Wing Foil is the latest development in board sports. It involves manipulating a wing held in two hands with a hydrofoil mounted on a short SUP board. It’s halfway between Windfoil, Kite Foil and SUP Foil.
In this article, you’ll find all the information you need to know How to start Wing Foiling?
Start Wingfoil and become a pro quickly !
Wing foiling is a technical sport that comes with confusing hydrodynamic terminology and heated debates about equipment. For a complete beginner, this can make learning wing foiling a daunting experience.
Fortunately, the path to starting wing foiling is clear, and thanks to technological improvements and growing popularity, wing foiling has become more exciting and accessible than ever.
As well as the equipment, where you choose to wing foil and the conditions in which you venture are equally important. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to start wing foiling and improve as quickly as possible.
What are the best conditions to start wing foiling?
The reduced friction provided by the foil allows you to harness the kinetic energy of the water and wind, and the state of these two elements plays an important role during your session. If you’re learning to foil or are about to take your first outing, it’s important to pay attention to wind strength and direction, swell size and water depth, as well as other factors such as rocks, debris, other water users and the topography of the area.
Wind strength
A good wind strength for learning to wing foil is between 15 and 20 knots (28 and 38 km/h). If the wind is too light, it will be difficult to generate enough speed to start flying. If the wind is too strong, you’ll have trouble keeping control of your board.
Wind direction
The optimum wind direction for learning wing foiling is cross-shore (wind blowing parallel to the shore). An offshore wind can be dangerous for a beginner, as it is difficult to return to shore without having full control of your boat. Onshore winds make learning to wing foil difficult because you are constantly being pushed back towards the shore and into shallow water.
Swell
It’s easier to learn to wing foil in calm waters, sheltered from the waves. Wing foiling is a highly varied sport that can be practised in the ocean or on freshwater lakes. Naturally, lakes are the safest place to learn to foil as the water is generally calm and you are surrounded by land. If you decide to venture out into the open sea, choose a place that is protected from the swell or a day when there aren’t many waves.
Assessing the spot
Before venturing into the water, make sure the spot you’ve chosen is suitable for learning. The ideal spot is a large half-moon bay, free of obstacles and with few or no other water users. Large bays are perfect for learning to wing foil, as they leave plenty of room for error if you have trouble getting back to where you entered.
You also need to pay attention to the topography of the area. Are there any large rocks, particularly in shallow water, that could hinder the foil as it moves through the water? How far will you have to travel before you reach sufficient water depth? Are there large accumulations of algae that could get tangled around your foil? Always make sure you know the terrain well before setting off.
