GEAR: WHICH QUIVER TO START FLAT STARTS WITH?
Our equipment tips for taking off using only your paddle.
Flat start is a fascinating discipline that opens the door to pumping sessions in calm conditions, SUP foil surfing (especially on waves that struggle to break), and of course, downwind riding.
A wide range of exciting possibilities awaits those who take on the challenge of flat starts. The exercise is demanding, both physically and technically, but it’s far from inaccessible, as countless riders have already proven. However, it’s essential to have the right gear in order to enjoy a motivating, fun, and rewarding learning experience.
Let’s break it down 👇
SUP foiler: Mathieu, GONG team rider, on his Intruder EPS Pro.
Here are some tips to improve the chances of success:
1. Board: Cruzader Point LW, Biggy, NOTW or Intruder?
When it comes to flat starts, the ideal board features an elongated shape that provides lift through its length (at least 8 feet) and speed through its narrow width. On this kind of board, each paddle stroke delivers a clean burst of acceleration that quickly engages your foil.
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The Cruzader Point LW is a highly versatile board (wing, low-kite, SUP foil) available up to 7 feet. That’s a bit short for learning flat starts, but if you’re lightweight or already very experienced in SUP, it’s perfectly doable. If you choose this shape for its versatility, you’ll want to size up your foil when using it for flat starts.
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In a more SUP foil–oriented category, the Biggy is also a very versatile board. With lengths ranging from 8’0" to 8’9", and a relatively generous width for stability and comfort in choppy water, the Biggy is ideal for beginners and intermediate riders looking for more than just a flat start board. It’s a board that also performs in light-wind low-kite or wing sessions.
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To learn flat starts, the NOTW offers the best balance: its moderate width makes it relatively easy to handle, while releasing from the water faster than the Biggy. Once you’ve mastered the flat start, the NOTW will carry you beautifully into downwind sessions or small waves.
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The Intruder is the most efficient flat start board, provided you’re already comfortable on a SUP. If flat start is your top priority and you’ll mostly ride on flat water at first, the Intruder is an excellent choice. Its length offers great stability, and its glide lets you lift off the water smoothly.
No room to store or transport a board over 8 feet? Go for our NOTW or Intruder inflatable versions, compact, practical, and still highly effective.
SUP foiler: Mathieu, GONG team rider, on his HIPE Intruder.
2. Foil : Trail ou Sirus ?
When learning flat starts, it’s crucial to maximize lift to make takeoff easier. Once again, you’ll want to go for large, generous foil sizes. In our range, we recommend either the Sirus or the Trail.
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Sirus 3XL – With its large surface area, this front wing delivers strong lift at low speed, which is essential for taking off on flat water such as a lake. It also provides excellent stability in flight, giving you time to refine your technique. Ideal for riders weighing 80 kg and above.
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Sirus XXL – Also suitable for riders over 80 kg, but it requires more speed and effort to lift off, which can make early progress slower and more demanding. We therefore recommend it for riders under 80 kg.
Trail XXL – A more forgiving wing, easy to control and correct in flight. It offers less glide than the Sirus, but compensates with strong low-speed lift that quickly engages the foil beneath your feet. With each paddle stroke, your legs will seamlessly take over through pumping, allowing you to fully lift out of the water.
3. Which Paddle for Flat Starts?
In flat starts, every paddle stroke counts. To maximize your efficiency, choose the Carbon Pro paddle which is the most effective option for converting your energy into speed. Learn how to select the right one with the tips in this article.
4. Learning to flat start
The flat start is a real athletic challenge and an exciting experience. Here are a few tips to progress:
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Work on your technique: The paddling motion must be smooth, rhythmic, and powerful, synchronizing the pumping of the board (lightening / applying pressure) with the paddle pull. This timing is crucial to generate enough speed.
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Get physically ready: This is a challenging sport that engages the cardio, legs, and shoulders a lot. Specific physical preparation (paddling, pumping) will be helpful.
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Choose the right conditions: A calm lake, with no wind and no chop, is ideal for minimizing disturbances and focusing on your technique.
Have a good one!
Wing Foil Board Cruzader Point LW FSP Pro
SUP Foil Board Biggy EPS Pro
SUP Foil Board NOTW EPS Pro
SUP Foil Board Intruder EPS Pro
SUP foil Board Inflatable HIPE NOTW
SUP foil Board Inflatable HIPE Intruder
Foil Front Wing Sirus V3
Foil Front Wing Trail V3
Paddle Carbon Pro 7
Paddle Carbon Pro 8
1 comment
Bonjour je voudrais m essayer au flat water. J aimerais si c est possible un conseil technique concernant la planche idéale pour débuter.je mesure 1.83 pour 75kg. Cordialement mr perez