How to start Wing Foiling?
What is Wing Foil?
Wing Foil is the latest in board sports. This consists of manipulating a wing held with both hands (“wing”) with a hydrofoil mounted on a short SUP board. It is a practice halfway between Windfoil, Kite Foil and SUP Foil. In this article you will find all the information you may need to know How to start Wing Foiling?
The advantage of the WingFoil is that you can move with maximum freedom on a body of water using the energy of the wind and the swell. The wing provides manoeuvrability and Makes it easier for the foil to take off by the use of a constant force (wind). A distinction is therefore made between the practice of Downwind SUP Foil which uses only the energy of the swell. Thanks to the lightness and mobility of the kite, it is possible to alternate practices during the same session: going upwind by tacking at first and then going downwind at your back as in Downwind SUP Foil in a second step, for example. It is a very playful medium that makes the practitioner refocus on his sensations, without comparison to others.
The hydrofoil allows you to take off above the water and surf above the surface. Wing Foil is practiced on a short but wide and thick (voluminous) stand up paddle board to allow the practitioner to quickly stand up. Starting WingFoil allows you to feel new sensations, move easily and freely on any type of body of water with a relatively simple and easy to set up equipment. It can be practiced in any wind direction but will be more interesting in downwind with a crosswind. It is also possible to practice theWing-Foil in the waves and to use the lift of the kite to go up to sea and surf one after the other.
The advantage of the WingFoil is that you can move with maximum freedom on a body of water using the energy of the wind and the swell. The wing provides manoeuvrability and Makes it easier for the foil to take off by the use of a constant force (wind). A distinction is therefore made between the practice of Downwind SUP Foil which uses only the energy of the swell. Thanks to the lightness and mobility of the kite, it is possible to alternate practices during the same session: going upwind by tacking at first and then going downwind at your back as in Downwind SUP Foil in a second step, for example. It is a very playful medium that makes the practitioner refocus on his sensations, without comparison to others.
The hydrofoil allows you to take off above the water and surf above the surface. Wing Foil is practiced on a short but wide and thick (voluminous) stand up paddle board to allow the practitioner to quickly stand up. Starting WingFoil allows you to feel new sensations, move easily and freely on any type of body of water with a relatively simple and easy to set up equipment. It can be practiced in any wind direction but will be more interesting in downwind with a crosswind. It is also possible to practice theWing-Foil in the waves and to use the lift of the kite to go up to sea and surf one after the other.
Why take up wingfoiling?
Wingfoil is a new and booming discipline that is attracting more and more water sports enthusiasts. Here are a few reasons why you should consider taking up wingfoiling:
- Unique sensations: The wingfoil offers exceptional gliding and flying sensations. Flying over the water, you will feel a feeling of freedom and weightlessness, combined with the fluidity of navigation.
- Accessibility: Wingfoil is easier to learn than other water sports such as kitesurfing or windsurfing. Thanks to the lift of the foil and the stability of the kite, novices can quickly get their bearings, progress and have fun from the first sessions.
- Versatility: Wingfoil can be practiced in various wind and water conditions. Whether you’re cruising on a lake, at sea or even on wave spots, the wingfoil offers incredible versatility to explore new horizons and adapt to the water conditions of the day.
- Fitness: Wingfoil engages the whole body, providing an excellent cardiovascular workout and strengthening the muscles of the body, especially the legs, arms and abdominals. It is a complete sport that will allow you to stay in shape while having fun on the water.
In short, taking up wingfoil will allow you to discover new sensations, enjoy nature, take on new challenges and experience moments of pure pleasure on the water. Whether you are a beginner or already a water sports enthusiast, wingfoil offers a unique experience that is worth exploring.
Who can wing foil?
Wingfoil is accessible to a wide audience, from novices to experienced riders. It is suitable for water sports enthusiasts looking for new sensations. Whether you’re a fan of surfing, kitesurfing or stand up paddleboarding, you can get into wingfoil. However, it is recommended to have some control of balance and a good physical condition to fully enjoy this discipline.
How to start Wingfoil?
If you want to get started with wingfoil, here are some steps to follow to get started:
- Take classes or find a mentor: It is recommended that you take lessons from a wingfoil school, a shop, or find an experienced mentor who can guide you and give you valuable advice. This will allow you to learn the technical basics and acquire best practices from the start.
- Choose the right material: To start, it is essential to choose the right equipment, opt for equipment suitable for beginners but which will also allow you to progress. It is also necessary to take into account your size when choosing your equipment. We explain to you at the end of this article which wingfoil equipment to choose according to your size, your desires and your level.
- Choose a suitable spot: Select a spot with moderate wind conditions and a sufficiently flat and clear body of water. Avoid crowded areas and make sure you have enough space to move around safely.
- Step-by-step progression: Start by getting used to the board and kite as you sail close to the beach. Once you’re comfortable, try wingfoil taking off using pumping techniques. Practice regularly to improve your balance, pumping technique, and foil control.
- Stay safe: Wear a life jacket and use a leash to attach your kite to your wrist. Check the weather conditions before leaving for your session and always follow the safety rules in force.
Under what conditions should you practice Wing Foiling?
We advise you to start Wing Foil in average wind conditions on a spot sheltered from the swell (between 15 and 20 knots established). It is easier to start with a sideshore wind so as not to risk being taken out to sea without being able to return (onshore wind) or being constantly brought to shore by the wind (sea wind).
It is advisable to pay attention to the choice of spot to avoid floating algae that prevent the hydrofoil from working properly, as well as any other floating object present. We also advise you to offer bay-shaped spotlights. This way, if you go further away, you can always reach the coast and return on foot with your equipment. Finally, it is ideal to start in a height of water in which you have a foot but with enough depth so that the hydrofoil does not touch the bottom of the water. It is then possible for an experienced sailor with an average size of 80 kg to sail in a Wing Foil over a wind range ranging from 8-10 knots to 40 knots.
Prepare your Wing Foil equipment to get started in Wing!
The Wing Foil has different elements, in order to get into the water as easily as possible without risking damaging your equipment, we recommend the following method :
- Prepare your Wing Foil board: assemble your hydrofoil and attach it to your board, attach your leash to the board.
- Place it near the water: once the board and foil are mounted, bring the relatives to the place where you want to get in the water.
- Dress up: and prepare as if you were going straight into the water.
- Inflate your wing : The wing has a strong wind grip, which is why we only advise inflating it just before getting into the water. We advise you to inflate it away from the wind and, if possible, to attach it to an object to avoid any risk of flying away. As soon as the wing is inflated, attach the wing leash to your wrist right away. Avoid abrasion on sand or bitumen.
- Join your Wing Foil board: carry the wing by the handle and place the leading edge facing the wind to make it neutral to it and easily carry it. Once you’re close to the water with your wing and Wing Foil board, attach your board leash.
- Carry your equipment to the water: as you have left your Wing Foil board close to the water, you only have to walk a few meters carrying both the board and the wing. Be careful to always carry your board in the direction of the wind so as not to risk the wing catching the wind and crashing into the foil.
Which foil for a beginner?
For wingfoil beginners, it is essential to choose a foil with enough lift and stability to learn and progress quickly. At Sroka Company, we highly recommend our S-Foil 1750 Classic foil for novices. With its large lift surface, it allows for optimal take-off and balance, making it easier to learn the first wingfoil flights. However, don’t let its beginner look fool you, as the S-Foil 1750 is also designed to get you moving up quickly. Its versatility will also allow you to learn SUP Foil, downwind foil and venture into small waves for surf foil. By choosing the S-Foil 1750 foil at Sroka, you are opting for stability, progression and a fast and optimal wingfoil learning experience.
How to take off in wing foiling?
A key step to start in Wingfoil and start having fun in Wing Foil, taking off in Wing Foil is not very complicated but requires you to do it in the right way. Find our illustrated tips and comments below to achieve this from your first session.
The first step is to kneel on your board while holding the wing (in the right direction) with the handles provided for this purpose. It is then a question of positioning the wing above your head so that the edges do not touch the water, and in front of the board by orienting it in an axis facing the almost neutral wind. The objective of this step is to control the lift of the wing and its reaction to the wind and to find a stable position on the board. Once you are stable and have good control of the wing, you can orient it in such a way as to better catch the wind and move your foil board forward.
To move on to the second stage , you need enough wind speed. Once reached, you can position your front foot flat in the center of the board. This allows you to get up in two steps for ease.
You can then move on to the third step , this time placing your back foot flat on the foil board, allowing you to stand up. It is essential to have a good foot placement: the back foot must be centered on the board and ideally located just above the foil mast, the front foot must be centered on the board in front of your back foot with a foot spacing equivalent to shoulder width. These discrepancies are likely to differ depending on the size and volume of your foil board.
First of all, we advise you to keep the wing relatively above your head in a position close to lift neutrality (first photo on the left) so as not to be unbalanced by gusts. Then, in a second step, lower it to orient the central flange (or boom depending on the model) so that it is almost parallel to the water. You then get more lift and the board accelerates.
The fourth stage is take-off. You now have enough speed with your board to activate the foil’s lift. To facilitate this, you can perform a light “pumping” movement by successively lightening your weight on the front leg and then on the back leg to play with the angle of the front wing of the foil and make it more load-bearing. When the foil takes off, you have to shift the weight back onto the front leg and hold the wing firmly, staying straight to maximize the lift of the wind. Repeat this sequence as many times as necessary (sometimes once, sometimes ten…) until you take off.
You are now in flight and the duration of this flight depends on your ability to efficiently distribute your weight between the front and rear leg but above all on the orientation/lift axis you give to your wing so that the wind allows you to keep moving forward. Transferring the weight to the rear leg causes the foil to go up and transferring it back to the front leg brings the foil down. It is important to stay upright and keep your center of gravity above the foil to avoid falling.
The windsup + Wing pack for beginners with your family
To learn how to handle a wing with ease, we offer you a SUP adapted to navigation (a fin at the back + a fin in the middle to avoid drifting downwind) and a wing. It’s the best way to discover sailing safely, with the whole family.
Click here to find more information about the 3.3m or 4m inflatable windsup + wing pack
For surfers:
For surfers who have more of a surfing and/or surfing foil background than windsurfing or kitesurfing, it can be complicated to navigate using both foot positions (goofy and regular stances). As in the photo opposite, it is possible to sail with your back to the sail in one direction and facing the sail in the other. This has the advantage of ensuring good control of the board and the foil but has the strong disadvantage of making the ascent to the wind much harder (it implies a twisting of the body between the axis of the legs and shoulders). We recommend practicing changing positions to be able to go upwind more efficiently and re-switch to your most comfortable stanza at each turn.
Safety rules
Wing Foil is a risky board sport in the same way as Windsurfing, Kitesurfing or any other Foil sport. We advise each practitioner to equip themselves with the following elements during their session: board leash and wing leash (mandatory), flotation vest / impact vest (mandatory if you exceed the 300m zone), helmet (recommended). It is really not advisable to do a session alone whatever your level, you should always let someone know about your session and the planned practice schedules.
We recommend that you only practice Wing Foil on spots that have been studied and spotted beforehand. As the marine weather is changeable and unpredictable, it is essential to stay close to the coast so that you can return easily and quickly if the wind turns, strengthens or drops completely. Pay close attention to the effects of currents due to tides or swells.