FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Foiling is the hottest trend in the surf world. By attaching a mast with a wing under a surfboard, riders are able to soar above the surface, offering a feeling of flight. Foilers are unaffected by the conditions on the surface: chop, waves, and current. Rather, the wing glides smoothly under the surface. Foiling requires a traditional method of propulsion, be it waves or wind (wings or kites).

  • With innovations in battery technology and motors, e-foils utilize self-propulsion, making the sport accessible when there are no waves or wind. In fact, using an electronic propulsion system e-foils can reach amazing speeds on flat water, like we have in Crane Cove. E-foils are the peak of sport technology and the most exciting opportunity to hit the surf community in decades.

  • While e-foiling requires less skill than wave and wind foiling, it’s still an action sport that demands physical fitness. We ask that all riders have strong swim skills and would consider themselves athletic. If you are able to ski, snowboard, skateboard or regularly exercise, e-foiling is right up your alley.

  • Dogpatch Foil is the sister company to Dogpatch Paddle, San Francisco’s paddle boarding and kayak shop. We’ve been crazy about e-foiling since the launch of Fliteboard and have been saving our pennies so that we could build our fleet. In May of 2023 we began offering commercial services.

GENERAL

  • Our lessons are scheduled for 90 minutes. Before you arrive, we’ll share a video to help you prepare. We provide wetsuits, impact vests, and helmets. You are welcome to bring your own. Once you arrive at our shop, we’ll get you outfitted and ready to head to the beach. The lesson begins with instruction on land for about 15 minutes or so. We’ll review safety, technique, and best practices. Then we’ll grab our boards and hit the water. Depending on your abilities we’ll practice on our bellies, and then our knees – getting comfortable with the feeling of generating speed to create lift. Then we’ll work on our balance as we practice popping up to standing and ultimately flying. Expect to spend about 45-60 minutes on the water.

  • Unfortunately e-foils are still quite expensive (around $10-13k per board) and the learning curve is steep enough that we do not offer beginners any option to take out a Fliteboard. We do offer packages to gain proficiency that can ultimately lead to certification. Once a rider is certified, they will qualify to participate in a Dogpatch Foil membership if they choose.

  • Because we are less affected by the currents, we can launch almost any time and explore the central and southern waterfront. Typically we will practice our skills in the calm waters between the Dry Dock and Pier 50. The best spots are just in front to Mission Rock and in Mission Bay in front of Pier 52. If you are able to master your board, there may be opportunities to head over to McCovey Cove, but this is reserved for intermediate to advanced riders only.

  • We limit all lessons to two participants and an instructor. If you wish to have a private session, you are welcome to book both spots for yourself.

LESSONS

MEMBERSHIPS

  • While the waters of the Pacific Ocean tend to be quite chilly, the San Francisco Bay is some degrees warmer. That said, since we’ll likely be spending a good deal of time in the water, we recommend wearing a full wetsuit that is at least 3mm thick to stay warm. The ones we offer for rentals are 4/3 full suits.

  • Dogpatch Foil provides all equipment necessary to e-foil, including wetsuits, impact PFD vests, and helmets. If you have any of these things and prefer to use your own, feel free to bring it. For clothing, please wear swimsuits and/or rash guards made of materials meant to get wet. We do not recommend wearing cotton clothing. For footwear, we’ll either be barefooted or wear neoprene booties while riding. You may wear flip flops to or other shoes to the beach but will remove them before launching.

  • E-foiling is less affected by weathering conditions than paddle boarding or kayaking. With the help of our motors and our ability to fly, the conditions on the surface have less impact on our fun. That said, beginners might find choppy waters more challenging to plane as we generate speed to create lift. Additionally wind is never our friends and we’ll likely postpone lessons on higher wind days. Rain present a challenge because at speeds you will get hit by the drops.

MISC

  • We offer memberships to allow riders to utilize our equipment without the accompaniment of an instructor. In order to participate, riders must become certified. This typically takes at least 3 lessons (and can take more depending on your ability). Members pay an annual fee for access to our equipment and then hourly rates for board use. The pricing is designed to offer a reasonable alternative to board ownership, storage, and maintenance.

  • We ask that anyone who uses our equipment pass a series of skill tests reliability on a Fliteboard. This includes managing speed, taking flight, controlling lift, stable balancing, executing various turns, and landing your board. We offer packages with a reduced cost, per lesson, to achieve your certification. Once you are certified, you qualify to participate in our member programs.

Have a Question?

We’re here to shepherd you into the world of e-foiling. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to write. One of our expert staff will reply immediately.