What are the safety rules for wing foiling?

Wingfoil can be an extreme sport. It can be risky, but most accidents are due to human error. To preserve your equipment, the equipment of others, other practitioners on the water and your physical integrity, it is important to respect common sense and safety rules to practice safely. It is therefore your responsibility to anticipate certain problems, to act so that you do not have a problem in order to practice safely.

Equipment Safety:

1. The wing:

Your wing foil wing is the element that is most likely to cause you problems, on land as well as in the water, it must always be attached. A broken leash or a poor securing of it and your wing is lost or damaged. It is therefore essential to check the condition of your leash before each session (not to forget it) but also to properly secure your wing when you leave it unattended on the ground or even when you inflate the wing.

Youshould always inflate your kite downwind of the foil and not upwind. If during the inflatable, your kite flies off the foil, you have a good chance of making a hole in the spinnaker with the front wing or the rear wing of the foil.
When you leave the beach and let your wing attach to your board. Secure it to prevent it from flying away. The most suitable is to stick the attack board to the mast and wrap the leash around the mast so that it does not fly away.
When you go out in the water, always remember to carry the foil to the wind and the wing to leeward.

2. The board and foil:

Your wing foil board and your foil will only fly more rarely, however, it is imperative to place them correctly on the beach, they will be placed in different possible ways:

Upside down, placed on the deck, tail towards the wind (Ideally orient the nose of the board towards the windward).
On the edge (only when the ground is soft for the material) with the tail of the board towards the wind or the foil downwind. (However, you have a chance of damaging your foil. And the performance of the foil depends on the surface finish of your fins. So personally I’m not a fan of this solution)

Before each session, the foil and the board must be checked (at the level of the screws and sockets.

3. Choice of equipment:

The choice of your equipment has a direct impact on your safety, going into the water with the wrong equipment can put you at risk, always be sure of your equipment whether it is its choice or its maintenance and implementation.

Example: if you start in a land wind with a board with little volume and the wind drops, you will have difficulty getting in.

Personal Safety:

Your personal safety depends on your personal protective equipment, impacts with equipment or other practitioners can be harsh. You have to be prepared, but above all you have to protect yourself from it. To do this, nothing could be simpler, wear neoprene booties, they will avoid cuts on the feet when you touch your foil. A helmet will prevent you from hitting your head when, for example, you lose the board while attempting your first backflip… or simply when you fall on the board.

The full-body suit is a must-have, it greatly reduces the risk of cuts and slightly absorbs shocks. The impact vest is a must-have, it will protect you at the ribs and back. You will find in our range, a premium quality impact vest , ensuring you protection all with style and with a few extra options.

Navigation rules and priorities:

Wingfoil sailing, like any other activity, is subject to maritime rules. Among all the rules, those of launching are important: make sure to follow these few rules:

Get into the water when conditions allow, do not endanger the rescuers!
Avoid standing in close proximity to other road users
Get into the water in authorized areas (channels for example)
Never position your equipment between you and the rollers or waves.

Once on the water, there are other small rules to follow:

Respect the practice areas, some places are forbidden to you.
Be aware of swimmers, they are the most vulnerable in the water!
Do not jump when the environment does not allow it, jumps too close to the edge or other practitioners and users are prohibited because they are potentially dangerous. Find a place where you won’t hurt anyone to do your best maneuvers and set the networks on fire.
Respect the basic priorities, the starboard tack user (right hand in front) has priority, the leeward one as well as the catch. When you don’t have priority, make your intentions clear to avoid misunderstandings and therefore collisions.
When downwinding, make sure you don’t cut anyone off.

Get down:

Safety is not limited to water, it is also important to take precautions on land.

Before you start, inspect the environment and ask for information from the regulars of the spot. Find out about the wind conditions, waves, currents, shoals and sandbanks present on the spot.

Rescue Techniques and Emergency Procedures:

Finally, it is essential to know rescue techniques and emergency procedures in case of a problem.

Learn the basics of rescuing someone in distress and how to respond in an emergency.

To do this, when you encounter an unconscious person, hoist them onto your float or theirs (choose the larger of the two) and then, if access to a shore is easy enough to swim in, push the board to the edge before calling for help. In the event that the shore is too far away or windward, have a means of communication to warn the Cross of your situation as soon as possible. In case you don’t have a means of communication, wave to the other riders.

Make sure you have a means of communication, such as a waterproof cell phone, on hand when needed.

Conclusion:

Wingfoil can be both exciting and demanding, but safety should always be a priority. By following these essential tips, you will be able to ride with peace of mind and enjoy this unique experience to the fullest. Don’t forget to be responsible and respectful towards other practitioners and the rules of navigation. Equip yourself properly with quality personal protective equipment and make sure your equipment is in good condition before each session. Finally, train yourself and inform yourself about the safety rules specific to your spot. By adopting a responsible attitude and taking the necessary precautions, you will be able to fully enjoy your passion for wingfoil in complete safety.