How to Transition to stab-less pumpfoiling using a DIY stab

Описание: Pumpfoiling without a stabilizer isn't just a hobby to pass the time or a challenge to show off.

It's also a great exercise for learning how the foil works, improving pumping efficiency, and flying farther without getting tired.
When you first try it, it seems almost impossible. The foil feels uncontrollable and shoots up or down with no room for maneuver; even docking is difficult.

If you persevere and keep at it, you start to see possibilities, but the learning process is still tough.

So I decided to make a homemade stabilizer, which I would then gradually trim as I got used to it.

After failing with the acrylic stabilizer (which I already told you about in another video    • DIY foil stab made of methacrylate  ), I found a piece of fiberglass in the trash.

So I cut a piece out and drilled two holes to fit my gong fuselage.

Because the Gong V2's fuselage extends with the stabilizer, the result had to be a much shorter fuselage than usual. So, even though the stabilizer wasn't very small, just shortening the fuselage so much brought me quite close to pumping without a stabilizer.

The result was quite good. The dock start and pumping were still very unstable, but after 3 or 4 attempts, I got the hang of it and started to master it.

The key to the dock start is to place your hands (and therefore your feet) approximately 5 centimeters further back on the board. And perhaps a little further apart as well for more stability in the initial moments. On the last jump before the dock start, it's also important to press down with your back hand to ensure the foil starts rising. Once on the board, and after the first 3 stabilizing pumps, you have to start bringing your feet together. This way, the foil doesn't move up and down so forcefully, and it starts to feel more like pumping with your usual stabilizer.

After a few more attempts, I could turn in a controlled manner and return to the spring.

So, when I got home, it was time to trim it again to make it smaller. I did this iteration three times, reducing it and testing it until I got used to the feeling.

I also tried putting the stabilizer on top and underneath, but I didn't notice any difference.

Some days after trimming the foil, I felt a vibration in the stabilizer, but it didn't matter; it worked just as well for training.

On the fourth session with this stabilizer, progressively reducing its size, I decided to try pumping without the stabilizer, and to my surprise, I did it on the first try. It was obviously a bit more demanding than with the homemade stabilizer, but on the very first attempt, I was able to turn in a controlled manner and return to the spring.

Muscle memory is amazing. After half an hour of practicing with the small stabilizing board and no stabilizer, you put on your usual stabilizer and your body just can't pump it; you can't move the board. Luckily, after two or three tries, your body remembers and you start pumping normally again.

I can pump without a stabilizer now, but the work doesn't end here. I can already pump for 30 seconds, but now I need to solidify it to keep improving my technique. Subscribe to see the videos with my next steps, and tell me about your experiences trying to pump without a stabilizer in the comments.