Kite Foil - Board

Welcome to the Kitemana Q&A about foil boards. Choosing the right hydrofoil kiteboard can be a challenge, especially if you are a beginner in kite foiling. That's why we answer the most common questions about hydrofoil boards that are asked again and again. Feel free to read the questions and answers below, but please don't hesitate to contact us! We are always available and will always be happy to help you with expert knowledge!

What size should my kitefoil board be?
What are the advantages of a foil kiteboard with volume vs. a twintip sandwich construction?
Should I use my kitefoil board with straps?
Can I also use my foil kiteboard as a directional kiteboard?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of foil-convertible kiteboards?
Which kitefoil mast is suitable for which kite foilboard?
Is every kite hydrofoil board compatible with every hydrofoil?
Which kitefoil board brands does Kitemana stock?


As in all other kite disciplines, it is primarily your experience that decides which is the right size for your kitefoil board. If you are about to start with kite foiling, a larger board with more volume is a good choice as it provides more buoyancy and will offer you more time to get on the foil. In addition, a larger foil kiteboard feels safer and more stable when planing. A larger foil kiteboard is also an advantage if you want to hydrofoil in very little wind, as it makes it easier to get gliding in less wind.
If you already are an experienced foil kiter, that rides safely and is already working on the first maneuvers such as turning and jibing, then it makes sense to switch to a smaller foil-board. The smaller the hydrofoil board, the more agile, dynamic and playful it is, as a smaller board always entails a lower swing weight.

If you get along better with a kite hydrofoil board with or without volume is mainly a matter of taste. A foil kiteboard with volume can be an advantage for beginners as it offers more buoyancy than a sandwich-style foil kiteboard without volume. In case of a touch down, a foil-kiteboard with volume is less likely to nose-dive into the water and feels more gentle. It is also more visible on the surface of the water in case you lose it during a crash.
On the other hand, a foil kiteboard with a lot of volume is more sensitive and prone to damage. This is definitely an advantage of a twin-tip sandwich constructed hydrofoil-board: It is much more robust especially during transports when traveling. In addition, you can edge a sandwich foilboard more easy during the waterstart, why it is easier for beginners to get on a twin tip style/ sandwich constructed foilboard .

Whether you prefer to ride your kitefoil-board with or without straps mainly depends on your preferences. Many kite foilers love the free and light feeling of strapless riding, others prefer to get the full performance out of their hydrofoil which is only possible when riding with straps. Straps can give you more support and control, especially during fast and dynamic maneuvers. Even during your first starts, straps can simplify the first few meters because they hold the hydrofoil board on your feet and determine the position of your feet on the board. However, you shouldn't make the straps too tight, especially at the beginning, so that you are able to free yourself from the foil-kiteboard to not fall into the hydrofoil if you crash or twist an ankle.

Not every foil kiteboard can also be used as a directional kiteboard. There are so-called convertible foil boards that can be used as a hydrofoil board as well as a directional kiteboard without the foil being mounted. To use your convertible foil kiteboard as a directional surfboard, simply mount fins under your convertible kiteboard instead of your hydrofoil.

Foil convertible kiteboards offer the advantage that you have to carry less luggage when you travel, especially if you want to ride both - a directional surfboard and a kite foil board. In addition, with a Foil Convertible Board you are equipped for different conditions and can either ride the board without a foil as a directional board in a lot of wind and waves, or use the same board as a kite foil board with mast and foil in less wind. The disadvantage of the Foil Convertible Boards are that you cannot expect the same performance in each disciplines as you do from a specialized directional surfboard and foil kiteboard.

Whether a particular kitefoil mast is suitable for a particular kite foilboard is determined by the type of baseplate of the mast and the board. When buying a mast or a foil-kiteboard, you have to make sure that they are compatible. There are currently three different types of mast mounts on the market: a fixed attachment, the slider box and the tuttle box. If you are not sure whether a certain foil kiteboard and a certain foil mast are compatible, you can always contact us!

Many manufacturers design hydrofoil kiteboards and hydrofoils. If you get a hydrofoil and hydrofoil board from the same brand in the same season, you can be sure these will match each other perfectly. Brands like Appletree, who only make hydrofoil boards, often recommend hydrofoils that are best suitable for their foil-boards. You need to check if the mast mount matches as well as if the hydrofoil matches your foil-kiteboard style – e.g. freeride, wave or race etc.

In our Kitemana online shop you will find hydrofoil kiteboards from the brands listed below. You can learn more about each brand by following the links below.

Airush: BY INNOVATORS FOR INNOVATORS
Appletree: LIGHTEST, STRONGEST AND BEST-PERFORMING KITESURF BOARDS
Cabrinha: LIVE FREE. RIDE FREE.
Core Kiteboarding: PREMIUM KITES & BOARDS FROM FEHMARN, GERMANY.
Duotone Kiteboarding: TRUE KITEBOARDING.
F-One: ENJOY ALL CONDITIONS, TRY OUT NEW THINGS, OPEN UP YOUR PLAYGROUND
Levitaz Hydrofoils: HYDROFOILS FOR ALL DISCIPLINES
Moses Hydrofoil: HIGH QUALITY HYDROFOILS MADE IN ITALY
Naish: POWERED BY NATURE.
North: FOR THE SEEKERS.
Slingshot: THE ART OF POWER