I’m just not good at the whole water skiing gig. Something about getting dragged behind a boat on some plastic or fiberglass floatsam, just doesn’t seem to coordinate very well for me. I have tried a couple of times, and if you consider that I stood for probably a total for 4 minutes, I just don’t think it’s me. Give me some jetskis and let me tear something up. That being said, I do recognize that there are many out there that love nothing more than just wake and spin around a lake for hours doing flips. Well, they’ve taken it to a new artform (Foil Freaks). Apparently somewhere in the 60’s, 70’s a couple of guys, Mike Murphy and Bob Woolley decided to add a type of foil to the bottom of skiis and knee boards. Sometime into the mid 80’s they thought wouldn’t it be cool to add one of these things to bottom of something you can sit on? And the rest is pretty much history. Now there are world championships and people tearing things up (or themselves) with this stuff. Would I do it? Probably not. But I have respect for those that do. This HAS to be scary, and earns defintely a respectable 4 out of 5 B.A.R.s Pictures where all stolen from www.foilfreaks.com. Insider Info Not much here, other then the last couple of pictures I found where from the famous Ananova News site. Apprently you can do this to cars too. That's another story tho.

Nutty.    Who knew you could so much sitting on our butt.    No. I'm not doing that.    Awesome picture.    Gotta start young.    Uh, how do you get that high?    Behind the back?    Pass on this too.!    This is off a wake jump.    That just must be a lot of force to flip like that.    Chicks dig it too.    Who is this woman, and why haven't we met?    Trickin' it.    Strange no?    Not just people but cars too!

Posted in Stuff to Do, Things to Get |

9 Responses to “Hydrofoil Anyone? (B.A.R. rating 4 out of 5)”

1. Mackrel Says:
   December 27th, 2004 at 7:24 pm

   There’s no way I would consider doing this either. Seems way too dangerous for my comfort. I can see a face plant accident happening here.

   Interrest site btw. Look forward to it when you “officially” kick it off.

   Mack

2. D Says:
   December 28th, 2004 at 9:29 am

   so scary to do that, but for money, i’ll think bout that

3. The Editor Says:
   December 28th, 2004 at 9:36 am

   I have my price, but I think it would take six figures before I’ll even consider it.

   Not for me! Cool tho isn’t it?

4. Bill K Says:
   January 3rd, 2005 at 3:11 pm

   Oh come on, guys. Just cause your driving a car doesn’t mean you have drive it like the Duke of Hazzard!
   The oldest person to ride is over 80. And the youngest is a 3 yr old little girl who yelled “go, Daddy, go” around her pacifier! I taught an 11 yr old girl to ride last summer & she loved every minute of it.

5. Jason Says:
   January 3rd, 2005 at 4:38 pm

   It’s 10 times more fun than simple water skiing and only 10% work. It is not dangerous….or scary.

6. Steve Says:
   January 3rd, 2005 at 4:45 pm

   Don’t be a wimp!

   Hydrofoiling is NOT cheap, but this sport is way cool and far from dangerous as long has you have the right equipment and take the necessary safety precautions (Good seat belt and footstays {Cinch Products make the best}, rope release {again, Cinch}, helmet, good {sober} driver, good knowledge of the body of water in which riding {read: stay away from shallows and debris}, spotter in the boat, etc.)

   I have injured myself much worse on regular water skis and kneeboards:
   (hit head on ski tip(s) when falling, face plants, twisted knees, sprained muscles, tennis elbow).

   I am 53 years old and have been riding sit-down hydrofoils (Sky Ski & Air Chair) for the last 9 years with no serious injuries, other than headaches a few times from face plants and sore muscles from riding 15 - 20 miles at a stretch. Once up, it takes very little effort to hang on to the ski rope!

   As a group, most hydrofoilers that I have met are very generous with their toys and time - find someone who has a Sky Ski or an Air Chair and ask them to let you try it out!

   For serious riders, there is also an active community of hydrofoilers on Yahoo Groups - go to http://groups.yahoo.com and search on “hydrofoil”.

7. James Says:
   January 4th, 2005 at 5:33 am

   Dude, you are missing the point! It is all about fun. I have been foiling for over 10yrs, never been hurt. I even rode after knee surgury with no problems.

   The funnest sport I have ever tried, by far!!!!!!!!!!

   James

8. Go Big Says:
   January 4th, 2005 at 9:57 am

   After riding one of these things I can still say that I have respect for what kneeboarders do. But, those wakeboards kind of suck.

9. The Editor Says:
   January 6th, 2005 at 5:52 pm

   Wow! I must say I didn’t realize I generate such a response on this one.

   Ok, I’m game. I’m ain’t that scurred (actually really scared).

   But I’m willing to try it if someone is willing to put up with me slappin’ the water on my face. Jeason, Steve? Anyone willing to take my butt out this summer, please contact me via info@badassreviews.com (I need to get a form setup. Considering the mild winter we’re having that’ll probably be next week or something.

   Thanks for visiting and commenting!

   The B.A.R. Editor
   www.badassreviews.com

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