Learning to Fall like a Pro
Falling is part of normal and inevitable learning in efoil surfing. Therefore, if you want to avoid being caught by surprise by injuries, learn to fall and to protect yourself. “Falling gracefully is a skill that every rider should work to improve. The idea of falling off the water is harsh and people tend to tensle up, the best way to avoid a serious injury is to relax your body and let it happen safely”. When you feel like you are going to fall, commit to it and keep it falling. Relax your body, and tuck in your elbows and knees. By tensing up, the impact will be taken by your tensed muscles causing an injury. Your padded vest is there to take the brunt of the force, so make sure relax while falling. You can also safely release the handle that you were using.
You learn how to correctly release the handle when a fall is about to happen. This way, you do not get yourself dragged by the boat or entangled in the safety leash. The handle has a quick material that makes it easy to release. Therefore, time the release in a manner that the falling of your body suggests an impending release of the handle. In addition, you must be in full protective gear before getting into the water.
Protecting Yourself with Safety Gear
You can fall safely when you are in the right gear. Definitely, you will need a high quality impact vest which is buoyant and protects you from rough water and impacts. You will also need a helmet to protect your head from injuries. Gloves will help you protect your hands while you are pulling the rope and impact resistant shorts or leggings to protect your bum from many rope burns. By wearing the right safety gear and practicing on your falling techniques, you should be good to go.
Before You Begin:
Conduct an Equipment Check
Before you set out, inspect your efoil gear thoroughly. Check the board for damage, ensure that the motor is firmly attached, and verify that the battery is fully charged. Always check your remote control, whether the throttle and the braking system work effectively. Remember that a functional efoil is an efoil that is safe to ride.
Assess Weather and Water Conditions
Before you even set foot in the water, take a moment to read and understand today’s weather and water conditions. With regards to weather, inspect the local forecast to identify wind speed, temperature, and potential storms. For water conditions, take into account the tides, wave height, and current strength. For the first few rides, ensure that the water is as calm as possible, as it minimizes the risk of accidents.
Wear the Proper Personal Protection
Wearing the appropriate personal protection while efoil surfing is essential. Your first equipment should be a fitted, impact-resistant wetsuit. As you are in the water, make sure that your wetsuit protects your entire body from dangers and hypothermia. Make it a habit to wear a representative’s life jacket as it provides an extra squeeze and buoyancy for you. Top off your gear with a helmet, as it is the most crucial protection for your head. Additionally, don’t neglect gloves, as they can protect your hands from nasty rope burns. Impact-resistant goggles are recommended to protect your eyes and improve your vision in the water.
Navigating Risks While Riding
While efoil surfing is exciting, it is also not exempt from risks. Therefore, make sure you are well aware of the risks and ready and capable of navigating them.
Familiarize yourself with common efoil hazards such as shallow waters, obstacles, and marine life. Always check your riding area for any potential dangers and avoid them. For instance, if you’re in a location known for rocks or reefs, plan your route to steer clear of these areas.
Riding Within Your Abilities
It’s crucial to ride within your skill level. Pushing beyond your capabilities can lead to accidents. Start in calm, flat waters and gradually progress to more challenging waters as you gain experience. Remember, it’s okay to take it slow and build up your skills over tim
Maintaining Positional Awareness
Staying aware of your surroundings is key to safe efoil riding. Keep an eye out for boat traffic, swimmers, and other watercraft. Be especially mindful of your speed and the wake you create. Be aware of your body position relative to the board and the water. Also, monitor your speed and the wake you create to avoid impeding other vessels. By taking these precautions, you minimize the possibility of accidents and injury.
Recovering from a Fall with Finesse
When practicing efoilboarding, as in any sport, falls are a common but important part of learning and mastering the activity. However, it is essential to manage falls with ease and style. Here’s how:
Preparing for Falls
Anticipate falls by staying relaxed and prepared. Keep your knees bent and your core engaged. Try to practice falling in shallow waters. The more you practice, the more these actions become automatized in your muscle memory, making it easy to keep up with these moves during a fall event.
To prevent the dangers of disastrous falls and for you to have a fun efoilboarding trip, it is important to learn the following techniques:
Mastering the Emergency Stop
All efoil boards come with a quick-release on the handlebar. You can trigger the stoppage with your thumb or with a finger. Practice resisting the stoppage in calm conditions until it becomes a second nature for you so that in any emergency, you can respond quickly. Get more information from WAVES site.
Safe Re-entry
Once you fall, you need to re-enter your efoil board carefully. First, check the degree of damages your equipment may have suffered and ascertain that your leash is in good condition. Approach the board from the back to prevent the propeller from cutting you. Aging the board in one hand, reach for the handle with the other hand. Use a moment to relax before continuing the course.
By doing so, the dangers of disastrous falls can be reduced and your efoilboarding will have more fun than the other.
Postsurfing rituals for safety and longevity of use.
To extend the lifespan of your equipment and prevent dangerous malfunctions, perform the following post-surfing rituals after using your efoilboard:
Equipment Care Post Ride
After using your efoil board, wash the board first with the motor, if there is any, and rinse it with fresh, clean water. Salt and sand can cause corrosion and damages. Dry it thoroughly and keep the board in a cool, dry place to prevent the onset of rust and other corrosive agents away from your equipment. Lastly, grease moving parts with marine grease before your next ride to maintain the smooth operation of your board.
As in the case with any other watercraft, taking care of your efoil gear is imperative if you would like it to serve you as long as possible. Check each part of the gear for any signs of wear and tear, including fins for damage and motor for any debris. Ensure that the battery is not visibly damaged or leaking and signals any swelling. Addressing even the slightest issue immediately is essential if you want to avoid a much costly repair later.
Incident Reporting Protocols
In the case of an efoil incident, it is important to ensure that you are following clear reporting protocols. Immediately following an incident, write down its details, including the date and time as well as the location, injuries, or the damage to the gear. If the incident involved a collision or near miss with another watercraft, ensure to record the contacts and get the statements of the person in question.
Finally, make sure to report the incident to the local authorities or the community in question – informing reporters helps raise awareness of safety for all. Make sure to discuss the incident with fellow riders in order to learn as much as possible from other people’s experience and ensure the highest level of safety. Not only will you be keeping your gear in check and functioning properly, but you will have a hassle-free opportunity to efoil for many more years.