Most riders manage their first glide within two or three guided sessions. A reliable start and a sustained pump usually take a few weeks of regular practice.
What speeds up progress?
Flat water, good gear for your weight, short frequent sessions and individual feedback. Fitness helps too: pump foiling is physically demanding.
A realistic timeline
Week 1: stance, safety and first starts. Weeks 2–4: first sustained glides. After that: carving, turning and first tricks.