North Dockstarter

The North Dockstarter is an inflatable foil launch pad designed by North Action Sports to turn any dock, jetty, wharf, or boat transom into a reliable foil-pumping launch station. Aimed at the growing pump-foiling community, the Dockstarter holds a foilboard at a fixed, upright angle with the foil submerged and the deck ready for takeoff. When a rider steps on, the platform flexes enough to release the board cleanly into the water, allowing an immediate transition into pumping. The entire unit deflates and packs down with the included compression strap, making it easy to toss in a car trunk or gear bag between sessions.

North engineered the Dockstarter around buoyant PVC dropstitch construction — the same high-pressure inflatable material used in premium SUPs and wing boards. Two adjustable attachment loops on the front legs let riders shift between a steeper or shallower launch angle to suit different mast lengths, board sizes, and personal preference. The pad secures to a platform using the two included deck anchors and 2-meter ropes, so it stays locked in place during repeated launches.

• Weight: 3.1 kg (3,100 g)
• Construction: PVC dropstitch inflatable
• Recommended pressure: 9 PSI
• Maximum pressure: 15 PSI
• Minimum mast compatibility: 65 cm
• Included: 1× PVC dropstitch launch pad, 2× deck anchors, 2× 2 m ropes (4 mm diameter), 1× repair patch, 1× hose adaptor (kite pump to inflatable valve), 1× compression strap, 1× valve tool

The Dockstarter is built for foilers who want to pump-start from a stationary platform rather than relying on waves, boat wakes, or a running water start. That covers a wide skill range — from newer riders still learning to generate enough pump cadence to get on foil, through to experienced pump foilers who simply want a repeatable, hassle-free launch every session. Because the adjustable leg loops let you dial in the release angle, riders on shorter masts (down to 65 cm) and longer setups alike can find a workable configuration.

Flatwater lakes, calm harbors, and sheltered bays are the Dockstarter's natural habitat. If your local spot has a dock or fixed structure at the water's edge and little to no swell, this accessory removes the biggest friction point in pump foiling: getting onto the foil in the first place. Riders who regularly session from boat transoms will also find it useful, since the anchoring system keeps the pad stable on a swim platform.

The Dockstarter sits in North's foil accessories category alongside masts, fuselages, and hardware rather than in their board or wing lines. It is a single-size, standalone accessory — there are no size variants or model tiers. North is primarily known for kite, wing, and foil equipment, and the Dockstarter extends their ecosystem into the dock-start and pump-foil niche that has grown rapidly as foiling moves beyond wind-dependent disciplines.

The closest direct competitor is the Takoon Pump Foil Air Launch Deck, another inflatable PVC dropstitch dock-start platform that also supports masts 65 cm and longer. The Takoon retails at roughly half the price, so buyers weighing the two will want to compare build quality, included accessories, and anchoring systems. Outside of purpose-built launch pads, many riders still improvise with pool noodles or DIY wooden ramps, which makes the Dockstarter one of the few commercially produced, brand-backed solutions in this emerging product category.