One of the common items out there that can make a difference, but not much discussed here…
I’ve been using a basic Home Depot black floor mat, but it is just a bit too small to do much for either my wings or my board…it’s also really beat up and smells bad, so if I’m going to replace it I’d like something better.
I think something that is around 6’ long, lets dirt/sand through (?), is not so light as to easily blow away, not too bulky for storage, doesn’t soak up water/dries quickly…
Another basic floor mat? One of those camper sand mats? Outdoor rug? Yoga mat?
I bought these kayak stands and just keep one in the back of my 4runner. Works great to put my board on and keep it out of the sand, rocks etc. while I rig my foil as well as to rinse it off. It is rusting slightly after about 6mo of regular use even though I try to rinse it with fresh water.
I finally succumbed to 1-2 years of adds for this changing mat. It’s actually really nice. Super light weight. Doesn’t really assist with rigging, but helps with wetsuits in dirty lots etc.
I tried a few varieties of surf grass and other products marketed to surfers over the years. A simple teak bath mat is making me happiest these days. Not so much for rigging, but great for wetsuit changing
I got this 2’7" wide by 7’ long artificial turf that has worked pretty well. It was only $25 but unfortunately no longer available. But you can use that size to find something similar. It’s lightweight and rolls up to pack up fairly compactly. Only downside I’ve experienced is that in strong winds, I have to weigh it down with rocks which are not always easy to find. But great for rigging my mid length boards and for changing into/out of my wetsuit.
It’s heavy so won’t blow away, and leave it out as it’s not worth much also dries or doesn’t collect water at least think warmer than the others or at least not as cold as some I’ve tried
I’ve tried foam and grass and this is the only thing that by virtue of being indestructible and heavy hasn’t disappeared.
it’s pretty bulky and heavy, so might not fit the need
I’m new to foiling and foiling excursion deployments, but an active hot-yoga practitioner. I repurposed one of my old yoga mats and it works great. Dimensionally perfect, 6mm thick, heavy/dense neoprene-ish, rolls up and totes easily. Can often be found at thrift stores for a few bucks. Some brands do absorb water, which I would avoid…undesirable for drying/funk.
I’ve been liking one of these ikea uppdatera drawer mats for changing. Cheap and works well, I just shake it out and roll it up when i’m done. It doesn’t take up much space and seems to hold on to less sand/dirt than carpet squares or turf I’ve used in the past. They are light so I’ve got a weight that goes on the corner, but maybe a piece of dowel/pipe attached along one of the ends would be cleaner and you could just roll it up around it.
I used to have separate gear, but the cabrinha “nitrobag” has been a game changer, not just a changing poncho / gear bag, and I am on the water when everyone else is on the beach.
