Learning to Fly : Why Start Wing Foiling
Imagine soaring over the water as the foil glides smoothly beneath the surface. The faint hum of the foil mast the only sound, as you fly, untouched by the chop below.
If you are reading this then you are probably considering taking the plunge to start wing foiling (literally taking a plunge will become a common experience soon!). Spoiler alert, I will tell you that you should, but I’ll explain why and also mention some downsides.
As many people come from other wind sports, I explain the specific benefits of Winging compared to Windsurfing and Kiting. This is not to insult either of those awesome sports so no angry responses please.
The Joy of Flight
Riding a foil above the water provides an incredible sensation. It feels somewhat like a cross between surfing and off-piste skiing. You are riding on the foil controlling direction and the height that you fly with subtle shifts in weight. You will notice the quiet as the foil glides through the water and the board flies over the waves.
The foil offers so little resistance that there is almost no effort in holding the wing powering you. Every tweak to the wing to generate power instantly accelerates you. Leaning the foil one way or other carves you into a turn. If the wind drops, then pumping the wing and the foil can see you fly through the lull.
It took me quite a few sessions to experience sustained flight, once that happened, I was absolutely hooked.
The Versatility of the Wing
The wing adds a degree of versatility to Wingfoiling which is not available in other forms of foiling.
- Feel the need for speed ? You can straight-line blast by heeling the foil over sheeting in the wing and driving over the water fully powered up. My top speed to date is 29mph, which is plenty fast enough for an old fellow like me.
- For a looser more playful feel, you sheet out the wing and carve elegant S curves, banking the foil from side to side.
- Found some bumps? On foil, with practice you can surf even small lake waves holding the wing flagged out behind you.
A wing is also easier to handle in gusty conditions, being easier to depower than a Windsurfer rig or a kite. Use a wing big enough for the average wind and in big gusts you can lose power by holding it virtually horizontal. I personally got hit with a prolonged 40 knot gust on the lake where I ride and managed to ride my 4.0m wing safely back to shore. (It wasn’t fun to be absolutely clear and I was glad I was already close to the beach and heading in).
Endless Progression
The learning curve in wing foiling is undeniable. Mastering basic flight takes most people several months of dedicated practice on the water. Once you’ve conquered the initial hurdle of straight-line controlled foiling there are plenty more challenges to come. Your most likely next step will be gybing – turning through the wind going downwind and switching the wing to the other side. Completing a gybe on foil is a tricky manoeuvre that is a frustrating journey for most of us. Tacking through the wind is even harder (I’m not there yet), using a harness, jumping, riding bigger waves, almost endless new skills are waiting to be learned.
You will also find that you want to progress in terms of the equipment that you ride. The bigger board and foils suitable for a beginner will give way to faster more manoeuvrable foils and boards. There is probably not a winger alive who says “I have learned all I want to now”.
Compact Gear – Big Adventures
Most wing foil boards are generally fairly compact, 6 feet long or less. The foil breaks down into component parts that are easily transported and the deflated wing fits in a backpack. You can comfortably fit this gear into most mid-range and up cars. I can get all of my gear including 3 wings into my mid-size SUV. Compared to windsurfing with larger boards, masts and booms you have less need of a big car, van or roof rack.
The handheld wing is also less difficult to manage and launch than a kite. This opens up more locations where you can launch than would be true for kiting. Indeed, many of the places where I wing, inland in the UK do not allow kiters access.
The compact gear can also be taken as checked luggage on airlines. This opens up the chance to visit top wind sport locations or simply to add some adventure to a standard family vacation. I have an inflatable board specifically for travel (it is pretty much indestructible, even for airline baggage handlers).So far I’ve foiled in Dahkla Morocco, Crete, Barcelona, Bonaire and El Gouna in Egypt. In El Guona we spotted this Camel on the beach.
Exercise and Fresh Air – Year Round
Wing foiling is also a fantastic way to exercise and get your daily dose of fresh air. Two hours out on the lake provides a great work out, and is much more enjoyable than the gym. Pumping the wing (pulling it in and out sharply) in order to get up onto foil provides an aerobic challenge. Once foiling the core engagement required to constantly shift your weight and balance the foil provides a full-body workout. Plus, there’s nothing quite like being out on the water, surrounded by nature.
With the right equipment wing foiling need not be just a summer sport. I have kept going through the winter enjoying time on the water on all but the very coldest days. One of my best sessions of the winter being done with air temperature of just four degrees Celsius.
Accessibility
Think you might be too old to start wing foiling? I beg to differ, having taken it up in my early sixties. My wife used to joke that I was “the oldest winger in town” but in reality I am not even the oldest winger at my lake. The sport is accessible to most people who have a reasonable level of fitness.
Flexibility is obviously a bit more of a challenge for those of us foiling over fifty. However, if you can kneel down then stand from kneeling reasonably easily then you can do the foundation move you will need to get standing on the board. On the water this is easier as the wing will help pull you up.
Balancing on a relatively small board is a challenge but if you have done other board sports, even paddling a SUP, chances are you will be able to master it. Again, the wing helps you on the water as it gives you something to balance against. Additionally, as the board starts to move through the water the foil will start to provide lift, so even before you reach take off speed the board will be more stable. One common concern is arm fatigue from holding the wing, however, the minimal resistance experienced once foiling makes it surprisingly manageable.
In terms of learning curve, those with other wind sport skills, in particular wind surfing or kite-boarding will have an advantage. That said there are numerous examples of people who have come to wing-foiling without these skills that have mastered the sport. There are a huge variety of “how to” videos available on You Tube and if you prefer reading, I have put together a series of articles on getting started. Finally, there are increasing numbers of professional instructors offering lessons.
Downsides ?
I absolutely love Wing Foiling, but I’ll try to be honest on what the potential downsides are.
It takes time to learn
It was much harder to learn than I expected. I was a fairly fit early sixties ex-windsurfer when I started. I’d stopped Wind Surfing more than twenty years previously and had never foiled. It took me a several months of frustration to even begin to get first flights on foil. After that it took me another couple of months to get control over where I was going when up on foil. Two years on I am getting there with Gybing and yet to attempt to tack. Others will be faster to learn, some may even be slower, but the key thing is enjoying the process and celebrating each small victory.
It is not cheap
Boards wings and foils are all fairly costly items (not forgetting wetsuits, protective gear, and other sundries). The popularity of the sport means that there is now a reasonable chance of picking up beginner equipment for a good price on the second-hand market. But let’s be honest, once you’re hooked, the urge to upgrade your gear – a faster foil, a new wing, the latest board will convince you to keep reaching for the credit card.
There is some risk
It is not without risk. Flying over the water at speed whilst balanced on a foil with moderately sharp edges carries some risk. You can moderate the risks by using sensible safety equipment (helmet and impact vest a must for beginners in my view) but you cannot eliminate it entirely. That said, my injuries to date have all been fairly mundane and minor, sore knees from overdoing it, cut shins from bashing the foil with my leg while launching and blisters on my hands (I now use sailing gloves).
Time
Time for other things. You are about to embark on a sport that will eat up time so other things will be neglected (my golf has got much worse since I never have time to practice).
So is Wing Foiling for you ?
If you have read this far (thank you!), then you must be seriously considering joining us flying over the water and starting wing foiling.
There are a number of articles on here that provide more detail on getting started. There are also numerous You Tube videos.
Other possible next steps could be:
- Trying to find a local spot where people are winging. You will find that we wingers are only too happy to talk about our sport. You might also find that someone is selling some equipment.
- Find somewhere nearby that offers beginner wing foiling lessons. That way you can get a taster without committing to buying all of your own gear.
- If planning a beach holiday somewhere see if you can get some lessons there. This has the added benefit of taking your first falls in warm water!
Whatever you decide I hope you have fun and look forward to seeing you out on the water. Let’s Go-Wingfoil.
Links
If you want to explore the reasons for taking up wing foiling further here are a few of my favourite you tube videos
- Damian Leroy and his friend Gwen are one of my favourite you tube sources for all things wing foil. Damo has to be one of the most positive people on the planet and he always makes me smile. His video on why to start foiling is here.
- Wing Foil Mallorca is Frederik Ekermark’s channel – he is someone that us foilers over fifty can relate to directly. His why wing foiling video is here.
- The guys at Mac Kite do some nice instructional and gear videos. They explain things very much like you are a customer in their shop. Their video on why so many people are taking up wing foiling is here.