Rider Portrait: Christof Artho
Introduction
Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your background?
I‘m a 42 year old sports enthusiast how works at a small company in Thalwil directly on the Lake Zurich. Alongside with my passion for fitness and mountain biking, I enjoy a regularly wakeskate session on the lake.
How did you first get introduced to pumpfoiling?
My work colleague introduced me to pumpfoiling this summer. After a few tries with his old foil board, I was hooked and bought my own setup.
Journey into Pumpfoiling
What attracted you to pumpfoiling in the first place?
The feeling of „flying over the water“ without a boat or anything else.
Can you describe your first experience with pumpfoiling?
With over 20 years experience in watersports – mainly wakeskating and wakeboarding – this summer I started with pumpfoiling (dockstart). I mean, how hard can it be. The answer was: „Yes“ 😉 The first ~100 attempts were more or less jumping on the board and immediately falling off of it.
How long did it take you to become proficient?
As I videotaped every pumpfoiling session from the beginning, I can actually answer this pretty accurately: After 117 attempts, I was able to actually pump for the first time. After 241 attempts, I pumped for 10 times in a row. After 349 attempts, I managed a ~20 second run with 24 pumps. Here you will find a summary of my first 218 attempts:
Challenges
What was the biggest challenge you faced when learning to pumpfoil?
Not loosing my patience for I thought it would be much much easier 🙈
Have you ever had any accidents or close calls?
Fortunately not 🙏🏻
What advice would you give to beginners?
1. Try to practice pumpfoiling as regularly as possible (I did it 2 times a day for 3 to 4 days a week).
2. Get a beginner’s setup (the right gear is so important!).
3. Last but not least: Be (very) patient.
Passion and Motivation
What keeps you going in the sport?
The feeling when you finally fly over the water.
Do you have any specific goals or milestones you’re aiming for?
Doing regularly long runs over a couple minutes.
Cross-Training and Other Interests
Are you involved in any other water sports or activities?
Yes, as I mentioned earlier: Wakeskating, wakeboarding and sometimes SUP
How do other sports or activities complement your pumpfoiling?
They give me a good balance (pumpfoiling and wakeskating / -boarding vs. SUP).
Gear and Equipment
Can you talk about your gear? What do you recommend for beginners?
My current setup (all from Indiana):
– Carbon Board 105
– 1100P Frontwing
– 420 Stabilizer
– 75cm (and 90cm) Mast
– 650 Fuselage
How important is the role of technology in pumpfoiling?
Very very very very important! I first started with an old board from my colleague. The difference to my current setup was huge!
Community and Lifestyle
How has pumpfoiling impacted your lifestyle?
It gave me a new purpose to get up early in the morning (for the before-work-sessions 😉) and a good work-life-balance (for I can start right in front of our work office).
Are you part of a community or group that shares your passion?
Yes, pumpfoiling.community 😉
Closing
What’s next for you in the world of pumpfoiling?
My first over-one-minute-run – hopefully soon 🙌
Any shoutouts or people you’d like to thank?
Thanks a lot to the whole pumpfoiling.community! I already got some very helpful tips and tricks 🙌
Responses