Any ideas of how to fall safely off hydrofoil?

[Russky]

Every time I fall from a foil board at full speed I pretty much pray for the least possible damage .

The point is to send it as far as possible, in, preferably, opposite direction.
Unfortunately, at those speeds, foil boards, when let go, tend to travel as they wish, usually exactly to the point where you are going to be... just my experience ...
It's pretty amazing, even when they jump with the foil and drop it in midair - it will end up exactly where you are going to touch water ...

After getting a "boxer" scar on my eyebrow, it is 100% helmet/impact vest/shatterproof glasses (for foiling) for me.
When crashing, try minimize possible damage - if you can, cover you head/face with your arms, tuck your feet in, etc.
Also, when crashing at speed, try to "duck" the board's nose into the water - it will stop and stay stationary that way.

[ricki]

I am a newbie at foiling myself, taking time off from learning to heal other injuries so as not to make them worse learning to foil? I would pick "more ideal" conditions to train in in terms of wind range vs. kite size & direction, absence of waves or chop. In short make it easier for yourself to hopefully reduce the quantity and violence of wipeouts. Avoid areas with sandbars or other sudden shallows to strike or times of heavy seaweed. Pick a good learner foil, some are more forgiving of early skill development than others also the foils may be more cut-prone in some that others.

Regarding protective gear, a good helmet, impact vest make sense, perhaps gloves too. I bought some soccer shin guards to reduce shredding the skin over my shins when I was thrown over the edge of the board. I grew tired of slicing that area up. One very experienced foiler even started wearing Dyneema socks, to reduce the odds of foot lacerations on the foil. https://www.getfyf.com/products/fyf

Other suggestions out there? Also, tell me again why we foil because ... ? (just kidding)

[ricki]

I put a request out on Facebook. Here are some of the responses starting with Nick:

"Nick O'Bea Go down with the ship. Don't jump away, it'll load and pop the board. Try to have the board stay on your feet when you crash and if you can get a surf wing, it'll prevent the tamahawk effect. The impulse wings just come to the surface and then sink back down. I wrote an instructional at https://kitehouseinstruction.wordpress.com/

Ty Luckett So you are saying foot straps, to stay with the board?

Nick O'Bea Yes at least the front strap. I need to up date the lesson since the surf foils came out. If you're on a impulse, onda, H4 style wings. You need the rear foot to be in front of the mast so just keep the front strap. High lift wings require more front foot pressure. Regular stance is way too far apart to ride comfortable

Nick O'Bea Keep strap lose enough to come out easily, you should be able to wedge your foot to the innner side of the front strap

Ty Luckett Nick O'Bea Good advice

Ty Luckett Nick O'Bea I had a student that brought his own board the other day that was strapless. And he had a hard time manipulating the board for water start. However Once he got going he was good. We’re talking about putting on the front strap which was not on the boat at the time

Nick O'Bea Front strap gives now control and sets a starting point for foot placement

Nick O'Bea He's going great. Front strap will help for the falls. Single strap in center to begin with. Make sure both hands stay on the bar to keep from going up wind too much in the beginning"

Discussion at https://tinyurl.com/yayggpta