3 Key Wingfoiling Tips - Stance, Carving Gybes and the Foot Change

[@mattonm]

Thanks mate! I've been watching wingfoil videos for almost two years but I've learned something new from your video!

[@progressionsports]

Glad the video is helping!

[@karellefroid6407]

Thanks Rob, hope you will progress this into another progression series. I learned so much from the kitesurfing collection, it really improved my wave kiting

[@progressionsports]

Trying to find some time for more wing videos, definitely on my roadmap but need more hours in the day!! If I was to make another video what topic would you most like to see covered?

[@3421Greg]

There is a much easier way to change feet and it works for pretty much any kind of board. The problem with the pop method and the jump methods is that if you get them wrong you crash. You don't get the chance to practice very much. There is a zone of stability on any foil, typically it runs from just in front of the mast to about 2/3 the way to your front foot position. You can stand almost anywhere in this zone and ride along. You can have both feet together in "ski" stance. So, to practice your foot swaps, move your back foot forward to in front of the mast. Practice moving the back foot forward and back. Next, move your back foot forward, then practice moving your front foot back to be near your back foot. Practice moving your front foot back and forward. Practice these moves on both sides. You can work on the movement and try smaller dabs and bigger steps. Try to spend a bit of time with your feet close together in ski stance. Finally, move your front foot back, then move your back foot forward to the front riding position. You've just done a foot swap. There are several advantages to this method: - You can practice as much as you like with little chance of crashing. - You can do it at almost any time and with any amount of power. You don't have to line up and set yourself up and have a heap of power. You can just do it any time you like, and pause or reverse at any time in the swap. You've practiced all the elements previously. - The foil is always under load throughout the change. Load means power and power means stability. If you do this often enough the foot movements become streamlined and you end up doing the pop change, but only if when you want to. You can even do it on the surface if you've turned and you're trying to slog back to the beach.

[@Lucky-uk1bv]

You are suggesting this technique for Wing Foiling only, yes? whereby the foils are much more stable than when kite foiling?

[@3421Greg]

@@Lucky-uk1bv I use it for kite foiling for foils of 560cm, 850cm and 120 and 155cm boards, and wing foiling for low and high aspect 1500cm foils on 178cm (5'10") and 233cm (7'8") boards.

[@foiloco]

I have found foot switch very difficult. Thank you. Very well described. This makes sense. I’ve seen others In the ski stance. Now I know why. It’s the stable middle position of the foot switch. I plan to start practicing tomorrow.

[@robtindall9939]

Oh dear, now I will be thinking about that golf ball when I am winging ! Great video mate.

[@mmnnmt]

Nice one Rob, I've just started to add winging to my kitefoiling. Helpful video as always.

[@jamalschott5547]

The golf ball hint is awesome

[@scottewers9507]

Wow, your videos has helped me considerably. This is my first year winging. I’m coming from a windsurfing background and I have 35 years jibing by stepping back then moving forward. I’m trying to break that muscle memory winging by stepping forward then back. I have been struggling with this. This video is nice, but your video on Kitesofaing episode 3 - foot switch is what really helped me. I do exactly what you suggested, and I’m getting allot better with the foot switch. I do the dry land steps everyday - Repetition into muscle memory will help me nail foot switching winging. Thanks so much Rob…

[@progressionsports]

Hey Scott. So glad the videos are helping. Hoping to find some time for a lot more winging videos this year.

[@captainfoil3984]

Solid and concise advice. I'm a windsurfer about 20 sessions into learning wing foiling and all of this rings very true - particularly the jibing bit. I've had to fight the windsurfing-related urges to lean too far back and to carve turns too aggressively. What a great new sport!

[@progressionsports]

Patience is a key skill for any foiling discipline - be gentle , get your weight in the right place and just wait and then most things will come to you :-D And it only gets better - gonna get you out on the water way more than just windsurfing, so a great compliment.

[@Tobeon2]

Wow... Thank you.... Exactly what I was looking for!! Thank you!!

[@mookiedownie]

Nicely done. I'm loving the wind foiling here in Toronto and getting ready to get out on my S25 6M.

[@ThomasJoostenme]

Great video really helpful

[@melselvidge4158]

This was the most helpful jibe how-to I've seen. Mahalo!

[@progressionsports]

Wow, thanks!

[@reginaldsnooks723]

I’m at day 5 and this is GOLD just what I need. Answering my switch stance issues with the bum clench and then ready for the gybe. Cheers

[@TheFreerider67]

I think, those are some great tips and advice. Got my gybes down for me now it’s all about nailing the foot swap and this is some great info to go work with.

[@CaribsurfDon]

Great tips and really thorough explanation and video footage detailing every tip. I have referenced these tips many times before I wing foil, and they have been very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to post,

[@progressionsports]

Glad it was helpful! Hope to have some more Wing videos soon.

[@capicella]

Fantastic video. 25 years of windsurfing and no foiling experience for me. I am closing in on about 20 sessions. After some initial struggles, starting to make some good progress, and starting to think about the jibe. Loving the wing foiling as a light wind compliment to the windsurfing.

[@progressionsports]

Hey Chris. Yes Winging has such a wide appeal to people from many different watersports background (and those with little or no watersports background!). Glad the video has helped and I'll have some more videos coming out soon which should help you with the your jibes! Keep practicing and you'll get it 👊

[@pierrearmand2793]

Simple and concise, well explained, and ready to try out your instructions.

[@progressionsports]

Did it work?

[@pierrearmand2793]

@@progressionsports Actually I forgot what I watched the video. I just rewatched it and saved it. Great video. As I sail I remind myself to keep an upright posture, it helps speed and control. I am just learning the gybe. Your instructions should help, however, our season is nearly over.

[@nickmary1234]

I'm just learning the foot switch, some fanatastic tips. Thanks

[@progressionsports]

Hey Nick, have you managed to get out winging since watching the video? I'd love to know if the foot switches are improving.

[@nickmary1234]

@@progressionsports Thanks for response. Been practicing a bit. I'm Lyme Regis, so wind blown swells is what we predominantly get, lately it's been 3.5m wings and mega swell. I'm Ok-ish gybing from regular round to switch, then foot switching to my goofy stance, but often it's a hop rather than a smooth foot transition like you do. I really struggle with: riding goofy, foot switch, then gybe (because I haven't been trying goofy gybes...I should!). I need to take a trip down to Weymouth to practice on flatter water. Will kleep you posted.

[@progressionsports]

@@nickmary1234 Sounds pretty similar conditions to down our way, a quick foot change and gybe are essential in those conditions - some flatter water Weymouth sessions will definitely build some confidence and muscle memory. And force yourself to do that switch gybe, I gave it a go for the first time yesterday, carve was ok, the foot change needs some more practice! Definitely gonna be helpful in lighter winds or in lulls when coming out your heelside will give more control.

[@nickmary1234]

@@progressionsports I have an update and I am making good progress! The key point for me was when you mentioned getting the wing overhead/depowered. The problem I had been having is doing the foot swicth with the sail powered up, so the board is at angle, goging over waves/chop and there too much going on dynamically for me to handle. My steps have been, do regular foot gybe, sail along, bare away a bit so i can maintain board speed while being over the board, depower sail slightly...then straighten front foot, back foot up, other front back. On we go! I have also shortened my back foot step up, I was over-stepping too far forward. It's a real muscle memory thing and when I get it right, it feels so simple and effortless. If I mess it up, guaranteed I have too much sail pressure, so I'm leaning back into sail or I've rushed the foot switch too much and my chances of making it are reduced. I'm sure as I get better I will be able to maintain sail pressure. Anyway, your video has helped a lot, so thanks.

[@blooskyy7]

Thanks for these great tips, had my first successful wing foil and was surprised how intense it is on the arms, I'll definitely be trying your advice on hip and shoulder position.

[@claudiomarques2566]

Great tips, I would like to know your developments from there, after this seven days we got stuck on a plateau learning curve

[@andreatopcat8180]

excellent job! Thank you!!

[@alonfrancis1]

Excellent tips, Thanks a lot !!

[@rogerpierce4967]

Great info...all makes a lot of sense. Looking forward to next session to try it all. Thank you!

[@progressionsports]

Have you managed to get out yet? Love to know if any of the tips helped in practice.

[@simoncox2707]

Great video, no waffle with useful info for me as a four session learner transitioning from windsurfing and wind foiling. I've always been stronger on starboard tack and struggle on port so I'm thinking stance is the issue. Also a note to everyone, regularly check your leash connection to your wing. Mine came adrift this week and the wing blew away thankfully stopped by a kindly windsurfer.

[@progressionsports]

Glad the video helped. And everyone has a weak stance for various reasons - don't worry about it and don't push to do the same things on your weak stance as your strong side. Take it slower on that side and build up your technique step by step. It will come!

[@timventer9572]

Thanks so much, been struggling to one direction with the foot change, going my weak side, just could never manage, felt impossible. Tried your tips in my last two sessions, and yay, happy to say i have already made numerous successful foot changes, great tips!!!

[@progressionsports]

Awesone, that is great to hear, thanks for letting me know. Keep practising, the foot change is just about muscle memory and the more you do them the more natural they will become.

[@timventer9572]

@@progressionsports i came to watch this video so many times, so helpful. Initially I was really struggling with the foot switch. What really works wonders for me now is to raise the wing much higher, once I feel the lift in the wing i pull down on it to reduce my weight in a sense, feels like i'm hanging onto the wing, almost lifting off the board, so my weight onto the board is far less, it enables me to switch my feet comfortably, with plenty room for error. Thank you once again for sharing this. Looking forward to more wing foil tips from you in future.

[@pterodactylwing3229]

great advice. I already know how to do everything you said, but your step into the foot stance is 100% on point and is 100% easier to achieve. I have a long surfing background , and that comment that a couple of surfers said to you makes sense, SORT OF. The problem is, when you do a "jump" to switch your feet around, there is a jumping action which the board will react to. Your way is 1000 times better and more cognitive for a surfer who can jump switch stance already. And to the surfer who told you they are used to popping / jumping up to a standing position when taking off on a wave, you can tell him/her that they are brilliant, because that is paddling into a wave in a laying down/ prone position and not dealing with being on a foil with a wing where every little movement and action has a reaction from the board on foil. We could go down a rabbit hole talking about board size, wing size, foil size, foil type, etc etc, but the bottom line is your advice is 1000% on point.

[@progressionsports]

Thank, there is definitely various way of doing the foot change, and different people may find one way or another works better for them personally. For winging my experience is still relatively limited but from my kitefoil coaching background, I am always trying to find a way that can be replicated reliably and applied to the widest audience possible. The pop technique is possibly more technical and may require a better understanding of the timings of the different parts (this goes for kiting or winging) but my feeling is that once you "get it" your consistency can be far high in a wider range of conditions. The thing is when I teach in person, I use many of the other techniques that others have suggested as you can draw parts for different techniques to fit the rider and just get them foot changing. Then once they have some base you can build them up to whatever will work best for them long term. But its the beauty of wind sports and foiling particularly, so many ways we can dance around on our foils, which is what makes it so much fun :-D

[@MediaBrighton]

Nice one Rob. I'll try that tomorrow.

[@davidgaiakano9747]

The first two tips are right inline with what I found works best. I foot switch differently. I pop the nose down to give time for the new front foot to come forward to catch it as it comes back up. The switch is almost both feet at the same time, but I think my new front foot hits before the back. To practice, pop the front down and jump both feet off the board for a split second without switching. When this is easy, try the switch! The video could have been shorter and still provide the key information!

[@robadair]

Very helpful, thank you

[@imuahayn8082]

best wing tip video!

[@progressionsports]

Glad you think so! Will be making some more when I get out to South Africa for the winter.

[@raymondwitvoet]

great tips, especially the popping before the foot change, thanks!

[@progressionsports]

Have you managed to try any foot changes with the pop? Love to know if that tip helped at all.

[@raymondwitvoet]

@@progressionsports Yes it did work, still a bit wobbly

[@progressionsports]

@Raymond Witvoet Practice makes perfect 👣

[@rogerdodger3125]

Awesome info cheers

[@simonvictorsmith8730]

Terrific tips, thanks!

[@progressionsports]

Glad it was helpful! Have you seen some improvements in your winging since?

[@simonvictorsmith8730]

@@progressionsports Yes I definitely have. The hips forward arms extended works wonders and although my gybing is still terrible I'm getting much closer with keeping everything forward . May I ask what size foil your'e using? Do you recommend bigger foil smaller wing or the other way round?

[@simonpettifer8061]

Like it Rob ....been struggling with this ....got some good tips to try out now

[@progressionsports]

That lack of mast foot pressure is quite a change for windsurfers! Hope some of this helps, let us know how you get on.

[@StandUpMagazin]

Helpful video!

[@dansab7156]

Thank you for the video. Very very useful. Thanks to you I have changed my stance, and it is a revolution ! Now I need to nail a gybe, not there yet...

[@progressionsports]

Awesome, so glad it helped. With all the energy you are now saving, you'll have more time on the water and those gybes will come before you now it :-D

[@richardbarclay9095]

Excellent advice and well presented... awesome

[@progressionsports]

Thanks, hope it helps.

[@ColdsoupOne]

Thank so much for the tips :) I am not even flying yet but super useful ! I will think about that golf ball next time I am in the water :D

[@progressionsports]

Have you managed any golf ball practice? 😝

[@ColdsoupOne]

@@progressionsports I tried on Saturday but still not enough wind was a bit too light (10 to 15 knots) ! Some Strong Northerly tomorrow afternoon (20 to 30knots) I might managed ! and funny thing the spot is not too far from a golf course I will keep in mind when I am on the foil if I can ever managed it ! :D Thanks again !

[@STVO12345]

nice video! very useful...

[@DieKolbiesAbenteuer]

THX, great tips!

[@sakrets]

Very nice!

[@progressionsports]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@nadiyabaranova9666]

Thank you 🤙

[@richardharrison5433]

Very informative thanks

[@nickrhodes3378]

You nailed It!

[@StandUpMagazin]

Very helpful video!

[@progressionsports]

Thanks 🤘

[@christophemcintire2967]

Thanks for the good tips...🤗

[@progressionsports]

Let me know how you get on and if they helped.

[@Gilloup]

Forcing to weigh on the front feet by extending the forward arm is a great advice, thank you. But jibing remains hard for somebody who discovers only at exit riding in reversed stance. Any life saving tip to remain on board at the exit ? I don't find anything on internet about how to keep one's balance in switched stance.

[@dcharlton07]

thank you!!! I'm struggling with my jybes and I'm pullingin with my back hand after the switch and falling back, front foot forward, keep the back hand out and I won't pull in, thx!!!

[@IRWE905]

Brillant! I also find you need a little more speed going into the gybe more similar to Windsurfing vs Kitefoiling

[@progressionsports]

Really, that is interesting. I have never Windfoiled but for kitefoiling we find people constantly approach gybes with way too little speed and need to go fast. With winging I find I can most things really slowly but that was with the big foil I was originally riding. Now I am on a 1200 front wing everything does need to be done a little quicker. So maybe more foil dependant that discipline.

[@johnschukei1708]

The jibe turn on foil has not happening yet. My board lifts and dumps me. Will try your suggestions. It might just be me not committing to board speed (because I know I will fall) into the turn. Maybe I should move my mast back an inch?

[@progressionsports]

Moving the mast back might help though that might also make it harder to get on the foil. Set the mast so that riding along everything feels balanced, then do what you need to get the weight in the right balance during gybes and tacks. If you are strapless then definitely try moving your feet around, particularly your back foot as a 5cm move off your back foot can make a big difference. I am continue shifting my feet around as I increase/decrease my speed, going into and out of gybes and tacks. And the board/foil raising up as you go around the gybe is so common and so often its just the realisation of now much more weight needs to stay forward through out - instinct sends people back onto their back foot! The wing can really help if you constantly think about push the wing forward towards the nose, this will keep your weight forward over the front foot and also stop you lending too far into the turn.

[@marinjo036]

I'm 198 cm and 105 kg and I have a problem getting up on the board😀, do you have any suggestions to help me?

[@JeffreyJDavis]

Rob - thanks always for great and very helpful tips. Experienced kitefoiler nailing foot switch gybes both ways 99.97% of the time on a 93cm board, Moses 633 setup. I also have always used the "ollie" technique that you suggest and it works well. Here's my question: I'm one of those kiters that for whatever reason times my switch differently in each direction. Starboard tack I foot switch then carve around to heelside, Port tack I carve around to toeside , then switch. Would you advise that I keep that same timing once I start to go for gybes on the wing? I'm not on foil long enough yet that I am worried about gybing but one of these next sessions I will be.

[@progressionsports]

Thanks Jeff. And your foot change / carve sequence is the norm! Most people have a strong side for the foot change and a strong side for the heel to toe and the toe to heel carves. So it makes sense to do as you are doing as that means you are always using your strong side in all these techniques. Having said this, it is good to mix it up and work on the opposite switch stances from time to time as it does come in handy (and just improves your overall skills). The one area I have worked on particularly is the heel to toe foot switch on my weak side and therefore the toe to heel carve on my weak stance. These are particularly useful in lightwinds when the toe to heel carve is generally easier to get round with control and power as you exit on your heelside (hence more control and easier to pump or hand any stalling of the kite compared to being on your toeside). And back to winging - I currently stick to my strong toeside and heelside stances and corresponding foot changes, to minimise my crashing but next session I'm going to work on my switch foot changes and carves. I'm finding that I need those switch stance gybes when I'm riding waves. So don't worry to start with, do what comes easy but worth evening out the biases when you can!

[@JeffreyJDavis]

@@progressionsports yer awesome bro

[@RyanLee-cj8nk]

Do you enjoy the wingfoil or kiting with the foil more? I would love to hear your opinion? Thanks

[@progressionsports]

They are both fun and very different for me. Winging is really something I enjoy in waves in moderate to strong winds (being heavy, winging in lighter winds is not fun), though lighter people seeming to enjoy the lighter winds. Where as Kitefoiling in exceptional in the 10-15 knots range for light or heavier kiters, it's also brillant fun in flat water whatever the wind strength, loads of fun tricks to learn. Wingfoil in flat water is great for learning the core skills (gybes, tack etc) and if you use straps then jumping is probably fun, though I'm strapless and if I start jumping I have a feeling I'll be breaking foils, boards and my joints pretty quickly ;-) If you can't kite then wingfoil is an easier route into foiling. If you can kite already then kitefoiling is amazing, the learning curve is a little more steep but the rewards are big. Both have there place and winging is still early in its development so it will be interesting to see how it develops.

[@xavierbouchard679]

What is the size of your gear? I try once this summer, instantly hooked, but i don't know the best size of the board and the foil if i don't want to change it after the beginner phase...

[@progressionsports]

All my kit is listed in the associated blog post along with my weight, height and experience which all affects the equipment choices: www.progression.me/blog/learning-to-wingfoil-7-tips-after-7-days-wingsurfing You will find it way way easier to learn if you do get a bigger board and foil to get your started. Everyone has the same idea as you - get something that will last them for past a beginner, but those that go a bit too advanced too soon generally regret it as they struggle to learn, get frustrated and either give up or end up buying bigger kit! The questions to ask are: How much do you weight? What experience do you have foiling and in wind sports? What conditions will you generally be learning in - wind and water conditions?

[@gregwhittle3771]

Pushing Down Winner Thanks Geez :-)

[@dchiffy]

love it how about something about tacks :-)

[@progressionsports]

Will do, just need to get some flatter water so I can get them more consistently myself!

[@dchiffy]

@@progressionsports I’m a big fan of you vids, bought many and they help. Didnt make me a kie Lenny but i do ok. Thanks again Stay healthy

[@progressionsports]

@@dchiffy There is only one Kai Lenny!! But thanks for the support, really appreciate it.

[@niko36]

Bro stop winging it and fix your audio, sounds like you’re broadcasting from the loo!!!!