How to go fast downwind

[Matt]

spoke about soaring here

Foiling upwind using bumps - dynamic foiling

Anyone think this is possible without pumping, to gain ground against the direction of wind and bumps? Based on the conversation around racing, I wondered. I wouldn’t have given much credit to this given last years foils, but as the AR of the foils increase, it becomes more conceivable that foiling could use the same dynamic soaring technique used by birds and RC planes. [Dynamic Soaring: How the Wandering Albatross Can Fly for Free] [image] (based on a loose understanding of h…

[weslapp]

That’s cool Matt, I hadn’t read that 2024 thread before : )

[Matt]

Posted some notes from here as a follow up

How to go fast - follow up

[MrJohnson]

Lol thank you. Not trying to be a hater but the whole downwind racing thing doesn’t make much sense to me either. Seems like just doing a pogo stick competition would be simpler and cleaner for all involved…

[Matt]

this post definitely makes you a hater. @AnacortesRigging 's post literally doesn’t even make sense.

@MrJohnson

I’m also not very good compared to the average here, I can wing and kitefoil proficiently, ride swell, pump to the next wave, etc,

welcome to the forum, no surprises it doesn’t make sense, it’s because you are a beginner

[sailandfish]

Nothing like not understanding or liking something you haven’t done or succeeded at. Oh well, it’s not for everyone, and that’s a good thing. Thanks to the OP for his insightful and well thought out write up. Enjoyed the email articles.

[tavis]

The reason is that normal downwind becomes too easy for these guys so they have to race to make it a challenge again. Feel lucky normal DW still does it for you !

[Matt]

032_Jarrod Snow: Shares how to Crack the Downwind Code with the Parawing

Nice note from Jarrod Snow who is definitely top 5 candidate this year, interesting his most important tip is staying high. Staying high in messy fast bumps is honestly not something I can say I have got any sense for.

The video details several techniques for downwinding, particularly for going fast:

• Reading the Ocean for Downhills and Wormholes: The speaker emphasizes looking at the ocean to find “downhills” and “little wormholes” to maintain speed and reach the next downhill. This involves always riding a downhill and avoiding “up and overs” (11:40 - 11:59).
• Maintaining High Mast Height: Keeping your mast “really, really high” is crucial for speed, especially on foils like the S and X series (12:07 - 12:12). This technique allows the foil to go much faster. The speaker also notes that while it’s scary and often leads to breaching, practicing high mast height is key (12:16 - 12:31).
• Staying Relaxed to Avoid Breaching: When riding with a high mast and feeling like you might breach, the natural response is to tense up, which is the “worst possible thing to do.” Instead, staying relaxed is vital to prevent breaching (0:15 - 0:24, 12:33 - 12:38).

[vol]

Kane shared this speed stat on Instagram—honestly, I can’t even imagine how it’s possible to go that fast. It’s insane!

565 front wing 115 tail 77 mast

[Steve]

average speed faster than my top speeds

[jondrums]

1:38/km average over 15km wow!

[808sup]

I have the harbor cam on my computer at work. I see a foiler pumping into the harbor flying through everything. I know it must be Kane. I’m not sure I could ride a bike as fast.