3 tips for going upwind on a wing foil
Wing foiling , a discipline that has gained significant popularity since 2019, needs no introduction. This rapid growth reflects the increasing enthusiasm for wing foiling and its notable impact on the world of watersports. Knowing how to sail upwind on a wing foil is one of the most important factors for independence . It's the essential first step to becoming self-reliant in your practice. We will therefore cover the essential steps and prerequisites to enable you to sail upwind. Follow our advice on how to sail upwind if you want to progress quickly in wing foiling . You will gain safety and independence.
Understanding the basics of wing foiling and upwind riding
In sailing, no boat can sail directly upwind; yet, the wind constantly pushes us in its direction. To overcome this, our predecessors found a way to sail upwind. The principle is quite simple: you gradually gain ground as you sail tack after tack. You zigzag upwind. It's like climbing a mountain; it's hard to go uphill in a straight line, you have to zigzag. Sailing upwind allows you to move around the entire body of water and be completely self-sufficient at your sailing spot.
The near
In sailing, we call our directions points of sail, and close-hauled is one of them. It's the point of sail that allows us to sail upwind; it lies between the point of passage and the windward mark. Its limits are therefore the perpendicular to the wind on one side and the point where the boat stops on the other (which is marked by the red zone in the table below).
Position and balance
To sail upwind, you'll need to put the foil in a specific position (counter-heeled), meaning the board should be leaning towards the wind by primarily applying pressure with your heels. The goal is to orient your board slightly towards the wind (the nose of the board slightly angled towards the wind). To do this, you press down on your heels, which will slightly tilt the board. For a comfortable ride, you need to find a kind of balance: the wing pulls you (downwind), the foil pushes you. You're between the two and you need to be balanced. You need to feel that exact point where the balance is perfect, that point where you're in control and where you control your trajectory.
The stance on the board varies from rider to rider; some prefer to have their back foot out of the strap, while others prefer to keep it in—it's entirely up to you. The key is to feel confident, because the more confident you are, the more you can accelerate and improve your upwind performance. A slight bend in your legs allows for better control of your foil through improved management and responsiveness of your weight distribution. Position yourself so you can lightly press down on your heels to tilt the board comfortably. A simple reference point: when going upwind, you feel like you're shifting your weight back. Keep this in mind while riding (by shifting your center of gravity, you'll have more counterweight and therefore transmit more power to the foil to lift it). The wing will be positioned slightly lower than normal (almost directly in front of you), which allows you to generate more horizontal force. Be careful, however, not to touch the water with the wingtip, or you'll be saying hello to the fish! Depending on the wings you use, and their profile, you'll need to sheet them in more or less, meaning pull on your back hand. Find the point where your wing generates the most power! (Try pulling a little less or a little more).
Testimonial” (Jules Bustin, sailing instructor): “The most frequent mistake I observe is body position. Riders let their shoulders go forward with the wing. You have to straighten up; your shoulders should almost move slightly back to help contain the wing's pull. So straighten up and be proud (shoulders back, chest forward).”
The upwind angle:
The concept of VMG (Velocity Made Good):
Simply put, VMG represents the compromise between the heading, that is, between the angle of your upwind course and the speed. It expresses the efficiency of our upwind performance relative to a target.
To keep things simple, if we sail close to the wind (as close to the wind as possible), our speed will be very low, but the distance to cover will be shorter. Conversely, if we sail almost on a beam reach, our speed will be high, but the distance to reach the same point will also be greater. VMG (Velocity Made Good) therefore represents the best compromise between these two extremes.
The concept of surrender and refusal:
This refers to the wind variations mentioned above. A wind shift is when the wind turns in your favor, allowing you to gain even more ground. A wind shift is the opposite; it's when the wind turns against you. In regattas, it's said that you should always tack when affected by a wind shift and take advantage when you encounter a wind shift.
These effects can be due to coastal effects, clouds, or a change in wind direction. Therefore, a thorough understanding of coastal effects is fundamental to optimizing upwind sailing.
Upwind sailing techniques
Sailing upwind is generally described as zigzagging across the water, at least that's how it's presented when explaining it to children. The correct term is tacking. The common expression is "tackling." This involves making the widest possible back-and-forth movements across the water, heading towards the wind.
Pumping can help you gain a few degrees of lift and maintain your speed (very often used in competition). There are two distinct pumping techniques: wing pumping and foil pumping. Wing pumping requires both arms simultaneously and resembles the pumping technique used in windsurfing. Shoulder elasticity is used to generate power. Foil pumping involves alternating pressure on the front and back legs to oscillate the foil and accelerate the board. In any case, learning all the techniques and maneuvers specific to our sports (wing, kite, etc.), and particularly in foil sports, takes time. So, be patient and get in the water when conditions are right and when you feel ready.
Understanding the basics of wingfoiling and upwind sailing
Two scenarios are possible when navigating:
- either we navigate using a harness,
- either without a harness.
In both cases, body position is paramount.
- When harnessed, you will bend your legs a little more, so as to press as hard as possible on the foil, but not only that, observe the position of the foilers, they all have their buttocks back, their center of gravity is away from their board and from the vertical of their foil, this allows for better support in the water.
- Without a harness, the wing's pull will eventually tire you out, and bending your legs will create a lot of strain on your hands. That's why, without a harness, you should try to navigate more smoothly by sitting upright (aligning your feet, hips, and shoulders).
Progressing upwind
To improve, you have to practice! Although it seems obvious, too many riders are content to stay in the same spot during their sessions. Don't fall into that trap; go exploring, climb, descend… Get out of your comfort zone to face a multitude of varied situations that will allow you to progress. For more online tutorials, YouTube is an excellent database with content in English and French. Among the channels that offer their services, SROKA's "Sroka company" is recommended.
In conclusion, going upwind on a wingfoil isn't magic or requires extraordinary abilities; it's more about strategy than technique. Regardless of your background in board sports, any rider can go upwind. Sometimes it's just a matter of time and determination.
To improve your skills, you can analyze your trajectories with a GPS or your phone, but we also recommend practicing with others. There's nothing better than comparing yourself to a friend on the water and trying to outdo them. This friendly competition helps you progress faster on the water.