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This is my second season foiling, and I'm digging it beyond belief. I'm working on transitions and (similar to my tacks on directional boards) I have a preference for a toeside transition, followed by a switch in foot position to go in the new direction. So I'm spending a lot of time on toeside in prep for the foot swap. But there's a weird dynamic--whenever I ride toeside on a foil, it's really hard to carve upwind, and my body/hands are in a really awkward position. My left hand (riding toeside going starboard, left foot forward) is folded up and cramped, close to my arm pit, and I can't find that comfy body position that I can easily get to on a normal directional board. Have any foilers faced this as well? Anyone figured out how to ride toeside smoothly upwind without weird bodily contortions? Thanks!

This doesn't sound like a foil specific problem. With a fixed hook harness, toeside may be slightly more awkward since you have the ability to point higher upwind with a foil, but you should still be able to point lower upwind and still have a similar feel as directional. Sliding hook harness is best for most comfortable toeside no matter what board. I prefer toeside transition first on directional too for gybe, but use a sliding hook for that. I prefer and use fixed hook for foil, but switch my feet first when doing gybe, since that seems easiest with downloop transition.

Helpful, thanks. Yes, this is uniquely a foil issue for me--I ride toeside on a surfboard with no issues at all. I think I'll look into the sliding hook harness.

For me, I had to shorten my back lines a bit, so I could sheet out with the same power when on a foil. My advice would be to sheet out, but you can't have the same power without adjusting the lines. Since the foil takes a more aggressive tack upwind, you get more twisted when trying to fly the kite than on a surfboard, so I wanted to be able to sheet out more so I wouldn't get into the awkward position you're talking about. The sliding harness would definately help here, I've never tried it, but I do rememeber an old harness I used to use that would slide a but if I wore it loose and I definately liked it.

Since I can sheet out more, my left hand is higher and not stuck closer in my armpit.

I think this might be a big part of the answer--what you are describing is exactly the issue (hand up near armpit). Thanks!!

You have to accept the truth that you are not riding toe-side, but rather it is toe-side that is riding you