Beginner "Foiling Faux Pas" - Don't make these mistakes!
Collecting cheap foils - Buy ONE good carbon foil rather than multiple cheap aluminum foils.
Flying too high, too soon - Flying high on the foil might look cool, but the trick to foiling is to let your speed build, allowing the foil to lift gradually for low and level flight. Don't try and make the foil come up too fast with a big weight shift aft. It will come up on it's own, your job is to keep it down. Learn early how to shift your weight forward put the foil down and then strive to find that balance point for level flight.
Too soon into the rear straps - When you're learning, start off with only the front footstraps, as this will allow you to learn foil control while you are centered over the board. The rear straps can tempt you into an outboard stance from where you may not be ready to control the foil. As you progress you will find the right balance, moving outboard, and then into the rear footstraps.
Straight onto the rocks - Know your water depth! The foil is much longer than your regular fin and glides much further, so make sure you know what's under you when launching, landing, or over shallower waters. Better to swim a bit further rather than bash your wings on the rocks!
Relying on windsurfing habits - If you've been windsurfing a while you no doubt have some muscle memory for "sheeting in and leaning back". On the foil this takes you straight up and out of the water. Learn to sheet in while leaning forward to help drive the foil down as you power up.
Riding sinkers - The greatest joy and benefits of foiling are in lighter winds. Use a board which is large enough for easy uphauling and one that maximizes any sail pressure into momentum to lift onto the foil.
