How achievable is WING FOILING

[@edenburb]

Well done for giving us a Kelly update - i'm 56 year old female and a step behind Kelly, up and foiling but not cracked the gybe yet. Totally enjoying the journey but looking forward to less energy spent clambering back on the board and more spent of FLYING!!! Keep up the good work...

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Messages like this make our day! Love this. We hope to share the water with you one day!

[@drjamesroman9943]

THIS IS AWESOME, and THANK YOU for shooting this one. This was one that I really needed to see. I am 48 and started this sport about 2 months ago, and it's been quite the learning process. Everything Kelly shared has been what I've been going through. The learning process is no joke. Between just getting up on the board, to balancing on the board with the wing, and then starting to actual skim along the water, each step has been a learning experience. Each time out; I get a mix of emotions; fear, excitement, frustration, exhilaration, and more... and it's freaking amazing! I feel alive when I'm out there, and just open to learning, and doing something new. THANK YOU for all of these videos and please keep them going.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

James thank you for your note! We appreciate you! You got this friend.

[@AlchemyAles]

Thanks for this. I'm athletic, a surfer, sailor, snowboarder, wake boarder and I find this way harder to learn than expected.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

It takes time for sure! You will get there, just stay at it. Enjoy the learning process friend.

[@jeromesurffoil7033]

53 years old and I'm all about trying this out! I do have 30+ years surfing experience so hopefully that will be to my advantage. Getting out there this weekend! Wish me luck and thanks for the great vibes!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Make sure to fly the wing a ton on the beach before you go out on the board! Will help a ton. Enjoy the learning process.....

[@jeromesurffoil7033]

@@DamienLeroyKZbin Thank you for the tip! I have been flying it a bunch while riding my skateboard in a large parking lot. I have a bit of a feel for it now!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

@@jeromesurffoil7033 That is a great way to learn! Perfection... Enjoy friend......

[@dr.andrewbarnett8298]

Love this video - let's me know that I'm not the only one struggling! I'm 67 years old - 55 years bump skiing and still going strong - and thought after viewing the videos that it would take me five or six sessions to be foiling and maybe turning. Hmmmm... Not so. Went up to Sherman Island and saw lots of older guys so I figured... I can do it! Bought a 110L board, large foil, 5.4M wing. First day was a disaster so I thought I needed help. Followed all of Damien's videos - practiced on land with my wing. (easy). Used the wing with my SUP with a stick on keel (Meh - easy to balance and downwind, hard to upwind - ok for once or twice but not all that helpful).Bought a Bongo board (thought maybe my balance was off - easy to use but maybe helped a little bit - not much). Started efoiling (very helpful - first real breakthrough - gives you a sense of foil balance - downside - expensive to rent and I don't want to buy one). Now, just as the wind has died in the San Francisco Bay, I'm able to get on foil and fly straight - just now beginning to turn. It's a journey and this video made me feel a whole lot better. Keep them up Damien - you're the guru!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Sounds like you are rocking friend! It's not an easy sport but congrats on your progress! Hope to share the water with you one day friend!

[@cmnolimits7742]

Thanks for the Kelly update. The sport is challenging no matter what prior water sport experience we have. But I absolutely love it! I truly appreciate your YT videos as they’re very informative & helpful. Looking forward to the next one 🌺

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

We appreciate you! Thank you!

[@beallmd2898]

Just got back from Maui, went to the Kahului Harbor every day. What a great place to learn. I made progress beyond my wildest dreams. Just getting my first foil rides, sometimes short and off and on foil. I did take a lesson with Tim with Alan Cadiz HST.. He said you are known over there and have spent time there. He comes from a kiting background while I came from windsurfing, didn't matter. Anyway if folks live in the west or can go to Maiui I would say do it. Especially if you're early on like me. Thanks f9r the awesome videos.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you friend! Enjoy!

[@spanishmackeral]

So so good. Thank you both for the great words of encouragement. This is what I needed to get me over the fear hump.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Glad we could help!

[@haenagirl1]

Love your videos. They are inspiring me to keep going when I feel like quitting. This sport is hard. Just knowing others are going through what I'm going through gives me encouragement to get out there and keep trying. Thanks for your inspiration!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

We are behind you friend! You got this, its not easy but nothing great comes easy!

[@warrenp8502]

Go Kelly!!! I have been wondering how you were progressing. As others here have stated, it IS hard to learn, but not impossible if you are tenacious. To all you future foilers, don't get discouraged if you don't get it right away. As Damian says, "In time it all comes together." This was true for me. Having a positive attitude really helps too. I made it a point to think of every session as a victory, no matter how small. If I got up on foil for two seconds I counted that as a win. If I slogged back to my starting point and didn't have to walk that was also a win. If I made it safely through the shore break in one piece, major win! "Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming..."

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Warren thank you for sharing we appreciate you!

[@christoph4333]

great interview of a "regular" person ... Helps to see that .. GREAT Thank you

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you!

[@windsurfer2805]

I'm 66 and will be 67 next month. I've been windsurfing since 1985 and wind foiling for a little over a year. Just bought a Duotone Slick 5.5 to try out winging. I am trying my JP Hydrofoil 120 for winging. Had trouble with my board hitting the shore as soon as I got on the board. So, sounds like I will have to do a lot more paddling to deeper water and further out before trying to get on the board and flying the wing :) Doesn't seem as easy as wind foiling :( BTW I enjoy your instructional videos and am inspired to tough it out by Kelly. Thanks!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Yes friend paddle way out as sounds like the wind is blowing you right up on shore. Another option maybe if possible look for another location that is side shore. Not every place has it so, if not just paddle way out and then start. It is not easy but enjoy the learning process...

[@jjmc4]

This is the video I will use to help spread the word. Thanks.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you so much Justin! We appreciate you!

[@grownnotflown2]

Super challenging to learn imo Staying up wind is the biggest first challenge. Good luck👍

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Amen!

[@naruemolebert7904]

Thank you so much for this Video.It gives me Inspiration and Hope .I Know it is hard but possible. I have a question to Kelly.Did she learn foiling direct in combination with thé Wing? Or did she have seperate lesson with the foilboard without the wing ? N.Ebert

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Totally, you can do it, it just takes time. Kelly learned foiling with the wing and now she is crushing it!

[@thechadfords]

Love the little clip of the kids trying winging. Want to get ours out there. Can you do a video on getting kids into winging? Gear, how to coach, etc

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Great idea! We will see what we can do! Thank you!

[@dh5645]

How does the learning curve for electric foiling compare? *No wing… or what about a combination of electric foil with wing? Is that a thing? Thx

[@grownnotflown2]

E-foil is cake compared to this

[@obvioustrash7833]

e-foil is like riding a tricycle while wing foiling is like a mono cycle

[@cyberfastfred]

I am an old windsurfer (62 with 30 years of windsurf). 2 years ago I have tried windfoil 3 or 4 times. Impressive feeling and a lot of crash. But I have discovered wingfoil on video and for me it was the revelation with the ultimate goal to sail in the swell. I bought a wing, foil and a board usable in windfoil or wingfoil. I started in windfoil and it was very easy to sail even if I have never gibed. I have done 2 attempts with the wing. It was difficult to get standed on the board. After each time I succeded to go up on the foil I felt immediatly going to hight and to slow. Because this year I have decided that I am too old to waste time before winging, I bought an efoil. In one hour I was able to fly more than 30 seconds. 2 hours to fly several minutes. 3 hours my first turns front or back side. So efoil is realy easy (on flat water). I have done 6 sessions before my holidays. I spent 2 weeks in Cabarete this summer. I took 2 lessons that helps me a lot to stand up. Then I flied somes seconds on my 3rd and 4th session. I noticed that efoil helped me a lot in getting up and controling the altitude. From the 5th session I went on a shorter board with a bigger foil 115 liters for my weight of 85 kg. A little more difficult to stand up specially with small waves in the lagoon. Wind around 18-20 knots, 5 meters. I have done several flight over 30 seconds. 6th session 20-22 knots, I have done my first flight of one minute returning at the place were I started. the 3 sessions after were very frustrating will very few flight in ligther wind and bigger waves (50 cm of shore break). More times walking upwind on the beach. But it doesn't matter, I know that with wind between 16 and 22 knots on flat water I can practice. Returning back in France I have done 2 session with my gear. My wing, the first duotone with wishbone is a pure crap, very unstable in the wind compared to the ozone wasp I had rent in Cabarete. Nvertheless I have flown again. I need a better wing and practice but I am pretty sure that with 10 hours more I will have fun most of the time. In conclusion efoil can help wingfoil and the contrary also. Returning back from holidays my efoil flight is much more relax.

[@dh5645]

@@cyberfastfred Thank you for the detailed response. Very informative.

[@dh5645]

😜 it sounds like E-foiling is much easier BUT much harder on your bank account 😜

[@lawrenceteresa]

Kelly, we are at the same pace😂. I am learning foil gybe too. Keep working on it. We can do it 💪🏻

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Love this! Everyone helping and motivating everyone! So cool! Thank you!

[@mikeinhoodriver]

Great job Kelly! Inspired to keep going. :P

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Yea Mike! Amen!

[@prolifedoc]

I know it is tough thinking ... "What should our next video cover?. Congratulations! Another great video! I enjoy the teaching. I love the entertainment and attitude. I look forward for every new video. I just wanted to encourage you and thank you for making my day. No wind in Pensacola today, but thanks for the video! -At least it's not cold and gray...

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you for the kind words! You guys make this happen so thank you!

[@dengordo]

How did she get through those ropes in the water with a foil? Looks like that was close 00:50

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

That was actually just seaweed, no rope.

[@rnetsch]

The hardest part is where I’m at now. Classic, that about captures it.

[@fubarbazqux]

Having no previous wind sport experience, I gotta say it's way way harder than it looks in videos. I'm in my first dozen sessions, and it's brutal and frustrating. Stand up, fall, stand up, fall, stand up, slowly go twenty meters downwind, dancing to avoid falling, still fall. Do a walk of shame, rinse and repeat. Constantly twisting body for balance and handling the wing, it's a pretty intense workout. Still a lot of fun, but don't expect to learn this fast if you're new to all this.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

You got this, stay at it and in know time it all comes together! It is hard but so worth it..... We are cheering for you!

[@DavidFoxDotCom]

The full body workout is such a great bonus...no need to go to the gym! Persist. It is absolutely worth the effort.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

@@DavidFoxDotCom Amen David!

[@dfrancisco2307]

Is Fort Pierce a good spot to learn wing foiling? What shops provide lessons?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Stuart causeway would be better as it will be flatter but Ft. Pierce is fine as well when the swell is not there. Jupiter Kiteboarding teaches....

[@jpholmes503]

So, Cabrinha Macro vs Code???? Much difference for a new winger but experienced foiler? Also 175lbs rider - 5’4” 98L is a board that will go from beginner to Intermediate- or go bigger or smaller? Thank you for all the awesome videos- super helpful!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

JP, evolution always gets better! I would say the Code is better yes but the Macro works 100% if you are looking to get out ASAP! I think 5'4 98L is perfection for you. Might be a little challenging at first but the perfect long term fit....

[@TheWyndjunkie]

great video thank you inspiring i ws hope she would express her progression with size of board and when she swtched to a smaller and why. my wife is having a difficult time with board size. shes 118lbs and wants a board around 115l which i think is to big, but she wants stability first and foremost. would love a video on the subject of gear size and learning thank you keep it up

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you! We will have Kelly on our Live Show soon so stay tuned, you will be able to ask her questions! We have a few videos on gear, and tons on learning, check out our previous videos. Hope this helps!

[@foilsurfmachines]

My wife is 118 lbs also. When she was learning using her 100 liter SUP she struggled to get on foil. When she tried a 85 liter wing board, she flew instantly and was much happier. It was easier. BUT, my wife is a very experienced water sports woman, despite her age of 66 years. So….smaller will be way easier at some point, the question I can’t answer is, will it be for your wife right now.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

@@foilsurfmachines Thank you DW for the help! Hope to see you guys this weekend. Great info. We all go though the learning process of finding the right size board for skill level as well, never an easy one.

[@mussman3000]

How many total hours has kelly got in wing foiling, she said a couple month's ? is that 6hrs a day for 2 month's or ???

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Kelly owns a cafe so she has a busy work life, she wings 2-3 times a week usually when the wind lines up with her schedule. We will have Kelly on our Live Show soon so stay tuned, you will be able to ask her questions!

[@ArthurKite]

I had one year of kite foiling experience before start winging and the hardest part for me is balance on the board before get up and start winging. After the foil takes of, no problems with jibing and change stance after just 8 sessions.

[@RfQuintella]

Te seguindo no IG.. bom conteúdo

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

You are doing incredible friend! We watched your precession and you have hit LEGENDARY status!

[@obvioustrash7833]

Hey Damien, I wanted to ask something. Last week I was out wingfoiling with really gusty conditions (wind came from behind the houses on my lake) and you had 20m where there was no wind and then 20m where there was 30 knots. In those 30 knot sections sometimes it felt like out of the blue my wing got pulled down and up extremely hard all of a sudden. This is extremely hard to control while on foil and I was wondering if you maybe have some advice?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Sounds like your wing was too big, tends to do that if it's too windy for the size. I would say the best option is to go with a smaller wing. Hope this helps friend! Keep it up!

[@obvioustrash7833]

@@DamienLeroyKZbin it was a 4.5m slick so i guess the gusts may have been harder. Dont really want to invest in a 3.5 right now so i guess ill go with less wind! Thanks for the advice and have great sessions out there man!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

@@obvioustrash7833 Just reading this one! I would say keep your eyes looking around "up wind" as sometimes you actually can see the puffs of wind coming. The water will look darker and you can be ready for it by letting power out of the wing when it hits you! Gusty conditions are hard and takes time to manage it.

[@wildhogget69]

Nice work Kelly, but I do still believe in "Invest in a Vest" that foil is always there.

[@AngusMcIntyre]

Will an impact vest protect me from a piercing foil, or are you mostly worried about getting a base to the ribs?

[@wildhogget69]

@@AngusMcIntyre Basically I am protecting the upper part of my body, which is more exposed to falling onto the foil when learning. Had a couple of close calls when learning and it gives you that confidence to not worry about it. Also I have learned to "bail out" early when I know it's going wrong...lol. I also wear a helmet as when going out through the shore break on a beginner board with a large foil turned upside down, it's right at the level of my head. Just depends on your circumstances, I need to foil and I need to work, so those are my choices and reasons why to protect myself.

[@martinomovies]

Getting up on foil is the hardest part. But once you start getting up, it gets easier every time. Balancing on foil is not that hard … until you start hitting the waves and chop. Gybing is hard. So frustrating watching videos of pros who make it look so easy. I also recommend buying wet suit pants for beginners until they learn how to fall and avoid the foil.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Great advise thank you JakeDawg!

[@AngusMcIntyre]

Eventually the gybe just clicks and you will be able to whip around without thinking about it. The key is to go as fast as you can before turning, then let the wing go asap. Any wobbles will shed speed so keep those legs rigid and steer with your toes. Riding out toeside is its own challenge, so any distance you get will be a bonus. It comes with time so keep at it and have fun out there!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

@@AngusMcIntyre Thank you Angus for your insight!

[@stokedforsuccess100]

Wing foiling is NOT easy, but it sure is loads of fun. No doubt. Just wanted to say Thank You for putting a human face on this. Unless you’re part of some insider’s club of yahoo’s, it’s very encouraging to see the human aspect in videos like this. Makes it all just a bit less intimidating and approachable as a sport.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thank you for the kind words we are trying to just share our passion for the sport with others! We will keep at it. Have a great week!

[@proTheologist]

Its been hard, but I'm not giving up.

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Thats the right attitude! You got this.....

[@zebral1881]

15 hours for me and it steel hard to fly 😅 I’m 50 , but i keep on trying !

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

You got this friend! We are behind you! Here is some inspiration! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqHKpn1sgbN-hbc

[@felixcont8013]

If you have the WILL and the gear and conditions, you will succeed!

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

Very well said!

[@oliverpolden]

She said a 5m wing. What about foil?

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

She uses the Cabrinha 1600 x series front wing with 70cm mast

[@DamienLeroyYouTube]

We will have Kelly on our Live Show soon so stay tuned, you will be able to ask her questions!

[@tc158]

Wing foiling is for people too stupid to quit, like me!