Hydrofoil

A hydrofoil is the physical hardware that makes foiling possible. A typical setup has four parts: the mast (vertical strut connecting the board to the wings), the fuselage (horizontal bar connecting front and rear wings), the front wing (large wing generating primary lift), and the stabilizer or rear wing (smaller wing for pitch control).

Front wings come in different sizes — larger wings generate more lift at lower speeds (great for beginners and light wind), while smaller wings allow higher top speeds and tighter turns. The mast length affects ride height; longer masts give more clearance over chop but are harder to control.

Modern foils are made from carbon fiber or aluminum, with prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.