3 tips for beginner wing foilers

[@Zander-gm5gc]

Gwen’s lesson was 1000% worth it for anyone on the fence.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you!

[@ricopo3522]

Wing foiling is so new... even the very best at it still have a very clear memory of being a humbled, frustrated total kook. 100% go to school watching, asking questions of those who are better. I've literally never met a winger who wasn't happy to talk about the sport- help out. In fact- good luck getting home in a hurry from a session, running through the gauntlet of people wanting to geek out talking, foils, wings, boards, technique.

[@floridafoilers]

Another excellent discussion, thanks guys! 🙌🙌 I think your third tip is the most important, in my opinion, to your point that the community can help you with gear choices, encourage you to get out on the water and ideally not foil alone, and give you tips as they see you on the water.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thanks Travis!

[@eduardodiazcano8915]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this channel Your advices and tutorials are very appreciated by the community, very useful.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you Eduardo! We appreciate you.

[@klrrafman]

#2 for me, after the board size was realizing that the center of my weight was in the hips.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you for sharing friend! We appreciate you.

[@robertomeza7571]

I’m really enjoying these videos. From windsurfing, to kiting, to sup surfing to now learning how to wing. Not easy. Learn from my experience: I went in with big surf coming in; in one second I lost control of my board and I ended up in the hospital with stitches in my mouth. I am on vacation in the Dominican Republic (Cabarete). Windy spot, but a lot of swell with waves. But I will get back on the horse; I’m almost there: 20-25 knots, 4.5 wing, 106 liter board, 1800cm foil. My goal is to foil in waves, some day. For now learning how to fly.

[@rickiriarte7245]

I am loving the process and learning a little bit at a time all the way up here in Nashville!!! Great post and words of encouragement!!!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you for sharing friend! We appreciate you.

[@kevinb8754]

Good stuff. I’m not sure I agree that going out when you can’t get up is useful. That can be demotivating. I’d say my biggest tip is to make it easier for yourself by going out on the right gear in the right conditions in the right spot. Protected water, a powered up wing on a floaty board with a stable foil is the key to first flights. First flights are the key to stoke

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you for sharing friend! We appreciate you.

[@tedp3408]

Great advice. I would add land wing practice. My third season now and I realize that wing land practice pays big dividends

[@larrycollar1322]

Do worry about damaging your wing when it hits the ground?

[@tedp3408]

I do it on grass no problems with wing damage. Before and after sailing @@larrycollar1322

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you for sharing friend! We appreciate you.

[@ArinGhend]

I wish I'd have seen this a year ago … I struggled for a full year slushing and not getting off the water because the back of my board was always submerged… Got a bigger board, on foil in session one with the new board, I nearly cried with joy (guess all that time taxiing helped eventually as well?) Anyhow… I am so stoked for every windy day now! 🙌

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you for sharing friend! We appreciate you.

[@ruyakarabucak]

Greetings from Turkey. You guys are amazing! thank you for your great tips. This is my third lesson and i really love it.

[@manvbees]

Amazing to see wingfoiling taking off. It will be THE watersport for the next few years and I hope its here to stay.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Agreed! Thank you.

[@123benjah]

present moment... wonderful moment. love it!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

We appreciate you.

[@filipeosorio6225]

agree 100%, gear size, time practicing and speaking with community.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

We appreciate you!

[@larrycollar1322]

We have spent hours slogging in less than optimum conditions with the hope a large enough puff of wind will come along. Any time spent on the lake is more fun than anything else we would be doing and really good exercise. Another way to learn how best to restart standing on your board after you’ve fallen in. Which you are more likely to do if the wind isn’t there to balance against.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you for sharing friend! We appreciate you.

[@MC-wi2xv]

Thank you

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you!

[@louise8752]

LOVE THIS!! Thanks fellas!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you! We appreciate you.

[@leighgillespie-w2u]

Thanks for sharing this, great tips. So good you're promoting wellbeing both on and off the water too. Do you have any suggestions for learning in choppy/wavy conditions...flatter water is hard to come by where I'm learning (South Island, New Zealand)....so keen to make the most of what we've got. I'm just at the stage of learning to get on the foil and then sustain short flights. My gear is in line with what you suggest,. Thanks :)

[@gengar678]

Thank you. If there is not enough wind to foil, can you get back on the spot you started though?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Yes even with minimal wind, you should be able to go upwind if needed, just don't go too far out in light wind to be safe :)

[@gengar678]

@@DamienLeroyKZbin Thank you for answering so fast. I live in a place where we dont have to much wind often but we have a small lake. I started on a 150l board (3 days, 1 hour) and got to about 2 times on foil for 10 meters. I am 181cm, and 84kgs. Now i wonder what to buy. Can I learn on a duotone downwinder sls for instance or is it too instable?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

We can definitely help you decide what setup would be best for you, just reach out to us through the shop: wingfoilprocenter.com

[@daniadaniadaniadaniadania]

You guys are so wonderful - love your partnership and your philosophy to be in the moment ❤ Because you mentioned the dumb questions. I have been trying to wing foil for 2 years on a lake in the middle of nowhere 😅 Conditions are really light, 5-8kt most days, low waves. I am great on a super long SUP with a stick on fin and bought a (probably too short) 5'-10" fanatic with a nice high aspect foil and I can barely stand up. I've been considering a foil assist like stoke OR a much larger starter board like the duotone start, or even a windsurf crossover board that would fit my Mistral parts. What would you advise for my kit change to accelerate my learning at home? Grateful for your help, this sport and the virtual community!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Honestly, You are in very light conditions so you will want a DW board that is nice and stable and has good volume. Sounds like your 5'10 might not be that stable, could be fine but might need some more time on it. I would make sure you have a good light wind HA foil, from the sound of it you do. You will get it! Takes time.

[@ukarlsson]

Thanks for the video! One reflection, going out in too low wind when you can not get up does not feel very useful. I would recommend some other activity like foiling after a boat, dock start or pump training with FD

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you for sharing friend! We appreciate you.

[@skipperfromcroatia]

great tips guys!

[@YossiSheba]

Thanks again guys ! ❤

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you!

[@keimpe84]

I am one of these persons on the other side of the world (Netherlands) and really enjoy your videos. Hopefully you can help me with some advice, I just had my first lesson and consider a gong hipe perf 6.0. My weight is 90kg. Is the shape of this board OK, VS your comment regarding too short lots of volume boards? Thanks!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

For 160L, 6'0 is on the shorter side. For reference, we have the most success at our school with this board: wingfoilprocenter.com/products/kt-wing-drifter-flight?_pos=2&_psq=wing+drifter+&_ss=e&_v=1.0

[@andyrogers2578]

Tip #4: Learn how to help land a kite for your kitefoiling cousins when they’re tapping the top of their head!! 😂

[@jeromesurffoil7033]

Excellent!!!

[@taurisanofrancesco2099]

Ciao ragazzi, un consiglio: ho ua tavola cabrinha x-fly 6.2 111 litri, secondo voi va bene per iniziare avento un po di esperienza con windsurf. Grazie anticipatamente.

[@MatiasBarañao-j3x]

Gracias

[@adambotica6419]

Don't take 1 persons advice. Everyone is different and sometimes advice can conflict with each other. I had a really good rider tell me my wing was too big. But I am learning, heavy and inefficient so for me its great! Talk to more people, Demo or trial if you can before buying it will help you narrow your mistakes buying the wrong stuff!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you for sharing friend! We appreciate you.

[@MrBastrider]

so you don't recommand short and large boards for begginers... unfortunatly i'm beginning on a board like this :( it's stable but it's difficult to go up on foil

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Big volume with short length is not as stable and a bit more draggy, so we recommend going a bit longer. If you ever need help picking the right gear we can help you there: wingfoilprocenter.com

[@martinminar1949]

I made the same mistake. I got inflatable 5'3" 110Litre with little nose rocker and no matter how hard I tried all I was doing was pushing water. Than I tried downwind board 7' 21" and I was on foil right away. Go with good boards that glides and have rocker.

[@MrBastrider]

@@DamienLeroyKZbinthanks Damo and Gwen 🤙

[@MrBastrider]

​@@martinminar1949downwind board for a beginner ? I think that it's difficult to have a good balance with such boards (side balance) and that it is for more advanced wingfoil levels, isn't it ?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

​@@martinminar1949 Thank you for sharing friend! We appreciate you.

[@Surfnflycom]

Just a tip guys ;) Imho, it would have been so much better if you said On tip nr. 1z : get in touch with a wingfoil School/instructor nextby where you live” “ask for advice locally”. I understand “self promotion” of wingfoilprocenter, however, you don’t want 2 mill. Questions On gear from people fronter other side of the Globe…

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Great point! Thank you.