Positioning and shifting your feet on a eFoil is critical. If done correctly, it will provide you balance, control and speed.

When starting out on an eFoil, your foot positioning will be different from someone who is a skilled rider. In the beginning, it is recommended to place the feet so that it provides more side to side stability along with forward to back control.

First Timer eFoilers & Beginners

In this video at 2:19, Lift Foils founder Nick Leason explains the foot position for the first ride.

Note how the feet are offset. The front foot is placed on the upper corner of the pad and the back foot is placed on the lower opposite corner. The front foot is facing 12 o’clock and the back foot is at 1 to 2 o’clock. The body is squared up with the front of the board.

Similarly, Fliteboard’s tutorial video shows their recommended foot position at 5:35.

Note that her front toes are also pointing straight ahead and the back foot varies between 1 to 2 o’clock. The body is squared up to the 12 o’clock position and leaning forward. (the tendency for beginners is to do the opposite and lean back while foiling).

This foot positioning is good for learning how to touch and go, by leaning forward and back. Therefore this is a fine way to begin foiling. However, this is not good for making turns.

Let’s summarize:

• Feet are offset, on opposite sides of the board, near the rails
• Front foot placed in the front left corner (regular stance) or front right corner (goofy stance) of the pad. Back foot placed in the back right corner (regular stance) or back left corner (goofy stance) of the pad.
• Front foot pointing to 12 o’clock. Back foot pointing to1-2 o’clock (regular stance) or 10-11 o’clock (goofy stance).
• Shoulders squared to the front of the board, at 12 o’clock
• Front knee bent and back knee slightly bent
• Body leaning forward

Experienced eFoilers

As you progress, you will want to position your feet closer to the centerline, which will allow you to lean side to side more to execute sharper turns. You also want to angle your feet towards the side more.

The Fliteboard video above presents a more ideal foot position at 6:23, with both feet pointing to 2 o’clock. Most people end up with their stance too open on their board. It means that you have your front foot faced forward instead of to the side. Having it pointed sideways will give you more control and help your rail to rail foiling.

Your back foot should be pointed in the same direction as your front foot. If you want a quicker, sharper turn or adjust it for a surfing maneuver, slide your back foot a couple of inches towards the back. In advanced foiling both feet will be shifting slightly towards the front and back. You are basically constantly adapting for different situations. 

Take a look at the rider’s foot direction in this Lift foil video.

For more speed your feet will move forward, for quicker turns move them backwards. You could think of your front foot as the gas pedal and your back foot as the brake.

Try to experiment with shifting your feet and you will soon notice the benefits like easier maneuvers, more speed and sharper turns.

Let’s summarize:

• Feet are closer to centerline, on opposite sides of the board, but away from the rails
• Both feet pointing to 1-2 o’clock (regular stance) or 10-11 o’clock (goofy stance).
• Shoulders matching the direction of the feet, pointing to 1-2 o’clock (regular stance) or 10-11 o’clock (goofy stance).
• Knees slightly bent
• Body in neutral position, not leaning forward or backward