Hydrofoils have long been a controversial development in surfing.
Whether it’s due to foil surfers dominating the lineup, leaving traditional surfers in the dust, or the guillotine nature of the deadly foil wing, surfing’s novelty has always been controversial. However, even some of the world’s best competitors have become obsessed with foil over the past few years, sometimes soaring over the water on it.
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Below, you’ll see a video example of what this controversy is all about – a foil surfer was nearly cut in half after being hit by friendly fire from another foil surfer.
This video from Oscar Triana appears to show a session in the Peruvian Chicama – often referred to as “the longest wave in the world” but mostly filled with mushroom burgers. Great for frustrating crowds. Triana collided with a fellow foil fencer, whose blade struck him in the gut. Miraculously, he came out unscathed.
“A close call during a wave party with my friend,” he wrote. “After 10 waves together, I tried to take his surfboard away, but he saved it with his leash. Everything was fine, [not] No person, board, or foil is damaged in this scene. “
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Elsewhere, when the video was retweeted on the hilarious KookSlams account, it garnered a number of comments about the virtues of frustration. There are also guillotine gifs.
Not long ago, in Orange County, California, surfers petitioned to ban the use of hydrofoils at certain surf spots because of the dangers they posed. The request from the Seal Beach Pier includes the following:
“I get sick to my stomach when I see foil boards. I feel extremely uncomfortable when foil boards come near me or any other vulnerable surfer. I hate having to deal with foil boards that cut me open; a lack of skill/control leads to fatal accidents.”
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Thoughts on mixing foil surfers with regular surfers?
This article was originally published by Surfer on March 4, 2026 and first appeared in the News section. Click here to add Surfer as a preferred source.
