All I Want for Christmas is Flight | Kite Foiling 101

Kite foils offer significant advantages for kiteboarding, including better performance in light winds, higher speeds (up to 35 knots), improved upwind ability, and reduced physical strain. Their specialized design provides enhanced stability, more efficient wind use, and smoother power delivery, making them superior for kite foiling compared to foils used in other water sports.

What to Avoid

• ❌ Overly advanced gear that'll frustrate you
• ❌ Outdated technology that limits progression or isn’t compatible with new versions (usually cheapest options)

Budget Considerations: Aluminium or Carbon

Let's talk money – because Santa needs to know what to bring! Here are three options that provide different value propositions for board and foil.

Entry-Level Setup (Budget Option)

The entry level options are usually an aluminium-carbon hybrid; the mast and fuselage are aluminum and the wings are made of carbon. This is a more affordable combo!

Complete foil kit: $1,274- $1,398 

Mid-Range Setup

The mid-range foils are often carbon from top to bottom. It is a lighter setup, stiffer and more expensive. Complete carbon foils are often 20 to 30% lighter than versions with aluminium parts. They are overall stiffer, provide better stability, less drag, and more glide. They are also less likely to corrode.

Complete foil kit: $1,998 - $3,000

High-end Setup

These are usually made out of higher grade (high modulus) carbon. This carbon is stiffer and therefore can be made thinner offering better performance in speed, glide, and lift. All of this extra performance can actually be a handicap when learning how to foil, so we would not recommend these foils for learning. Plus they are pricey - usually over $3k

Recommended Board Brands and Models

- The Slingshot Dwarfcraft is noted for its stability and ease of use.

- The Duotone Pace is designed specifically for user-friendliness with good volume distribution.

- The North Scoop features a forgiving design suitable for novice riders that will take you to your more advanced days.

- The Cabrinha Logic kite foil board is light, stiff and buoyant perfect for progression.

Recommended Foil Brands and Models

Hybrid setups are what we suggest you get as a first foil. Brands like North, Delta and F-One offer options that are user friendly and wonderful to start your journey on. 

• - The North Sonar embodies comfort and control and is engineered to last.  
• 70 cm Mast | 850 cm² FW | 600mm Fuse | 320cm² Stab

• - The Delta M Frame has plenty of lift and is stable across the entire speed range.
• 61/71 cm Mast | 890/1500cm² FW | 610mm Fuse | 200/280cm² Stab

• - The Slingshot Phantasm with equal parts speed, stability, lift and maneuverability.
• 82 cm Mast | 1270cm² FW | 710mm Fuse | 280cm² Stab

Recommended Kites specific for Kite Foiling/Lightwind

We recommend sticking to inflatable kites in the beginning of your journey, once you’ve mastered the first stages of learning you can start thinking of foil kites.

They require a different set of skills that demand more technical expertise. They are a little different to handle, and have a more complex launch and landing process, and they're less forgiving of mistakes compared to inflatable kites. While they offer superior performance for experienced foilers, they also need to be more careful and skilled at rigging, launching, and overall kite management.

• - The Cabrinha Contra 1S has single strut design, it is a light and nimble kite that offers featherweight control and amazing drift for lightwind freeriding.

• - The North Code Zero is a light, fast and reactive single-strut kite with effortless one-handed control and efficient light wind power delivery. It flies and turns quickly - with excellent drift and maneuverability.

• - The Cabrinha Drifter is a versatile wave kite designed with three struts. Its exceptional drift stability allows it not to fall out of the sky easily, while the responsive power delivery and quick depower make it highly maneuverable. The kite's easy relaunch capabilities make it an ideal choice for riders looking to learn foiling.

• - The Duotone Neo is a specialized wave kite that has dynamic handling and impressive wind range. Its standout features include exceptional drifting ability, low-end power making it efficient in lighter winds and its ability to relaunch is a breeze.

Invest in:

• - Helmet (non-negotiable!)
• - Impact vest
• - Booties for foot protection
• - Wear a full wetsuit to protect those shins for the foil

Ideal Conditions: 

• - Start in relatively flat, open water
• - Consider lessons from a professional instructor

The Christmas Gift of Freedom & Flight

This holiday season, give yourself (or someone special) the gift of a new adventure. Kite foiling isn't just a sport – it's a lifestyle, a feeling of pure freedom that'll have you grinning from ear to ear.

Pro Christmas Tip: Nothing says "I love you" like enabling someone's wind addiction! 🎁🌊

Disclaimer: Always ride within your skill level, respect local conditions, and prioritize safety.