Pumping foil
Carbon dockstart foils, accessories, spare parts and boards.
Welcome to the captivating world of dockstarting, where every moment on the board becomes an opportunity to push the limits of surfing.
Carbon dockstart foils, accessories, spare parts and boards.
Welcome to the captivating world of dockstarting, where every moment on the board becomes an opportunity to push the limits of surfing.
On the pontoon, you’re getting ready for a departure that will mark a new aspect of your boating experience. This practical article is your best guide to navigating the dockstart world with confidence. Learn the key elements, from the ideal board size (long or wide) to the right foot position that works, to ensure a flawless start. Every step, from equipment selection to pumping technique, is detailed to help you succeed.
In dockstart, the first thing you need for your board is a place to wedge your feet. So you don’t need a big board. A minimalist (minimum length, minimum width) and often less expensive board will do the trick. Ideally, we recommend just a bit of volume so you can rest your torso on it in the water to row to the pontoon if need be. A carbon foil will also help, but we’ll get to that later…
At AFS, we have the SK8 board specially designed for this purpose.
Choosing a foil for dockstarting depends on several key factors:
Wing area: For beginners, we recommend a foil with a large wing area (at least 1500 cm²). A larger surface area offers more lift and makes it easier to take off with less speed, which is ideal for learning and gaining confidence.
Speed and control: foil size and shape influence speed and control. A longer foil (high aspect ratio) will be more stable but less maneuverable, while a smaller foil will be more agile but require more speed to take off. Choose according to your skill level and what you want to achieve during your session.
Construction and materials: Carbon foils are lightweight and offer better performance. In dockstarting, any optimization is worthwhile, given the physical effort to be generated behind it.
Modularity: Some foils are modular, which means you can change wings or masts to suit different sailing styles or wind conditions. This means you can use your foil for dockstarting, but also for other disciplines such as wing foiling or surf foiling.
Board compatibility: Make sure the foil is compatible with your dockstart board, both in terms of binding (double US rail) and balance (board with or without rake).
Don’t hesitate to ask experienced riders for advice, or to test different foils if possible. Personal experience is often the best guide to finding the foil that suits you best.
To get started with dockstart, follow these essential steps:.
Find the Ideal Spot: Choose a spot with a suitable pontoon, offering enough space to run and jump on your board without the risk of hitting the foil. Make sure your foil glides/passes under the pontoon.
Launch technique: Start by holding the board in one hand while running along the pontoon. When you reach the edge, jump onto the board with your feet in the sailing position.
Learn to pump: Pumping is essential for maintaining speed and lift. Practice the pumping motion by using your legs and upper body to generate speed and lift once in the air.
Practice and Patience: As with any new sport, practice is essential. Start with short distances and gradually increase duration and intensity as you gain confidence and skill.
Advice and courses: Consider taking a course, or ask experienced practitioners for advice. They can provide practical feedback and help you avoid common mistakes.
Find our complete guide with lots of tips and simple tutorials to get you started with dockstart.
For a successful dockstart, the exact speed required can vary according to several factors, including the type of foil used, the rider’s weight, water conditions, and individual skill. However, dockstarting is not so much about running speed as it is about jumping and pumping technique. The emphasis is on jumping technique and foot placement on the board, rather than on running speed. A good jump and placement will provide the necessary lift without the need to run at high speed. This will give impetus and momentum to the foil. Speed will certainly help, but is not essential. Beginners can start with smaller jumps and lower speeds, increasing progressively as they become more proficient.
Effective foiling in a dockstart requires a combination of technique, timing and strength. Here are some tips for mastering this skill:
Body Position: Adopt a slightly bent position, with soft knees. Keep your body centered on the board to maintain balance.
Coordinated Movement: Effective foil pumping requires coordinated movement between legs and upper body. Use your legs to generate downward force, then rapidly upward, while using your upper body to keep the board stable and oriented.
Rhythm and timing: Timing is crucial. Start with a powerful movement as soon as you take off to get the initial lift, then follow up with a steady rhythm. Find a rhythm that allows you to maintain lift without burning out quickly.
Foil use: Understand how your foil reacts to different pumping movements. Some foils may require more force, while others respond better to more subtle movements.
Practice and Endurance: Foil pumping is physically demanding. Improve your stamina and strength with specific exercises (such as running splits) and regular practice.
Master your starting technique. This involves running in a controlled manner on the pontoon and jumping onto the board with precision. Make sure your feet land correctly positioned on the board to avoid slipping or unbalancing the board. Start practicing in safe conditions, such as shallow water that’s deep enough to avoid hitting the bottom in the event of a fall. Pay attention to the condition of the pontoon…
Warm up properly before you start, and make sure you’re in good physical condition. This reduces the risk of injury from sudden or unexpected movements.
Read our complete guide to getting started with dockstart.
Foil And Co is the parent company of AFS. Its main mission is to relocate the production of our board sports equipment to France. Today, the company has 42 employees and is based in Brittany. We develop, produce and market under AFS. We also have 2 other brands, AHD and SEALION.
AFS was born within the AHD entity in 2009, with the launch of the first windsurf foil combo (board plus production foil). The historic model is the AFS-1, a foil dedicated to light wind freeride practice, with small sail surfaces (5.5m² in 10 knots of wind). Its field of use was later extended to SUP foils, with the Sealion range of boards, making it the first Stand Up Paddle-compatible foil on the market (2011). 2017 saw the launch of the AFS-2, a new-generation foil developed and manufactured in France. With it, AFS takes off and becomes a fully-fledged entity dedicated to foils. AFS’s vocation is to offer a more high-performance foiling experience, while retaining top-notch accessibility and stability to provide all riders with a safe ride thanks to full carbon construction. Thanks to our know-how and high standards, we are the leading foil manufacturer in France. At AFS, our customers feel they are listened to and supported in their choice.
AFS Advanced is a branch of AFS working on the development of an innovative experience. It’s a concentration of AFS know-how taken to the extreme. Being one step ahead and opening up new horizons in the world of foiling: that’s the role of AFS Advanced. It’s our way of concentrating our know-how and expertise to produce the most advanced designs. It’s the essence and the future of AFS. The essence of our know-how, pushed to the limits of its performance.
Our head office is located in Brittany, more precisely in Pencran, Finistère. We are located Espace Joseph Rolland – 29800 PENCRAN
All AFS foils are manufactured at our company in Pencran, France. All AFS Advanced boards are also made here. Some of our boards are made in Tunisia at Terminatech, as are our covers. Finally, although we haven’t yet managed to make the leap, our wings are now made in China, although all R&D is carried out in-house.
Depending on your size/practice, you’ll find different information on the sheets presenting our ranges directly. If you have the slightest doubt, our team of enthusiasts is at your disposal via the website chat (blue logo) at the bottom of your screen.
All materials shown are in stock. Delivery takes place within 48 hours of the order being placed.
All our products are packed in reinforced cardboard boxes. We ship all over the world, sometimes between distribution, private individuals, boats and planes… All our products are protected with various types of foam.
Don’t hesitate to contact us after 48 hours from the order date if you haven’t heard from us :). To do so, you can write to us directly on our chat page, where a team is at your disposal.
You can contact our dealer network or our ambassadors. We also organize AFS Days, where you can test all AFS equipment.
You can contact us directly via the website chat where a team of passionate practitioners is on hand to answer your questions. This is the blue icon at the bottom of your screen.
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