Definitely had fun contemplating it all today. Rooster was epic!
I think there is something massive to unpack here: the idea that success in foiling is not easily defined and can be affected so directly by the conditions. A dope session is euphoric⌠a personal best on FOIL run or new part of the wave or swell opened up after months of training etc. But the expectation of results can be difficult on the mind if one is not managing ones mindfulness and principally - attachment. It was at least for me.
I went through something that resembled this struggle during my first year of learning to paddle up. I think I had to go through that to realize that to try and force the moment (or force staying on foil) will ensure the end. Instead what I had to learn is being in the right position on the board/foil and on the catch, and allowing things to happen naturally. Yes I had to focus on key parts of paddling and pumping⌠IE Pushing during the first few strokes to gain speed is key, but once youâre up Im focused on trying less and just being in the moment and not attached to the outcome. Somehow this has been a major piece of the puzzle for me. Simeon Ke-Paloma (IG simboogy) messaged me something rad recently when I was asking him about his on FOIL runs⌠See it when you dont feel it and feel it when you dont see it. I think there is a HUGE piece of the puzzle here⌠you kind of have to let go to get what you want. Being unattached to the outcome and trusting your gear/training is the leap of faith that is required. Maybe thats where I am with my foil progress at the moment⌠I ride with out waves so I have to push for speed and lift and when the foil cycles up and I feel that glide and speed generate on its own⌠oh man⌠THAT FEELING.
This has been an amazing exercise for me both in regards to my FOILing life but also in the rest of it (work, kids, stress, $, general mental health etc). I love the freedom of foiling, being in nature, being on foil, THAT feeling is second to none. Shaking off the attachment of what surrounds it has proven to be tricky at times. I think that could be true of a lot of things in life. When I read your post OP this rung true in my world.
Mindfulness and meditation, for me, is the way to manage these forces. A âsuccessfulâ FOIL session, as it turns out, is no exception.
Thanks for the post foilstate 
2 Likes