How to Wing Foil - Complete Beginner Tutorial

[@therabidweasels1486]

For beginners, the biggest board possible makes everything so much easier! I would say much more than 40liters over your body weight. I know this from 15 years of teaching windsurfing, it's the same principle. I use the 235 litre Air Beluga from RRD with a 2,450 square centimetre foil. It's so awesome, cuts hours off the learning curve.

[@StokedForTravel]

Awesome edit bro - looking forward to putting these tips into practice 🤙

[@felixfranz2799]

Great Video, I pretty much used it exclusively for the last 3 weeks to teach me wingfoiling without any other instruction. Now done 7 sessions and i am foiling in waves on the North Sea (with windsurfing experience).

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback and love to hear the success. Happy foiling!

[@arturp2041]

Thank you for professional video, I’m ready with new equipment,have plan going for first session tomorrow.I like your shirt where I can buy?Many thanks 🙏

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Thanks for the compliments! Good luck on your first session! You can grabl a shirt here: WCWingFoil.redbubble.com

[@chrispewkreme]

I have been prone foiling for years. Wing foiling is ridiculously easy, in comparison. So to anyone wanting to learn, I think wing foil is easily accessible and you can teach yourself unlike kiting. My first sessions I achieved flight. It’s all about having the right gear for your conditions, which is the hardest part about foiling as it’s pretty expensive and you’ll outgrow stuff quick depending on your progress.

[@FatherWaffle]

I’m a new rider. Started foiling this last summer with a great beginner foil (big board, big foil) behind the boat… I’m looking at a 6m wing (I’m inland PNW, we don’t get ocean coast leveled of wind) and I weigh 200lb. The foil is awesome behind the boat riding on the 2nd, 3rd, even 4th wave. So I’m hoping this wing will be good. I know it’s going to be another challenge, just like learning to foil!

[@westcoastwingfoil]

That sounds like a great size wing for your weight and where you ride! Anything sub 16 knots will be good for the 6m in my opinion!

[@johnchart2382]

Thanks for the advice! Heading out on my first session today as a COMPLETE newbie so this was a great reminder… lets hope the wind plays along.

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Awesome! Good luck. It's a tough journey but the most rewarding. Good luck and have fun!

[@deniz7mel]

Thanks for the video, very useful information. What is a “session”, how long is a session?

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Youre welcome. A session is just when you go out doiling on a given day. It can vary from 2 hours to 5 hours depending on your stamina and time available.

[@deniz7mel]

Many thanks for the clarification.

[@chrisk1389]

Thanks!

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Thanks for the support Chris! This is greatly appreciated. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions on your wing foil journey!

[@RicardoEspinosa-y4p]

Excellent summary, thank you !

[@paul-akers]

Great video really good information really appreciate it

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Thanks Paul! Glad I could help. Good luck on your journey to this amazing sport!

[@JABTV2008]

absolutely great tips and sound advice. As a beginner, I'm kinda awed by the challenge ahead of me, but I'm determined to get there and your motivation is powerful!! Thanks, mate!! Cheers. Marty.

[@gensurgerydoc]

Great tips! I couldn’t find your jibe video.

[@patrickmercer9951]

Hello I took my first lesson this past weekend- it went ok - I used a 5 m wing abd started on a wide wind surf board- Do you recommend practicing on a SUP with a center fin? Also I am 6 ft 220 what wing size and board do you recommend ? I know you mentioned add 40 to my KG weight- thanks for great video!!

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Hey! Nice work on your first session/ lesson! Practicing on a sup can help you practice your wing maneuvering. If you have it and want to have some low consequence practice it will help. That said, I don't personally think it's necessary and would go straight to a foil board. As long as it's big enough to float you, your first few sessions will be spent no the board and not really on foil very much. If you are going slow it's basically the same as a SUP... I always recommend AT LEAST 40 plus your weight in KG. If you go bigger, you'll have an easier time getting started! Hope that helps!

[@AlanAllegret]

As much as I love Roberts boards, I cannot in good faith recommend a beginner to buy a $3k+ board. Same for the Alulla $1700+ wing. No way! I'm glad you can afford and enjoy those, but a beginner IMO shall seek out good USED gear from a friend. They will inevitably destroy the gear, or realize winging takes more effort than expected. Better to realize that 1-2k in rather than 6k in. For the rest, I love your videos man, keep ot up!

[@bikesbeersbeats]

Wing/Kite gear also doesnt hold its value. Try selling gear that is 3+ years old... you'll learn you're not going to get even 40% of what you paid even if its in perfect condition. The manufacturers know this and typically orientate their marketing around "new" features that make the previous generations obsolete. While sometimes this is warranted the last few years the advancement in gear has slowed because most of it is bullet proof and engineered so well already. If you are patient you can get CRAZY deals in areas like San Francisco where many of the riders sell the previous year models for next to nothing.

[@glueguy2673]

Great tips everyone should know about

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Thank you! I hope more people find them :)

[@sorrythanks666]

What a great vid. Thx man. First lesson next week im stoked

[@kippywylie]

Is there something you could advise regarding safely releasing the wing in a crash? I start the first sessions next week and I've had some shoulder repairs many years ago. Thank You.... I've been an OR Aluula kitefoiling since the first Roams come out

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Hi There! It's safer to keep your leash attached for your wing at all times. it's a simply velcro that attaches it to your wrist. If you release it you will loose it and be stuck paddling in. You don't have to worry about it when you fall. It's not a big danger like kite boarding where it can drag you down wind. Hope that helps!

[@roundesthedgehog]

Is the tape you put one of your foot on the board standart for all wing foil boards?

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Are you referring to the foot strap? The holes to mount a foot strap are typically standard with most wing foil boards. Some come with foot straps and some do not. If they don't, you can always buy them in various places online or at your local board shop. I only put one on the front and leave the back open for safety. If you have a bad fall and get stuck in your straps in can cause serious injury in some cases. I put my front strap on to help get up in light wind and leave the back open. Hope that helps!

[@roundesthedgehog]

@@westcoastwingfoil Thank you for reply. I think i'll ask for strap for one foot too.

[@jesse.ignell]

When you're learning to get up, does it matter if you are trying regular vs. goofy? Or is the stance direction mostly dictated by the conditions? Thanks!

[@westcoastwingfoil]

You should always choose the stance where your back is to the wind. You will be holding your wing on the down wind side of your board. This will force the stance required based on this wind direction. Only when you are riding condidently will you be able to choose your stance. Hope that helps!

[@jesse.ignell]

@westcoastwingfoil thanks for the info!

[@victorv123]

And also helps to have played some kind of sport. Good to have some balance and some coordination.

[@drbfitk366]

Just AWESOME!👏 You're a talented & natural instructor. I'm subscribing. This is a highly technical endeavour, which you break down into executable steps and even estimate how long a novice will take to learn. After kiting, skateboarding, & snowboarding I was still hesitant to undertake this sport, however you inspire confidence that these skills can be learned with patience. I'll be studying your videos🏄‍♂😎☀🇨🇦

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Thanks for the compliments and welcome to the wing foil family! I'm glad you are making the leap. It's not the easiest journey to start but once you get that first feeling of flying over the water the payoff is huge! Looking forward to sharing more content to help you progress! ✊💪🏄✈

[@drbfitk366]

Are you on Patreon for subscribers to your channel to support?@@westcoastwingfoil

[@westcoastwingfoil]

@@drbfitk366 Yes! Although I don't often promote it... You can reah the patreon page here. Thanks for your support! patreon.com/WestCoastWingFoil

[@berndkascha4856]

Top, Merci, Thank you

[@Trending2023shorts]

do you recommend first learning only with the board and without the foil if you don't have any waterboard experiences? Thank you!

[@westcoastwingfoil]

You can definitely give it a try with just the board. You can also practice on the beach with the wing. This all helps gives you a grasp of the wing and the positions you need to be in to direct you across the wind. Definitely a good idea. Once you're comfortable going across the wind you can add the foil and start practiciing getting up on foil. Keep in mind that even if your foil is on your board you can still ride on the board and not on foil. Getting up on foil takes work so if you want to stay on the board that shouldn't be an issue.

[@Style-plus-renovations-NZ]

Nice video. Well explained 👍

[@curtlanyi7868]

Well put together video. Some good info posted. I just wanted to add (right of way) To know your right of way is to avoid a serious collision on the water. Depending on the wind direction Starboard has right of way. If your on starboard and you don’t hold your course when another vessel is approaching you lose your right of way. Please understand these rules, it’s important to us all. Remember you are considered a vessel if you have any type of sail. eg. kiteboarding/ sailboat/ windsurfing/ wing foil. Kayaks and swimmers have all rights. Motor boats have to yield to vessels. Be safe out there fellow wind surfers.

[@domkelly1972]

I am trying to learn to wing foil . If you have not got calm water with high wind then forget it. Open beaches are a big no. Wind means waves and they are risky when learning. You need a lagoon or some kind of lake. If you dont have that the equipment makes no difference. All the videos i watch as tutorials have this miraculous calm water with high winds. Unless you have access to calm water with high winds you have little chance. The learning curve means you have to practice a lot , like every day. I can do it now but the days that i can ride are probably once every 3 weeks at the moment.. nowhere near enough to get better.

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Hi Kelly, sorry you're having a hard time. You are right in that it is rarely calm water when the wind is blowing. I definitely did not learn in calm water. When the wind is around 15knots it's ideal because that normally means less chop but still enough wind. That said, there is always going to be waves to some degree. The best thing you can do for yourself is get a high volume board. 125L - 145L to start. Higher volume is going to give you more stability and give you the best chance to stand and work on catching wind. As soon as you catch wind your board becomes more stable. Then once you get up on foil you don't feel the waves! Keep at it and I'm sure you'll pass that difficult point where it feels like you're not making progress.

[@Burger-yg7ee]

river would be great then.

[@katherinekorniyenko1283]

Nice video! What camera and mounting you use to have such a nice angle while riding?

[@westcoastwingfoil]

I've got a video showing how I do it. Check the video description as well as I've changed a few things: kzbin.info/www/bejne/paiTcn6rba-SfMUsi=xEYjD5_cotGs5wb_

[@danthomas9624]

Lots of great advice, thanks!

[@FatherWaffle]

11:52 I started foiling behind a boat on a rope… and the first time I got slack in the rope, lost balance, then didn’t let go of the rope, I fell and the boat pulled me forward as my board flipped up… and long story short, I stomped on the edge of the foil with my foot… that was 3 months ago, and the bottom of my foot still hurts

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Ouch! Sadly this can happen in any kind of foiling you're doing. The foil is dangerous and when ever you're sensing a fall you want to go with the momentum and get clearance from the board to try to prevent this. Glad you're OK!

[@danzbeard]

Thank you for this video! I have a question for you: I kiteboard, surf, and wakeboard, but I've yet to wing, and my wife is a complete novice/beginner (no watersport experience). I'm trying to figure out a setup that will work for both of us to learn on. I know it's not ideal, but I'm trying to save some money. I'm 6'0 190lbs (86kg) and she is 5'4" 120lbs (55kg)... This is the setup I have in mind: Board 90L, Foil 72-75, Front wing 1850, wing 5.0... Conditions at our spot are deep water and wind 10-20 knots. Thank you in advance

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Hey! My first instinct is your board is too small for both of you. Do you have foil experience? If not, you're going to really struggle to even stand on your board, never mind get on foil. I'd suggest getting a bigger board and your wife will really benefit too as it will be more stable for her to learn on. If you have no foil experience a 125L is where I'd start. If you are insistant on doing something smaller, 110 would be as small as I'd go. You most likely won't be able to get on foil if the wind is under 15 knots at first no matter what board you have. Bigger board is going to be way more fun for both of you. It's always doable with a smaller board but you're going to spend a lot of time swimming and you may end up deciding it's not worth it and get a bigger board anyway. Hope that helps and good luck!

[@danzbeard]

@@westcoastwingfoil Thank you very much for this insight and feedback! I genuinely appreciate it! I don't have any foil experience, and I now completely understand that going bigger is definitely the way to go. Thank you very much!

[@editor4958]

There is no discussion at all about how to steer. Is it like a windsurfer- fore/aft sail for starboard/port or more like surfing with leaning, or a combo. Basic but necessary stuff and a big omission.

[@gazza0209]

Useful video, I have just purchased a starter kit and can't wait to get out on the water or should I say in the water as I will spend most of time there. Quick question, you talk about sessions, i.e. after 4 sessions you should be on the foil but what exactly in time is a session, is it a day out on the board or a couple of hours? Just trying to get a realistic appreciation of how long this is going to take especially as I am doing this on my own.

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Hey Gazza, congrats on the purchase! Take those suggested milestones with a grain of salt. The milestones can vary widely but give you a rough idea. It will depend on your conditions, gear, skill level, and experience. Depending on how much energy you have your session could be a full day or just a few hours. The most important thing is you keep going despite the sport being really hard at the start. Good luck starting your journey with this incredible sport.

[@gazza0209]

@@westcoastwingfoil Thanks for getting back to me, I have done a fair amount of windsurfing in my life and have a SUP that I got out on in all conditions so I am hoping the balance and wing control should come to me relatively fast, more concerned about being up on the foil, I am far from a young man and have that mid life spread so we will see how it goes :).

[@anthonymayfield2031]

Where can I get that t-shirt?

[@westcoastwingfoil]

The link for the t-shirt is in the video description!

[@andriusrisovas4619]

What about mast length? I use 85cm behind the boat and have no issues taking off and foiling. But struggling a lot with the wing. Falling on take off. Also what angle regarding the wind is the best? 90 degrees or more downwind?

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Good questions! 85cm is a great mast length for beginner and advancing riders. it gives you room to make adjustments and allows you enough margin to get through chop. I always suggest angling a bit downwind to get going. It will help you get going from a dead stop. Play with the angle to find what works best for you. Between 90 degrees and about 70 degrees is probably a good area to test out.

[@sirkildalot8409]

Looking forward to two weeks of wing foil training in Vasiliki. Only a week to go! I’ve foil surfed for a long time but really want to learn how to wing foil. Wish you’d recommended some footwear!

[@bethmatthews4231]

Hi Where did you choose to have lessons In Vasiliki? Thanks

[@doctorjet1]

As a beginner with no prior water sport experience, and some time out on the water, I think your number of sessions required to get going is way to optimistic. Finding your balance to able to stand up to get going takes time (my board is way bigger than the plus 40 guide) and then there is all the time wasted getting back up wind in-order to be safe. Getting to the right location (flat water as possible) and in the right conditions is also not easy unless you live on the doorstep of winging heaven.

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Thanks for the input. I definitely agree that suggested number of sessions varies and it was only supposed to be a rough guide. It's always tough to find perfect conditions but I do believe it's all about time on the water. Good luck with your journey. Once you "get it" the struggle is always worth the reward.

[@lbermude]

I agree. This is not a beginner video. Just a compendium of experiences. He is trying to teach you how to run when you don't know how to crawl.

[@peterbrazier4370]

Good stuff we’ll explained thanks a lot 😎

[@manoelbarrosmarin2698]

Great video, thanks a lot!!!

[@zbindenren]

What do you think of inflatable beginner boards?

[@westcoastwingfoil]

I don't have anything bad to say but I still would recommend a hard board if you have the choice. Main reasons are that hard boards are stiffer and provide less "stick" when getting up on foil. It's not a huge difference when you're learning but just slightly less desirable. What board were you looking at?

[@zbindenren]

@@westcoastwingfoil I have no idea yet. Do you have any recommendations? I think since the beginner board has to be larger, I am afraid that a hard board might not fit into the car. That is why I consider inflatable board.

[@westcoastwingfoil]

@@zbindenren Ahh that makes sense. In that case, the only inflatable I would recommend is this one: mackite.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=109&url=41

[@martinomovies]

Great tutorial. Agree with everything but … I would not recommend the Aluula wing to a beginner. They are expensive and a beginner is likely to damage a wing. I recommend the Duotone 2023 Slick because they have a lot of power, a very tight canopy, and a boom (for easy hand placement). Also, once one is comfortable riding, one should move to a smaller board as soon as possible. Smaller boards are easier to gybe and easier to keep level in high winds and waves. The next board size down should be either equal to or 5 L over one’s weight. First two sessions with the smaller board feels like learning all over again. But after that, one will never want to ride a big board again.

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Thanks Jake. Great points and perspective! For me, I wanted to buy 1 wing that would last me as long as possible. So Aluula still would have been appealing but definitely is a higher price tag and more expensive if you do put your foil through it. I still think people rush to smaller boards a bit soon. But if skill and budget allow then it's great to size down and get the benefits of riding smaller boards. That said, people like me riding light wind are better off going a bit bigger as smaller boards are a lot harder to get on foil for beginners in light wind.

[@eroldcroft3045]

I am 6 2 and love big boards. Besides, I started a mile high club at sea level with Marquette university gals. I take them out across lake Michigan. A big board serves me. I put a temper pedicure layered roll on top . No one's complained so far

[@MTBs]

Great video, thanks! I notice that this is a very expensive sport. I used to kite surf 10 years ago and that equipment then didn't cost a fraction of what a full wingfoil set costs. What about these low priced options, like the gong-galaxy? Is that brand a complete scam or any usuable to get in to the sport?

[@westcoastwingfoil]

I don't have any direct experience with gong. I have heard people ride them and they don't fall apart... as a beginner you're probably safe to give a cheaper brand a try. Once you progress you will be more motivated to get a better brand. Going a bit cheaper means you'll be less worried about dings and scratches but you also won't have much resale value when you want to upgrade. Hope that helps!

[@romankrhovjak3568]

I have Gong beginner set 2022 and it is okay as far as I can say as a beginner. No problems with that, but I did not try a lot of other wings/boards brands. Build quality is good, no problems yet. We used it for around 50 hours my and my wife.

[@MTBs]

@@romankrhovjak3568Great feedback. Thanks! 🙏

[@tomrfrazer]

thanks, good vid

[@TiagoRuivo]

I can garantee you that if you dont have access tova boat you wont be foiling in the first 5 to 8 sessions, let alone 3. Specially if the water is choppy. I lnow because I work as an instructor and i know how hard it is, even if you have previous kite experience.

[@jonapasckvale]

I am on my 16 session and just started getting up on the foil 3 sessions back. My longest sustained ride on the foil is around 3 seconds. I am a little older but I am a lifelong surfer and was a decent athlete when I was younger . I feel better about my progress after reading your post.

[@verryondrums]

I've also had 14 sessions and I only once got accidentally on foil for a super short time. It takes time, depending on conditions (wind, waves, spot..), equipment and previous skills like other wind/water sports etc. I always feel bad when someone tells me "everyone can do it in 3 to 5 sessions" and I had very wrong expectations because of this.

[@guypisapia]

How long is one session?

[@westcoastwingfoil]

2-4 hours typically! But it's really whatever you have time for, energy for, and consitant wind :)

[@guidostrebel9645]

I like your way of explainig you ole Canadian ❤ 22:32

[@toonybrain]

I have a Lift eFoil. I hope that will give me a slight edge. 🙂

[@andreatopcat8180]

great tutorial and great tutor!

[@basedjustice]

this was awesome but bro you literally said dont get a smaller board to start out with, and then you said you upgraded in 10 sessions. many people dont have disposable income to just drop 1000 on a board they use for 10 sessions

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Totally hear you about not having disposable income to spend on multiple boards. I still stand by the fact that you need a big board to start. You don't need to go smaller so soon. You'll be happy foiling on a bigger board for long time.And the alternative is that you spend 10 sessions battling and getting know where vs actually learning to foil. Hope that helps!

[@paulcowles8666]

👍

[@mindofown]

Gybe

[@maxagent86]

These are not wings in the true sense, these are kites. This sport should be called hand kiting. Still cool, though.

[@westcoastwingfoil]

Aren't the "sails" the eact shape of a wing?

[@maxagent86]

@@westcoastwingfoil The outer contour gives the impression of a wing, but the whole inner shape, which is what matters, has the shape of and behaves aerodynamically as a kite.

[@westcoastwingfoil]

@@maxagent86 I guess in a "true sense" you're right. But since Kiteboarding/ foiling was taken I can see why it makes sense to call the sport Wing Foiling... 😎

[@maxagent86]

@@westcoastwingfoil Handkiting / foiling would have been better, I believe.

[@lbermude]

2 to 3 sessions you should be comfortable..... Bahahahahahahaaa lol yeah right... Thumbs down