Does eFoiling Help You Learn to Wingfoil or Kitefoil?

Kitefoiling and wingfoiling have two components: the wind-powered kite or wing, and a hydrofoil board. If you’re new to riding a hydrofoil, it can be helpful to take the element of the wind out of the equation, and learn how to ride a hydrofoil first.

There are two ways to isolate the hydrofoil board, and learn without managing the wind with a kite or wing: eFoiling, and tow-behind sessions. Here, we’ll dive into each option and compare.

First, what is eFoiling?

eFoiling is a board with a hydrofoil underneath it, powered by a battery-driven propeller. You control the speed with a handheld remote control.

You don't need kite or wing skills, and you don't have to wait for wind either. For learning to eFoil, less wind makes the board more stable, so you can focus on the foil without having to navigate chop.

It’s easy to learn how to foil. Balance is the name of the game! 96% of people who try eFoiling get up on foil during their first session.

What is tow-behind foiling? 

Tow-behind, tow foiling, and jet ski tow-behind all refer to the same thing. A watercraft- this could be a dinghy, panga, or jet ski,  has a long rope connected to it that reaches a person in the water, where a wingfoil or kitefoil board is waiting.

With a tow-behind, you can get on the board, hold onto the handle, and be pulled behind the watercraft to get up on the foil.

If you’re using a smaller kitefoil board, the process looks more like a kiteboarding water start instead,  since the board is too small to climb onto and it would simply sink. This way, the learner lies on their back with the board on their feet, holding onto the rope, and gets pulled up onto the foil when the watercraft starts to go.

How eFoiling or Tow-Behind Foiling Helps You Learn to Kiteboard or Wingfoil

Learning how to balance on a foil while also controlling the kite or wing in the chop can be a lot to juggle. You're trying to read the wind, control your power source, manage the chop, and get board control, all while the board wants to lift you out of the water.

Both eFoiling and tow-behind foiling let you isolate the board and foil, without having to manage the rest. With eFoiling, you control the power yourself. With tow-behind, a steady pull from the watercraft gets you up on foil. Either way, both tools let you take wind out of the equation, so you can learn how small movements and little foot shifts affect your ride. Once you've got the foil part dialed in, you're ready to put it all together.

eFoil vs. Tow-Behind Foiling: Key Differences

Power Source: eFoiling works with an onboard battery, controlled by you through a remote control. Tow-behind foiling relies on an external power source: a person driving a watercraft, pulling you with a rope.

Feel: eFoiling lets you focus solely on the foil component. It's a smooth, predictable pull, since you're controlling the throttle. Tow-behind foiling tends to be more closely related to kite or wing foiling, since the power, like wind, isn't always 100% the same. You're reacting to a person's power and steering, much like you would when using wind as your power source with all its variability.

Who's Driving? With eFoiling, you're the driver; you control the speed, and it will be smooth. With tow-behind, your driver controls the speed, so you'll react to the movements they create.

Which one should I choose? 

If your goal is to focus solely on maintaining your ride on foil, eFoiling is the one for you. It lets you isolate your movements and their effects on the board, teaching you the balance you'll need when practicing wing or kite foiling.

If you want more of a realistic feel, where the pull comes from a secondary source with variability, minus the chop, tow-behind foiling is your choice.

Both can be combined as part of your progression. You could practice eFoiling one day, then, as a more realistic and transferable skill (and a bit more challenging), try tow-behind foiling the next session.

How this fits into your lessons at Kite & Wing Academy

Whether you're just starting or looking to speed up your progress on foil, both eFoiling and tow-behind foiling are great tools to have in your back pocket.

If you're already working on your kite or wing lessons and want extra time dialing in your foil balance, adding a session of either can make a real difference in how quickly things click once you're back to managing the wind and power source yourself.

Curious about jet ski assistance in your regular lessons too? Check out our post on getting more out of your kiteboarding lesson with a jet ski assist.

Ready to add an eFoil or tow-behind session to your progression? Get in touch, and we'll help you figure out what fits your goals best.