Hydrofoil board
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Foilboard is a type of surfboard equipped with a hydrofoil that extends below the board, causing the board to completely lift out of the water at high speeds. A jetski is used to pull the surfer into a wave. Foilboards are also starting to appear on wind-surfboards as well. The design allows the surfer to "ride upon a cushion of air," leaving the chop and roughness behind. Due to the reduced friction, hydrofoil boards can attain high speeds and lift over 2 feet out of the water. Using a moderate-sized sail, a foil windboard can reach speeds over 6 knots by the wind alone. Laird Hamilton, a prominent figure in surfing, has been credited with discovery of the foilboard. "Mango" Manny Carabello, a prominent big wave tow sufing athlete and instructor, has been the original leading developer perfecting the hydrofoil board design for standup hydro foil boarding. The hydrofoil technology used in foilboards has been used for nearly a century in different kinds of passenger boats that rise out of the water at high speed.