SUP Foiling or Prone Foiling

I have been going back and forth for over year as to what to do. I live on Lake Michigan and we get decent waves, but they are a bit weaker than the ocean and a bit more mushy. I have been winging for years and surfing for years. I currently have an omen flux 60 ltr and 90cm mast, works great for winging, but when the wind dies I still want to ride waves. The 90cm mast is a bit to long to get in close to catch waves prone foiling. Should I get a shorter mast say 70cm and put more effort into learning prone foiling or get a SUP foil board and stick with the 90cm mast. Not that interested in DWing just want to ride waves.

started with SUP foiling,then prone. There’s no question, it’s 10 times more fun to prone. maybe 75cm

I can paddle in my Omen Flux 60l prone when the wind hasn’t come up, so, sure that’s the cheaper way. Get the 75cm mast and do that.

Don’t discount SUP foil though. It’s quite fun. You will also want a 75cm mast for that too though. So get that later when you find a great deal on a SUP next year. There’s no way the market stays high for these SUP’s right?

EDIT: To show how fun SUP can be. mama karen on Instagram: "Smooth SUP Foil carves in Heat 2: Kane Eddie Ian Pono Tyler Ryan @kdmaui @eddieofoil @ianchun34 @its_me_pono @tychi1808 @lafoiler @foil_fever @kaohileash @hawaiianalldatime @shanedeetman"

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Based on my very limited experience I would go with whichever one you feel more comfortable with. I am coming to foiling from normal surfing, so holding anything like a paddle or wing has felt awkward. Prone paddling feels like home base to me. If you have experience surfing, I’d get a shorter mast and try prone.

I do agree with this though:

I am already starting to see a few DW SUP’s pop up on the used market on the east coast. I foresee that trend will continue into next year as more people who gave down winding a go sell off their old/entrypoint gear.

I find that unless I’m in a very specific spot with a great chip-in, or I’m using my tow-boogie - I much prefer catching waves on my SUP. Much larger wave count. But I mean… my prone board is 32L 4’2 and I probably make it harder for myself.

I’ll also break from convention and say that I actually quite like the feeling of carving and turning a much larger board. But I also did a lot of longboarding when I was younger and like the feeling of pivoting all that mass :roll_eyes:

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I live on Lake Michigan

SUP

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For the type of conditions you mention - If you can SUP, then it’s gonna be better for taking off weaker short period waves.
I do both and interchange constantly since I always want to keep my balance trained for when the DW sup days come -
Prone Foiling is more comfortable in the carry on - and gives a better sense of freedom, but definetly it’s more technical and requires more precision on the wave picking and positioning for take off - Once flying, obviously have it’s prize!

SUP Foiling - just widens the range of waves a lot - from smaller to counterintuitebly - the bigger ones far out before they break. Going back to the point it’s also easier and more relaxed to paddle than to prone paddle in a 28L board. You can get more waves :slight_smile:
And with the right gear and technique - You can draw some really nice lines and not envy the prone lines that much.

Sounds like you have more of a budget decision to make - Either way it seems you’ll need a new board and a new mast -
A 60L Board might be an option - but clearly not ideal

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It’s definitely a budget thing for sure. A shorter mast a lot cheaper than a DW/SUP board. I feel I could definitely get a SUP going in some pretty small conditions and way before the wave is breaking. But I would also need to invest in a paddle.

In prone, I would love to be able to pump back out and do endless loops and have that short board surfing feeling.