I could be completely wrong here, but I don’t think there actually are that many brands that have a good beginner pump foil.
My definition or a good beginner pimp foil is:
-Fairly high aspect ratio, ideally 9 or 10, for glide as I find this helps a lot with the launch, have more time for everything.
-Fairly high span for roll stability. Again makes the launch and balance while pumping easier. Ties in nicely with a good AR.
-Fairly thick, cambered foil section for good low speed lift. This last point is where a lot of good foils get crossed off my good beginner list.
Brands that have this kind of foil that I know of are Gong (Sirus), Axis (PNG 1150 and 1300), Sabfoil (dont remember model). Others can chime in with foils I’ve overlooked.
Given your background, you may not need such a dedicated beginner foil, but that really depends on your weight and perseverance. As others have said the dock counts heavily in your early success rate, and 2 to 2.5m is a pretty short run for me at 100kg on a Gong Sirus L. I see lightweight people on youtube rock starting the exact same foil with ease.
If you’re working with a 2-2.5m floating dock, stability will be key for a consistent dock start. The Code 1540s might work, but for true beginner-friendly options, you might want to check out brands like Armstrong or F-One, which have solid lift and lower stall speeds. Also, make sure your dock setup is optimal—stable and non-slip surfaces help a lot. Some setups, like ezdocklongisland.com, offer great modular floating docks that work well for water sports.