Just took my first wingfoil lesson. I can’t wait to get good enough to try some downwind someday. I’ve been sailing, surfing, and working on lobster boats my whole life. I’ve got the wave reading down. Now I just need to learn how to foil. I live on an island 15 miles off the coast of Maine. We get good swell often and plenty of wind.
Glad you liked it @MikeRaper0505. Great work on the North DW gear! You guys hit the mark with this collection, I’m absolutely loving it. Can’t wait to try the DW tails.
Starting to get some long flagged out rides with the wing in the last few sessions - stoked! Its quite addictive, constantly looking for a pathway to keep flying. Staying high on the mast is crucial as you mention. One issue I have though is getting on a steep bump, and then I end racing down it, only to stall out on the back of the bump in front. Cant go uphill I guess (or at least not yet). Cross over sideways instead of straight down when it jacks up while you're on it? Turn away and get off to find the one behind it? Or bomb straight and try to pump uphill through the bump in front and hope to get on top of it with enough speed?
To “up and over” the big ones is so hard. It’s best to use that speed to come off the back and give you energy to find the next one. This is much easier when you don’t have a wing in your hand. Hope that helps.
What camera mount are you using for your paddle (at 3:23)? Also: If I go lake-downwinding with WAY smaller bumps - would you recommend using a larger foil and a shorter mast (e.g. 75cm)?
Sorry mate, I can’t remember what make the paddle mount is. I got it off Amazon ages ago. Exactly, it’s helpful to have a bigger foil for lake downwinding. The mast length is less important but yes, there is less need for a longer mast in a lake.
The only one I’ve not used is the DW900. I use the 1400 and the 1100 all the time. The 1400 is so easy to use and gets up in next to nothing. I’m going to do a full review of them all as soon as I get the 900.
I may have asked this already under another video. What's your recommendation on paddle size? 105 or 90ish? Especially for the beginner (75-80 kg) Thanks! Great to see mentioning of the (DW)1400 !
I use the code paddle which is 85 inch squared. This is perfect for me, super efficient and allows me to get the cadence down. Yes, I’m absolutely loving the DW foils from North. The DW1400 is epic for learning. I still use it when it’s light or when I’m in an enclosed water (lake) run. I’ll be doing a full review of them as soon as I get the tails to match.
Curious. How much do you weigh? I’m 86kilos and getting into downwinding. I’m thinking the my dragonfly but I don’t have the ability to test any boards before I purchase. Any recommendations? I have a background in sup surfing. I ride sinker boards and I prone foil. I connect waves and do plenty of turns, but I’m unsure of what to look for in a down wind board. I’m fairly confident I’ll pick it up within a reasonable time. What size board in liters would you recommend?
The dragonfly is a great board. Not the most stable but super efficient. The larger the volume the quicker you will see results (up to around 135l then it won’t help you). I think 120-125 would work for you, but it’s difficult to say for sure without seeing you foil.
@@hydrofoilacademy thanks! Good thing I asked. I was leaning towards 110liters because I saw a video of one the guys that works for lift on a 105liter and he is on 105liters.
Hey Gav. Great video! Regarding front foil, is it possible to downwind with the F-One Seven Seas front foil (1250 cm2, AR 8)? I’m 70kg. I’m asking because you haven’t mentioned aspect ration on the video. Many thanks!
Thanks for the kind words. For DWing you want an efficient and gliding foil that also turns well. I use the north DW range which has an AR of 11.2 (DW1400cm2) to 13.3 (DW750cm2). Thats not to say you can't use your F-One SS, they are good foils but not designed for Downwind. I think the size is about right for you but you also want a foil with a very low stall speed for padding up but with a good top end too (for keeping up with the swells). I've heard the Eagle X is a good foil for DW but i've not used one myself.
The SS from F-One is designed as an accessible, user friendly, entry level DW wing, so should work fine. Doesn't exist in 1250 though - v1 1200 or v2 1300. I'm on the v2 - easy lift and low stall speed with plenty of glide and turning. Eagle X is a lot faster and more glide but requires more advanced experience.
as @strekke1986 mentioned the Seven Seas is F-One's dedicated Entry Downwind Foil. Size wise I would highly recommend you to get the 1400 V1 or 1500 V2 which have a wide range and will help you a lot in the first year.
I'm wingfoiling on a 6'0 100l dw board which is too short to really paddle up with my 85kgs - you reckon i could just skip the paddling part, get a BRM parawing, use it to get up on foil and then downwind the entire lake without a paddle? ^^
That’s a good question. I’ve only just got a BRM parawing and I’ve been out once so bit too early to tell if it replaces paddling. But yes, I think a 6’0 at 100l is way too small for 85kg. Either get a bigger board or a Parawing. I’ll be doing a review of the Parawing in a few weeks when I’ve had some time on it.
@@hydrofoilacademy looking forward to your parawing review then! 🤙 If i could just use this midlength board for downwinding and skip the paddling altogether i would not have to buy a new board wouldnt have to bother about paddling technique and ride a smaller board in the windswell than most paddlers that'd be such a win. Curious what you will think about the parawing 🤞
100% Parawing will replace paddle up, I did it on a 2.9m on first session. Still struggle with paddle up but BRM will speed up the process @@hiltithedrill
Thanks Gav. Please allow two stupid questions: do I understand correctly (1) I cannot do this on a lake without waves (2) I must - as the name implies - go downwind, i.e. I cannot go back to where I started ?
No such thing as a stupid question! Yes, you can definitely do it on a lake, it just needs to be a big lake and very windy to form big enough bumps. Yes, it’s all one way. Just downwind. Hope that helps.
You can go any direction if you use a wing. It is best when wind goes 90 degrees to waves. This happens not often though. You can go one way agains waves on a wing, and then go back on waves. Name "downwind" is stupid, it should be "downwaves". :)
Your tips on the paddling technique 🫶
Game changer for me, thanks for sharing.
Cheers from France
Happy to help!
Your POV footage is so good! I've already shared it!
Awesome thank you!
Just took my first wingfoil lesson. I can’t wait to get good enough to try some downwind someday. I’ve been sailing, surfing, and working on lobster boats my whole life. I’ve got the wave reading down. Now I just need to learn how to foil. I live on an island 15 miles off the coast of Maine. We get good swell often and plenty of wind.
Those conditions sounds epic! Keep me posted on your journey. Love hearing about it.
You are a fantastic communicator! Keep it up.
Thanks for the kind words mate. Appreciate it.
Dude your the man, great description, thanks for sharing your knowledge! Can't wait to look for the trough!
Thanks, I hope my comments help you on your journey!
Great Overview of DWSUPFing. In Paddling we say "Anything past your Hips is a Waist" ;)
Thanks mate. I like that one. I’m going to use that if you don’t mind!
Thanks Gav,great tips!
Glad you enjoyed it mate.
Great video Gav, thanks mate. Legend.
Glad you liked it @MikeRaper0505. Great work on the North DW gear! You guys hit the mark with this collection, I’m absolutely loving it. Can’t wait to try the DW tails.
@@hydrofoilacademy S142 and S192 are sick... work well for Prone too. I love my S142 and I have a 89kg Dad bod ;-)
kompliment ( from germany) for the nice movie...... it helps me a lot.....
Danke for the kind words mate. I’m glad it’s helping you out.
Here’s the translation:
"You speak so beautifully, and you are kind and smiling. It looks amazing. I will try as you suggested, first with Wing."
Thank you for the kind words mate. It’s really appreciated.
Thanks Gav, I’m going through the pain now
You’ll get there mate. It’s worth it in the end.
Starting to get some long flagged out rides with the wing in the last few sessions - stoked! Its quite addictive, constantly looking for a pathway to keep flying. Staying high on the mast is crucial as you mention. One issue I have though is getting on a steep bump, and then I end racing down it, only to stall out on the back of the bump in front. Cant go uphill I guess (or at least not yet). Cross over sideways instead of straight down when it jacks up while you're on it? Turn away and get off to find the one behind it? Or bomb straight and try to pump uphill through the bump in front and hope to get on top of it with enough speed?
To “up and over” the big ones is so hard. It’s best to use that speed to come off the back and give you energy to find the next one. This is much easier when you don’t have a wing in your hand. Hope that helps.
What camera mount are you using for your paddle (at 3:23)? Also: If I go lake-downwinding with WAY smaller bumps - would you recommend using a larger foil and a shorter mast (e.g. 75cm)?
Sorry mate, I can’t remember what make the paddle mount is. I got it off Amazon ages ago. Exactly, it’s helpful to have a bigger foil for lake downwinding. The mast length is less important but yes, there is less need for a longer mast in a lake.
great coments and great video
Glad you enjoyed it
Can you make a video on balancing on a sup foil board and tips?
That’s actually not a bad idea. The key to it is to always keep the paddle in contact with the water and always keep the board moving forward
Gav, slick video! Have you tried all of the DW foil sizes? Any thoughts regarding size for a 90kg int/exp fella in Perth?
The only one I’ve not used is the DW900. I use the 1400 and the 1100 all the time. The 1400 is so easy to use and gets up in next to nothing. I’m going to do a full review of them all as soon as I get the 900.
Great tips Gav - where are you based?
Thanks mate. I’m in Sydney.
I may have asked this already under another video. What's your recommendation on paddle size? 105 or 90ish? Especially for the beginner (75-80 kg) Thanks! Great to see mentioning of the (DW)1400 !
I use the code paddle which is 85 inch squared. This is perfect for me, super efficient and allows me to get the cadence down.
Yes, I’m absolutely loving the DW foils from North. The DW1400 is epic for learning. I still use it when it’s light or when I’m in an enclosed water (lake) run. I’ll be doing a full review of them as soon as I get the tails to match.
Curious. How much do you weigh?
I’m 86kilos and getting into downwinding. I’m thinking the my dragonfly but I don’t have the ability to test any boards before I purchase. Any recommendations?
I have a background in sup surfing. I ride sinker boards and I prone foil. I connect waves and do plenty of turns, but I’m unsure of what to look for in a down wind board.
I’m fairly confident I’ll pick it up within a reasonable time.
What size board in liters would you recommend?
The dragonfly is a great board. Not the most stable but super efficient. The larger the volume the quicker you will see results (up to around 135l then it won’t help you). I think 120-125 would work for you, but it’s difficult to say for sure without seeing you foil.
@@hydrofoilacademy thanks! Good thing I asked. I was leaning towards 110liters because I saw a video of one the guys that works for lift on a 105liter and he is on 105liters.
Hey Gav. Great video! Regarding front foil, is it possible to downwind with the F-One Seven Seas front foil (1250 cm2, AR 8)? I’m 70kg. I’m asking because you haven’t mentioned aspect ration on the video. Many thanks!
Thanks for the kind words. For DWing you want an efficient and gliding foil that also turns well. I use the north DW range which has an AR of 11.2 (DW1400cm2) to 13.3 (DW750cm2).
Thats not to say you can't use your F-One SS, they are good foils but not designed for Downwind. I think the size is about right for you but you also want a foil with a very low stall speed for padding up but with a good top end too (for keeping up with the swells). I've heard the Eagle X is a good foil for DW but i've not used one myself.
@@hydrofoilacademy Thank you!
The SS from F-One is designed as an accessible, user friendly, entry level DW wing, so should work fine. Doesn't exist in 1250 though - v1 1200 or v2 1300. I'm on the v2 - easy lift and low stall speed with plenty of glide and turning. Eagle X is a lot faster and more glide but requires more advanced experience.
@@strekke1986 thanks. My is v.1 then.
as @strekke1986 mentioned the Seven Seas is F-One's dedicated Entry Downwind Foil. Size wise I would highly recommend you to get the 1400 V1 or 1500 V2 which have a wide range and will help you a lot in the first year.
I'm wingfoiling on a 6'0 100l dw board which is too short to really paddle up with my 85kgs - you reckon i could just skip the paddling part, get a BRM parawing, use it to get up on foil and then downwind the entire lake without a paddle? ^^
That’s a good question. I’ve only just got a BRM parawing and I’ve been out once so bit too early to tell if it replaces paddling. But yes, I think a 6’0 at 100l is way too small for 85kg. Either get a bigger board or a Parawing. I’ll be doing a review of the Parawing in a few weeks when I’ve had some time on it.
@@hydrofoilacademy looking forward to your parawing review then! 🤙 If i could just use this midlength board for downwinding and skip the paddling altogether i would not have to buy a new board wouldnt have to bother about paddling technique and ride a smaller board in the windswell than most paddlers that'd be such a win. Curious what you will think about the parawing 🤞
100% Parawing will replace paddle up, I did it on a 2.9m on first session. Still struggle with paddle up but BRM will speed up the process @@hiltithedrill
Thanks Gav. Please allow two stupid questions: do I understand correctly (1) I cannot do this on a lake without waves (2) I must - as the name implies - go downwind, i.e. I cannot go back to where I started ?
No such thing as a stupid question! Yes, you can definitely do it on a lake, it just needs to be a big lake and very windy to form big enough bumps. Yes, it’s all one way. Just downwind. Hope that helps.
You can go any direction if you use a wing. It is best when wind goes 90 degrees to waves. This happens not often though. You can go one way agains waves on a wing, and then go back on waves.
Name "downwind" is stupid, it should be "downwaves". :)
👍🍺🏄🏼
Thanks mate