GEAR: CHOOSING THE SIRUS 156 (2XL) OR THE 186 (3XL) TO BEGIN IN FLAT S

Fly with complete serenity with the unparalleled lift and glide of the Sirus!

Comfort is rarely something to regret, especially when tackling the physically demanding and technical flat start. So, between the Sirus 156 and 186, you might be tempted to choose the larger, more gliding size. But is it necessary? Some insights from Patrice Guénolé’s post to guide a 90kg beginner who owns a 6'6 Cruzader Point.

SUP Foilers: Malo and Patrice Guénolé, with an Intruder and NOTW EPS Pro, Sirus and Fluid setups.

“Learning flat start in SUP on a lake is an amazing challenge, both physically and technically. It's a fascinating practice, but also demanding, requiring time and patience to master the art of flying with your own energy.

Here are a few tips to increase your chances of success with your setup.

1. Your board: Cruzader Point 6’6 XL

The Cruzader Point is a great board for SUP foil in different conditions, but for starting flat start, it will be quite technical. With a length of 6'6, generating speed before takeoff will be harder than with a longer board.
An 8'8 NOTW or another long board would be perfect for improving glide and speed, making it easier to lift.

That said, if you stay with the Cruzader, you'll need to focus on optimizing other factors like the choice of foil and your technique.

2. Foil: Sirus 156 cm or 186 cm?

When beginning flat start, it's essential to maximize lift to facilitate takeoff:

Sirus 186 cm: Strongly recommended for you. With its larger surface, it provides important lift at low speed, which is key to taking off successfully on a lake with your board. It will also stabilize the flight, giving you time to refine your technique.
Sirus 156 cm: It’s possible, but it will demand more speed and effort to lift off, which may slow down progress and make it more discouraging in the beginning.

At 90 kg, it’s better to go for the 186 to maximize your chances.

SUP foiler: Malo, GONG team rider, with a Sirus front wing.

3. Learning flat start

Flat starting is a true athletic challenge and a thrilling experience. Here are some tips to help you improve:
Work on your technique: The paddle stroke should be smooth, rhythmic, and powerful, while synchronizing the pumping of the board (lightening / applying pressure) with the paddle pull. This timing is key to generating enough speed.
Get physically ready: This is a challenging sport that puts a lot of strain on your cardio, legs, and shoulders. Specific training (paddling, pumping) will be beneficial.
Choose the right conditions: A calm lake, with no wind and no chop, is ideal to limit disturbances and focus on your technique.

To sum up

Board: If you can, opt for a NOTW 8’8 or another longer board to ease the glide and reduce the effort needed at the start. If you stick with the Cruzader Point 6’6, get ready for a more technical challenge.
Foil: The Sirus 186 cm² is the optimal choice to maximize lift and ease the takeoff, especially when starting with your 90 kg.
Mindset: Be patient, as flat start is a challenging but fascinating learning process. Consider each session as a step towards an amazing goal: flying using your own energy.

Good luck with this new adventure, and feel free to share your progress. You're going to have a blast!😊”