WING FOIL: Foot, Mast & Weight Placement Guide

This guide explains the forwards-backwards positioning of your weight, foot placement and mast, including:
00:00 Weight, lift & pitch principles
01:10 3 ways of moving weight forwards or backwards of lift.
03:29 Target foot position & weight distribution.
05:39 How to get into a good foot position.
08:29 Mast movements

[@kitesurfcollege]

KZbin tends to recommend tutorials out of order. To watch wing foil tutorials in order you can use this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL41dAinz_9ZffUYrzT9c6MiZC0PEX41go All the best, Alex.

[@PhilipCrossVideo]

Hands down the best video on mast and foot placement I've 'ever' seen. The explanation - along with the graphics and diagrams make a slightly technical subject not only easy to understand, but also quite enjoyable. You continue to deliver at a very, 'VERY' high level. Thank you.

[@CroLarus]

You are "King of explaining" !!! Nobody say so much in such a short time with so much correct details!

[@user-yv6yq4dm2b]

ウイングフォイルを始めたばかりでわからないことが多くありましたが、こちらの動画をみてとても分かりやすく参考になりました。ほかの方の動画と比べ　非常にわかりやすく、論理的にフォイルの仕組みと乗り方がわかりました。足の置く位置とマストの取付位置が大切なことがわかりました。乗りながらいろいろ試したいと思います。ありがとうございました。

[@neilstrenge8503]

These videos are SO good!… I taught windsurfing for a lot of years, so fully appreciate how carefully worded and sequenced these are… thanks!

[@noureldinkhalil4458]

I cant stress how comprehensive this video is, thank you for uploading. Cant wait to report that i have foiled successfully !

[@noureldinkhalil4458]

Update: I have lift-off, followed by an immediate crash :D So much fun on the jurney so far, many thanks to this channel. One thing I can add is: Once you are taxying crosswind, keep going faster and faster and try NOT to lift (step forward, stress weight front), then slowly start manipulating the 2 variables mentined here. Enjoy the fall and avoid the foil!!!

[@geertmoens6761]

I have to comment and credit again (!) as I find myself returning to this page for guidance towards the ideal set-up. No better explanation taking into account all variables than this one !

[@bocawarrior5492]

This explanation of foil dynamics as it applies to winging is the most comprehensive and yet most simple I found in the internet at the moment.. I am a first timer and just purchased my first gear set, will be trying these concepts in the water this week end. Thank you so much.

[@R020777]

Remember,don't hurry,it is not a matter of "if",but "when" (I will be able to go).It takes time.

[@joostgt3]

Man, again a wonderfully clear explanatory instruction video! I work as an aerospace engineer, so I am familiar with the concepts of centre of lift and centre of gravity. However, somehow this hadn’t properly translated for me on what to do with mast and foot position. Basically you’re explaining stuff I already knew, but now I understand how to use that knowledge. Thanks so much mate! 🙏🏻

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thanks Joost, that means a lot coming from an aerospace engineer. I studied electronic engineering but probably would have enjoyed aerospace more.

[@olivierseydoux4735]

You produce the best wing foiling tutorials I've found ! Congratulations and keep doing new great ones. ;-)

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thanks so much Olivier. I'm currently working on about 10 new wing foiling videos, so there are lots more are on the way.

[@tomas2992]

Very instructive. I'd like to vote this the BEST training video I have seen so far. Thank you.

[@dieternagele3872]

This video is exactly what I needed! You explain the theory perfectly, so now I know what to change the next time I go wingfoiling. Thanx a lot!!!

[@olivierhazan3800]

The most pedagogical video on wingfoil I have ever watched. I gives simple information which might make me gain a lot of time and fun. Thank you very much.

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hi Olivier, I'm glad it was helpful

[@leapnlarry]

Excellent explanation of foot and mast position. I tore my hamstring efoiling because i had too much pressure on my back foot, i should have move back on the board. Having room much pressure on one leg for over an hour, popped the hamstring which kept me off the water for 3 weeks. I am learning to wing foil now and with this video i know when to move my feet forward or backward when one foot or leg is under too much pressure. Thanks again, this is the only video i have seen with this information. Larry

[@jamesmckenzie4572]

This is the best explanation of foot placement I've seen and I believe foot placement is the most important thing. Good job.👍

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thanks very much James

[@dengordo]

Amazing video! Surely will help a lot of beginners and those who are struggling to figure it out

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thank you Den

[@fernandodiasalbuquerque643]

Very nice video! Explains what everyone needs to know about the relation between sailor and foil. I sugest another video about shims x stabs and the effects in the front wing lifts and speeds.

[@surfertbone4333]

The nice thing about EQUAL FOOT PRESSURE while doing slalom style carves and keeping the wing bagged up w/ wind.

[@flo3245]

Brilliant Tutorial!!!

[@kitesurfcollege]

Cheers Flo

[@paulshapiro6119]

Great video. Answers all you questions about position of mast, feet, straps and body weight.

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thanks very much Paul

[@ventwave9129]

Muy buen vídeo. El mas completo y mejor que he visto para aprender. Muchas gracias por compartir

[@deniz7mel]

Thanks for a very informative and useful video.

[@kitesurfcollege]

You're welcome Deniz

[@tomsteggles4489]

Thank you. Excellent explanation of both mast and foot placement.

[@kitesurfcollege]

Cheers Tom

[@pgjunk2250]

This is brilliant! Thank you.👍

[@elic18]

very good explaining thank you

[@edizferitkula9920]

Finaly foil videos!! Thanks

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hope you enjoy them Ediz

[@Penarbed4You]

Brilliant ! Thanks a lot

[@JoseCastillo-cn4dc]

thanks, great video. I am a beginner

[@Terosuke_Japan]

今になって、理屈がわかった☺️ 日本は冬なので早く春にならないかなぁ☺️

[@westie2812]

Congratulations on the excellent series of Wing Tutorials! Towards the end of the video you commented on the case when the board and foil "were not designed to work together" (meaning from different brands). Is this something that could have an impact other than the need to adjust the mast position on the track? Thank you!

[@cuervofran79]

Thanks guys!

[@kitesurfcollege]

You're welcome

[@morcasIT]

Thanks!!

[@maxsalminen6774]

Question, if I find that the track is not long enough does it make sense to try shimming the base of the mast? I have a f-one foil on a Fanatic board and find myself standing way more back than the strap inserts...

[@geertmoens6761]

Top !

[@kitesurfcollege]

Thanks Geert

[@danthuente]

Great video as usual. You have a gift for teaching. I question if you misspoke around the 10:02 minute mark. You may have meant “mass” instead of Mast. If your nose is stuck in the water the shifting mast backward should make it worse? Thanks for clarifying and maybe it’s my brain that is backward and not your video? Best!

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hi, it's probably best to watch through from the start - the reason I say that is that the question you ask is covered earlier and the section you refer to has moved on from there. The section you're referring to is assuming you can find the correct position to stand for foiling (the foot position that means you have roughly equal foot pressure while foiling at moderate speeds). If you have found that position, and you then move the mast back, you will also need to move foot position back to retain the same weight distribution while foiling, or if you move the mast forward, you also need to move foot position forward to maintain the same weight distribution while foiling. Effectively, this can be used to change where you will stand on the board, and to make sure you're on the correct part of the board for taxiing and take off.

[@nabiledelbi5502]

Great explanation! Thanks! I have one question: When my foot position is set with front foot straps, do you recommend to tune the amount of lift also depending on the WIND SPEED? I had my first flights on the foil just last weekend. Totally flashed :-) The 1st day I had around 20 knots and used my 4m wing. The 2nd day I used my 6.2m wing at around 12 knots. As I had no experience with foiling before, the moment when the board drag suddenly disappeared was tricky for me of course. Apart from the very sensible balance on the foil, I had to learn how to control the pressure in the wing and riding speed respectively. The high speed wipe outs on the first day caused some bruises. I felt like, moving the mast backwards in strong wind gave me better control. In lighter wind, a middle position of the mast made it easier to get up on foil, while I felt less risk of getting too fast.

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hi Nabil, when riding in straps, then yes on a stronger wind day you will benefit from having the mast back a centimeter or 2. That will help you deal with the extra power of the wind, and the fact the wing lifts some of your weight. But you don't need to move the mast much. Also, if you've only done a few sessions it's probably best to remove your foot straps, you can hurt your ankles badly if you fall and your feet get stuck in the straps, even worse if only 1 foot gets stuck in the straps.

[@martinomovies]

In which match position would it be easiest to gybe? It seems like having it too far back would give you the most control but there would be a lot of swing weight. Too far forward would give you a quicker turn but make the board twitchy. Am I correct?

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hi Jake, assuming you can get into a decent position for foiling (not too much pressure on the back foot or the front foot), then moving the mast will not make a huge difference to jibes. With the correct technique you can easily jibe massive 150L boards with huge swing weight. Even with the foil mounted in the wrong place. To reduce swing weight as much as possible you would want the COM of the board and foil, to be directly above the center of pressure. You would need to work out where the COM of the board and foil is with the mast centrally mounted. You can get a good idea by turning the board upside down and lifting it from the approximate COP on the front wing. The board should be almost horizontal when you do that if the COP and COM are in line. You can move the overall COM of the board and foil backwards relative to lift by moving the mast forwards, or you can move the COM forwards relative to lift by moving the mast backwards.

[@israelmarcus5419]

👍

[@gregstrickland9667]

Thank you so much for these great tips. Could you offer me some advice on foot position, distance between feet, and foil position based on this video of me? Fast-forward to the last 20 seconds of the video to get a good look at the foil and my body position. I think I could remedy the stall by just moving the mast back, but wondering if my stance is too wide. Thanks in advance. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4Cwcop4hLFnY5o

[@gregstrickland9667]

I just reviewed your video and mine in much finer detail and now have reached the opposite conclusion. If I keep my feet where they are, I'll need to move the foil forward if I want to reach a balance in foot pressure. In my video, I'm applying a lot of weight to my back foot and moving my upper body back to try to compensate for not having enough weight on the stabilizer side of the foil. This is all in an effort to ride flat. When the foil does pitch up, my weight moves back drastically to the rear of the board, and lean way forward to try to flatten it out, but it doesn't work and I stall out...

[@kitesurfcollege]

Hi Greg, how's it going. In terms of the stall at the end, it's a classic, instinctive reaction. I have a stall video explaining it further. You were loosing speed and that caused you to loose lift. But the gut reaction is to lean more on the back foot to pitch up and regain lift. This then increased drag, lost more speed, and you stalled. At that last moment before stalling, if you had rather pushed more weight onto the front foot, and lowered the wing for as much power as possible, you would have kept much more speed and not stalled. Your foot placement doesn't look far off. As you said you are riding back foot heavy so the mast could move 2cm forward or your feet could move 2cm back. Your foot placement actually seems about right. You can tell because when you're taxiing, the nose of your board is raised only a little, which is spot on. If you were standing further forward the nose would catch chop more, if you were standing further back the nose would raise up too much and the tail would sink, creating more drag. So I would keep your foot placement, and you can slightly shift the mast forward. However, in stronger wind and higher speeds, you'll find that the foot placement and mast placement as shown in your video are spot on, since you'll be getting more lift and will need more front foot pressure to avoid breaching.

[@kitesurfcollege]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/foTHmHyubLuYgrssi=luDVsi2IQvo8WFdV

[@gregstrickland9667]

@@kitesurfcollege thank you so much for the feedback, especially my body position fore/aft on the board. I made a more detailed review video. Could you offer opinions on my observations. I think that the role my upper body is playing to shift the CG to the tail side of the foil in attempts to level off really amplify the issue of not being able to pump the foil. I'm basically using my upper body to compensate for foil placement. it's like I'm standing on a teeter-totter with both feet on one side and my upper body on the other side. If my feet were balanced on both sides (foil moved forward), I should be able to pivot/pitch the foil with mostly leg movement. In this video I'm relying a great deal on counterbalancing with my upper body. My upper body is so far back and my feet so far forward, that when I start to stall, my upper body bias rapidly shifts back, almost sending me off the tail of the board. At this point it's almost impossible to get my CG forward, even with my feet being so far forward of the foil. I'd love to hear your feedback on this analysis: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGmrdJuNndOYjqM

[@petergalli2001]

+