Why are you wingfoiling so much ?!?!

[@williamlile3225]

Agreed! I have 3 different size kites. I have one Ozone Wasp 4M wing and an Infinity 76 foil on a Slingshot Dialer 145L. I haven't flown a kite in a year. I can go out in almost anything and still ENJOY myself. Lots of videos of "Kite-mares", NO videos of "Wing-Mares" I am 55, I want to ENJOY myself and have FUN. My WING and FOIL allow me to do that.

[@MalteSiedler]

I am tempted. Probably getting equipment in summer. I dont know what size wing to look for. But it seems a 4m is a good allround size? Can you go at around 13/15 knots upword with your Infinity 76? Thanks!

[@ShawnEwingShaka]

Completely agree with all points you make. Here's why I've gone all-in to wing foiling vs. kiting: in marginal conditions wing foiling is hands down better than kiting. 10-18 knots is super fun for wing foiling versus kiting in those conditions I usually end up having to re-launch the kite after the dreaded Hindenberg. Wingfoiling has reduced your downside risk in those conditions. I love to kite in 15-25 knots -- jumping with a kite and twin tip in those conditions is fun. Wingfoing is simpler than kiting -- no lines to get tangled. I've had too many kitemares when the lulls get big -- a Hindenberging kite sucks. Trying to re-launch a kite while floating on an 4 knot ebb tide out the Golden Gate Bridge -- no thanks.

[@JJ-cx4ci]

Thanks, but I can foil with my 12 m Soul in 7 knots, can I do the same with a wing?

[@darkthehunterable]

Hi,I am 56 and I wanted to wingfoil for the exact same reasons you give. After more than 40 years practising windsurf, kite and so, the wing foil was a way to match all of my purposes, a mix of everything I tried before, the easier and simpler way. Idid it the last w.e., and I can confirm all the good I thought about this new sport : funny, easy, smoothy, well I cannot tell how much good it was. I can only ride on both sides , but after 3 days of practising, I am pretty hapy with that. I will try riding waves (downwind) next time, but Having the wing on one hand and surfing (foiling) the small waves was already such a great feeling. Thanks for your video.

[@AdamsHadEnough]

This is so good Gunnar, not being able to shut off the kite when kiteboarding and kitefoiling is the same reason I swapped back to windfoiling after 15 years of kiting. Wingfoiling's freedom looks promising for sure.

[@jeroenjansen2709]

I can only windsurf it I am interested in wing foiling. It seems lot easier than kitesurfing and also safer.

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Yes. Winging is a lot easier and safer to learn than kitesurfing

[@neilkorsgaard]

Thank you for this. As a 54 year old man who has been considering learning to kite board, I recently saw wing foiling and you answered many questions I had as well as confirmed that using the wave as your primary propulsion is actually as fun as it looks. When I see a winger pumping and catching a wave, it seems the closest thing to dolphins that play in the waves. LOL

[@irf888]

You had to say the fun word many times didn't you? Then you threw you in the freedom word too. Now I'm tempted too! :) Ever since I started kiting 18 years ago, I always thought - its magnificent but you never feel totally free.

[@yes2cookies651]

Where we live the conditions are rarely perfect.wingfoiling averages out the bad conditions like gustingness, shifting winds, currents, getting headed and makes every session seem like you had perfect winds.

[@bastiw400]

Completely agree. I am a Windsurfer and for me it is a good alternative in lightwind conditions

[@mindebrolis9582]

I started kitefoiling for the sole purpose of “low wind”. I had so many swimming back with the kite moments that I am experiencing more anxiety than ever in low winds. 2 total nightmares in waves (one in Flag beach actually), where the foil tangles in lines in waves… and now I have wings! That is such a relief!!! For low or no wind days - dockstart wins!

[@roytherhodesian4029]

I’ve always wanted to kite but a good mate of mine died kiting....so winging looks like the sport to get into 👍 Thanks for you honest review

[@briansmith207]

You did a great job with this man, thank you so much. You distilled what I’ve been mulling over for some time. I was going to pull the trigger anyway, but you totally reinforced my decision ... and I’ll probably share this with my GF.

[@josephk.1842]

Great video. I am new to winging, from kiting, but definitely loving the practicality and freedom. I think back about all the close calls, and times I was stranded while kiting, and if I had been winging, those would have been completely a non-issue.

[@kundrinskaya]

Back to the 1970’s -1980’s early days of windsurfing. When it was all about fun and not over focused on professional extreme riding. It killed windsurf as most riders gradually gave up due to overdemanding equipment that did not fit their occasional practice. It also kept new riders away from the sport. Long live wing foiling and may it keep its philosophy of simplicity that suits so well our era of sobriety.

Thank you!!! Exactly what I needed to hear. Great video!

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Thank you Diego :-)

[@iainhannay4530]

Great video Gunnar.

[@lailasandoval9338]

gunner, love oyur analysis. very engineer problem solving like

[@REALmattnuzzo]

Getting this question a lot. Great footage. Keep ripping!

[@jurgi1103]

Hello Gunnar, I really see your point. Guess that I have to increase my quiver with wing stuff as well. Good video, thanks!

[@3421Greg]

I agree with most of your comments and I am enjoying wingfoiling very much. It's been a lifesaver during lockdown when I only have access to local beaches with mostly offshore winds. I disagree on a few points. The upwind performance of wings is pretty poor compared to a kite foil. I can zip up the coast with only a few tacks and always stay close to shore. A wing requires much longer runs out to make ground upwind and that increases the risk factor. It's much harder to obey the basic rule of not going out further than you want to swim. The rider is the weak link in a wingfoiling kit. If the rider is damaged then you're going nowhere. A kite will drag you in almost no matter what your physical condition. I have kited back with torn ligaments and broken ribs. Even a semi-deflated kite can drag you back to shore. My current board is a bit of a blimp. The effort involved in lugging a fat board around is a bit tedious. My kite foiling kit fits under my arm and the whole kit fits in the boot of my car. It's all clean and dry at the end of a session. My wing is usually wet and covered in grass or sand. Much is made of the light wind capabilities of wingfoiling. I haven't seen that yet. Even our best wingfoilers need something approaching 20 knots. I'm sure that will get better as the gear and techniques improve. My kitefoiling gear goes in anything. As long as the wind is blowing I can make it work. I have to be much more selective about my wingfoiling conditions, unless I'm looking to practice my paddling in techniques (which is kind of fun in itself).

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Hi Greg. I agree on the injury point. The upwind thing is down to technique and gear. There are some wings that really don't like high upwind angles, but there are ones like the Slingwingv2, Ensis V2 and Wasp that upwind very well. Not Formula Kite angles, but the same as most freeride setups. It also comes down to technique. You have to use the right handles, and that differs from Wing to Wing, to get the best angles. The same goes for lightwind. Also having the right board makes a huge difference. If you are still using a board with a duck/steptail you are holding yourself back in regards to light wind sailing. Proper wing boards with flat tails and box rails will open up a whole new dimension on early flying.

[@jedisurfer9591]

Thanks!!!!! I have been looking for this info!!! Subscribed!

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Thank you for the compliment and the support.

[@Wing-n-surf]

I kind of disagree regarding windfoiling: if wind dies you just slog back to beach. Windfoiling boards generally floatier, and foil in displacement mode works like giant fin.

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Yes. If you still have a little bit of wind going in the right direction. If there is zero wind paddling a long distance is still a nightmare with a large rig attached to the board.

[@JJ-cx4ci]

Thanks for this video Gunnar, In 2022 we have new wing options for sure, but can I wing with 8 knots? That are my ussual conditions in my spot (Tumaco-Colombia) where I normally use a Soul 12m for that winds, wich wing/board could I use in that conditions?. Thanks a lot for the video.

[@GunnarBiniasch]

You need big material for 8 Knots. So 8m Wing, Big Foil and a good board with a clean hull (no concaves, no cutouts and no kicktail) and a small amount of tail rocker.

[@roosenlodewijkwiggers4594]

I guess it is more of a tuned-down version of kitefoiling: less dangerous, less speed, less height. More melow in general, but if you define fun as going as fast as possible, kitefoiling wins hands down. Same for jumping high with a foil. Agree with all the safety aspects, but if you are out on a lake, never too far from shore, the safety aspect is not such a differentiator. Yes, rolling up your 15m+ foil kite and then swimming in is a workout we old guys could do without, but pedal back on a sup is also a workout. I think that where you wing/kite with the ocean swell and possible off-shore winds and currents I would also prefer the wing, but flat or choppy inland lake I will prefer the kite as all the safety issues are less of a nightmare.

[@benotafraidceo5287]

Thanks for the video, I agree with you, I find it much easier to go to places where I could never dream to launch a kite - most lakes in Switzerland ... and boat launching is not fun and is expensive. One question thought.. I have been struggling with the thought of taking the paddle with me, do you have some creative idea of sticking the paddle to the board ?

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Yes. Taking a paddle is always a bit of a challenge. Have you thought about getting a 3 piece Carbon Paddle? These break down really small, and can be easily taken with you.

[@benotafraidceo5287]

@@GunnarBiniasch thanks a lot for the suggestion, I will look into it!

[@dksurfer]

The Naish wing has a system to strap the paddle

[@Waialua-Wingfoil]

Epic! Oahu wing foiling is exploding for all the reasons you mentioned. I'm a beginner but all in.

[@Allibow]

Great channel dude!

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Thanks Alexander

[@drgeatman]

Wind wave foiling if wind dies and can't slog ,just seeing paddle back.

[@DownwindFrother]

Thanks so much Gunnar. Best overview video on KZbin! I would really appreciate if you could weigh in on the boom vs boomless wing debate. Also which wing have you found the most stable when wave riding?

[@vhb4302]

So here in SW Florida our winds are front based in winter and sea breezes in the spring. Can you have fun on a wind wing if your winds are from 10 MPH to 16 mph ( assuming higher it will be lots of fun). What size wing ?

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Yes with a 6m Wing you will be reasonably powered in those conditions with the right foil.

[@robinmordasiewicz]

love your videos.

[@antonognyev1348]

Great video mate!

[@randykrus9562]

Kitting has been canceled.

[@abraxaf]

One of the most compelling cases for the wing, thanks for a great video, as usual. Is wingfoil a viable option for light wind?

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Yes. It will also only get better as the equipment gets better and more specialised. Most brands are not making Foils that are big enough yet to make really light wind easy and accessible to everyone. I think Indiana are the only ones making a wing with more than 4L Volume. Most brands still use only surface area as a metric, which actually tells you very little about how early the foil will fly. But even with the current thin profiled designs, I can still get going in 6 knots, it is just hard work and also only possible with the right board (old Mikes Lab Raceboard)

[@abraxaf]

@@GunnarBiniasch Fascinating. I never thought of hydrofoil volume as an approximation for lift, but that makes a lot of sense. Also makes sense that both hydro-wings and aero-wings should get bigger for light wind.

[@jonathanalstead]

Thanks for the insight. When you say "paddle back to the beach" I take it that you're not using a sup paddle, just prone paddling. Can you give me an idea of the size/volume of board your using and the wing that goes with it?

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Most of the Time I am on boards between 50 and 110 Liters. For comfortable paddling I use 80L or more. I use Wings from 3 to 6m from Ozone at the moment.

[@stijnspeeleveld]

Great insight and advice into this new foiling setup which I hope to explore one day, extending my kite foiling experience. Saying that, what would you recommend and/or easier to learn : SUP foiling or wing foiling ?

[@GunnarBiniasch]

If you are starting both sports from zero, wingfoiling is the easier one. The learning curve is very flat. It is a great way to learn foiling and is safer. SUP Foiling, you need to learn to catch waves on a SUP first, then learn to foil and then combine the two. So it takes longer and learning to fly in waves is always quite difficult.

[@kiterJ]

Realistically how much wind do you need to make a foil wing session fun and eg not 'borderline' and coming off foil due to lack of power?Cheers

[@artg6361]

Thank you for your great work! what is the camera model you are holding at 5:52? from your expertise what is the best set up to film yourself foiling!?

[@GunnarBiniasch]

I am using the Go Pro Fusion in that clip. I now use the Go Pro Max which is the newer version of the Fusion.

[@berci1001]

Great video, thanx! This was the last input! I will try winging now. I know you don't recommend the 91Moses Foil Mast, but I happen to have the ONDA 633 setup with the 91 mast. If financials are a constraint would you still recommend just to change the frontwing to 1100 to start wingfoiling? I still have a 75cm slingshot alu mast with a moses adapter. I am a windsurfer for 30 years and a kitefoiler (can do air-jibes, jumps but no tack yet on the kite-foil)

[@GunnarBiniasch]

You can use the 91 Moses Carbon mast no problem. It is just pretty wobbly. If you have nothing better to compare to it, it still is fine to start out with. Definitely get the 1100.

[@pablom695]

where in Spain are you ?

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Canary Islands, Fuerteventura

[@turbbe]

Hey, great video. I've been also trying to improve in kitefoiling in waves, and would love to be able to ride waves freely. What foil wing size would you suggest to be used with winging for 70kg rider in usually small waves /

[@TylerKaraszewski]

Hah, understatement of the day: "I'm a fairly good kitefoiler". What would you recommend as a beginner wing setup to an experienced kitefoiler? What would be the best conditions to try it for the first few times?

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Depends on your conditions you have. If it is light winds, then at least a 5m Wing (Ozone or Fone have the best lowend), Large Foil (2000cm2 or larger /3L Volume) and a small SUP (90 Liters or more). Best conditions will be medium wind and flat water. So about 15 knots. If you can spend a good amount of time on land getting control of the wing. Wingskating is a really good thing to do before you get on the water as it teaches you good wing control when riding.

[@TylerKaraszewski]

Gunnar Biniasch I would probably use it mainly in strong wind, though could practice in lighter wind. 20+ knots. What size wing would you buy for that wind? Would putting an 1100 wing on a 91cm Moses mast be a reasonable option?

[@enigmaticsurf269]

Amazing!!!

[@mbkiteboarding]

How volume does the board need to keep you afloat?

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Depends on your weight. If you want to have it float you easily then at least your weight in kilos plus 20%. More if you are not so coordinated. Once you are ok at Winging and you are resonable powered, then you should easily get away with the same volume as your body weight. I weight 85kg and easy for me is 80 liters. Super easy is 110 L.

[@mbkiteboarding]

Gunnar Biniasch TnX

[@telemascott]

Qué interés podría encontrar una persona que únicamente navegara en un embalse, en el que no tienes olas con las que jugar, para navegar con wing?... Saludos! 💪🏼

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Sigue siendo divertido. Puedes aprender maniobras geniales como 360, saltos y otras cosas.

[@dannyisrael]

How does it do for low wind?

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Really good if you have the right equipment. Similar low end to kites. I can get going on a 6m Wing with a large Foil in 6 knots

[@johan-matthygreyling7366]

What type of speed do you achieve on the wing?

[@GunnarBiniasch]

The fastest I have gone is 31 Knots. Average speed is about 15 knots on bigger foils in light winds. It really depends on what Foil you are using,

[@iainhannay4530]

DAY 19 here!!! Aarrghhh

[@GunnarBiniasch]

Same here, just did not get around to editing the footage until now. Looks like we are in for another 15 Days again...

[@slappysurf]

It's a shame you can't take out a Peak 4 with a foil, I think you'd get that feeling you've been looking for. I know you tried the Explore V1 on short lines but I think you really should try the Peak 4 but I understand you can't due to your relationship with Ozone.

[@GunnarBiniasch]

I have taken a Peak 4 out on a Foil. I still test everything I can get my hands on, and I am still friends with the guys from Flysurfer too. And no it does not give me what I am looking for. I admit that it is super stable, but it still needs to be launched, it is still a kite, you still need to fly it and no it does not drift in waves for me. I ride a bit different than most people in waves, I am trying to go top to bottom and even the Peak4 does not fly when you totally slack the lines on a bottom turn.

[@torstenrode6072]

Hi... similar freedom motives for me to start here in Hessen. So many lakes are forbidden for Kite and they chase you away.😜