How to Start Wing Foiling: The Complete Guide for Learning to Wing Foil
Wing foiling is a technical sport that’s enveloped by confusing hydrodynamic terminology and rife with hot debates about equipment. For a complete beginner, this can make learning to wing foil an intimidating experience.
Fortunately, the pathway towards getting started with wing foiling is clear, and thanks to improvements in technology and rising popularity, wing foiling has become more exciting and accessible than ever before.
Aside from equipment, the location in which you choose to wing foil and the conditions you venture out in are equally important considerations. This complete guide lays out everything you need to know about starting wing foiling and how to improve as quickly as possible.
What are the best conditions to start wing foiling?
The reduced friction provided by the foil enables you to harness kinetic energy from the water and the wind, and the state of both these elements plays a huge role during your session. If you’re learning to foil or you’re about to embark on your first ride, it’s important to pay careful attention to wind strength, wind 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 38kph). Too little wind, and it will be difficult to generate enough speed and start flying. Too much wind, and you’ll struggle to maintain control of your board.
Wind direction
The optimal wind direction to learn wing foiling is cross-shore wind (wind that blows parallel to the shoreline). Offshore wind can be dangerous for a beginner because it’s difficult to return to shore without full control of your craft. Onshore wind makes learning to wing foil difficult because you’re constantly blown back to shore and into shallow water.
Swell
It’s easiest to learn to wing foil in calm waters, away from waves. Wing foiling is an incredibly diverse sport and it can be performed in the ocean or freshwater lakes. Naturally, lakes are the safest place to learn to foil as the water is usually calm and you’re surrounded by land. If you choose to venture into the open ocean, choose a spot that’s protected from swell or pick 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 perfect location is a large, half-moon bay, free of obstacles and with little to no other water users. Large bays are perfect for learning to wing foil as they allow plenty of room for error if you’re struggling to return to the spot at which you entered.
You should also be aware of the topography of the area. Are there any large rocks, particularly in shallow water, that could obstruct the foil as it moves through the water? How far will you need to paddle before reaching a suitable water depth? Are there large accumulations of seaweed that could become tangled around your foil? Always make sure you have a good lay of the land before heading out.
What equipment do you need to start wing foiling?
Limited by technology and hindered by the surging popularity of surfing and funboards in the 1980s, wing foiling only caught on once inflatable kites became mainstream at the cusp of the new millennium. Since then, wing foil technology has continuously evolved and—on account of the sport’s highly technical hydrodynamic properties—is a recurring point of contention within the wing foiling community.
To get started with wing foiling you’ll need the following equipment:
- Wing board with leash
- Foil (mast, fuselage, front wing and stabiliser)
- Inflatable wing with leash
- Pump
- Helmet
- Wetsuit or boardshorts
You’ll find opposing schools of thought wherever you turn, especially as you become more advanced and gear preferences become more nuanced. Fortunately, there are generally accepted recommendations when it comes to buying beginner wing foiling gear.
When you start wing foiling, the equipment you choose will have a big influence on your learning curve, so it’s vital to do your research and make sure you’re investing in gear that matches your level.
The wing foil board
Wing foil boards are available in a range of shapes and sizes. Typically, they are short, wide and very thick, cramming plenty of foam into a small surface area and maximising stability. If you’re just starting with wing foiling, choose a board with plenty of volume but be careful not to choose a board that’s too long. Doing so creates a large swing weight, making it very difficult to generate speed and turning near impossible. Excess length also makes the board heavier so you’ll need more wind to get the board moving.
Initially, you want to have a board that is big and stable with enough volume to support your weight. A good rule of thumb is [your weight in kilos] plus [20-30 litres]. After the initial struggle, most riders improve quickly and want to downsize, sometimes, in under 6 months.
It makes sense to rent or borrow your first board and only invest in a proper board, like the Appleslice, when you want to improve. Alternatively, you could keep the bigger board for light-wind days. Eventually, most riders settle for a board with a volume just under their weight in kilos for flatwater and race winging, and as low as half the riders weight in litres for freestyle and wave winging.
Should you ride your foil board with foot straps?
You can ride your board with or without straps and this decision partly comes down to personal preference. Some wing foilers like to have their feet strapped to the board is it gives them more control and enables them to perform advanced manoeuvres such as jumps and flips. On the other hand, riding the board without straps enables you to switch stances more easily and move your feet to correct errors, both of which are particularly useful when learning.
The foil setup
Complete foil setups are comprised of a mast, a fuselage (connects the mast to the front wing and stabiliser), a front wing and a stabiliser. Each of these elements plays a role in the performance of your foil but some parts are more influential than others, especially if you’re just starting.
Let’s start with the mast. The length of the mast is the most important, although other factors such as the material, profile, and weight also play a role. A longer mast makes it easier to get started and is more forgiving for beginners because the board doesn’t rise so high out of the water. However, a shorter mast length increases the chance of your board catching the surface of the water. A longer mast enables the board to rise higher out of the water which makes pumping easier and reduces the chance of the board hitting the surface.
The next vital element is the front wing. The profile, surface area, thickness, length and width of the front wing hugely impact the performance of the foil. We recommend that beginners start foiling with a large front wing as it is slower—granting you greater control of the foil—and enables you to easily generate speed in lighter winds.
The wing
Inflatable wings have been specifically designed for wing foiling, although they can be used on mountain boards, carvers, or regular SUPs. The size of a wing is measured in ㎡ and range anywhere from 2㎡ (for strong wind conditions) to 7㎡ (for lighter wind conditions). For most people, a 4-5㎡ wing should be enough to cater for most conditions. Inflatable wings are very expensive (around €800), so you’ll probably learn to wing foil with just one wing in your quiver. Therefore, it’s best to get a wing that’s suitable for the widest range of conditions).
Wings are available with either straps or a boom and—just like the foot strap debate—partly comes down to personal preference. However, there are pros and cons to both. Those with a windsurfing background, for example, may prefer the familiar feeling of a rigid boom in their hands and the ability to grab anywhere along its surface. On the other hand, booms are more cumbersome than handles and are less forgiving for beginners. Handles can also be more comfortable and provide more grip.
How to prepare your equipment for your first wing foiling session
After a few sessions flying the wing on the beach, you’ll soon be eager to head into the water. Before you do so, you’ll need to ensure that you’ve prepared all of your equipment properly.
- Attach the foil to the mast – Attach the foil to the mast using the screws. Make sure not to overtighten them so that it’s easier to disassemble after your session. If you have any anti-seize make sure to apply this first.
- Attach the foil to the board – For your first session, simply position the mast in the centre of the box, you can adjust this later as you become more experienced and discover your preferences.
- Put on your wetsuit and helmet – Once your board is set up, put on your wetsuit and helmet if you’re using one.
- Attach the boom to the wing (optional) – If you’re using a boom with your wing, do this before inflating. First, attach the boom to the back of the wing, then attach to the bladder.
- Inflate the wing – Inflate the wing to about 6PSI. Once the wing is inflated, put on the leash immediately so that it doesn’t blow away and get damaged.
Practice on land before your first wing foiling session
Wing foiling is a demanding sport that requires a comprehensive understanding of two main elements: water and wind. For those without any sailing or kite surfing experience, learning the effects of the wind on the wing will be the biggest challenge. Therefore, it’s wise to get comfortable flying your wing on the beach before entering the water.
Practising on land gives you a controlled environment to get comfortable flying the wing and to learn the correct technique. Do this for as long as you need to, some beginners won’t even enter the water on their first day.
Before you start flying the wing, make sure the leash is attached so that it doesn’t blow away from you. To start, take your wing and hold it by the front centre strap, allowing the wing to fly in neutral.
Then, walk your hands one by one so that one hand is controlling the front handle and the other hand is controlling the back. Make sure that at least one hand is controlling the front hand at all times to maintain control of the wing. While wing foiling, your front hand typically holds the wing while the backhand steers and controls it.
In this position, you can start to feel how the kite reacts to the wind. Keep your arms relaxed and extended above your head, resist the temptation to pull the wing towards your body, this will only cause the wing to drop. If the wing starts to drop, punch towards the ground with your backhand and the wing will rise.
Carrying your wing-foil equipment to the shore
Carrying all your equipment down to the water when the wind is blowing may seem difficult but there’s a simple and safe way to do so.
- Before making your way to the water, make sure that your wing leash is securely attached to your wrist.
- Then, take the wing upside down by the front handle, facing into the wind. The wing should now be floating above you and not dragging along the ground. Remember, wings are fragile and can easily be damaged by sharp objects like sticks, stones and other debris.
- With your free hand, pick up the foil by the base of the mast and rest it on your head with the foil in front of you.
- Once you reach the water, lay the board deckside down with the foil in the air and walk towards deeper water. If there are small waves, continue to walk with the board still on your head so that it doesn’t get turned over.
Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact the Appletree Surfboards team
Appletree Surfboards have been developing premium products and providing expert advice since its inception in 2016. We hope this article has inspired you to take up wing foiling and has provided you with the necessary information to begin your journey.
If you have any questions about starting wing foiling or would like additional information about any of our products, don’t hesitate to get in contact with a member of our team!