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Wingfoil: how to succeed in your waterstart
When progressing in Wing Foil, it becomes essential to know how to control your waterstart. Indeed, when the volume of the foil board decreases, it sinks and the technique to launch is different.
The waterstart may seem complicated at first, but after reading this article, it will no longer hold any secrets for you.
The prerequisites for a Wing Foil waterstart
- Have enough water depth to sink the foil. Paddle on your board, just like surfing, to get away from the edge.
- Be well canvassed or over-canvassed at the start for an easier waterstart
- Have a good level in wing foiling: master the basic maneuvers (jibe, tacking, be comfortable in both directions) and know how to make a pumping start
Waterstart: the different types of Wing Foil boards
Small planks (less than 45 liters)
It is for this type of wing foil boards that it is necessary to know how to manage your waterstart. The boards of this litter are ideal for the practice of Surf Foil or freestyle winging. These boards are more intended for experienced riders with a good level.
Planks of intermediate volumes (between 55 and 70 liters)
Most of the time, with the volume of these boards you don’t need to do a waterstart. Based on the observation that one liter is equal to one kilo, you can go directly on your knees if the volume of your board is equal to your weight (within 10 liters or kilos).
Reminder: How to go wing foiling with an intermediate volume board?
First of all, you have to get on the board and position yourself on your knees, sitting on your heels. This way, you squeeze slightly behind the center of gravity of your board. Then take your wing in hand, once you have gained some speed you can stand up starting with the front foot.
Technique n°1: Waterstart with straps
The technique to succeed in your Wing Foil waterstart with straps is quite simple. Start by sitting astride your board, just like in surfing, then position your kite in the right direction (handles down). You can use your wing to balance yourself.
Then, push your board into the water with both hands to sink it so that you insert your feet into the straps. Once your feet are correctly positioned in the straps, you can retrieve your kite by the handles and start pumping with the kite. This way, you’ll generate speed and start to get the board out of the water. During this step, you have to be careful to pitch your board, i.e. the nose of the board should be up.
Once the board is on the surface of the water, you find yourself in the same situation as with a big board. You have to keep pumping in order to get the foil out of the water and off you go!
Technique n°2: Strapless waterstart
For this waterstart technique, the start is the same as for the strap technique. First of all, you will sit on your board and position your kite in the right direction. Next, you’ll need to get down on your knees on your wing foil board. To successfully get down on your knees, you can hold the board with your front hand to have more balance. Be careful to keep the leash of your kite in your hand to prevent it from turning over. Once you’ve reached the balance point on your knees, you can balance the board with your back leg. The nose of your board should be pointing slightly upwards.
When you feel comfortable, take the wing with both hands to catch some wind and thus generate a little speed to increase your stability. This way, it will be easier for you to switch from kneeling to standing. You can gradually lift your forward foot as soon as you start to move forward. Once you feel it, you can also lift your back foot and keep moving forward little by little.
What’s important is to have a good foothold in your wing and start moving forward. The board will gradually come out of the water thanks to the power generated by the wing. Care must be taken to ensure that the nose of the board is slightly pointing upwards. Once the board has arrived at the surface, you can start pumping for the board to take off.
Tips you need to know for your wing foil waterstart
- Use your wing as a support buoy to make it easier to balance.
- When doing a strapless waterstart in wing foil, avoid being perpendicular to the wind. It’s best to position yourself slightly with your back to the wind.
- You have to watch out for the weakening wind. The waterstart technique only works if there is enough wind to get out of the water. Remember to stop before there is enough bottom.
- It will be easier for you to learn how to do your waterstart on a body of water with little chop.
If you still have questions about this, or for any other request, please do not hesitate to contact us !
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