I’m based on the Gold Coast, Australia and recently got into prone foiling. I’m riding a Progression 800 mast, Progression 170, medium fuse and 13 Shiv tail.
I’m probably 12 sessions in now and starting to make a lot more takeoffs and have some long rides, which is awesome, but I really want to start linking some waves. I have gotten very close a few times but always touch down just as I get to the wave behind.
I need to improve my pumping and want to accelerate this learning curve as quickly as possible.
I have a jetski so have done 2 sessions towing which was really helpful but the hard part is finding people to tow me (PM me if you’re on the GC and want to volunteer haha). Because of this I’m thinking of doing some dockstarts at a flatwater lake near me as I can do this without needing another person who is willing and able to join me.
I’m wondering if the Progression 170 is large enough for doing dockstart pump foiling? And if not, what everyone would recommend for accelerating my pump journey? Tow boogie is out of reach unfortunately, I am considering foil drive if I can do it cheap, but really can’t spend much more money now after buying a ski and foil in the last 6 months haha.
Flag the Foil Drive - just keep at it. There are heaps of (prolly too many) threads on how to progress pumping and tips. PP170 is plenty to get you onto pumping - just stay with it. Prolly a bit small for Dockstarting but could be wrong.
Learning to exit waves with speed, controlling mast height in turbulence and punching through whitewash are more important for connecting waves than pumping skills in my opinion. Leave the rope/ dock and just go prone more.
If you’re keen to dockstart the 170, I’ve found the best method for the smaller foils is to get a dock with a bit of space, and as you’re taking the first few steps, transfer your hands to the top of the board, then sort of replace your hands with your feet as you jump on it, so you can land really softly and not blow through the foil. Someone the other day said you can dockstart anything, you just need enough speed
Obviously not the ideal setup to learn on, but a bit of a laugh anyway!
For me using the red .5 or 1 shim was really helpful for learning to pump. It will add a bit of drag but the red shim will give a lot of front foot feedback. You can stomp the board down and the nose pushes right back up.
if you have the conditions to prone frequently then just get out and prone. But for sure dock starting will massively help improve your pumping game. It did for me, I rarely get to prone foil, only when I travel south 4+ hours in the UK do I get to score consistant conditions. But i have exponentially improved my linking skills for waves by dockstart pump foiling back at home on a lake, so when I have the chance to prone, I can focus on turns and style. my go to dock start foil is the Unifoil Evo 135 now, and thats what I prone the most. It requires a good dock setup to get the initial speed. I think the evo 205 would be great for dock start without needed a fast run up.
Legend, thanks for the advice. Good to know you can dockstart a foil of that size. We do have a good consistent conditions here to go prone most days, so I’ll do that to start anyway!
A Shiv 14 tail will definitely help with your pump, will be a tad slower than the 13, plus side adds stability and a bit more push back through the back foot.
