The Wingfoil Waterstart (On Low Volume Board) Step By Step & Tips

[@cefirmeza]

Thanks for the video but allow me to say that this 55L board is by far the hardest board to balance on your knees. The weight distribution is just wrong. Just go for a full sinker that you can step on and have the water level on your waist to chest. The easiest method is just squat and bend your front knee while step on back deck on your toes. Rest the back knee on the board may be usefull. Easily grab the wing over head and just jump while pumping the wind. Such low area in contact with water just makes it pop out with not much effort. I dont see any reason to use a bulky heavy over volume board unless you are a very begginer or ride in lightwinds. I think the industry just wants to sell boards. Today I use 25L for 20 knots above and 34L for 14-20 knots.

[@BLusikPL]

I'm actually on the stage of having the buyer remorse, as I got myself Sky Wing 5'0 (75l) weighing 85kg. I have a lot of windsurfing experience, but find it really difficult to find the balance on the board. After a couple of sessions, I finally managed to stand up on the board, though I haven't flown on the foil just yet. However, seeing that even pros are also really struggling gives me hope and I will keep trying! Thanks for the video!

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Keep it going Senths 👍

[@Foilfun]

Well, I’m the guy in the video working hard to get going on the 55L wingboard. After a year of winging, here’s what I’ve learned: (1) winging is NOT kiting, it's closer to windsurfing; (2) learning on the 55L board slowed down my progress; (3) use at least a 95L board for learning and for riding in lighter winds (I bought an inflatable); (4) use the 55L board in big winds for jumping and carving; (5) while it initially sucks, learn to ride on your knees (it’s also fun foiling on your knees later); (6) use bigger wings (hand and foil) when learning; and (7) there are no real shortcuts. Good luck and have fun!

[@carneyhuesos6535]

How much you weight?

[@Foilfun]

@@carneyhuesos6535 With all my gear, 165ish.

[@oolong2]

Now I don't feel so bad... Bought a board that is probably about 15 liters too small for my beginner self. Not small enough to sink completely, but not big enough to stand on, Struggled for hours in gusty winds that were way too light for me to get going, got lots of stares from people on the shore wondering wtf I was doing, but I basically came up with a technique that is very similar to what is presented in this video. So I'm glad I was on the right track. I just need a day with enough wind.

[@briansmith207]

Right there with you, the smaller board takes an enormous amount of energy to stabilize, I like my board, but I'm getting another with a tad more volume to start with.

[@oolong2]

@@briansmith207 Yeah it was a work out... Took me a few hours just to get used to how the board was balancing. Unfortunately for me there won't be enough wind for me to try again for awhile. I think the most important thing is having enough wind to help you stabilize, but I'm right there with you. I've been thinking of getting a larger inflatable SUP style board as a back up.

[@henryhester1897]

I’m on a 7’10” 21” DW with 127 liters. I now have 6 session which are limited to about 30-45 min before exhaustion and the walk. I can get to my front foot consistently but as soon as my rear foot touches the board, I’m off the heel side, same thing repeated every time. There is micro success every attempt but two walks up the beach render me wasted. I even had a buddy hold the rear of a wider 8’ board, stood for 5-6 seconds (my record) before falling. I’m 72 200lbs maybe 210 with gear. The word frustrating comes to mind until… everyone I talk to says is a two month process to foiling.

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Hang in there. Unfortunately they’re right. There’s no shortcuts and soon you’ll forget these struggles that make it seem improbable to succeed. 👍

[@Andreas_K_]

Just don’t see this as fun. But to each his own. Nice video

[@stokakrishna]

Agree. It looks awkward.

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

It's definitely an internal excitement.

[@J10TAY]

The Gong Hipe is an awesome board. It's cheep too

[@nicolasboudet9302]

Thank you for this nice vid! In 5 mn I can clearly assess that this kind of sport is not for me! 🥴 I gave up windsurf because waterstart was so difficult and enjoyed kite with TT with so easy to learn and succeed waterstart 😇. I can imagine than people would love to make several hundreds of failed tests but personally I prefer to use the infrequent windy days to enjoy ride and jumps that I master now😎

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Nicolas. This video was in reference to a small volume board. The boards that are 5-6’ with more volume are quite easy to Waterstart.

[@nicolasboudet9302]

Fair enough! Appart being new with marketing interest from gear makers, press, youtubers...I am still doubtful of the interest for a large public...😎 How to deal with big waves or big « on »shore break , or low depth water, rocks, lake seaweeds...🧐

[@linusliedholm9346]

Nicolas Boudet this is how you deal with big waves 😀kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGXKi3yJecagfqM

[@robertco7]

Great video! Yesterday I tried a 38 L board after having learned for 3-4 months on an 80 L. It was really hard and I got pushed way downwind. But by the end I think I figured out a system. Put the wing downwind followed by the board and you. Sink the back of the board deep while holding onto the wing and out your back foot in the footstrap. Then lean w your elbows on the front of the board and get your front foot onto it and possibly also in the strap. Now push down while holding onto the wing and the entire board will sink below you. You have to balance it, even underwater, by squatting all the way down. Now wait for a gust and fly the wing as usual. This has to be done w good timing or you'll fall and the board will pop up.. Then pump like heck. Just my experience would love to hear others'

[@bluejuice57]

I have the Hipe 5'3". I'm at the very stage your talking about. I use a 4.2 V1 an xl allvator and 55cm stab, mast is 90cm. Our predominant wind is a SW 25+mph, small white caps. This makes balance slightly harder! But it powers up the V1 nicely. The last couple of days we have had a ENE wind between 14 mph gusting 22 mph! Great for balancing on the HIPE with flat seas however not much good for powering the wing. Any how that what I've learned sofar on 3 sessions. Autumn winds I'm looking forward to. Great vid 🤙

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Thx for the feedback and for the kind words. Also looking for the fall winds here.

[@jonthesailorman]

Just tried out a 26l board the other day, and almost had it going!!! One thing I will add, make sure you're in deep enough water to stand on the board while you're floating in the water. It should be well overhead deep, otherwise it's very easy to hit the bottom. The flatter the water, the easier it is.

[@scnomad3626]

Jonathan Erbele what is your weight?

[@martinarrowsmith6463]

Great vid, good advice. I bought a 75L Sky wing board and I am 74Kg with no previous foiling experience. I admit this was a bit arrogant of me but after 4 sessions and can now stand up and chug about getting up a bit in the gusts (not really cracked pumping yet ). I really enjoy the challenge.

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Absolutely Martin! I’m hooked.

[@jessespooner2757]

Thanks for this info Martin! I am similar in kilos and looking at buying the same board. 30 years surfing and sailing experience but no foiling. It looks like I’m set for a challenge. Stoked for the journey!

[@alfredopereira6884]

I have been a windsurfer for 30 years and I am thinking about picking up Wingsurfing. I am 70 kg and I read that to learn you should go with 30-40 L above (that's 100-110) do you think that is exaggerated ? Thanks

[@neilbrady495]

@@alfredopereira6884 I've been windsurfing since 1975 ., raced for 5 years etc. I started windfoiling on a 142L Naish with a 6.0 Severne and able to foil in 8 mph wind . I'm 80kg. I'm now on a 130l Wizard for wingfoiling with primarily a 5.0 Strike. I need 12-15 mph.

[@kec2528]

Great video. I am an experienced windsurfer learning to wing foil. I bought a 115l board (I weigh 185 lbs) in hopes of speeding up the curve. Fun learning again.

[@salvino777]

Gteat and timely video. I’ve just begun on 99L board for first wing foiling voyage. First session was disaster because tried the on both knees technique. Next few were (better researched) tripod tech with front foot flat on board, hand on wing and rear shin across board with foot hooked on windward rail. Way better method! Your vid is going to apply as more people move to smaller boards. BTW the wing experience is super fun!

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Couldn’t agree more Salvino. I’m addicted!

[@lomicwind]

Neat trick to put the front foot in place while keeping the wing as a buoyant stabilizer. I was already using the wing to stabilize me BUT I was just kneeling with both knees, then start sailing THEN place my front foot while the board is already moving, and then I was waiting the good moment to stand up. I will gain time and energy by putting my front foot on the board BEFORE putting the wing into the wind :)

[@jannegarvik7023]

and your weight is? It tells me nothing when you write 99L board, if I don't know your weight.....

[@meshmellow]

Thanks for keeping all of us honest. Your keyword is “commitment”. If you have just few wind days (hours) a month to squeeze between work and family it’s important to be realistic. I’m personally carrying my skySup 6.7 along my 5.8. Just to make sure I make the best use of the time and not get home frustrated.

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Good words meshmellow!

[@robinmordasiewicz]

Got myself a 130l board. I can probably sell it after I spend a season learning, then get a smaller board.

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

These boards are in such short supply right now Robin, it shouldn’t be a problem.

[@btango6929]

"Unless you're Kai Lenny". Yeah. His big board is 32 liters. He is gonna use an even smaller kite board for flips. The guy is unreal.

[@dalbrecht]

No,- just no… I will pass on that and buy a 85 l board instead 😉

[@claudiobertadeazevedo4669]

First ROB a Bank if not rich enough, then start this extra side kick, it's addictive and new BETTER material is gonna come every 2 months

[@TylerKaraszewski]

I ordered a Gong Hipe 85L and have no real desire to go smaller than that at the moment. I won’t be jumping it or riding it strapped and this board I can share with my wife and kids and teach them on it. On the other hand, I can do this “stand on the board underwater to waterstart” thing on a small wakefoil board, so maybe it wouldn’t be that hard to learn on a wingfoil board, but I still don’t feel the need to go smaller than the 85L (I weigh about 80kg) just because the ability to schlog in light wind not on foil is valuable, and like I said, I think the 85L will be great for teaching my 9-year-old daughter.

[@bustedpresents]

195lb dude on a 88L board. Went out for the first time last weekend and the struggle is real. Thanks for the tips. From Lake Champlain Vermont.

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Thx for the update Chris. Keep grinding. What a beautiful place to learn.

[@koejoe]

Awesome video !! Thank you 🙏 I’ve been seeing some sit straddle starts to stand up. So Kool that everyone is sharing techniques. Safe to say leg training and building strength in your knees is always good to prevent injury and makes it easy for awkward torque on the joint.

[@3421Greg]

I've had two sessions messing around with a 40 litre board for my 77kg. Once with no wind. Once with lots of wind but stupidly gusty and variable. I have not succeeded yet, but that's ok. I've got about 40 hours winging on a couple of SUPs and a heap of kite foiling experience. Definitely the first half of each session is hopeless. But an hour in and the impossible (kneeling and standing on the board) becomes doable. Now to get the wing to do something useful. I also tried a windsurf style water start. That wasn't going to happen, but with enough power I think it would be doable. One trick I did work out. When getting onto the board on your knees, hold the leash of the wing in one hand about 50cm down. As you push the board down the wing stabilises the board and it's much easier to get on your knees and get one foot in the strap. Once in that position you can lean on the leading edge and be quite stable. Now I just need to sort out getting the wing off the water.

[@jeffreywilkinson1471]

Awesome video, thanks!. I bought a 75L 5'0 Sky Wing board in May 2020. I did ZERO large board training and I took a beating until just this August - I'm now comfortably up and riding. I have prior windsurfing and foiling experience so I just went for a small board! It would have been nice to have known the "Mayor's" weight because it's all about weight difference between rider and board. Since it's a 10L difference for me (I'm 85kg), I found that the knee start with supporting weight on the wing was crucial as your video shows. Daniel's example is really hardcore because that is a super small board (it looks like the weight difference is extreme). Perhaps consider making a video with a small weight-bouyancy difference. My knees and feet lost a lot of skin from all the rubbing while learning to get up. Also, I found that having an overpowered wing was also helpful so I could lean against it when I first got it up. Finally, a carbon wing and mast made a big difference because it reduced the weight of the setup (W1100 from Moses). PS The Sky Wing 75L for my weight is absolutely the best and I'm glad that I didn't buy a large board. But I did take a wicked beating.

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Jeffrey, Daniel’s weight is listed on his profile that I listed on the video: 155lbs. I’ve already made a Waterstart video for a 90L board with myself (160lbs) riding. Definitely a different approach with these negative buoyancy setups. Thx for the feedback 👍

[@toandorra1]

Hi, very helpful, cannot find your video with 90 l. Board.

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXqYfH5qZdCdnbs

[@toandorra1]

@@TheOKKiteboarder Ok, thank you

[@jeffreywilkinson1471]

Since the sport is so new, it may be helpful to detail in a listed format the riders weight, board volume, wing size, and wind speed. Learning for me would not have been possible without your channel as well as Alan Cadiz and OneMauiDay. Let’s see you on a 60-70L board since you’re so light!! Thanks for the great videos.

[@ishtarluesby5269]

Did you get the Gong Hipe. Would like to know your thoughts.

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Waiting to receive it.

[@alexfuller818]

I have a 58ltr Board, 15 ltrs below my weight. I got going in 10 mins, I am no Kai Lenny. 3 important tips I would add. 1. Practice in fairly flat water spot; 2. Stronger wind is your friend, 18 knots +; 3. Don’t bother until you are already proficient on a bigger board. As you get better, there is another way: Before kneeling on the board hold the front handle of the wing, with the board in front of you, and try to get to to you knees whilst holding the front handle of the wing. This way you are ready with the wing with the wind filling it and supporting you sooner. This avoids the the part you are most likely to fall off which is the bit going from kneeing on the board and leaning on the wing to hold it up with the wind filing it. As soon as you have the wind filling the sail and supporting you it’s relatively easy (if there is a decent wind). Once up and riding low volume board is so much fun, and not harder to gibe etc, better glide, plumbing, turning, and jumps if you are in to that. The down side it if there are waves you are slower getting out of trouble (for now anyway, only used 4 times).

[@nice2care]

I had the shish kabob situation yesterday. It very windy gusting up to 40. When I tried to flip the board over the wind blew it back and foil landed on my wing 😩

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Ugh. The worst. 😞

[@EpicGust]

Cool stuff thanks for the knowledge! Just tried a couple of times this winging stuff, well it is not easy 🤯😅 but love to be a beginner indeed! Once I memorise all the 275 steps to get on the tiny board, probably I will have a chance. 😂

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

I know better. You’ll be dominating in a few days.

[@jonathankerner2094]

There are few things I like more than a presentation that is well presented, easy to understand in its logical presentation step-by-step first things first take nothing for granted explain the small things approach. Great job! I'm not really your target audience because I just got done deciding not to get Armstrong's 132 liter and went instead for the 99. I weigh 190 lbs. But in the future I may be looking for that smaller board. Right now I'm a noob on foil all my experience is in paddle boarding. so here's my plan. First I will take my 5.5 m wing and sneaker sail on the beach and get to know it. Second, I will take my SUP put on the dagger board that I purchased and then sup with the wing until I can really return to where I start, sail up wind tack and jibe. Then, I will take my Armstrong board with foil and just SUP it go out on it (5'11" 99 L) and then finally put it all together: wing on foil let the crashing begin!

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Thx Jonathan!

[@carneyhuesos6535]

From my experience: Weight(kg)L - 30L>board OK Athletic Weight(kg)L-10L

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Completely agree. Thanks!

[@karisma1]

I was hoping to use a harness to wing long upwind/downwind sessions on open ocean. I guess the harness would get in the way using a small board? would it be safer to go with a board 10+ liters for this purpose?

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Yes. The constant battle between being minimalistic vs extending your rides. I would recommend learning some conservation techniques on the water to build endurance rather than the harness route. That’s completely my opinion though. A larger volume board would be easier to Mount with a harness though.

[@glebov66]

I just got Gong HIPE 6’5’’, 170L. My first sessions were difficult, but now I am getting used to it. I think inflatable board is not the easiest to learn on, probably Fanatics 6’11 would be easier.

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Thx for the feedback.

[@grantmacdonald4838]

Why specifically is the inflatable difficult?

[@glebov66]

This is just my personal impression. Inflatable sits higher and feels more tippy. I got 5’8 Quatro, 115L and it actually feels wider then inflatable being the same width on paper. Inflatable is great for travel.

[@grantmacdonald4838]

@@glebov66 so you think a smaller inflatable might be easier in some ways? I have the 5'3" Hipe coming. The Quatro has a concave deck too doesn't it? I think that would add a lot of stability.

[@glebov66]

I think a smaller HIPE might be easier to get on foil if you are at that point of progression. If you are just starting out, it might feel smaller then it’s volume, but you will get use to it. The Quatro is flat on top, no concave. I am 95kg, so it works for me just perfect.

[@travelandtech2185]

I will happily stick with a bigger board anyday 110 to 145L 5.5ft max length. Watching this was painful...lol

[@jamiemarion8296]

Or you can just use a floaty board and not worry about that all. Unless you like swimming a whole bunch when the wind dies, :-)

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

I agree Jamie but I have a couple of buddies tearing it up on small carvy boards in all conditions....and those small boards look fun.

[@klrrafman]

You know what they say now? It's easier to water start 30L than 60L, hahaha. It stays down until you want it to come up.

[@davidstewart9982]

A gem of a production! Thanks so much!

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Thx David!

[@williamluck5324]

64KG body weight, that enough to start with a 75L or should I opt for a 90L? I kite foil, just don't want to spend 1600 for a board i use 6 sessions. I see a lot of replys, does 20Lbs mean a lot in wing foiling? Thanks, very clear vids

[@Alexander-Kurtz]

Good video, excellent tutorial. Next step is riding a twin-tip kite surfing board with a wing, it is as fun as riding a foil board. Recommendations, 25- 30 wind-knots minimum, larger wing possible ( I use the Ozone Wasp 6 because it has the biggest leading edge in the industry).

[@zackjordan808]

I went through the painful learning process exactly how you described it. Now I guess I’m in the same encouraging the buds learning situation as you. I can’t hardly take the pain of the constant cycle of new friends just failing and failing. There’s always the random one who gets it quick and really twists the sword ok the current baby flockers.

[@wmedlinmd]

Very helpful!

[@Foilfun]

Two-year update: Doing a windsurf-style water start on my 25L while lit up is much easier than trying to “float start” a 55L sinker like I did in the video. I also have a 75L now that I love for almost all conditions. It’s about equal to my body weight and float starts great. Try a smaller foil before switching boards. Enjoy! 😁

[@steriospeaker]

Got a video of the windsurf style start please?

[@DanielBlomqvist]

What about a shorter high volume board, for example the Gong HIPE 5”3 at 110 liters?

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Yes. Much easier. I recently ordered the 5’1” HIPE.

[@stkl23]

@@TheOKKiteboarder Would you share your experiences with the 5'1'' HIPE once you've gotten it? I'm still undecided between the 5'1'' and the 5'3''.

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Steffen Kluge Yes. I will do a review, however it’s back ordered until the end of October.

[@adolfallesch7648]

Love to see your HIPE Review. Just ordered a 5'1"

[@benbhand]

Curious if you, or anyone else here, has tried waterstarting with the wing while floating on your back (a la kiteboarding, windsurfing, etc.)? I’ve got a super low volume 23L Liquid Force Happy I’m planning to try this on next season. Seems like traditional waterstart would be a great way to bypass the misery of having to try and kneel and balance on it first? Apologies if someone’s already asked this!

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Ben, I don’t think you would have enough clearance in the wing to gain enough power to come up on the board.

[@benbhand]

Yeah, that’s one of the potential issues I could see lol. My foil wings are nice and rounded, but unless you kept the wing flying the entire time and pulled up quick, it could get dicey 😬

[@lukevanderlinden8855]

Whats the rough weight of the subject rider here? I just bought the 55lt skywing

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

160 lbs

[@jamiewood3176]

Is it possible too water start like a windsurfer as windsurfing is what I do

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

I’m sorry. Not exactly.

[@nickrhodes3378]

Nice video, but completely outdated. Stink bug, 80kg, 36l no problem from 15kt.

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Maybe that’s why this video is from 2 years ago 😂

[@nickrhodes3378]

@@TheOKKiteboarder You can always pull it from YT, and help GHKB sell more sinkers 😉

[@katharinajanoschek2657]

Instructions start at 02:45

[@AdamsHadEnough]

I pretty much thumbs up OK Kiteboarder videos a moment after I press play, and I haven't been wrong yet. Well done!

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Wow! Thx Adam

[@cosmo2002]

Does this has something of kite? OkKITEBOARDER...

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

I think so...every kiter that has learned to wing foil...loves it!

[@chrischarlwood]

I bought a 138L Progressive Riser board with 40 inch large wing foil (China) and got up no problemo 1st sesh. Buut... have yes to get up on foil more that porpoising in only the highest of winds. Im 200 lbs ... I think the suction factor is hard to overcome in sub 15 knots... others with this issue? Prefer not to be a career porpoise rider. I am an OK kiter, but live on a river where winds are Gusty and lunches are tight so when foiling is really convenient

[@TheOKKiteboarder]

Chris Charlwood Agree on the suction. I think a lot of these big boards are sticky on the water. Use the gusts to get up on the lighter days. 👍

[@bowmosexual]

hehe nope.