In this post we show you in a clear, easy and intuitive way what this sport is all about, which has become so fashionable in recent times. Wing foil is an exciting and magical sport that combines windsurfing, kitesurfing and foilboarding. It consists of gliding over the water with a wing that you hold in your hands (wing) with a board with a hydrofoil, allowing you to glide over the water and fly over the wave. Essential first steps:
BASIC EQUIPMENT
WING: Recommended size depending on the wind, in principle between 3.5 and 5 metres depending on the spot. In places like Tarifa you will need a slightly smaller wing size as it is a very windy spot and there are many days of easterly wind.
BOARD WITH FOIL: At the beginning it is better to start with a board with a lot of volume, around 120 to 140 liters so that it gives you extra buoyancy and can forgive you more if you make a mistake.
HYDROFOIL (foil): We recommend a mast of around 60 centimetres high at the beginning with a front wing of between 1800 and 2000 square cm, which makes learning much easier.
Leash, life jacket and helmet: Safety comes first, so we ask you and of course we require you to use them during classes. If you are already surfing independently, use the board and wing leash, as well as the life jacket and helmet to avoid unnecessary impacts.
IDEAL CONDITIONS FOR LEARNING
You should choose days with moderate wind to learn. If the wind is very light, it is not advisable either, because at the beginning your best ally is the wind.
Between 18 and 20 knots is perfect and the waters are as flat as possible. Ideally, a day of easterly wind in Tarifa with little waves or if you have the opportunity in a lagoon is perfect.
Avoid days with very strong winds and waves, both because of the difficulty in learning and the danger.
KEY POINTS TO GET STARTED
1.- Basic principles with the wing on land. Practice how to hold it and learn to generate power with the wing before entering the water.
2.- Learn to ride the board without a foil. Practice without the foil first to control your balance. We teach the first class with a paddle with great buoyancy, which makes it possible to stand up more quickly and easily.
3.- Start on your knees in the water. In the water and already on the board, we kneel on the board and use the wing to propel ourselves.
4.- Gradually stand up. Once you have the wing under control, try to stand up smoothly and maintain your balance.
5.- Build up speed and take off. With enough speed, the foil will lift and you will begin to fly over the water. Keep your weight on your back leg to control the lift.
Finally, I would like to point out that you should take your time with wingfoil. Learning this fantastic sport takes practice, so don’t get frustrated if you don’t plan ahead in the first few days.
Taking a course is always a good idea. An instructor will always give you more confidence and teach you the basics from the beginning so you learn faster.
And above all, have fun. Learning this wonderful sport is quite an adventure.
Juan I. Fernandez
☎️ +34 615683051