The spot and conditions for getting started Wing Foil

The body of water

It should be flat and sheltered from the swell. The best places to start Wing are lakes, but if you live on the coast, a spot at the head of a bay or harbor may be suitable. In addition, a closed place is safer, especially if you go too far from the shore, it will always be possible to reach the other bank and return by land. At sea, the wind can quickly shift, increase or drop. It’s vital not to be too far from the coast when you’re just starting out.

In any case, this body of water should be calm and clear. Watch out for algae that could get caught in the foil, as well as any floating objects (buoys, etc.) that may be present. Choose a place where there are few practitioners so that you can focus more on your progress, and less on what is happening around you.

Don’t forget to have enough bottom under your board (we sometimes tend to forget that we have a foil!). We recommend a depth of at least 30 cm more than the size of your mast. In other words, if you have an 80 cm mast, the bottom must be at least 1m10.

However, stay in an accessible area (less than 500 m), in case you are unable to get back to your board upright. Finally, watch out for current effects caused by tides or swells.

The best wind conditions to start with are around 15 knots (to allow you to pick up speed and get foil off the ground). Ideally, the wind should be steady.

Avoid (or even forget) an outing in an onshore wind, which could take you out to sea. Indeed, it will be difficult for you to go upwind at first, and even more so to return when you are far from the shore.

The sea winds are not the easiest either: they push you towards the edge of the beach, and risk you quickly touching the sand with your foil. In addition, the sea wind pushes the water more strongly and creates swell, which can further throw you off balance.

WIND CONDITIONS

It will therefore be more difficult for you to get on the board (because of the waves) and you will be very quickly driven back to the beach (because of the sea wind). Which in turn, will reduce your practice time as you will soon find yourself close to the edge.

Ideally, the wind is sideshore. If you are sailing at sea, it should ideally be light with little chop.

We recommend that you do not venture into spots that have been studied and spotted beforehand. As the marine weather is changeable and unpredictable, it is essential to stay relatively close to the coast so that you can return easily and quickly if the wind turns, strengthens or drops completely.

SEASONALITY

Depending on your location, avoid starting during busy periods (usually summer), when the spots are overcrowded. Stay away from swimming areas and other water sports enthusiasts. One of the advantages of this sport is that it allows you to quickly move away from the open sea by swimming on your board. Make sure you are downwind that there is no one around when you are sailing. (To do this, raise the wing above your head to observe the water).

Safety rules

The Wing Foil is a sliding sport that presents risks, just like kitesurfing, windsurfing and other disciplines with foil. So here are a few safety rules to keep in mind:

• Equip yourself with protection: leash board and leash wing (mandatory), flotation jacket or impact vest (mandatory beyond the 300m zone), helmet (strongly recommended).
• Avoid going alone during your session, and don’t leave at nightfall in winter.
• Always let someone know when you’re going out and when you’re going.
• Be patient and don’t venture into the big waves until you’re up to the level.
• Sometimes it’s better to give up than to accumulate mistakes that will turn into a big problem later on.