you out of the water as a consequence of Newton’s 3rd law (for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction).
AUSTRALIAN CUSTOM MADE
USA DESIGNED & TESTED
CARBON FIBRE TECHNOLOGY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW MUCH DOES A HYDROFOIL SURFBOARD COST?
The Boards range from $1000 to $1650. Cloud 9 Foil boards are full carbon $1250 including a deck grip and plugs to attach foot straps.
HOW DOES A HYDROFOIL WORK?
The hydrofoil works like a side-wind on an aeroplane wing. High-speed water (which is incompressible) flows over the underwater foil at high pressure. The higher pressure area under the foil creates lift; lifting the board and rider out of the water. This lift allows you to glide with less drag, reducing your required effort.
WHERE CAN YOU HYDROFOIL?
You can ride anything, even the most awful wave you've ever seen. The easiest approach to start is to find a location with little waves in the one-to-two-foot range. If you paddle into whitewater rollers, you'll have all the power you need to ride the hydrofoil when you stand up. Jet skis or boats can help you learn the basics and get used to riding and controlling the foil board, for instance grabbing the rope behind the boat and getting used to the overall feel can shorten the learning curve by half.
WHAT IS THE POINT OF FOIL SURFING?
The hydrofoil is unlike anything you have ever tried before. It allows the surfer to surf on flat water, ocean swells and waves. The hydrofoil will give you more speed, lift and glide allowing you to surf way further than you would on a normal surfboard without having to paddle for it!