Frequently Asked Questions
So you saw someone out on the water flying above the water's surface and getting huge air and now you're asking yourself "what was that thing they were riding?!" Well, it was a hydrofoil, and Sky Ski is at the top of the hydrofoil game. The best news is, you can do it too! Check out the FAQ's below...
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The answer to this is a resounding NO! Riding a hydrofoil is a lot like riding a bicycle, it involves more balance, instead of physical strength. And its much easier on the body than any other watersport too! Less resistance, less impact means you can spend more time behind the boat than in the boat!
The start on a Sky Ski is similar to that of a deep water start on a slalom ski. First, you get in the water behind the Sky Ski, put your legs thru the seat belt and sit on the seat. Reaching down, secure each foot into the bindings, then maneuver your butt onto the seat so that it is centered, and your back is flush or slightly forward from the back edge of the seat. Once you’re ready, have the boat idle out and tighten up the rope. Rocking back in the water (as if you were in a rocking chair) just enough to keep the tip of the board from going underwater, signal the driver to start a slow pull-up. As the ski surfaces you’ll need to break at the waist and lean forward to keep the foil from flying. Keep your arms straight, hands at shoulder height while riding leaned forward until you can ride the board without issue. (This will be your “safe” position) Once you can do that, start to sit up straight very slowly, basically just straightening your spine, little by little. When you feel the board lift off the water, slowly return to the “safe” position. Try to make your flight times longer and longer before needing to return to the safe position.
People of all ages can ride the Sky Ski. Really, the only limitation is whether or not your feet reach the bindings when sitting on the seat. In order to be able to steer the Sky Ski effectively, you need to have about a 60 degree bend at the knees. The standard Sky Skis are good for people in height ranging from about 5’4” to 6’4”. For people outside of this height range we offer adjustable bindings, which is a feature that allows you to move the bindings closer, or further away from the seat tower to accommodate a wider range of heights. For riders smaller than 4ft tall we also offer a Junior model, and this model can be set-up with adjustable bindings as well!
One of the things that makes Hydrofoiling so safe is the fact that you ARE seat belted in, and cannot be hit by any part of the ski or foil in the event of a crash. And since the Hydrofoil acts as a counterweight, when you fall all you need to do is relax and let it self right, and pop your head & shoulders out of the water. Typically this takes somewhere between 1 & 3 seconds. Once you’ve self righted, you’re automatically in the position you need to be in to re-start!
Although there are no official schools or camps, there are a few places you can go to get some lessons. The best route for this is to get yourself to a fly-in. Fly-ins are freestyle types of events where riders of all abilities go to just ride and have fun. There are many of these events all over the US through-out the summer, just go to www.hydrofoil.org to get a current years’ schedule of events. You can also get more connected with the sport of Hydrofoiling by joining these two online communities;
We also offer instructional DVD’s here at Sky Ski, they cover everything from just learning how to get up all the way to the most extreme, advanced flips, spins, combos & mobius tricks currently being performed by the top pro’s.
If you’re interested in one-on-one instruction tailored to fit your specific needs, there are a few individuals around the country that offer this, just give us a call here at Sky Ski and we’ll get you hooked up with someone nearest to you or your travel plans!
Glossary of Terms
The seat on which you sit when riding the hydrofoil. May be reffered to as a “Shock Tower”, or “Rock Tower”, depending on which model it is.
This is what the Tower is bolted and the bindings are mounted to. When sitting on the seat tower your feet are secured in the bindings on the front of the board.
The bindings are like shoes that are mounted to the front of the board. The bindings secure your feet and allow the rider to control the hydrofoil while riding.
The vertical part of the Hydrofoil that extends down into the water, joining the board to the lower end of the hydrofoil. The strut is made in various different lengths.
The assembly that passes through the board and mounts into the seat tower, extending down into the water and provides lift so the rider can fly above the waters’ surface.
The horizontal piece at the bottom of the hydrofoil, bolts to the bottom of the strut and has tapped holes to facilitate the mounting of the front & rear wing.
The Front wing which provides the lift and enables the rider to rise/jump the ski off the surface of the water.
The rear wing which stabilizes/counterbalances the lift from the front wing.
Small plastic or metal pieces that can be inserted between the rear wing and the mounting surface on the fuselage to slightly change the pitch of the rear wing, effecting the amount of lift the foil has naturally. Generally you only shim the rear wing as when shimming the front wing the effect is too drastic due to the increased wing surface.
This is what enables a hydrofoil rider to rise up off the waters’ surface. Lift is effected by many things, ranging from stance & placement over the foil, speed, rider weight & size, water temperature & conditions.
When performing a jump or other aerial trick, this is how the Hydrofoil releases from the water. When it releases hard and fast it is said to have “good pop”. When it releases sluggishly it is said to be “dead”, or no pop.
Resistance on the hydrofoil as it flies thru the water.
When a foil loses lift for no apparent reason and the rider is dropped down to the board. Cavitations can be mild, moderate or extreme. Sometimes the cavitations can be felt by the rider as a shudder, or vibration. All hydrofoils will cavitate to some extent in the prop-wash, or other areas of aerated water, as well as in water colder than 50 degrees. (Cavitate can also be known as "Suck-down")
This is what happens upon landing a jump or aerial trick, upon landing the foil regains flight. If a hydrofoil has quick re-flight it often will begin flying so soon the board will not touch the water at all.
The distance from wing tip to wingtip on a wing. On wingleted wings the wingspan does not include the winglets.
The distance (in inches) from the foremost leading edge to the rearmost trailing edge of the wing.
The amount of vertical strut that is actually useable when the unit is completely assembled and ridden in the water. (Some of the actual strut length is lost due to being sandwiched into the seat tower when assembled)
A style of cutting a wing, either front or rear. The “bat” refers to the trailing edge being cut in a curved fashion on each side, making the wing more aggressive and responsive.
