Which board should you choose when you’re a beginner at wingfoil? Wing foiling is a sport that’s becoming more and more popular over the years, and we understand why!
That magical feeling of flying over the water, going wherever you want, is unparalleled. However, when you’re just starting out, it’s easy to get lost among the wide range of options.
We’ll explain how to make the best choice for your wing foil board based on your desires and your build.
For your first wing foil board purchase, we recommend opting for a wingfoil pack. This way, you’ll have all the necessary equipment to get started at a reduced price. It’s the best option when you want to start wingfoiling!
Step 1: What board volume should you choose when you're a beginner at wingfoiling?
In wingfoiling, board volume is a major characteristic. Indicated in liters, it determines the buoyancy and stability of your board, two key criteria for learning to foil in good conditions.
The rule is simple: it is imperative to choose a board volume that is greater than your weight so that you float. But how much greater?
Key benchmarks to remember based on rider weight:
- Your weight + 10 = minimum volume to float
- Your weight + 30 = comfortable volume for beginners
- Your weight + 15 / 20 = for athletic people or those already practicing a water sport
Example: 70kg + 30 = 100L board, which will allow a beginner to be truly comfortable. For athletes and/or those who practice water sports like surfing or windsurfing, it would be more appropriate to add only 15 or 20. This would make: 70kg + 20 = 90 liters.
However, if you wish to be reassured about your board choice, you can contact us to discuss it. We will be delighted to help you choose the equipment best suited to your profile.
Step 2: Beginner in wingfoil, choosing the right board size
When choosing your first wingfoil board, you will need to select its size. At Sroka, our board sizes are designed to offer you maximum performance. Our boards therefore feature the optimal size according to their volume. This way, our boards allow the rider to have a board that is easy to handle with the best possible glide.
To choose, you can therefore rely solely on the board's volume, as you can be sure that the size will be suitable.
Be careful, as this is not the case for all brands. A board that is too small for its volume will be thicker and will therefore have poorer glide, directional instability, and will require more power.
Shapes to avoid:
- A board that is too long will have a lot of inertia and will be uncomfortable for pumping
- A board that is too stubby will have difficulty taking off, will lack glide, and its rails will tend to touch the water
- A board that is too narrow will be very laterally unstable
- Finally, a board that is too thick will have a "cork" effect on the water and will be unstable
These different shapes are to be favored for specific practices once your tastes and level are affirmed.
At Sroka, we have calculated the perfect ratios for all our rigid and inflatable wingfoil boards, so it's impossible to get a bad shape! Everything has been designed so that our boards have an optimal shape that offers superb gliding sensations and great performance, whatever your level.
Step 3: Choosing an inflatable or rigid board for a beginner in wingfoil?
At Sroka, our priority is to offer you the product that best meets your needs. Our goal is not to seek the best profitability, but to allow you to choose the product that will give you a maximum of pleasure on the water. Your needs and desires will determine which type of board is best for you.
Inflatable board, for whom?
Inflatable boards will delight those who want to sail occasionally, who don't have much space, and therefore want a board that's easy to transport.
If you go on holiday regularly or live in the Paris region, you need compact equipment. Inflatable is for you!
Rigid board, for whom?
Rigid boards are ideal for people who want to sail very regularly and therefore don't have space issues.
If you want to progress faster by getting out on the water often, rigid boards are the best choice.
Note: good quality inflatable boards, combined with a good sail and foil, are a very good and entirely credible alternative. There's a tendency to think that an inflatable board doesn't allow for progress, but that's wrong! With a good inflatable board, like our Sroka Air, you'll be able to have maximum fun and achieve great performance throughout your sessions.
Step 4: The importance of construction and materials used for your board
When choosing wingfoil equipment, it is essential to pay attention to the construction technology and the materials used. Indeed, not all brands have the same quality standards, which is why it is important to pay attention to this. A very good quality board will not only be more durable, but it will also offer you better performance, better glide, and a superb feel.
The best construction technology for a compact board is Full Sandwich PVC. This is what we use on all our wing foil boards to guarantee you the best level of quality and comfort (and therefore better performance)!
Sroka Company has always been committed to providing quality equipment that is durable, solid, and very high-performance. This is how all our products are designed. What we want above all is for every rider to fully enjoy the sensations that wingfoiling offers thanks to ultra-qualitative equipment. This is why we offer quality equipment perfectly designed for superb performance and maximum pleasure, whether you are a beginner or an expert.
Step 5: Choosing your pack to start wingfoiling
What is the ideal wingfoil board for children and young teenagers?
Sky Rider 4’8 and 5’2
Because it's not just adults who have the right to wing foil, we designed the Sky Riders 4’8 and 5’2 to suit experienced foilers as well as children or teenagers.
Always with the aim of making wingfoiling accessible to as many people as possible, the 4’8 and 5’2 will be perfect for children or teenagers who wish to discover the sensations of wingfoiling and progress quickly.
Easy-to-master boards, they are perfect for the whole family! They will allow the youngest to have a blast wingfoiling and parents to continue progressing. Our boards are designed to last, and it is thanks to this maximum durability and solidity that they will be able to serve all generations. This is the perfect board to accompany your family throughout their progression!
Sky Rider 4’8 and 5’2
Because it's not just adults who have the right to wing foil, we designed the Sky Riders 4’8 and 5’2 to suit experienced foilers as well as children or teenagers.
Always with the aim of making wingfoiling accessible to as many people as possible, the 4’8 and 5’2 will be perfect for children or teenagers who wish to discover the sensations of wingfoiling and progress quickly.
The Sky Rider 4’8 and 5’2 are the perfect boards for the whole family! They will allow the youngest to have a blast wingfoiling and parents to continue progressing. Our boards are designed to last, and it is thanks to this maximum durability and solidity that they will be able to serve all generations. This is the perfect board to accompany your family throughout their progression!
Sroka Air 5’3
For those who prefer inflatable boards, the Sroka Air 5’3 wingfoil board will be ideal for children and teenagers who want to foil. Indeed, it is impact-resistant and can be reassuring in the event of a fall. In addition to being extremely solid, its excellent overall rigidity offers very good performance and incredibly precise handling.
Wing SUP to get started with wing foil
WingSUP involves catching the wind on an inflatable paddle board with a wing foil in hand. It's a great sport for anyone looking to learn the basics of winging and get started step-by-step.
We are one of the only brands to offer Wing SUP packages. Our packages contain everything you need to get straight onto the water.
Pack composition:
- Malibu 10’6 SUP: an ultra-solid inflatable paddle board that can be transformed into a windsurf SUP board. All you need to do is attach a mast (not included) to use your board as a windsurf board.
- 3-piece aluminum paddle
- 3.3m or 4m wing
- Dual flow pump for the wing and SUP
- Leash