Introduction
When I started wing foiling in 2021 there were not a huge number of options for getting lessons in the UK. My main source of learning was the vast number of videos freely available on YouTube. I went from complete novice to being able to foil in both directions with good control using this self-teaching approach. It’s worth emphasising that I was an experienced sailor (since the age of 14) and intermediate windsurfer, so my understanding of wind sports was fairly high. Someone completely new to wind sports will probably need proper in person lessons as there are so many things to learn.
I covered lessons in more detail in this article , but regardless of whether you have lessons or not, YouTube videos are a great source of tips and inspiration. There are hundreds (possibly thousands) of videos out there this article provides guidance on the best ones to watch as a beginner wing foiler. All of the channels I recommend have multiple videos, many of which are worth watching. By introducing you to all of the creators that I have found most useful I hope to provide a foundation for your own learning journey.
1) Damian LeRoy How to Wing Foil Complete Beginners Guide
Length: 1 Hour
In a nutshell: From what gear to buy to mastering initial flights, this comprehensive guide for complete beginners is delivered with humour and infectious enthusiasm.
Why watch it:
- Comprehensive coverage for the complete beginner including gear tips, how to carry gear and enter the water, how to safely get started and progress through to mastering initial flights.
- The presenters Damo and his sidekick Gwen explain things in an entertaining and highly enthusiastic way.
- Features shots of Gwen’s wife and her sister learning which are highly relatable, instructive and inspiring (when you see their progress).
- The channel has lots of other useful videos that go into more detail on specific topics so it is a great resource to become acquainted with.
- They demonstrate two methods for getting to your feet. The second, holding the wing up to start the board moving whilst on your knees before standing is by far the easier (and the one I have always used). This is because the board moving through the water becomes more stable to stand on (especially if you are moving fast enough for the foil to have some level of lift) and in addition you can use the power in the wing to help lift you to your feet. I wouldn’t recommend wasting time on the first option, I have never seen anyone using this approach.
- They talk a lot about practicing wing handling on the beach. This is well worth investing time in, being impatient I know I didn’t do this enough.
- The point they make about holding the wing high is crucial. In particular if you come from a windsurfing background you may find yourself trying to hold the wing with the strut horizontal. This will result in the wing diving down and catching a tip in the water. As they stress in the video the front hand needs to be slightly higher to drive the wing up.
- Once you start foiling the concept that they explain about keeping your body in a straight line with the mast is vital. You will want to view specific videos that cover this in more detail, including the videos below.
2 Tonic Magazine – How to Wing Foil #2 – How to get up on foil
Length: 7.5 Minutes
In a nutshell: Part of a series of lessons from experienced instructors, with clear explanation of technique, excellent video demonstrations that break down the process into smaller steps.
Why watch it:
- Once you have mastered the basics and can get up and taxi efficiently you are ready for first flights. This video focuses in detail on how to take off and control the board on foil.
- The presenters are experienced instructors who present in a measured way and break down the process explaining each step in detail. The accompanying videos are very useful for understanding what is described.
- This is part of a whole course on learning, if you appreciate the calm, technical style of delivery you will want to view others.
- They ignore pumping for the purposes of this video. This is consistent with breaking the process down, but to take off in the way they describe you will need plenty of wind for the wing you are using. I think this is very sensible as pumping effectively is a skill in itself, it makes sense to learn that once you can already sustain flight.
- They emphasise the need to turn down wind in order to take off. This is crucial and one of the common mistakes that beginners make. I think that one of the reasons for this is that beginners are worried about losing ground down wind so they try to keep to 90 degrees to the wind (or less) as they taxi. You simply have to accept that to take off you will need to bear away from the wind. Once you are up on foil you will be amazed how much ground up wind you can make, so bear away, take off then make up ground if necessary.
- They stress front foot pressure and if you come from a windsurfing background this will be one of your barriers. The muscle memory of windsurfing is too back foot heavy for wing foiling and either you will plough through the water and not take off, or take off steeply and stall. Driving the board with the front foot into takeoff is a crucial “ah ha” muscle memory moment.
3 Wing Foil & Kite Surf College – Wing Foil Beginner Mistakes
Length: 9 minutes 20 seconds
In a nutshell: Common beginner errors demonstrated and explained with the aid of helpful videos and diagrams. Clear explanation of what is happeneing and what to do to correct it.
Why watch it:
- Almost everyone that learns wing foiling will encounter the issues described. The videos demonstrate the problem and the presenter uses diagrams and examples to explain what is going wrong and how to correct it.
- The section on foiling with slight heelside pressure balanced against the pull of the wing is key to unlocking longer and more controlled rides. If you can crack this skill your enjoyment levels are going to rocket.
- There are links to a series of “how to” videos that are a very useful learning resource.
- The explanation of too much back foot pressure is clearly illustrated, this problem is especially common for those from a windsurfing background and the only way to fix it is practice on the water.
- If you have a wind sports background the concept of watching out for gusts and riding them out will be familiar. Time spent on the beach learning how to depower the wing in a gust is a very good investment of time. In reality handling a wing in a gust is much easier than managing the sail on a windsurfer.
- The presenter shows himself handling the wing on land to try and avoid some of the issues he covers. Copying what he does whilst on land should help you lock in the concept and gain feel of what is happening.
4 Alan Cadiz – Staying Centered on Foil
Length: ~8 minutes.
In a nutshell: The first section of the video explains the importance of keeping your weight in line with the foil. There are some good illustrations of good versus bad technique. There are specific tips for windsurfers highlighting differences in technique.
Why watch it:
- It’s a good explanation of a critical topic,which will be particularly useful for windsurfers.
- Alan Cadiz has some other good ride along videos, although much of his material is limited to his paid patreon channel.
- He’s a veteran instructor and he explains things in a very clear manner.
Amplifications and Clarifications:
- The latter parts of the video look at gybing, which is less relevant to a beginner, however it does help reinforce the the key concept of foil control.
5 SUPBoarder – Wing series #1/ The foil – how it works under your feet
Length: ~ 14 Minutes
In a nutshell: Video focuses on foil control. Suggested exercises are a good way to gain initial pitch and height control on foil.
Why watch it:
- Focus on how the foil works and how to gain control of level flight.
- The recommended drills are a good approach to gaining confidence in controlling the foil. The touch and go approach “skimming the water” will help teach you to balance pressure between front and back foot and make small adjustments to control flight.
- The presenter recommends moving the mast to the back of the track to start with. I would not do that unless you really do not want to getup on foil (i.e. only do it for the first exercise when trying to keep the board down.) In general the mast will be best positioned around the centre of the track and fiddling with track position a lot will not help you.
- When the presenter refers to keeping the foil flat he is referring to front and back balance, so that the foil is flying at a level height. To feel in control the foil should be angled slightly to heel side and balanced against the pull of the wing, this gives you a more locked in feeling from the slight sideways resistance against the foil.
In Conclusion
There are many other videos available that provide valuable help in your wing foil progression. I will mention my own favourites on specific skills as I create more posts in this series. If you have a particular favourite that I have missed then please leave a comment below, I’d like to see it and you may help a fellow winger.
One final thought, you can watch as many videos as you like, but in reality the only place you are going to improve is out on the water. So check the forecast and if the wind is up Let’s Go-Wingfoil.