Casey’s Blog:
Foiling is the very hot topic these days, especially after watching the Americas cup cats flying around Bermuda in 10 MPH wind. Luckily for me I have been racking up the air time foiling for 3 years now doing Kite and Windsurfing foiling. Even though both are fresh and exciting, it was kind of more of the same old for me. Ultimately my feeling on the whole foiling thing is I could take it or leave it. Now hear me out since that is just my opinion as an Uber Watermen. Foiling “is” the future and it will be very very popular. All racing will be going that way and kiting/sailing has already gone that way, as well as most flat water cruising for sure. It is a New Era.
Now here is the game changer for me when it comes to foiling. Recently I have gotten into “Surf foiling.” These foils are quite different in the way they ride because they are big and slow with lots of lift designed for riding waves under control. I started off SUP foiling in small waves with the Mystery Machine, which is probably the hardest thing I have ever done in the water, but so freaken fun. Then I got the idea to stick a sail on the sup/wavefoil and give it a try. That Day turned out to be the Game Changer: Everything worked amazingly perfect, I was gliding/flying on wave after wave(and not good waves either! The crappiest waves: The ones that don’t even break, super small waves, and even open water swell). What I found after switching to my high performance Red Barron foil board is you can catch a swell and completely flag the sail out by just hanging onto the mast or boom and ride the waves forever on the foil with zero sail power. The best part is you don’t need much wind either. Just 12-15mph and a 4.7-5.7 sail and you’re flying on these big surf foils heading up wind like crazy, looking for more swell to ride. I can even go out to open waters and ride downwind swell for crazy amounts of time with zero sail power. There are all sorts of new things to do I haven’t even thought of yet.
This new discipline is WWF (windsurf wave foiling) that’s what I am calling it anyways. I am not even sure if anyone else in the world is even doing this yet? It’s truly opening up my waterman mind to all kinds of new things. WWF already has been replacing other water activities for me like light wind sailing, wind Sup longboarding and kiting. I don’t do much of those anymore). It has shortened up my quiver also. The biggest sail I ever need for WWF is a 5.7 or maybe even a 4.7 with the right designed sail. There is so little sail power required I will be out for a 3 hour WWF session and not use the harness once since there is no need to. WWF is not replacing everything though. When the waves and wind are up, its business as usual with all the normal toys, but for crappy conditions, non-breaking waves, and light winds, it’s crazy fun. I have new board designs dancing in my head and even some foil mods. Hmmmm. I am so very stoked on this newly discovered discipline and I can’t wait to score more sessions. I am really looking forward for WWF to evolve over the next 3-5 years. It’s going to be an exciting ride. Bring it on!
The Reef Warriors and Casey's Hit the Lip Blog 
Wow, it sounds awesome.
I am windfoiling on a JP155 and NP Aluminum foil and it is kind of a big sail, go fast experience. I am loving it, but was wondering what it might be like to have a big gofoil on a WindSUP board with a small sail.
You just confirmed how fun this setup can be. I want to catch swells like Kai Lenny, but with the aide of a sail instead of a paddle.
I can imagine riding a long ocean swell with little or no wind in the sail would be awesome.
Thanks for this post. Year ago you turned me onto the fun of a WindSUP and I have been enjoying a WindSUP and a long board ever since then. Now I have transitioned to the Windfoil.
Thanks for the kind words Bry, who needs Kia Lenny, hahaha.
Casey I,m on the wagon too!got a Horue setup been paying my dues having fun with 5.0 when reg. Wdsurf using 7.5,s thanks for the stoke!!you all ways inspire this old waterman!joe
Awesome too hear joe👍, I figured you would be doing something similar. I gotta get across the pond and shred with ya one of these days.😎😉
Nice! I’ve been doing the same in Maui.
Go on mauisurfreport.blogspot.com and look for the “wind foiling” label, if you care about my experience. Box position is key, imo. Cheers.
Very nice, now there is at least 2 people doing WWF 🙌😁.
Casey, just got back from Sprecklesville. Say two guys on the Naish setup doing that too.
Brian, I think the Naish setup is geared toward Windsurf Wave Foiling. My NP setup is more the go fast setup and in light wind I run my big 7.5 Ezzy Zephyr sail. When I bought it I really did not understand that there will be two distinct types of wind foiling.
Naish lists their front wing surface area as 1220 cm squared. NP lists their front wing on the Aluminum as 680 mm span, the Go Foil Maliko says 31.5 inches for their front wing, so it is hard to compare.
I would like to try Windsurfing Wave Foiling so I am going to be following this Naish equipment closely to see if this is the right equipment for this new discipline. I am also considering Go Foil but not sure what board would work well with it for WWF.
Spies naish is 😲. I think they are on to me. Hahaha
Ya the Naish foiling stuff coming out looks great and fun! That is the way to go!
Tried my gong mob sup with surf foil (allvator) today. Got up a few times but it kept veering off down wind and crashing. Any tips to keep flying?
Make sure you are very light in sail power, and try to surf the foil more then windsurf it.
A kite shop near me is ordering the Naish WS board/foil. Getting back to his roots maybe. Hope to try it there. Uncle Robby sure made it look easy!
Might have to do a road trip😉👍😎🏄
I need to try this.
You mention 12 to 15 mph. I assume that is the gust.
I am going in 15 mph gusts on my current foil setup with a large 7.5 Ezzy Zephyr.
At 12 mph gusts I am not going. Will the Maliko get me going and 10 mph to 12 mph gusts with a smaller sail? I am considering getting it but would like to know it will foil in even lighter wind.
ya with a baged out 5.7 I can get going in 13-14mph. I can get going in 10mph with my 7.5, but its lots of work.
5.7 and down is more fun epically in the waves..
OK, I am in. I ordered my Maliko today.
Nice, best $$$ spent ever!
Casey just bought a Maliko today stoked@ broke!!!! Joe
Joe, are you on Facebook? I would like to follow your progress and exchange tips. I am learning a lot with the Maliko but still have a lot to learn.
Maybe we need a small Facebook group for Windsurf Wave Foiling. The issues we have are much different than regular Windfoiling.
Next week I will have it no wind here anyway.joe
Sorry Bry, I (Casey) am not on facebook, But you can always email me @ Faceman74@aol.com or start a forum or something?
Awesome joe. are you ready to have some fun?
the thought had been cooking, then read your article and bought a setup. Deal me in.
Right on! so much fun!
How great. I’ve found some kindered spirits. Been trying to to the same things, slow and big foil. Maliko and paddle board now Go 150 I’m trying to setup
Casey, I am loving my Maliko foil, the turning ability is incredible and I can feel the smallest swells. It has completely changed my idea of what foiling is about by moving me from the high speed slalom straight line blasting foil to wanting to ride swells only.
I feel like a surfer/snow boarder carving all the time on waves or deep powder.
That being said I am not sure it is the perfect foil for me. It could be the position on my board being very far back, but I have a lot of spin outs, and I also find when the swells get larger, keeping it from foiling out is challenging.
I am considering the Naish WS 1 windsurfing foil, and also the smaller GoFoils such as the Kai or Nalu.
For those getting in now they currently sell a combo foil that comes with the Kai and Maliko wings at the same price I paid for my Maliko.
That might be an optimal setup as you can put the smaller wing on for higher wind or larger swells, and use the large wing for the lightest wind and smallest swells.
Anyway, the Maliko still might turn out to be the best foil for me, as I said I really like it, but I am still wondering if there is something even better for my personal needs for windsurfing wave foiling.
If there is something out there that does not spin out as much, handles the top speed a bit better, yet still starts in very light wind and turns almost as nice as the Maliko that might work better for me.
Just FYI, I was using my Garmin watch to get an idea of the speed for the Maliko. I found I took off at around 6 to 7 mph. Then I would go 8 to 9 mph to be comfortable. My top speed is always 17 mph, although at that speed you have to get down low and be ready, it is not what I would call a comfortable cruising speed. Comfortable cruising is probably 8 mph to 12 mph.
Hey, Bryn – I think we’ve shared emails before was a ref from Alex at Go Foil. I recently got some slingshot gear setup on my old Starborad Go 150 and have 2 sessions on it. So fun. See if this link works, Pictured SUP Sports Hammer 9’5″ with Maliko and Starbaord GO 150 with hybrid Slingshot FSurf setup…
Good flying to you guys!!!
Casey, I am loving my Maliko foil, the turning ability is incredible and I can feel the smallest swells. It has completely changed my idea of what foiling is about by moving me from the high speed slalom straight line blasting foil to wanting to ride swells only.
I feel like a surfer/snow boarder carving all the time on waves or deep powder.
That being said I am not sure it is the perfect foil for me. It could be the position on my board being very far back, but I have a lot of spin outs, and I also find when the swells get larger, keeping it from foiling out is challenging.
I am considering the Naish WS 1 windsurfing foil, and also the smaller GoFoils such as the Kai or Nalu.
For those getting in now they currently sell a combo foil that comes with the Kai and Maliko wings at the same price I paid for my Maliko.
That might be an optimal setup as you can put the smaller wing on for higher wind or larger swells, and use the large wing for the lightest wind and smallest swells.
Anyway, the Maliko still might turn out to be the best foil for me, as I said I really like it, but I am still wondering if there is something even better for my personal needs for windsurfing wave foiling.
If there is something out there that does not spin out as much, handles the top speed a bit better, yet still starts in very light wind and turns almost as nice as the Maliko that might work better for me.
Just FYI, I was using my Garmin watch to get an idea of the speed for the Maliko. I found I took off at around 6 to 7 mph. Then I would go 8 to 9 mph to be comfortable. My top speed is always 17 mph, although at that speed you have to get down low and be ready, it is not what I would call a comfortable cruising speed. Comfortable cruising is probably 8 mph to 12 mph.
Hi,
How many littel is your red wave foil board?
Would you go even shorter ?
Very cool your write up on foiling , it has open up my view with regard to windsurfing foiling !
Thank you for posting and sharing !
Hi, The Red Barron is around 120L, and yes going to go a bit shorter in the next version.
Casey, what are the advantages to going with a small board for you?
I am debating between the Naish Thrust 122 and the soon to be released Naish 142 and right now I choose the 142 because I feel it will be easier to air jibe, tack, and up haul yet still get going in the lightest winds.
Currently I am running the Naish Thrust Foil on my big JP 155 foil board. I do feel on some days this board is a bit too wide and big to get going in the really light winds.
Thanks for introducing Windsurf Wave Foiling. I am still enjoying it immensely. Here is a video of me doing it in Kailua Bay in Hawaii.
Nice Vid, Feels like we are riding that swell. woohoo.
I vote for the Naish 122 all the way. I think it will have better performance and will be a board you wont be able to outgrow.🤔
Thanks Casey!
Nice Post, thanks really inspiring, going with my Starboard PRO 8´5, with a SEVERNE SWAT 5.2 and a Malolo Naish Foil and give it a try!!!