Foil Assist Explained – Find the Right System for Your Riding
Foil assist is changing the way people wing foil, downwind SUP, surf foil and train on flat water. Used properly, it doesn’t replace skill – it unlocks sessions that simply wouldn’t happen otherwise.
At The SUP Company, we work with the leading foil assist systems available in the UK:
- Foil Drive Gen 2 – the most powerful, modular foil assist system
- Duotone Foil Assist – the cleanest, lowest-drag integrated solution
- Waydoo Foil Boost – the most accessible entry into foil assist
This hub will help you understand the differences, decide what suits your riding, and choose the right setup with confidence.
If you’d rather talk it through, email help@thesupco.com and we’ll give you straight, honest advice.
What is foil assist (and what it isn’t)
Foil assist systems provide short bursts of electric power to help you:
- Get on foil more easily
- Stay flying through lulls or weak sections
- Link runs, bumps or waves
- Extend sessions when conditions fade
They are not full e-foils. The goal is assistance, not continuous propulsion.
If you’re new to assisted foiling, our guides on electric foils and assist systems explained and using technology to accelerate progression are good places to start.
The three foil assist approaches explained
1. Foil Drive Gen 2 – maximum power & flexibility
Foil Drive Gen 2 uses a mast-mounted motor and an under-board drive pod housing the battery and electronics. It’s the most powerful and configurable foil assist system currently available.
- Foil Drive Assist Slim (Gen 2) – lighter, assist-focused
- Foil Drive Assist Max (Gen 2) – more torque, larger batteries, longer sessions
The Max system can be upgraded with High Power motors and batteries for riders who need serious help.
Watch our Foil Drive Gen 2 review →
For a deeper dive, read: Duotone Foil Assist vs Foil Drive Gen 2 – what really matters .
2. Duotone Foil Assist – clean, integrated & low drag
Duotone Foil Assist integrates the motor inside the mast and moves the batteries onto your body via a waist harness. There’s no pod on or under the board.
Best for: wing foiling, prone surf foiling, riders who value glide, feel and simplicity.
Watch our Duotone Foil Assist review →
3. Waydoo Foil Boost – affordable, modular foil assist explained properly
Waydoo Foil Boost occupies a different but important space in foil assist.
Rather than chasing maximum power or ultra-clean integration, Foil Boost is designed as an accessible, modular assist system delivering short, effective bursts of power at a much lower entry price.
The system consists of:
- A compact mast-mounted motor
- A streamlined battery unit mounted near the mast base
- A wireless hand controller for on-demand boosts
Foil Boost is best used as a safety net rather than a propulsion system.
Ideal use cases:
- Wing foiling in marginal winds
- Recovering from touchdowns
- Extending sessions as conditions fade
- Lighter riders wanting occasional assistance
Limitations to understand:
- Less total power than Foil Drive Max
- Shorter runtime
- Not designed for long downwind runs or flatwater cruising
View Waydoo Foil Boost Assist Kit →
If you’re considering Waydoo more broadly, our guide to Waydoo eFoils and modular systems explains how Foil Boost fits into the wider ecosystem.
Foil assist comparison overview
| System | Power | Drag (motor off) | Runtime focus | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foil Drive Slim | Low–Medium | Moderate | 30–60 mins | Subtle assist |
| Foil Drive Max | High–Very High | Moderate | 60–120+ mins | Heavier riders, downwind, lakes |
| Duotone Foil Assist | Medium | Very Low | 30–60 mins | Surfy, glide-focused riding |
| Waydoo Foil Boost | Low–Medium | Moderate | Short boost focused | Entry-level assist |
Recommended foil assist by rider weight
| Rider weight | Recommended systems |
|---|---|
| <75kg | Duotone Foil Assist AL, Waydoo Foil Boost |
| 75–90kg | Duotone Foil Assist AL / D/LAB, Foil Drive Slim |
| 90kg+ | Foil Drive Assist Max (High Power) |
Foil Assist – Frequently Asked Questions
Is foil assist the same as an e-foil?
No. Foil assist provides short bursts of power to help you get flying or link runs. It is not designed for continuous powered riding like a full e-foil.
Can I try foil assist before buying?
Yes. We offer demos of Foil Drive Gen 2 and Duotone Foil Assist at our Lymington test centre so you can try before committing.
Which system has the least drag?
Duotone Foil Assist has the cleanest feel thanks to its fully integrated mast.
Related reading
- Duotone Foil Assist vs Foil Drive Gen 2 – an honest comparison
- Waydoo eFoils explained – what’s what and which package suits you
- Using events and goals to boost progression on the water
Why buy foil assist from The SUP Company?
- Independent advice – we sell all three systems
- Authorised UK retailer with full spares support
- Demo-first approach wherever possible
- Advice based on real UK riding conditions
Our job isn’t to sell you foil assist – it’s to make sure you buy the right one.