Wing Foiling Tips for Beginners
Info
Youtube Video Summaries
Some Basic Meta tips
These are just my personal observations over 1.5 years of foiling - and I'm still pretty bad. Some things are very weight dependent, so take with salt etc.
I'll also try to update this page occasionally
The Cost Factor
- Wing foiling can be expensive, especially since it's a niche sport.
- Consider buying some gear second-hand:
- Boards and foils are generally fine to buy used.
- Wings are best bought new unless you can test them or find an amazing deal.
- Be aware that wing valves can start leaking or get warped over time.
- There's social pressure to buy the newest gear, but 1-2 year old models are usually fine.
Choosing the Right Wing Size
- Aim for the right wing size - being over or underpowered adds complexity.
- Larger wings can help with getting on foil but make other aspects harder:
- Gybing becomes more difficult
- More strain on your hands
- May lead to over-reliance on the wing for balance
Limiting Variables for Learning
- Find calm water (protected spots are great for focusing on technique)
- Choose warm weather (cold and wetsuits aren't ideal for learning)
- Start with a big board (you'll probably sell it quickly as you progress)
- I went from 110L → 95L → 82L (I'm 165 lbs)
- My brother started around 120-130L (he's closer to 200 lbs)
- Aim for slightly above your weight in liters
Gear Quality Matters
- A decent wing makes a big difference (I started with crappy stuff and it held me back)
- Efficient wings let you use smaller sizes for the same wind
- Hard handle wings were a noticeable upgrade for me ( but some people prefer soft )
Wind Conditions
- I woudl aim for 14-16 knots when starting out
- Avoid 8-10 knot days (having to pump to get on foil is frustrating when learning)
- A 6m wing is a good starter size (7m if you expect lighter winds)
- Smaller wings (like 4m) are great for practicing gybes in high winds ( 18 - 20 knots )
Boat Wake Foiling
If you have access to a boat, try wake foiling for 10-15 hours. It may save you lots of hours of slow learning on the wing.
The "Walk of Shame"
- As a beginner, you probably won't be able to go upwind or even get on foil
- Choose a spot with a long beach so you can walk back upwind after drifting downwind
- Cross-shore or slightly onshore wind is ideal
- Avoid offshore winds (safety first!)
Wind Forecasting
- Use apps like iKitesurf for wind predictions
- Look for consensus among several models for >12 knots
- Disagreement between models might indicate unstable conditions
Finding Your Niche
- People gravitate towards different aspects of the sport:
- Dont feel pressure to follow one particular learning path
- Speed demons aim for smaller foils
- Tech enthusiasts focus on maneuvers like tacking and gybing
- Surfers enjoy the wave/swell riding
- Some aim to remove the wing altogether (downwinding)
Learning Technique
- YouTube is your friend - check out channels like Kitesurf College for in-depth beginner content
- Be patient - it might take a while to get on foil consistently
Progress Through Consistency
- Skills can feel rusty after 2-3 weeks off
- Aim for sequential days or long sessions to make real progress
- First hour or two is often just getting dialed in
- Second session of the day is when you can try new stuff
YouTube Channels
Aside from just putting in lots of hours on the water, watching YouTube is a great way to learn from more experienced wingers.
Here are some great channels that were helpful to me when starting out ( and still are. )
- Kite Surf College - In depth how to videos
- Damien Leroy - Tons of tips and info
- Hydrofoil Academy
- Wake Thief - Great product reviews with a focus on lake / pump foiling
- Dave West
- Downwind Drifter - Frequent downwinding journal videos with solid tips
- Omen Foils - brand account but a few helpful vids
- Unifoil - brand account with a few tip videos
Youtube Video Summaries
A few helpful videos with summaries and timestamps
Here I've included a few videos I found helpful, along with summaries and links to jump to the exact time in the video where that point is discussed.
Wing Foiling Basics: From Handling to Flight Prep
Understanding wing foil basics including wing handling and controlling angle of attack.
- Practice controlling your wing, inflate to correct pressure, and connect your leash.
- Hold the wing at an angle across the wind to generate force efficiently. Be cautious of over-pulling the trailing hand for stability.
Mastering wing handling techniques is crucial for control and speed control.
- Maintain proper wing position for lift and speed control.
- Practice flipping the wing back over and pumping techniques for increased force.
Carrying gear and entering water safely
- Keep the wing downwind of the foil to avoid injury
- Avoid hard objects and learn to navigate while paddling
Taxiing
Techniques for turning and positioning on the board
- Twist body to shift wing for turning upwind and downwind.
- Positioning on the board affects turning direction and stability.
Weight distribution and turning techniques to avoid foiling
- Shift weight to front foot to prevent foil climb
- Use upper body rotation to turn upwind or downwind while taxiing
How to control wing foil ascent and descent
- Shift weight for foil to ascend or descend
- Tips for achieving controlled ascent and descent
Build crosswind speed first to take off easily and safely.
- Keep front foot pressure to maintain board and foil horizontal while building speed.
- Depower the wing and steer differently when foiling to avoid unsafe acceleration and control the board.
Maintain balance and control while transitioning from taxiing to foiling.
- Reduce hillside lean gradually as you start to foil to avoid excessive carving.
- Practice short flights to get used to sudden changes and improve foil control skills.
Introduction to Pumping in Wing Foiling
- Pumping technique is essential in wing foiling to maintain speed and generate lift.
- Explore detailed tutorials on pumping and other wing foil fundamentals in the full playlist.
"Principles of Weight Shifting, Foot Positioning, and Mast Adjustment for Optimal Lift"
Understanding wing foil basics including wing handling and controlling angle of attack.
- Practice controlling your wing, inflate to correct pressure, and connect your leash.
- Hold the wing at an angle across the wind to generate force efficiently. Be cautious of over-pulling the trailing hand for stability.
Understanding the key principle of lift and balance in wing foiling.
- Center of lift acts as a pivot point for balancing and tilting the foil.
- Moving weight forward or backward affects the pitch angle and lift of the foil.
Adjust weight distribution for lift control
- Shifting weight forward decreases lift but reduces drag, facilitating speed increase
- Changing foot position on the board and mast movement also impact lift
Adjust mast position for desired lift
- Moving mast back reduces lift, moving mast forward increases lift
- Maintain equal foot pressure and centered weight for control over lift
Achieve even foot pressure for balance and control.
- Positioning feet correctly on the board is crucial for balance and control.
- Balancing weight distribution between front and back foot helps in maneuvering the foil effectively.
Adjusting foot position for wing foiling
- Start slightly forwards to prevent foil climbing
- Shuffle feet back in small increments for balanced foiling
Adjust foot position for better control while foiling
- Consider board markings or foot strap inserts as references
- Small adjustments in foot position can greatly impact foil control
Foiling foot position adjustment based on mast position.
- Moving mast forwards shifts foiling foot position forwards, moving mast back shifts foot position back.
- Finding ideal foiling foot position important for balanced control and avoiding water catches.
Adjust mast position for optimal foiling
- Moving mast forwards increases lift and front foot pressure
- Moving mast backwards decreases lift and increases back foot pressure