FOIL WING Buying Guide

FOIL WING. By now you’ve seen the videos and heard the news, the Foil Wing is here to stay! All you have to do is give it a try and see how this fun new water sport feels and be one of the first ones to try it. Stocking the industry leading brands like Duotone, Fanatic, RRD, F-One, Slingshot, Cabrinha & JP Australia.  Working with and stocking the best-known brands in the business, gives us unrivaled stock holdings, service and advice in the industry... Our team of professional riders and staff try and test all our products to give you the best advice. Best online price and 0% Finance options available. All models discussed here are available with Free mainland UK delivery and 0% Finance at the best available online prices! H20 Sports now offer a whopping 0% Finance over 36 months. Have any questions while choosing which boards right for you? Or need advice on where to ride? Give us a call and we’ll talk you through the all the options, let us help you choose which sup will be best for your needs. 

People ask all the time - which board do I need, and which foil should I choose? Generally, it always depends on your experience, your skills, your size, the conditions and your ambitions. This Feature should help you FINDING the right gear to get started and to progress quickly.

Let's categorize this help-guide into 4 rider groups:

1.The Total Beginner - If you haven't been into Watersports before, we’d consider you as a total beginner.

2.The Foil-Novice - If you're a Windsurfer, a Kiteboarder, a Surfer or Stand-up-Paddler but never been on a Foil yet.

3.The Pre-Foiler - you've been foiling on a Windsurfer, Kiteboard, Surfboard or SUP, then you're in this group.

4.The Wing-Addict - If you've found your new passion and you're ready to enter the next level, this is you!

 For each of these groups we have the right board and foil, depending on your weight. Just select your group and find your right setup in the table below.

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THE TOTAL BEGINNER

If you haven't been attracted to water board sports, but wing foiling caught your attention, then we'd have some tips for you:

  1. Get a floaty and stable board! See below for the right board and foil depending on your weight. Turn your weight into ltrs and add 40-50ltrs to be safe and comfortable

2.Try foiling separate from the wing. If you know someone with a boat or jet ski, try a session being pulled on a calm day with the right instructions Half an hour behind the boat can make all the difference of being hooked or giving up after trying with the wing straight away and failing.

3.Wear protection (Wetsuit with long legs, Boots, Impact Vest, Helmet)

THE FOIL-NOVICE

If you're into water Boardsports, you have a big advantage over the total beginner - as you can read wind and waves and have an understanding for the balance on your board. Even if you're good at the sport you do - you're going to start at Kook-level with the wing. Even if you feel familiar with the wind and a boom in your hands, the foiling part is something completely new. Nevertheless - you're learning curve will most likely be fairly quick with your experience in watersports, so our recommendation for you is slightly smaller and more advanced gear over the recommendation for the total beginner.

Still our advice would be: 

1.Try foiling separate from the wing. If you know someone with a boat or jet ski, try a session being pulled on a calm day with the right instructions Half an hour behind the boat will help you a lot to get an understanding of what's happening under your board, where to place your feet and how to keep the board in flight-mode. Once you add the wing, you already know what's coming and how to respond once the board lifts out of the water. Board wise turn your weight into ltrs and add 20-30ltrs for a progressive learning board

2.Wear protection (Wetsuit with long legs, Boots, Impact Vest, Helmet)

THE PRE-FOILER

You've been on a foil, so you know what to expect. If you've been foiling on a SUP or prone surfboard, you basically just need to learn to steer the wing, as the rest (stance & balance) is pretty much the same with or without a wing in your hands. If you've been windsurf- or kite-foiling, you need to get a feel for a centered stance riding a foil without the extra help for stabilization of the windsurf rig or the kite. If the first case counts for you, you're ready to go. If you come from windsurfing or kiting, we have the following tips for you:

  1. You come from Windsurfing: Steering the wing will be relatively easy for you, as it's not that much different to catching the wind with a windsurfing sail. Just try to hold the wing in around 45° angle, with the front of the boom above your head. So your main task will be learning the free balance of riding the foil without the stabilization of the "third leg" (the mast). If you know someone with a boat or jet ski, try a session being pulled on a calm day (check our Foiling Academy Clips for the right tips). Half an hour behind the boat will help you a lot to get an understanding for the placement of your feet and how to keep the board in flight-mode and to feel the difference over windsurf-foiling. Once you figure it out, you're ready to go with the wing. If you don't have a chance to be pulled behind a boat, then try straight away with the wing, but be aware to not lean back as much compared to windsurfing and to keep your feet and weight really centered over the board.
  2. You come from Kiting: Many kiters have more problems to steer the wing compared to windsurfers, as you steer your bar totally different to a boom, which transfers the power of the wind directly into your hands. If you can find an old windsurf board with a dagger board, try a few runs with that to understand how the wing works and how to catch the wind most efficiently to generate drive. Once you figure out how the wing works, you're ready to wing it on your foil!


THE WING-ADDICT

You're ready to enter the next level! You're in this group if you've had your fair share of wing sessions on your Foil SUP, make it through your first gybes and tacks on your foil and you figured how nice it must be to carry less board around once you're up in the air - and on the beach too ;-). Entering the Wing-Addict group can happen within days, weeks or a few months, depending on your skills and your wing time. Our new Sky Wing is specially designed for this group and beyond. As you don't need to learn Winging anymore you don't need too many tips, but we'd just like to leave a comment on Board size and the importance of Volume.

  • Don't underestimate the importance of volume and buoyancy. As a wing-addict you're probably following the different channels for wing foiling and some of the best guys are using surf foil boards with under 50l of Volume. If you want to step up your game and want to ride what the 'pros' ride, you should consider three points: 1. With every liter less volume you need more wind to get going. A board that you just sink needs a lot of power in your wing to actually get up and out of the water. So a bit more Volume will make a huge difference for gusty conditions or lighter winds in general! 2. Boards that you sink need a lot of technique to actually get on them. Most of the guys you see riding surf foil boards are pros or semi-pros in other watersports or foiling-disciplines and are exceptionally skilled. 3. Specialized Wing boards were simply not available up until just recently, so the good guys had the options to stick with a SUP foil board or make the radical step down towards a surf foil board. If they'd had the option of the ideal solution in between - they would have chosen something like the Sky Wing. The extra Volume that keeps you on the surface can make all the difference if you actually have a good day on the foil or if you just sink and never get your board out.

As a general rule the boards are steppingstones as you progress, unless you're a very ambitious person and don't mind a struggle to begin with! Thus, starting with a board that actually floats you comfortably by turning your weight from kg into ltrs and adding anywhere from10-30ltrs pending your skill, ambitions and location. A good board to view which has a huge range of volumes in the Fanatic Sky Wing (CLICK HERE) Wings can be chosen based on the wind speed your aiming to be riding in... For example, locally on the south coast, most of our customers of average weight (90kg) have a 5.5 or 6mtr and a 4.5 or 5mtr... Slightly heavier riders have gone for a 6.5 and 5 or 5.5Mtr... Lighter riders tending to grab 4mtr and 5mtr... Giving all these riders the desired wind ranges from ten - twenty knots pending skill levels of course... Again, if your desire was to only have one wing then somewhere in the middle would be ideal. Foils, again for your average to ambitious learner 

Below are our FAQ's to help you gather the correct and un bias knowledge to make the best decision when purchasing in the world of Winging...


Is wing foiling difficult to learn? Wing foiling can be challenging to learn, especially if you don't have any prior experience with water sports. However, with proper instruction and practice, most people can learn the basics in a few sessions.

Do I need to be in good shape to wing foil? Wing foiling requires a certain level of physical fitness and strength, as you need to be able to balance on the board and hold the wing up for extended periods. However, you don't need to be an athlete to start wing foiling, and people of all fitness levels can participate.

What equipment do I need for wing foiling? You will need a foil board, a foil, and a wing. You may also want to wear a wetsuit or other protective gear, depending on the water and weather conditions.

Can I wing foil in any conditions? Wing foiling can be done in a variety of wind and water conditions, but it's generally best to start in calm waters with light winds. As you gain experience, you can try more challenging conditions, such as stronger winds and waves.

How fast can I go while wing foiling? Wing foiling speeds can vary depending on the conditions and your skill level, but it's common to reach speeds of 10-20 mph.

How much does wing foiling cost? The cost of wing foiling can vary depending on the equipment you choose, but you can expect to spend several thousand dollars on a foil board, foil, and wing. You may also need to budget for lessons and other gear, such as a wetsuit.

Is wing foiling dangerous? Like any water sport, wing foiling comes with some inherent risks. However, with proper instruction, equipment, and safety precautions, you can minimize the risks and enjoy the sport safely.

Can I wing foil alone or do I need a partner? You can wing foil alone, but it's always a good idea to have a partner or to let someone know where you're going and when you plan to return.

Lets talk Foils... Many people find wing foiling to be an exciting and fun way to enjoy the water and explore new places. It can be a great way to stay active and connect with nature. Here are several different types of foils available for wing foiling, each with its own characteristics and benefits. Here are some of the most common types:

Standard foil: A standard foil is a basic foil that is suitable for beginners and intermediate riders. It provides a stable and predictable ride, and is often less expensive than more advanced foils.

High-aspect foil: A high-aspect foil has longer and narrower wings, which makes it more efficient and better suited for high-speed riding. This type of foil requires more skill and experience to ride, but can provide a smoother and more controlled ride in choppy conditions.

Low-aspect foil: A low-aspect foil has shorter and wider wings, which makes it more stable and forgiving. This type of foil is often preferred by beginners or riders who want to focus on cruising and carving.

Surf foil: A surf foil is designed specifically for riding waves. It has a shorter mast and smaller wings, which makes it more maneuverable and responsive in the water.

Downwind foil: A downwind foil is designed for riding downwind in windy conditions. It has a larger and more curved front wing, which provides lift and stability in rough waters.

Race foil: A race foil is designed for competitive racing and has a high-aspect ratio and a streamlined shape for maximum speed and efficiency.

Freestyle foil: A freestyle foil is designed for performing tricks and aerial maneuvers. It has a shorter mast and wider wings for maximum stability and control in the air.

Price points... There are lots of different price point to consider and they have to fit in your budget... But what are we getting for the extra money...

Buying expensive wing foil gear can have several advantages, including:

  1. Performance: Expensive gear is often designed with advanced materials and construction techniques that improve performance. This can translate into better speed, control, and stability on the water.

  2. Durability: High-end gear is typically made with more durable materials and construction techniques, which can extend the life of the equipment and reduce the need for repairs or replacement.

  3. Fit and comfort: Premium gear is often designed with a better fit and more comfort features, such as padding or ergonomic design, which can improve your overall experience on the water.

  4. Resale value: Expensive gear from reputable brands can retain a higher resale value than lower-priced equipment, making it a better long-term investment.

  5. Brand reputation: Top-end gear is often associated with well-respected and innovative brands in the industry. Owning high-end gear can also be a source of pride and a reflection of your dedication to the sport.

However, it's important to note that buying expensive gear is not always necessary, and there are plenty of affordable options that can still provide a fun and enjoyable wing foiling experience. Ultimately, the most important factor is finding gear that is safe, reliable, and suited to your individual needs and preferences.

 

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