Seeing surfers ride above the waves is becoming increasingly common, thanks to the growing popularity of using hydrofoils in board sports.

Assault Boarding Centre owner Glenn Bright says he has seen the popularity of kite foiling grow steadily over the last five years, and now other styles, including surf and sup foiling (similar to paddle boarding), have boomed along with it.

Besides the more apparent perks of using a hydrofoil such as smoothness and speed, Glenn says the true appeal of the sport is hard to describe unless you’ve tried it.

“It feels like you’re flying above the water,” says Glen.

“You don’t need much wind or swell to use a hydrofoil – so it gives people more of an opportunity to get amongst the sports they love.”

Foiling is an easy progression for people who already do a water sport without one.

“I’ve noticed more people who haven’t tried traditional board sports before wanting to give foiling a go.

“Most beginners only take five to 10 hours to get the hang of it, whereas someone who is already used to board sports, even if it’s skateboarding, can get it in an hour.”

For beginners, hydrofoiling off the back of a boat or jet ski is a good way to learn, as the speed stays consistent.

Once off the boat, Glenn says the easiest style is wing foiling – where riders stand with a handheld sail that isn’t connected to the board.

“It has similarities to windsurfing and kiting, but it’s really a completely new sport because the equipment is totally different.”

Hydrofoiling is starting to make an appearance at traditional New Zealand board competitions, as well as getting events of its own. Most recently, the second annual Bay of Islands Foiling Week took place in February.

According to Glenn, this is just the start.

“We haven’t even scraped the surface of how popular it will become.”