Wing foiling - the tips that helped me...
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- Опубліковано 25 лип 2024
- Here I share the things that worked for me which would have been really useful to know when I started out!
I've tried to avoid repeating advice and tips that are already out there.
Let me know if any of these help, or if you do it differently!
Topics covered:
- carrying big kit - 2.05
- wing pressure - 3.40
- handle use - 6.35
- wing control - 9.05
- going fast - 14.29
- pumping - 19.00
- gybing - 23.27
- final bits - 28.15
Links to videos that I found useful:
'Dead start SUP foiling'
• Video
'56 minutes on the wing-surfer with JB'
• 56 minutes on the Wing...
'Downwind foiling pop up tips'
• Downwind Foiling Pop U...
Most useful how to wing video I've come across. Thanks!
Thanks dude for your extra helpful tips. I watched tons of videos on UA-cam and only you mentioned about more pressure in the wing and about how to maintain the altitude of the flight just changing the angle of the wing. This two tips improved my riding enormously.
Honesty and great details- loved the way you thought of sharing your experience in a meaningful way. Many thank 👏
The first video about wing surfing that is actually helpfull and has more information in detail 👌😀
Great video. Thanks for taking the time to share. Very helpful!
Suuper helpful tips! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. It’s really helping me understand the dynamics in this technical sport.
Great video, very informative. Thanks for taking the time to explain thoroughly.
Really enjoyed this as it provides the perspective of what a beginner needs to think about and from the perspective of someone who already rides other things. Definitely worth the watch!
Your advice about moving the front hand to the grab handle to stop the downwind slide was super helpful! No one down at the beach has told me that. Aloha from Maui!
Really pleased it helped. Just the thought that one of these tips has found its way to Maui has made my day! 🤙
And now into Barbados too :) Great tip, thank you!
helped me also
Extremely well done and useful, many thanks for sharing
Thanks man, great tips. nice to have someone share while they still remember. Cheers
Great video, very helpful, hopefully will save me time as i start the process of learning to Foil & Wing. Thanks
Thanks for sharing those contents. as we learn, we always forget th difficulties we've been into. I recognized several aspects that bothered me at the beginning (leash configuration, handling the board, wing pressure, clearly). thanks for helping people to start without wasting their time. Keep uploading wing videos ! ;-)
Thanks for the thoughtful explanation!
Good job! Interesting video with lots of great tips. Thanks!
Hey, good to meet you at Hayling Island on windy Tuesday…”video man”.
Great training video. Love it!
Thank you.
Yes! Thanks for saying hello! What an epic day that was. Winging in a washing machine!
Thanks. Taking lessons for the first time in 2 weeks and will review this again the night before.
These tips are gold, thanks! Especially useful for ppl who have around 10 sessions in (like me!)
Thank you! Extremely Helpful! Cheers from Canberra!
Thank‘s a lot! Really helpful advice :-) Cheers from Switzerland!
Thanks so much for posting this, really invaluable and sure to smooth out the early days of what - no doubt - can be frustrating first attempts...
Again, I'm from a windsurfing background. Good to know the critical differences in technique. 👍🤙
Well done! Thank you for sharing
Great video! Will use this advice when I get into it-
Great video! I can’t wait to test the wing pointing up or down tip! And to have bent arms.
This video is outstanding. I have watched a million of these, like you have, and this is one of the most helpful and practical I’ve seen. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks! Hope it helps. 🤙
Thank you. I is good to see someone who understands apparent wind and sailing principles. I am yet to try wing sailing. I am a lifelong sailer and windsurfer who is a bit too broken! Foiling seems to have lesser forces. The mirror dinghy is great, but not exciting. Thank you
Thanks for the great tips! My first wing session will be this weekend and your tips were are very helpful! Thanks!
Hi Joe - stoked for you! It's totally worth the effort when you start getting it. Have fun!
Thank you, awesome tips much appreciated sir.
Great video... very helpful Good job... Love the honesty
Thanks a million for your step by step. It really, really helped. Best regards from myself Alex in Port Melbourne Australia.
I rate this video as a 10/10 for beginners as a must watch with a few others as well. Ta
fantastic tips , really useful
Awesome details to help a struggling wing foiler. Thank you and can't wait to get on the water again
I had my first session after lockdown yesterday. Bit rusty!
Thanks a lot mate. Just starting this here in Los Angeles and agreed, very little advice available- the manufacturers put up nothing considering they’d have the most resources and incentive.
Excellent. I'll make sure that all my mates who plan to start wingfoiling give a look at this video. Special mention for the "hangry umbrella" feel that you describe!
Thanks! If this video helps one person I'll be happy!
Thank you 🙏😊. This is a sport I would like to learn and haven’t found much in the way of how to start and where to buy equipment.
Valuable tips thanks for sharing
Thanks. very good down to earth tips.
Thanks very good selection of tips! I am sure you would have some new tips by now and the internet has more good content on the subject. One area is having the wing vertical or not - because if under powered having more lift from the wing is quite useful - I had some lessons last year and the instructor was shouting at me all the time to "let the wing fly" ie get it more open forward 45 % instead of trying to close it like you would a windsurf sail. For me this actually worked better once on foil you have to options when gusts hit - more front foot pressure to descend the board and adjusting wing with front arm / back arm to lessen the power of the wing. This keeps the adjustments more on the horizontal plane that you are trying to control.
Thank you for sharing your tips. Today was my first real day with good wind conditions, and I wish I had watched this before going out. I'll definitely apply our tips during my next session. Cheers from Washington, D.C.!
Hey there,did you ever tried to wingfoiling on Poyomac?
@@martinminar1949 still not good enough to be able to do it on the Potomac.
excellent video, best one on youtube for beginner tips, Aloha from Hawaii
Some great tips .. thanks
Best video on the subject.
Super useful. Thanks very much
so good, thanks very much. i was having problems in light winds with both board and wing pumping. I really appreciate the effort you've put in here. cheers.
Thanks! Marginal conditions are always tricky. Have to focus on staying upwind and choosing the right gust as you invest quite a lot of downwind distance each attempt to get foiling. I don't really mention that in the video... The other thing I could have mentioned is in marginal conditions once you've committed to getting on the foil and are pumping hard, after initially pointing quite far downwind you need to cut back across the wind /upwind as soon as possible to carry on building your apparent wind and power. If you carry on pointing deep downwind as you have to initially, then you run out of power quickly from the wing. As I bring the board out of the water, that's when I do that turn upwind /cross wind.
@@christianhum3635 Please define marginal conditions. I noticed you're using a 4m wing. What's the minimum windspeed you'd recommend to use it in? 10kts?
Hi Steffen - I'd define marginal conditions as anytime where you have to wait for a gust to get onto the foil. This is quite a broad term and depends a lot on equipment, weight and skill so is down to the individual.
I used the 4m for the video just because it's the smallest I own and is easier to handle in my small garden! I have a 5m as well, which I use if lulls are less than 15 knots. I'd switch to the 4m when lulls are above 15 knots, but can just about get foiling on it in about 12-13 knots with some effort. I weigh 65kg though and still need to refine my board pumping technique!
Hey, so glad you made this video. It has helped me heaps. Thanks.
No problem! Starting to think about a follow up, a year on!
@@christianhum3635 hey that would be great!
Very helpful. Thanks very much!
Great info. Thanks
Thank you for doing this video. With kitesurfing pretty much outlawed at nearby beaches, I’m looking forward to trying this out!😊
Hi Kyle - hope it inspires/helps you out - it's very addictive once you get up and flying!
Great video!!
Great video!! Thank you
Gran vídeo y buenos consejos, saludos desde Huelva, España
Great video. I'm down the coast from you in Lyme Regis, obsessed with wing foiling! One tip about pumping...I got from a video on UA-cam, I'll try and find the link...when you've done the jump "up" with your body, on the way "down" apply loads of front foot pressure, you can feel the foil start to take off, I found the pushing down really helped me. I have an 85cm mast and a bigger wing for light wind days on it's way. Really hope we can get out soon!
Thanks Nick! I've posted a couple of links which details the pumping in more detail under the video (they describe it much better than I could) but please post yours as well if you can find it again.
Not being able to get on the water is starting to wear a bit thin. I'm hoping that we'll be able to get going again before June arrives. 🤞
@@christianhum3635 This is one of them, lol, he makes it look sooo easy ua-cam.com/video/xIspFfN3vfs/v-deo.html But this is the one (you actually have it listed as well) @15:20 "front leg, really pushing down hard" ua-cam.com/video/c_WPqAMTDgw/v-deo.html I watched the full 56mins a few times when it first came out. I'm 90 - 95kg on a 130ltr foil specific board and 5m wing and 2500cm2 foil. Right now, I can only dream of getting going in 10knts of wind!!! My current skill levels, I need 15+knts but am working on the lighter wind technique. I'm going to try your technique of having back foot a bit further forward when pump starting. I have a massive wing on order, a 9m Gong SuperPower! The aim is be able to keep foiling all summer in the lightest of winds. I'll let you know how that goes! I don't use footstraps yet, I still adjust my feet when up, I'm still figuring out exactly where my feet should be.
Great and some very handy tips. I think the carrying of the gear looked more awkward than how I do it but I applaud you for making the time and effort to help us newbies.
Hi Ron - thanks for the comment. Just out of interest, how do you carry your gear?
@@christianhum3635 No worries. I'll try to explain. I hold the fuselage with my upwind hand standing on the front of board side of the mast. No matter whether the mast is in front of me or behind. Then with my downwind hand I hold the board handle and the leading edge wing handle. The wing then flies parallel to the ground (all things going well) by virtue of the wind blowing equally under and over the board edges. Once in the water, I just release the wing to fly freely downwind.
Good luck with it and if it works as well for you, I'm happy for you to use it however you wish. Thanks again 🙏
thank a lot real passionate advices
Thanks, that is really helpfull !
Hi cheers good video, looking for recommendations for more sheltered spots to learn at... sea too choppy etc
The parachute leash! Epic
More videos please you are are great teacher.
Thanks Joe - I will do a follow up at some point. Just working through my own technique issues - I've had quite a bit of gear change since my last video which has impacted my progress. A lesson in itself!
Some good tips I have not heard, thanks. The 45 degree angle of the wing, and quickly getting it more UPRIGHT, (to help with body control), will try. Right now I can get good board speed when taxiing, feel everything getting lighter underneath, but when I bring it up I am shortly doomed. I will try to bring my rear foot a half step forward too.
Hi John - hope some of what I said helps! Bringing the wing more upright means nearly all the vertical lift comes from the foil which can help control ride height at the risk of dipping a wing tip.. Just need to feel what works for you.
If you're crashing just after take off, try and get some time tower behind a boat to get some focused time on the foil. Getting your feet in the right place is really important. Bringing the rear foot forward half a step is nice for high speed control, but you'll need it back to get the board up and out the water...🤙
@@christianhum3635 thanks, Yes, this coming summer i will spend calm days on the lake getting towed. That will really help!!! But for the next three months I will try not to hurt myself in the waves and wind, maybe even put it together for a long smooth ride off the beaches in San Carlos Sonora Mexico. Thanks again
Most helpful video iv'e seen to date. I've been struggling getting the board pointed where i wanted to go when not on foil. I was trying to steer by moving my body. It never crossed my mind to move the wing more behind me to control the direction the board is pointing. I can't wait to try this out.
On your crossover how far from the tail is the center of your mast?
Hi Roland - Thank you. Sometimes a little adjustment can make a big difference / improvement, which then means you can just focus on the next challenge! Let me know if it does help.
Just measured it, and the centre of mast is 55cm from the back of my board.
Great vid, am about to take a lesson and get started myself.
Awesome! The sport is moving so fast and even since making this video there is so much more and better quality content out there on learning than there was. I'm sure you'll love it!
Brilliant tips
very very useful for me
Brilliant
Thanks for putting this video together. It really useful the way you've broken down essential concepts. Many videos gloss over the basics, like how to stand up on the board. But it's a critical for those starting out. Especially those who don't come from wind sports.
Question 1. What is the general rule for board size when starting out? I came across one formula - take your body weight in kilos, and add 30. So I weigh 90 kg and purchased a 120 L Nash Crossover, and the corresponding 4 meter squared inflatable wing. Been trying to get comfortable with the board and had it out yesterday winging without the foil. Would start out OK, but farther out the water was rough and gave me problems. I would eventually hit chop and submerge the board, stopping me dead in my tracks.
Question 2. Will try wing foiling next time. When I attach the foil, will this cause the board to sink even more? I've got an aluminum mast (56 cm) and carbon foil (56 cm). Does the extra surface area of the foil help offset the decrease in buoyancy from the extra weight ?
Hi Tim - thanks for the feedback. I'm as surprised as you are that there aren't more good quality introductory videos, which was what inspired me to put this together. It felt like I was revealing trade secrets!
1) Board sizing - that formula is about right for foiling boards. When I was buying my 120 crossover there wasn't even that guidance but I wanted to have the mast track, not knowing where my foiling journey would end up. As it is, I've sold my windsurf kit having never attached a sail to it!
I'm not surprised at your experience with chop. Boards this size are generally designed for skimming over the water (planing) or foiling above rather than being pushed through it. You're on a good size board and putting the foil will give you a load of stability in the water.
In getting foiling, I think you will have two issues. i) your wing is on the small side for someone your size for learning, unless it's windy - say 20 knots plus. You just need the extra power starting out to make up for the inexperience. ii) your foil sounds (at 56 cm) too small as well for learning. You don't give a surface area which would give me a better idea, but I'm 65kg and I went with the smallest foil I thought I could get away with (1650 cm2, 65 cm) and I wouldn't have wanted anything smaller. (I have a 1250 that I use at the wakepark, but not plucked up the courage yet to wing on it, mainly because I'm having so much fun on the 1650 and still working on my technique. That's a challenge still to come...)
Many are learning on 2000 cm2 plus sized foils as a guide and finding that they make great light wind foils when they get more experienced, so not a wasted investment.
I have a 95l 5'6 board arriving soon so might do a comparison to the Crossover if there is anything interesting to say.
2) Foil buoyancy - is irrelevant really. Some brands do float but that is not necessarily a benefit. I would imagine the setup you described would sink slightly but by far the bigger impact you'd feel is the extra stability it gives on the water. Once the foil gets some water flow over it the amount of lift it generates dwarfs the weight and once out of the water, buoyancy is even more immaterial.
Hello @Solent Foiler. Hard to believe it's been a mere 2 months since I last viewed your video. Previously you emphasized the importance of both wing and foil size when starting out. I remember at the time thinking, I thought I had a big enough foil and kite when I originally purchased the items. During the learning process, there were a couple of decent wind days where I could not get up on foil. It surprised me as I had become competent at going both up/downwind. So I decided to sell of my original gear - 120 L Naish Hover SUP, a Cloud IX surf foil, and a 4 meter sq. Naish Wing v.1 . Replaced with F-One (6'0") SUP, 6.4 meter sq. Slingwing v.2., Armstrong 1850 foil. This new kit weighs much less, which is really important for guys weighing 90 kgs. Thanks again for identifying those issues early on. It helped keep the frustration level to a minimum, as I knew what to expect.
By far the best how to video I seen on UA-cam, thanks for taking the time.
A question: at the end you say don't fall in the wing because "bad things can happen".
Like what? Damaging the wing? Or some more painful experience?
I was more suggesting wing damage. Falling onto the wing or falling and holding onto the handles and forcing it to bend /distort can pop the wing. For sure you can fall and still hold onto the wing without damage (if you keep it over your head for example) , but I think you need some experience first on 'falling well' before doing it.
Thanks for doing this. I'm behind you in this process and I'll start with just a SUP and Surf-Wing. Fortunately, I have a river near my house that ranges from under a meter of depth, to the full-on open ocean once I gain the skill on the "bunny hill".
You'll need a daggerboard
Thank you, some good advices there on controlling the wing and power. Just did my first runs on my wingfoil yesterday... can't wait for the next time.
Awesome that you can ride. I'm currently in lockdown and haven't been on the water for 6 weeks. It's killing me! The early days can be hard but stick with it - it's an amazing sport.
I've been so inspired by it. Totally hooked! 👍
Thanks for making this video! Have you tried windsurf foiling? If so, do you find winging or windsurf foiling easier? I have a board similar to yours. I’ve tried windsurf foiling with some success (lots of breaching with a few successful touch-and-goes) my board is similar to yours, but my sails are big, cambered, racey and stiff. According to ease of learning, should I invest in a lighter, more pumpable foil sail, or a wing? Thanks again!
Hi Kevin - when I bought the board it was very early in the development of current winging and so I wanted something with a mast track in case it didn't deliver on my expectations. Now I'm hooked on winging I've sold all my windsurf kit. I didn't really try with a windsurf rig so not really able to offer advice - sorry! I knew winging was the better option for me and wanted to try something new.
Nice Plants, great that you hid the Bong...
thanks Solent Foiler!
your tips are the most practical and helpfull I've found - really appreciate it...!
Any comments on the Gong Quality as i'm just looking at ordering foils and wings from them...?
Thanks Shane! I wanted to try and avoid a '1,2,3 this is what to do' video (there's loads of that content out there already) but share the 'light bulb' moments where I thought 'why hasn't anyone made a video telling me this already?!'.
In terms of Gong, I'm waiting for a load more Gong kit to arrive (all purchased, I'm not a sponsored pro jocky!) and was thinking of doing a video review when it arrives. Quality of the wings I've had so far are excellent.
@@christianhum3635 Thanks dude - I forgot to ask 2 things:
1. did you have to pay any import duty etc on the Gong gear? I've ordered a 5m wing with XL classic foil and 6ft Zuma - no idea if I will need to pay extra on the UK side, although my research says we don't pay on EU imports (for now)!
2. What size foil and board are you learning on?
No import duty to the UK for the time being, as you say!
I learnt on a Naish Crossover 120 which I found good, but from what I have read is on the larger side compared to what other people are doing, especially as I'm light at 65kg. I don't know if I would have learnt quicker on a smaller board, but I did have a lot of fun and it was really forgiving. I have just sold the board for something smaller which arrived this week so haven't used it yet!
The foil I learnt on was a Naish Jet 1650 which is smaller than what most are learning on, again from what I've read. I would guess it's probably less stable than the larger foils so perhaps made the bigger board I was using feel more manoeuvrable.
@@christianhum3635 thanks - yeah, we're simmilar weight , i've ordered 95l board and the XL rise is 2000cm sq I think. Looking forward to flying!
shane van question for you... i am 69kg and was going to go for the Hipe 5.3 at 110l as my first board to learn on. But was debating between the XL and the L foil wing. Gong told me to go with the L...? But seems most people tend to learn o bigger foils?
Thanks for the video! How did you manage to install the front footstrap like this? I have bought the same board naish hover crossover 120 but has no place for a front footstarp like this?? .. except for the normal style (windsurf style) foot starps (two in parallel in the back and two - forming a v in the front)..
Hi dimitris - I had footstrap inserts installed after I bought the board. The carry handle was slightly in the way so had to work around it, but they worked well.
tnx
Thank you for your great video. How did you get the footstrap placed on the Naish board? I have the Naish Hoover crossover, but the foot strap positions are made for windsurfing. So the front foot is out on the side of the board, not good for wing foiling.
Hi Jan - I had the front footstrap inserts professionally installed. The deckpad was lifted and the footstrap screw inserts laid down underneath a layer of carbon. It wasn't something I thought I'd want initially, but I've found them useful, although certainly not a requirement. Normally when I wing I put a second footstrap on.
Solent Foiler wow, thanks for the quick reply. Where is the second strap placed?
No problem! Happy to talk foiling, especially as today was my first time back on the water after lockdown.
There are two rows of inserts, so I just put a second one on in the mirror image of the one in the video. It does mean my foot is not in exactly the same place compared to when I'm not winging, but it's easy to adjust.
@@christianhum3635 I'll check with a local surf shop if they can do the foot strap placement. Thank you for your help.
Thanks for an interesting video, upwind seems to be the main problem - you just move your wing/arms more back?
Hi Thomas - assuming your feet aren't too far forward, then yes, moving the wing back will bring the nose of the board into the wind. The easiest way is to move your hands closer to the front strut. You shouldn't need to move your feet. Hope that helps!
Solent Foiler thanks a lot
HI and thanks for your excellent advice. I am just learning to foil as an old windsurfer, age 69. have taken two lessons being towed behind jetski, just beginning to be able to get up on a 152 l board. my weight 198 lbs, so around 90 Kilos. thinking of getting a first foiling board at 180 liters as it would give a bit more stability starting. Any advice?
Hi GB - great to hear you've started your foiling journey! You won't regret it! When it comes to board size and stability, volume is one factor but board width is also a critical factor, so for a wing foil board where you don't need tracking stability (for paddling for example), you can go really short with no real downside on stability. I started on the slightly longer than what would be recommended now 7'4 125L board in the video and I really enjoyed using it but there weren't really any wing specific boards when I was getting into it. Now you can get boards that pack 125L in less than 6'. If you are aiming to wing foil only (no intention of using it cross sports) then normal recommend size is your weight in kg plus 30 for a starting point. This might sound small, but holding onto the wing plus the stability offered by the foil really help keep you on your feet. You can go bigger (like I did) and you'll be fine (like I was!) but you do compromise the winging performance by having a bigger board once up in the air. It's less responsive and some find it harder to turn. Most people find that they out grow their first board quite quickly and want to move onto something smaller. I moved from the 125 onto a 95L 5'6 which I still use. I'm 65 kg so this is technically a big board for me but I'm using a small a foil as I can which means the board is still very responsive. I also have a 34L board which I can use when it's reliably windy, but often I just defer to the big board as it's less hassle and I often don't have loads of time to waste! I really wouldn't go for anything bigger than the 152 you're using now, and you should consider something smaller. To give you an idea of dimensions of what might work for you, have a look at some manufacturers (Gong, FOne, Fanatic and Blue Planet are a good examples) to see what the new winging equipment is like and see what you can find locally. I would stay away from anything too long, say anything much over 7' and generally shorter is better. Hope that helps!
@@christianhum3635 Wow thank you for your prompt and most helpful reply! i was thinking of going with a 180 l board but you are convincing me that the 120-130 l size in a wider board is probably the best place to start. thank you so much!
@@GB-jt7eq im the same weight and found on a 148 L board it was a lot of board more than I needed, even in 20 mph winds and huge rolling waves with a lot of chop. That board and a 5M kite I was foiling without pumping no problem. My first board is going to be around 120 as I've tried a 106 L board and that was squirrely for me in chop...for sure doable on flatter water. Some of this depends on where you will learn to ride..lakes or oceans ;) good luck!
Thank you for the video. I really appreciate it.
If you edit your description changing for example 2.05 for 2:05 UA-cam create chapters in the video automatically ;)
Regards
Thanks! Will give that automatic chaptering a try!
@@christianhum3635 ua-cam.com/video/pvkTC2xIbeY/v-deo.html
thank you, nice vid! I am coming from 30 yrs of windsurfing and surfing and just had my first two awful sessions with gusty wind on a shitty lake with my new foil and wing, each followed by 2 kms of walking around the lake to get to my starting point, lol. (most likely with much too less pressure on the wing; i dont have a pump with a meter, so it was just guessing with my old foot pump...isnt there a trick, like trying to bend the tip of the tube or sth, that hints to correct pressure?) My "theoretical thoughts" on mast position was like this: it really should not matter where the mast is positioned under the board but foremost where your weight is positioned to the foil, isnt it? (i always wondered what the marks on the box are for..the marks say: mast more foreward leads to more lift and mast more backwards leads to more control). A foil is not comparable to fin under a surfboard, there it makes a difference where the fin is positioned in the board when the board is gliding on the water. But with a foil, the board has no contact to the water anymore when "flying", so it shouldnt matter a hoot where the board is towards the foil but much more matters where your weight is to the foil. If you were able to generate enough speed you could foil on wine barrel or a bucket and it doesnt matter where the foil is positioned, or am I wrong? ;-)keep on posting vids, youre doing it great!
Hi RRMM - the first few sessions were frustrating for me too with plenty of walks of shame! Wing pressure is critical but annoyingly difficult to get accurate, even with a gauge. Pumping wings up to 8-10 psi (the recommendation for mine) is hard work! I weigh 65kg and am almost using my whole body weight to push down and bending the pump when pulling up. Gong released a short video giving some indication of when the pressure is about right which might help.
Your thoughts on mast position are right. The only thing to consider are if you're using footstraps, which fixes foot position (for good or bad) and swing weight of the board, which is reduced by having the mast further forwards.
By the way, you're small shitty lake could be a great place to wing once you have it down. You can 'surf' gusts downwind using that energy and speed to put down a top turn and then a bottom turn to power up again. Awesome fun!
@@christianhum3635 true for the straps, as soon as i manage to fly more than 1m, I might be able to find a good position for the straps to fix. Can you provide a link to the video from gong? Thx a lot, Hang Loose!
ua-cam.com/video/16YoK0M-L0I/v-deo.html
thx, obviously I didnt put nearly enough pressure in my wing...makes me thinking positive about the next attempt ;-)
Thank you so much for sharing! Where did you learn to foil on a wakeboard cable?
I didn't think they allowed foil boards in wake cable parks. I'm really interested in following the same route as you and taking my first steps in a wake cable park - and I also live near the Solent.
Hi Peter - I took my first foiling steps at South Coast Wake Park, just by Portsmouth. Last I heard they were running intro to foil clinics, but they're onto the winter membership season now, so not sure what's on offer. I had my own kit, so just went down with that. It's a great way to get going, just need to be careful of the wake board furniture and under water anchor lines. It's not terribly deep, but a 65 cm mast is fine. Other benefit of going down in winter in less weed! Good luck!
@@christianhum3635 Thanks again - that is really helpful. Hoping my 72cm mast will be ok there.
Yes - the wakeboard furniture is always a worry!
I just logged into their website and going to try and book a session as soon as possible.
If your board straps are only setup goofy does that mean you always ride toeside when you could ride regular? Ive seen a lot of people ride toeside, but only for short distances and then into a transition. Great vid btw!
Hey Solent, I know you recommend a good 30l over ones weight in kg if you're a new foiler, but what if you're a new foiler but long time paddle boarder? Any thoughts?
I don't surf, but everything I have read says that surfing and foiling are totally different, needing different balance dynamics so I don't think sup skills will carry over to foiling very much. The volume and width of a +30L wing board just gives you a chance to get the wing delivering power and thereby stabilising everything before falling. Most people fall A LOT when learning to foil so making that step harder than it needs to be will possibly make progress slower as you will tire quicker. Personally, I think too much is made of going small board, say compared to going to a smaller foil. The difference in performance between my 1300 and 1600 foil on my 95L is VERY roughly the same as going between my 95L and 34L board both on the 1300 foil. The take away for me is that if you start on a +30 and you want to juice up the performance, get a smaller foil! You'll extend the life of your board, it's probably cheaper than buying a new board, it will develop your skills and you'll use the smaller foil in future. I still have a hoot on my 95L board, and the main reason I'm considering changing it is that I want a different shape. I will also go to about my weight in volume at the same time, but is not the main driver. The caveat is that the +30L is short - mine is 5'6. The ideal is to get the first 20 sessions on a 30+ loaner and then buy your own but that's not practical...
@@christianhum3635 good advice. I'm going to go that way. Armstrong 6'6" at 132 liters
nice clip
Need advice on what board to get.
I’m using a Naish sup Nalu 10’6 with my Naish wing . No foil yet. Getting quite comfortable with wing and board but I want to fly. Looking at the Naish s25 hover 125 litre or the starboard wing board 7.0 110 litre.
I’m around 90 kg which board would you suggest ? Or is there some other boards I’m not looking at ? Seen the fanatic sup foil boards . They look good but they are more expensive than the rest :)
Keep the videos going .
Hi HdJ - general recommendation is to go for about 30 litres more than your weight in kg for a learner wing foil board, assuming some wind sport experience. If you've got some wing time under your belt I'd say that's definitely a reasonable starting point. I still use the 5'6 95 litre board I got to replace the Naish in the video which is +35 litres for me and I still have a lot of fun on it despite also using a very small 34 litre board as well when it's windy. I would suggest getting as short a board as you can for your target volume, assuming you don't want to do other foil sport, like foil sup. Length adds little to stability - width and volume are the key metrics for that, so I wouldn't choose a board over 7' for a wing specific board, and aim for shorter. Nearly all the wing brands offer boards, and any of them would work well assuming the size is good, but if you're in Europe I'd suggest looking at Gong boards which are excellent value, but you have to be happy with their direct sales model, and no local support.
@@christianhum3635 thanks for quick reply. I’m off today to pick up my new Board. So excited I couldn’t sleep. Will let you know how I get on. Getting a helmet too. 👍
I'm excited for you! I was out for a pre work session on my small board this morning, and still so stoked for each session. Foiling is awesome and really worth the effort to get through the kook stage. The progression is addictive and flying doesn't get old. Go for it! 🤙
@@hobodogjohnson9075 Hobo, Looking forward to maybe an update on how you did on your new board. I don't have my stuff yet but I'm following Solent's advice I'm about an 85 to 90 kg rider so I'll be looking at a 120 Board and then try to keep it under 7 feet like he said. I have been paddle boarding for years but this will be completely new. I have a windsurfer but I've never really quite felt comfortable on it and all the rigging and all that malarkey I can live without that. Smooth sailing!
@@jonathankerner2094 hello :)
Yes I went out on Tuesday when I bought my board . It was very windy. I’m 90kgs and the naish hover ultra carbon 125ltr was plenty enough for me to stand on. My “ problem “ is that I’m used to a 10’6 paddle board so it was like standing on a penny. Even though the board is 6’4 the 31” wide makes it quite easy to go from knees to standing you can just brace your feet to start with. I did take off a bunch of times. But I was not ready for it.
Heard some good advice about standing more forward and picking up a good speed and then slowly edging back with both feet until take off.
I’m trying this tomorrow in Weymouth bay Dorset. I might use my go pro. That might be interesting!!
I have few questions: did you learn by yourself; how did you choose your wing? Thanks for your video!
Hi Kathia - I did learn on my own. I didn't really have a choice! Winging lessons didn't exist at the time . What I did was learn how to foil by getting a tow at a wakeboard park, so when I actually got the wings I had some foiling experience, and I've done quite a lot of windsurfing in the past too. A friend of mine just went for it, got a foil and wing package and gave it a go, and he's progressing nicely, so that's an option too.
I'd recommend getting lessons if you can before buying any kit, just so you have some experience and some idea what to buy. I didn't over analyse my wing choice. I knew that I was a total beginner and spending time doing was going to be way more important than the kit I was using. Having said that, the Gong wings I bought were their second generation, so I knew they would have had some improvements, and the price meant I could buy two without breaking the bank. I'm still on Gong kit, wings, boards and foils and have not regretted it. It all works very well, and although my next wings will be from a different brand, I would certainly consider buying Gong again in future.
@@christianhum3635 thank you very much! After I watched your videos, I found another about choosing the wing, very instructive. I have never used the foil, but I windsurfing and SUP/surfing. Cheers!
Amazing video, thank you! I have just bought a Hover 120 Crossover and wing. My foil arrives next month! I can't wait. Do you think it's worth taking the wing out and "SUPing" to get used to kite and board? Can it be done? Are the fins big enough to climb upwind? Thanks again!
Hi Neil! Great that you're getting into winging. If you already have a background in wind sports then yes, go for it. The fins combined with edging the board rail will be enough to make some progress upwind, but first time out don't get caught too far downwind and assume you can get back - ie take it easy for the first time to get a handle on everything (or attach a paddle to the wing handles /boom) Without the foil the board will be quite unstable if you're not used to SUP'ing a smaller board, especially if you're a bit bigger. The foil adds loads of stability so don't worry if you find it tippy without it. Having a bit of breeze will also help with balance (say 10 knots) as the wing gives you something to balance against.
If you don't have any wind sport background then I'd start on an iSUP. I think you'd have too much to figure out on that size board and learning the wind side too. Have fun!
I commend you on your thoughtful approach that is absent of musical background. Saying things like "get the board unstuck from the water" grants insight to your viewer. I too am looking at Naish equipment. A 6 meter kite, and a 7'2" board of 120 liters. What size is your equipment? I weigh about 185 K. I am also getting a foil of 2450 cm3. Any thoughts on that? Thanks again!
Hi JK - if you look at my reply a few days ago to Hobo dog Johnson I gave some advice on board size which is relevant to you as well. Essentially, I'd suggest going 30 litres more than your body weight in kg if you've got some wind sport experience and if this is going to be a wing board exclusively, then shorter the better really, but up to 7' will work fine. I'm 65kg and have two boards now (a 95L 5'6 and 34L 5'3) and three foils (1900, 1600, 1300 all high speed). A 6m and 2450 foil on a 120L board will certainly give you the power to get going in not too much breeze so as long as you don't live in a windy location you'll be fine! (I'm reading your weight as 185lbs?)
When starting out power is often a problem, but that soon disappears once you get some technique. Over time you'll probably want a smaller wing and once happy with the 2450 you'll probably want a smaller foil too as that is a BIG foil, and will have some disadvantages you'll want to lose in order to progress especially in moderate to windy breeze. Good luck and enjoy the ride!
And thank you you kind comments! I am starting to think about the next sets of tips...
@@christianhum3635 thank you good advice! I think I'll go for a little shorter bored like you say keep it under 7 feet and about 120 L I'm gonna go with the 2450 on the wing high aspect. 👍
Love the "angry umbrella" - haha. Thanks - this is the most useful video I've watched so far I just got a wing yesterday as a birthday present - yippee - and started first self-lesson in the dark already. Only using a regular SUP for now until I get the hang of understanding how to fly the wing. Husband and son are both windsurfers, and I'm finally joining in the enthusiasm for wind at the beach. I guess it went ok-ish, but I wish I'd watched your video first, had some angry umbrella moments! I do sail, and surf very unimpressively, but this is another whole thing. If you think of any more tips for newbies in wind-boarding of any kind, I'd be keen to watch. thanks again
Hi Piper! Thanks for the comments. Things are moving so quickly in the sport even since I posted this video. There is now much more and much better quality instructional content out there. I think you are doing the right thing - you already will have the wind awareness so it's just the practical handling of the wing that you need to get your head around. I didn't try winging on a sup, but staying upwind will probably be your main issue so best to walk upwind first then you can keep an eye on getting back home rather than worrying about how far upwind you'll need to walk at the end. I'd recommend looking Balz Muller introducing winging video, especially on how to paddle lying down with an inflated wing between you feet. 👍
Where on the Solent do you foil? I'll be taking it up next year and will be going out at meon and calshot
Hi Angus - mainly Southampton water, despite it not being a great patch to wing on, just as it's cycling distance (with kit). I know there is a gang at Calshot, and some wingers at Hill Head. If you join the wing foilers UK group on Facebook you'll be able to hook up with some guys when you're ready! Perhaps catch you on the water next summer!
@@christianhum3635 oh yeh. It will have to be next summer! Almost lost a few fingers yesterday ❄️❄️ doing a wing course next week!
Netley/woolston/hamble etc are perfectly good spots 😁
I'm going on a Nick Dempsey course week after next. Glad I've got a new winter suit! Open palm mits working well for me too when temps drop below 8C. Just need these northerlies to get lost!
Am 78 kg's heavy, have a 105 liter board and (without wing and foil) couldn't stand on the board for longer than a millisecond, lol. To be honest, I could barely stand on my knees (had to have a really wide knee position - over the edges even). And I come from a skateboarder/snowboarder background. This stuff is hard.
As I have a 6m wing, what would you recommend for taking off from a kneeling position as standing is not really an option on my board. I'm having doubts how to even get on the board with one hand (other holding the wing) as I was using both hands, haha.
Hi Whatsupbudbud - without the foil I can imagine it being very unstable as you experienced! It really does add a load of lateral stability so if you don't have that yet, I'd suggest getting on a bigger board or SUP until you get to grips with handling the wing. The wing also gives you a load of balance stability as you have something to counter balance against, like a paddle does when SUP'ing.
You can do some practice from your knees but you're really limiting the quality of that practice as you only really start to access the power when standing up and presenting the full area of the wing to the wind. The best thing would be to try and get a few lessons somewhere as you don't have to buy the kit and should make much faster progress than being on your own. The board size doesn't sound unmanageable once you've got the first couple of sessions out of the way but learning the wing awareness is a really important first step.
@@christianhum3635 Hey, thanks for the in-depth response. I already have the full kit and tried it yesterday. Did manage to get standing up quite well and got some movement at around 30 degrees to downwing but a couple issues kept popping up. First, the wing would flip over a lot. Not sure what the best position for it is (middle front of the wing slightly tilted towards the sky or completely in parallel with the water?). It's a 6m2 wing, so quite large even for my 186cm height. The other is that I spent loads of energy just to paddle back upwind in the lake. Any tips? Going to practice foiling with just the board in the wakepark today.
Going to a wakepark is a great idea. I did the same, which meant by the time I tried the wing for the first time I could already foil ok.
The wing flipping over is probably due to catching the wing tip on the water. You will do that less over time once your muscle memory develops but the key tip to recover from that situation is to push DOWN with the back hand and UP with the front hand as soon as the wing tip touches the water.
Staying upwind is something nearly all people struggle with initially. To go upwind you need to move the wing towards the back of the board, either by standing further back, or moving your hands further forward on the wing. This might not be the most effective position to get foiling however, so be aware of that. To get foiling, you need to be standing in the right position for your foil, and generating as much power as possible, so holding the wing in the right place and going a bit downwind, not going in 'upwind mode'.
A wing generates most power when vertical but you'll be limited by the wing span and tip hitting the water, so it's a balance.
Instead of paddling upwind, most find it easier to walk upwind. Doing it first before launching is a bit less scary as you go back to your starting point which is nice if you get tired!
Sorry - in my haste to pass advice, I forgot to say great job in getting going with your board in the first place! First hurdle overcome! I was out yesterday, and I'm still frothing over it and completely addicted, so love hearing about people starting. 👍🤙
@@christianhum3635 Thanks a lot for your advice, mate, some really good stuff there. Had a bit of success going upwind yesterday, though strangely more so when in a twisted position (goofy, going to left from downwind). It were just 10 knots or thereabouts with gusts, so not much chance to start foiling. Still a lot of fun though.
I haven't yet tried foiling in the sea as even the waves in the lake were messing with my balance. I did walk back a lot through water as the lake is pretty much at the same depth some 100m near the shore.
Here's some footage after a few tries in the local wakepark. Was a lot of fun.
ua-cam.com/video/T1bw1daABcU/v-deo.html
I was a little surprised about the handles you recommend to use, I'm generally using 1-5. I checked and it's the base position Gong recommends for the 7 pulse or 5 plus.
As for carrying, the way I prefer, is the board on my back - foil in front of me - mast against my shoulder. like here ua-cam.com/video/Tg9x0Qveb3s/v-deo.html
Hi Yohann - good feedback. I didn't really go into the specifics of my kit which wouldn't be useful for those on something else. I didn't mean to suggest that people should use the handle as I do, but was just highlighting where my hands normally are, and then the shift forward. If Gong recommends 1 and 5 then people should try that for sure but just thinking about it quickly, I will still be in balance with the wing using 2 and 4, just with narrower hands, perhaps with a bit more sensitivity but maybe less power? Maybe something I brought from windsurfing?
As with anything online, maintain a skeptical view - this video included! What works for me, may not for you.
Hi again! Just wanted to check the video clip before commenting. My board is 7'4 so I don't think I could manage it that way. I'll give it a go!
@@christianhum3635 I used this method with a 6'9" board, but I think I'm taller than you. Anyway, my purpose was just to have you try. I don't always carry like that, but, for long distances or for passing small waves, it's the one I prefer for now. I'll try your way next time.
I wouldn't kneel on the wing . Carry wing downwind from board, board under arm, foils upwind.
foils will rip wing if carried over head
Hi Wayne - thanks for the comment. The method you describe is great if you have a handle on the underside of the board, which is a relatively new feature of wing boards. Boards over a year old, and larger foil SUP boards are unlikely to have it. Also, carrying a large board vertically in any wind is a problem as it acts as a giant sail, and really gets blown around. My method does keep the foil upwind and wing downwind, prevents the board from being blown around, but also removes the risk of accidental damaged to the foil by keeping it away from the ground at all times. Perhaps I should have mentioned to only kneel lightly on the wing, but I can't see the issue there, unless on a particularly sharp, rocky location. It's upside down and you're just stopping it from blowing away, not sitting on it...
More than one way to do things though, and appreciate that my method might not work for all!
How about a 4 year later video?