A foil may have worked but you would be using a lot more energy and it would be hot over there. The jellies story reminded me of doing an over boom catapult into a mass of Portuguese man'o'war face first while learning to windsurf in RMI. Then I had to try and convince a local storekeeper to give me some vinegar on credit. Soon after some locals I knew pulled some leaves from a bush, told me to chew em up and rub on tentacles. Worked a treat.
If you're ever in Yamba or Hawaii around Thanksgiving PM me and lets go surf.

Looks absolutely cool!!