Kitefoiling, a relatively new discipline in kiteboarding, saw a significant leap in 2016 with the introduction of the first 'easy-to-use' hydrofoils. While the gear was not as advanced back then, continuous development has made learning much more accessible and enjoyable.

With the evolution of kite foil equipment, the learning process has become much more straightforward and enjoyable. The variety of styles, from low-aspect to high-aspect kite foils, opens up a world of possibilities and even extends to other sports like wing surfing.

This guide is a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in learning kitefoiling. It covers everything you need to know, from the basic gear to advanced considerations, such as the size of the board, mast, and wings.

It also provides insights into using hydrofoils for other sports like wingsurfing or prone surfing, as certain foils are suitable for all three sports.

How to Choose Kitefoil Gear: The first step is to get the right kite foil equipment. To speed up the learning process, you want to start with the easiest sizes and styles. The beauty of modern foil systems is their modularity, allowing you to upgrade and customize your set as you progress without feeling overwhelmed or constrained.

What hydrofoil set do I start with? Start with a medium to large, low-aspect foil. For most, this would be a 1300 to 1700 wing set. The easiest wings will have a shorter mast with a longer fuselage. Something around 70 to 80 cm is a good starting point. This makes for a shorter fall and a more stable platform. Consider the brand's fuselage lengths and opt for their longest option.

What kitefoil Board do I start with? Larger boards are recommended to start. Short boards make the foil excessively reactive and technical to ride. A longer board will give you the control you need. There are different styles of boards to choose from. With kite foil, volume is less of a consideration than length. Choose something at least 120 cm or larger.

What kite do I start with? The kite you already have will work fine for learning. Start with light wind, but not the lightest wind. It will be challenging if your kite falls out of the sky. You can learn with a medium to large wingset with an underpowered 12m to 17m. It's better to have less power than more, as kite foils will get overpowered faster than kiteboards. We'll cover the best kites for kitefoiling next in this article.

Do I need a special kite to kite foil? All kites work for kite foiling, but some work far better than others. If you're on a budget, we get it! Use the kite you have. That said, we recommend getting a foil-specific kite. It will make the sport far more enjoyable, and you'll reap many benefits.

Freeride kites for kitefoil: Most all around kites work well for kitefoil now. With recent developments, you can expect them to have some kitefoil DNA built into the design. If you have a high-end specialty kite with an expensive fabric like Alulla or the Airush Hookipa, you will experience many benefits like a lighter, faster kite that drifts better for light wind and when the lines slack on kite foil tricks.

Single Strut Kites: These are the best choice for dedicated kite foilers. They are essentially lightweight surf kites that pivot, pinwheel, turn fast, and fly in next to nothing. You will have the best experience using this style regardless of light wind or strong wind. The added drift and maneuverability make these optimal. Consider a special material, as the performance boost will be huge for kite foiling.

Wave kites for kite foil: Three-strut wave kites are a popular choice among kite foil enthusiasts. They are not as light as their single-strut counterparts but have many of the same benefits. Drift is massively crucial for making kite foil transitions or doing tricks. They are not as light or nimble as a single strut, but they have more support in the canopy if you want to foil stronger wings or progress into jumping with a kite foil.

What size kite foil board? Kitefoil boards can get very small. Advanced riders love to go as small as possible, down to 98 cm or less. The best place to start is around a 120 cm kite foil board. You can learn on something much larger, but the 120 mark is the sweet spot. It's easy enough to learn with, and you won't outgrow it anytime soon. Try other boards at demos and check with the local shop to see what they recommend.

Small kite foil boards: If you want to pump your foil, take shart turns, ride aggressively, and take it to another level, consider 100 cm or less. Kite foilers are minimalist and love smaller gear. Expect a change when you downsize. The smaller the board, the faster the foil under the water responds to rider input. It's easy to get tossed if you don't know what you are doing. Anticipate a bigger learning curve but great rewards when you are ready to make the switch.

High-volume kite foil boards: Some boards will have more volume and float. These composite foil boards have more buoyancy and feel akin to a surfboard or wingboard. They are not suited for jumping but work great for light wind and wave applications. You can find some very low-volume shapes that are not composite boards and have more durability. It's a personal preference. They will have a somewhat damp, forgiving feel.

Low-volume kite foil boards: These are very thin and feel more like a kiteboard. They will be very responsive and direct. They are also lighter and easier to transport or take on an airplane for trips. The stiffer the board, the more response.

There are a few kinds of kite foilers: Kite foil racers, surf kite foilers, light wind kite foilers, big air kite foilers, and crossover athletes.

Racers require highly specialized gear. The rest of us can consider standard equipment and customize it to our needs.

Low Aspect Foils: These are best for kitefoil beginners. They need a consistent power source to take flight and are always stable.

Medium Aspect Foils: These are the sweet spot for most. Wave riders, high-level kite foil athletes, and crossover riders choose these. For example, a small 800 medium aspect wing will be fun in steep waves, going fast for big air or aggressively foiling. While a 1300 medium aspect will pump well, it works great for light kitefoiling, and you could use it on a wingfoil board as a crossover. These pump well, have a medium turn radius and check most boxes for most people. We highly recommend a medium-aspect foil for most riders.

High-Aspect Foils: These are the most advanced, and they used to be challenging to ride. They are unsuitable for beginners but are much easier to use now. They have the best top-end speed and wider turns thanks to the wide wing span and superior pump. You can glide without power well with these. Consider this for small waves with no power, dock starts, pumping sessions, and wingfoil. If you are a crossover athlete, high aspect works great for wingfoiling.

60cm Masts and under: Short masts are less common these days. They make learning a breeze with a very short height off the water. Most will outgrow this size in a couple of weeks, and it's not needed with how user-friendly foils have become.

70 to 80 cm masts: This is a good consideration for a first mast size. Beginners love the shorter fall when learning. Foil surfers love them as they are less prone to hit the sandbar under the wave. They also work excellently as a crossover for wingfoil. This is the standard size mast for wing boards and a great consideration if you want to do both sports.

98 - 110 cm masts: Advanced kitefoilers prefer longer carbon masts. You can really lean into turns without breaching the wing. They are best for riding with large chop, deep water and getting technical or going fast. Consider this if you are a dedicated foil frother who wants to use a very short board.

What size Kite foil wings?

1600 Wings and Up: Large wings are best for heavy riders 220 lbs and up. They work best for learning in light wind. This is a good size range if you want to learn kitefoil and wing foil simultaneously, regardless of weight.

1300 to 1500 Wings: This is the sweet spot for learning. These are relatively easy to learn and work well in light winds. Expect them to be more maneuverable and fun than 1600 wings. They will have less drag and make a perfect quiver wing for you. You can learn with it and keep this size for light wind or wingfoil.

1000 to 1200 Wings: This is the perfect size midrange wing. Fun for going fast, riding in light to moderate winds, riding swell, jumping, and more. You won't start here, but you will want to add this size immediately as you will progress fast and need it soon. You will use this size for 80% of your sessions as an intermediate foiler, regardless of sport. We often use this range for intermediate wingfoiling and kitefoiling.

700 to 900 wings: This is the choice wing for smaller riders, advanced foilers, and riders going into steep waves. You will only need this wing immediately if you are a lightweight rider, around 120 pounds and under. Consider adding it to your modular quiver to save money and prepare you for the long run. Foils do change, and if you wait a few years, you might have to upgrade systems to access this size if it's unavailable in the future. That said, updating your system every five years is a good idea. Gear makes small advancements yearly, so it would be a huge gift to yourself to upgrade in 5 years.

Elite Watersports has a full selection of kitefoil gear and our dedicated team has been foiling since the beginning. We're happy to help you choose the right gear to get started or take your kite foiling to the next level.

In 2024, we live in a time of abundance; all kites from major brands are great but have their own flavor. We can share insider insights and what to expect from different models.

The expert team at Elite Watersports is here to serve. If you have any kiteboarding related questions call us. We can build custom kiteboarding packages, book kiteboarding lessons or simply offer helpful advice. We're your one stop shop for kiteboarding knowledge.
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