Long time skateboarder, snowboarder, unicycle rider and what have you here. Started wingfoiling 2 years back and it's true what Jake says - easy to get into relatively. It is not an easy device to control but definitely the learning curve is less than on a kiteboard initially since it floats, the wing and board are connected via leash and you can self-rescue easily though I did once cut my hands by being blown into reeds and not being able to get out apart from pulling on them with my bare hands towards shore, lol. Then I tried kitesurfing in Mexico (lagoon) and I immediately fell in love with it. It's just magical. And easy since you are not pulling with your muscle strength as you do with a wing. Granted, there are gadgets you can use to attach to the wing but I digress. The kite is designed to pull you by your torso. There are issues here as well, for example, the widely popular waist harnesses are pulled up, especially when you're a beginner, thus increasing strain on your body. But did I already say it's freaking amazing??? I learned within a season. Paid for the initial training some 400 USD (2 hours) but don't regret it one bit. The rest I self-learned from other kiteboarders. Now I can confidently go alone provided the conditions are not dangerous (wind direction off shore, gusts, etc.). You still reading this? Get in the water already! 🔥
Good thoughts, thanks. My two cents worth. A point that is somewhat location dependant (we don't all live in the West Indies): wing foiling we use all wind directions, all offshore, cross shore and onshore. When I used to kite and kitefoil, we could only use onshores. I now get three times more water time by wing foiling. I can now get wing foiling from 7 knots no worse than (recreational) kite foilers. Lastly, wing foiling (also prone foiling) in waves is an endless progression of fun. Unlike twin tip or kite foil, we can completely depower and forget about the wing and get very intimate with the waves. But each to their own and it helps to try them all! Keep up the good work.
Yep, loving wing foiling here in Aoshima Japan. I progressed from surfing to prone foiling and am now just making jibes in winging and loving it. Me and my mates are around 50 years old and we still prone on the good days and are living the wind on others!
Ive been watching your videos and wanting to learn kitesurfing for years but i never got round to it because I'm a good 2-3 hours from the coast. I started Wing foiling about a year ago at a lake which is 15 minutes away. Lots of people all started at same time and im loving it.
Great set of comparisons, Jake. Wing foiling wins on lake or reservoir access. Like London UK. Kite surfing/foiling is usually coastal at least in the UL, and even then restricted. I love windsurfing, kitesurfing, kite-foiling and now wing-foiling. I took up wing foiling a year ago, at 64! I noticed wing foiling attracts windsurfers who don’t want the hassle with loads of kit. Kite surfers who like a no worries approach to having fun…. And a load of people who haven’t done any water sports and like the idea of having a go at something. My message is…do it! It’s fabulous fun! My other message is. If you want an easy learning curve and to have fun, choose the right board. Floaty. Don’t go too small….it’s not worth forever falling off! Choose a nice low aspect foil with plenty of lift. Until you really nail the combination of wing movement and kicking the board onto the foil, it can be very frustrating. Get a lesson or two …it will speed up your progress. But, when you do get onto the foil life is truly fantastic! Choose a slightly bigger wing. Let the wing do the work for you, till you master how to pump the wing. Wings are not like windsurf sails, when the big gust comes through, just flag it out, no stress, no drama. Enjoy the ride, and don’t think too much about going round the corners (like, if I remember her name, Megan? In the video, that how it’s done!) Oh and Jake, I just love all your kitesurfing and kite-foiling videos. Antigua for us next year!
I'm excited by both! I live on a lake (which is too gusty to kite). Yet, I can wing on my paddle board in light wind, Snowboard wing on the ice in winter, and wing surf on my old windsurfer with a foil. So, this year's motto is less trips to the beach (2 hour drive). Saves on gas too!
I have been windsurfing for the past 35 years. I do have quite a few sails, masts and boards, so it's the most gear, but I can go out in shallow water with a fin, sail just about anywhere (no kite lines to deal with), and I just pop a foil on my windsurfer to have the most fun on the water.
Can you buy one board and use both kite and wings with the same board? Also, I am not by the ocean, but have access to a large open lake. What would you suggest for that? Thank you!!
I have been windsurfing Short boards for 40 years and now an avid Kiter for the last 20 years. Im interested in kite foiling, we live in an rv and travel across the country, more opportunities to safely ride a wing, lakes , river ect. Thanks for the conversation. Larry
Nice comparison between the two Jake!! Many of my friends and I have had winging take over kiting here in Sydney. We have the ocean with surf , harbour swells and a lake, But more importantly we have shit wind for kiting most of the time and Winging gives us the ability to Wing in all wind conditions anywear anytime !! This I Know is the biggest single decider for the vast majority of the kite crews froth on this new sport. But when the winds get really up go kiting!!
That's why I love Perth and moved here from Sydney, wind is just perfect for all 3 sports (Winging, Kite Surfing and Windsurfing) there is always tons of them all out over here.
I think this video is 'right on time' with the current state of progression in wind water sports! I'm a senior dude who took my first kite lessons at 64 yrs of age. One of the most exciting activities I've undertaken. I currently have about 17 hours of lessons, stretched over a couple of years. I still would not be comfortable going kiting solo by any means. I've had jetski support during all my lessons. I recently watched a wing foiler while on vacation in Turks and Caicos. It seems less daunting to learn. It also looks like it would be very doable solo, without some of the risks inherent with kiting. No tangled lines, inverted kite scenarios or death loops!😅 There will always be enthusiasts that stake their claim on their first love of a sport (i.e windsurfers) even as times change and equipment evolves. I think the Wing will be attractive to new adventurers for several reasons, a big one being the shorter learning curve (making it less expensive to learn). The fact that you can go out solo to learn after introductory lessons is a plus too. I've been watching your videos since Megan was first getting started kiting. They're always super well done. Thanks for sharing the Stoke! I might have to get one of those North wing setups! 👍🏻🤙🏻
I love kiting way more than winging and started with the latter but each have their own fun for sure. I love that winging allows the entry bar to be lower for people who don't have kiting friends that can get you up to speed really fast. But it depends on the person, kiting has a lot of inherent risks which winging does not.
Great video jake! The other consideration is do you live near a Bay or the ocean versus near a lake. For me the ocean is 2 hour drive but I live on a lake so kiting is very difficult with gusty winds. where Wing boarding you can wait for the gusts like windsurfing and have good sessions. And one more thing, winging is much safer. your never getting dragged into power lines or across parking lots like you would with a gust of wind while kiteboarding.
Love kiting, but moving to winging because I now live in a place where kiting venues are few, sketchy, and difficult to access, not to mention requiring really solid skills to stay safe. I can wing in small lakes near home and feel much safer.
Thank you Jake for clearly defining the wind requirements. The wind - where I live is dictating my decision. We have 15 mph average wind. Which means some days 8 to 10 mph and other days 12 to 20 mph. I'll be launching from a boat in the middle of the lake so I'll be safely away from the many common land obstacles . I'm leaning heavily towards the kite-foil-boarding because of light wind requirements. Now to determine what equipment to buy? Advice appreciated!
So good dude! Kitefoiling is like having a super power in light wind. Here would be my gear recommendation from North 9m Code Zero / Reach Kite Scoop Foil Board paired Up with a 85cm Mast + a 1150 sonar front wing. That setup should get you going in almost any wind. 🙌🏻
In Brighton it seems an absolute Kitesurf centre, makes sense, we have a lot of wind. But I've never seen wingfoiling. However, on big lakes in Italy I saw scores of wingfoilers.
NICEEE, i got you phrase "go further with less efford" thats kind of what i like, so kite is long term as you teach, but as almost newbee to the wind thing, the foot print wind learning must be very cool on the wing, so i will go for wing to learn the wind principal, after will see for sure kite, thx you very much,
After years of windsurfing, i kitesurf since 1999 from 15 to 35 knots with only one kite and one directional board, a dream. I've never tested a foil, so i ask if it's correct to say that kitefoiling is more risky than wingfoiling concerning hurting the foil ? This could be an important point for some riders to make their choice. I admit that i would be excited to test a foil but also scary with this sharp edge under my feet.
You are correct on learning to foil is easier on a wing vs kite as the wind foil setup is a lot bigger and slower so the chances of any major crashes aren’t as bad. Best way to learn though is behind a boat. Check out this video - ua-cam.com/video/zgeh5i_1OSw/v-deo.htmlsi=18w2bf_TyUbBBr0O
@@JakeKelsick Thanks, very clear. Behind a boat must be great. Downwind sup foil looks also very attractive but with some logistics and security points to manage.
Why is your foil larger for the wing and you have a smaller one for the kite? Could someone use that smaller foil you have next to the kite, for wing foiling, to be lighter and get more air easier?
I just wonder your thoughts on how many kites you think you may need compared to how many wings you might need. I kite and now have 6 kites that I have collected in the last few years and investing more money into foiling is what’s holding me back. Your thoughts?
6 kites is solid quiver Brian . I’m guessing you don’t kite foil? If you kite foil you can easily get away with 2 - 3 kites. What your main focus with kiteboarding? With wing foiling you can get away with two hand wings and two front wings on the foil but again you can go wild and have every size for every condition. All depends on how you use your gear.
The fact you can almost completely depower your wing and ride waves (breaking or rolling swell) is another big plus for winging IMO. You can’t completely depower a kite while surfing a wave or it will fall out of the sky! 😜
For me the obvious primary choice is kitesurfing on twintip. It's the easiest way to fly very high 🚀. However, I'm stil planning on trying wingfoiling as a backup for those very light wind days. Curious how wingfoiling compares to kitefoiling. What do you prefer Jake?
Yew! Can’t beat the moon booters on a kite 🚀 For me kitefoiling wins if light wind riding is the main goal you can push in light wind on a wing but from my experience wing is more fun with a a Twintip breeze and kite foiling really comes alive when it’s too light for the Twintip. 🙌🏻
As a beginner in both TT kitesurfing and Wing Foilng, I love both! (I started jumling in kitesurfing and I can jibe, but cannot tack in wing foiling yet) I will keep on learning & practing kitesurfing until I can jump high and darkslide in kitesurfing.. 😁😎 However, I am more focusing on wing foiling these days simply because of the accessibility!
Long time skateboarder, snowboarder, unicycle rider and what have you here. Started wingfoiling 2 years back and it's true what Jake says - easy to get into relatively. It is not an easy device to control but definitely the learning curve is less than on a kiteboard initially since it floats, the wing and board are connected via leash and you can self-rescue easily though I did once cut my hands by being blown into reeds and not being able to get out apart from pulling on them with my bare hands towards shore, lol.
Then I tried kitesurfing in Mexico (lagoon) and I immediately fell in love with it. It's just magical. And easy since you are not pulling with your muscle strength as you do with a wing. Granted, there are gadgets you can use to attach to the wing but I digress. The kite is designed to pull you by your torso. There are issues here as well, for example, the widely popular waist harnesses are pulled up, especially when you're a beginner, thus increasing strain on your body. But did I already say it's freaking amazing???
I learned within a season. Paid for the initial training some 400 USD (2 hours) but don't regret it one bit. The rest I self-learned from other kiteboarders. Now I can confidently go alone provided the conditions are not dangerous (wind direction off shore, gusts, etc.).
You still reading this? Get in the water already!
🔥
Good thoughts, thanks. My two cents worth. A point that is somewhat location dependant (we don't all live in the West Indies): wing foiling we use all wind directions, all offshore, cross shore and onshore. When I used to kite and kitefoil, we could only use onshores. I now get three times more water time by wing foiling. I can now get wing foiling from 7 knots no worse than (recreational) kite foilers. Lastly, wing foiling (also prone foiling) in waves is an endless progression of fun. Unlike twin tip or kite foil, we can completely depower and forget about the wing and get very intimate with the waves. But each to their own and it helps to try them all! Keep up the good work.
So cool dude! Thanks for watching and sharing the stoke. Happy to hear you are getting loads more water time on the wing! 👊🏻
Yep, loving wing foiling here in Aoshima Japan. I progressed from surfing to prone foiling and am now just making jibes in winging and loving it. Me and my mates are around 50 years old and we still prone on the good days and are living the wind on others!
Ive been watching your videos and wanting to learn kitesurfing for years but i never got round to it because I'm a good 2-3 hours from the coast. I started Wing foiling about a year ago at a lake which is 15 minutes away. Lots of people all started at same time and im loving it.
Great set of comparisons, Jake.
Wing foiling wins on lake or reservoir access. Like London UK.
Kite surfing/foiling is usually coastal at least in the UL, and even then restricted. I love windsurfing, kitesurfing, kite-foiling and now wing-foiling.
I took up wing foiling a year ago, at 64! I noticed wing foiling attracts windsurfers who don’t want the hassle with loads of kit. Kite surfers who like a no worries approach to having fun….
And a load of people who haven’t done any water sports and like the idea of having a go at something.
My message is…do it! It’s fabulous fun!
My other message is. If you want an easy learning curve and to have fun, choose the right board. Floaty. Don’t go too small….it’s not worth forever falling off!
Choose a nice low aspect foil with plenty of lift. Until you really nail the combination of wing movement and kicking the board onto the foil, it can be very frustrating.
Get a lesson or two …it will speed up your progress.
But, when you do get onto the foil life is truly fantastic!
Choose a slightly bigger wing. Let the wing do the work for you, till you master how to pump the wing.
Wings are not like windsurf sails, when the big gust comes through, just flag it out, no stress, no drama.
Enjoy the ride, and don’t think too much about going round the corners (like, if I remember her name, Megan? In the video, that how it’s done!)
Oh and Jake, I just love all your kitesurfing and kite-foiling videos. Antigua for us next year!
I'm excited by both! I live on a lake (which is too gusty to kite). Yet, I can wing on my paddle board in light wind, Snowboard wing on the ice in winter, and wing surf on my old windsurfer with a foil. So, this year's motto is less trips to the beach (2 hour drive). Saves on gas too!
I have been windsurfing for the past 35 years. I do have quite a few sails, masts and boards, so it's the most gear, but I can go out in shallow water with a fin, sail just about anywhere (no kite lines to deal with), and I just pop a foil on my windsurfer to have the most fun on the water.
Can you buy one board and use both kite and wings with the same board? Also, I am not by the ocean, but have access to a large open lake. What would you suggest for that? Thank you!!
I have been windsurfing Short boards for 40 years and now an avid Kiter for the last 20 years. Im interested in kite foiling, we live in an rv and travel across the country, more opportunities to safely ride a wing, lakes , river ect. Thanks for the conversation. Larry
Nice comparison between the two Jake!! Many of my friends and I have had winging take over kiting here in Sydney. We have the ocean with surf , harbour swells and a lake, But more importantly we have shit wind for kiting most of the time and Winging gives us the ability to Wing in all wind conditions anywear anytime !! This I Know is the biggest single decider for the vast majority of the kite crews froth on this new sport. But when the winds get really up go kiting!!
So good dude! I guess for you guys winging is less stress than kite foiling in light breeze? Can’t beat more time on the water! 🙌🏻
That's why I love Perth and moved here from Sydney, wind is just perfect for all 3 sports (Winging, Kite Surfing and Windsurfing) there is always tons of them all out over here.
this video was just what i was looking for. thank u!
I think this video is 'right on time' with the current state of progression in wind water sports!
I'm a senior dude who took my first kite lessons at 64 yrs of age. One of the most exciting activities I've undertaken. I currently have about 17 hours of lessons, stretched over a couple of years. I still would not be comfortable going kiting solo by any means. I've had jetski support during all my lessons.
I recently watched a wing foiler while on vacation in Turks and Caicos. It seems less daunting to learn. It also looks like it would be very doable solo, without some of the risks inherent with kiting. No tangled lines, inverted kite scenarios or death loops!😅
There will always be enthusiasts that stake their claim on their first love of a sport (i.e windsurfers) even as times change and equipment evolves. I think the Wing will be attractive to new adventurers for several reasons, a big one being the shorter learning curve (making it less expensive to learn).
The fact that you can go out solo to learn after introductory lessons is a plus too.
I've been watching your videos since Megan was first getting started kiting. They're always super well done.
Thanks for sharing the Stoke! I might have to get one of those North wing setups! 👍🏻🤙🏻
I love kiting way more than winging and started with the latter but each have their own fun for sure. I love that winging allows the entry bar to be lower for people who don't have kiting friends that can get you up to speed really fast. But it depends on the person, kiting has a lot of inherent risks which winging does not.
Great video jake! The other consideration is do you live near a Bay or the ocean versus near a lake. For me the ocean is 2 hour drive but I live on a lake so kiting is very difficult with gusty winds. where Wing boarding you can wait for the gusts like windsurfing and have good sessions. And one more thing, winging is much safer. your never getting dragged into power lines or across parking lots like you would with a gust of wind while kiteboarding.
Nice quick synopsis, would love to join but NZ too far away from Ant ;-(
Love kiting, but moving to winging because I now live in a place where kiting venues are few, sketchy, and difficult to access, not to mention requiring really solid skills to stay safe. I can wing in small lakes near home and feel much safer.
Thank you Jake for clearly defining the wind requirements.
The wind - where I live is dictating my decision. We have 15 mph average wind. Which means some days 8 to 10 mph and other days 12 to 20 mph. I'll be launching from a boat in the middle of the lake so I'll be safely away from the many common land obstacles .
I'm leaning heavily towards the kite-foil-boarding because of light wind requirements.
Now to determine what equipment to buy?
Advice appreciated!
So good dude! Kitefoiling is like having a super power in light wind. Here would be my gear recommendation from North 9m Code Zero / Reach Kite Scoop Foil Board paired Up with a 85cm Mast + a 1150 sonar front wing.
That setup should get you going in almost any wind. 🙌🏻
In Brighton it seems an absolute Kitesurf centre, makes sense, we have a lot of wind. But I've never seen wingfoiling. However, on big lakes in Italy I saw scores of wingfoilers.
Every spot is different forsure. Wing foiling is also pretty new so it’s not everywhere yet.
NICEEE, i got you phrase "go further with less efford" thats kind of what i like, so kite is long term as you teach, but as almost newbee to the wind thing, the foot print wind learning must be very cool on the wing, so i will go for wing to learn the wind principal, after will see for sure kite, thx you very much,
Super helpful summary Jack. I had been hoping someone might explain the pros and cons 👍
After years of windsurfing, i kitesurf since 1999 from 15 to 35 knots with only one kite and one directional board, a dream. I've never tested a foil, so i ask if it's correct to say that kitefoiling is more risky than wingfoiling concerning hurting the foil ? This could be an important point for some riders to make their choice. I admit that i would be excited to test a foil but also scary with this sharp edge under my feet.
You are correct on learning to foil is easier on a wing vs kite as the wind foil setup is a lot bigger and slower so the chances of any major crashes aren’t as bad. Best way to learn though is behind a boat. Check out this video - ua-cam.com/video/zgeh5i_1OSw/v-deo.htmlsi=18w2bf_TyUbBBr0O
@@JakeKelsick Thanks, very clear. Behind a boat must be great. Downwind sup foil looks also very attractive but with some logistics and security points to manage.
Starting from windsurfing and than years of kitesurfing, I wonder how it will feels like with wing foiling to have something in your face again?
Great vid - articulate and to the point. Nice.
Why is your foil larger for the wing and you have a smaller one for the kite? Could someone use that smaller foil you have next to the kite, for wing foiling, to be lighter and get more air easier?
The wing foiling, is attached to your body?
Is there a reason I can't use my big wind foil board with my small kite?
I mean you technically you could probably make it work. But Kites are much faster and more powerful so you rarely need such a big board or foil.
I just wonder your thoughts on how many kites you think you may need compared to how many wings you might need. I kite and now have 6 kites that I have collected in the last few years and investing more money into foiling is what’s holding me back. Your thoughts?
6 kites is solid quiver Brian . I’m guessing you don’t kite foil? If you kite foil you can easily get away with 2 - 3 kites. What your main focus with kiteboarding?
With wing foiling you can get away with two hand wings and two front wings on the foil but again you can go wild and have every size for every condition. All depends on how you use your gear.
Well presented. Thanks
The fact you can almost completely depower your wing and ride waves (breaking or rolling swell) is another big plus for winging IMO. You can’t completely depower a kite while surfing a wave or it will fall out of the sky! 😜
For me the obvious primary choice is kitesurfing on twintip. It's the easiest way to fly very high 🚀. However, I'm stil planning on trying wingfoiling as a backup for those very light wind days. Curious how wingfoiling compares to kitefoiling.
What do you prefer Jake?
Yew! Can’t beat the moon booters on a kite 🚀 For me kitefoiling wins if light wind riding is the main goal you can push in light wind on a wing but from my experience wing is more fun with a a Twintip breeze and kite foiling really comes alive when it’s too light for the Twintip. 🙌🏻
Would like to see a video of a few fun foil tricks! 🙂
Coming sooon brew. I’m still learning. 😂
Thanks. Good video.
very well explained.
thx !
I windsurf and want to try Wing Foiling..
Good one !!!
As a beginner in both TT kitesurfing and Wing Foilng, I love both! (I started jumling in kitesurfing and I can jibe, but cannot tack in wing foiling yet)
I will keep on learning & practing kitesurfing until I can jump high and darkslide in kitesurfing.. 😁😎
However, I am more focusing on wing foiling these days simply because of the accessibility!
you forgot the wave board, kid!!
Do not forget safety. Ready to die for a hobby? Pick kite.
😂 kiting definitely has more things that could go wrong but that’s why people take lessons 😉
🇦🇬🇦🇬🇦🇬
Kitescoop says:
Wingings for kooks,
Get some boots and man up
😂 what boot tricks are you throwing these days!?
@@JakeKelsick getting out on the water! Barely been on the water in 8-9 years so I’m playing catch-up before I die of old age
that's what the dinosaurs used to say !
@@1002wjl Jurassic WORLD baby