Wing series #1/ The foil - how it works under your feet

How well do you understand your foil? And do you know how best to control it when starting to fly?
In this first video in our 'Wing Foiling Series' Reuben takes a closer look at the foil, explaining how it works under your feet, and how to control it when you start to fly! By having a greater understanding of the foil and what makes it go up and down, you'll hopefully feel more in control and be able to stay flying for longer. There's lots you can practice to help make it a smooth flight!
There are lots of beginner vids already out there telling you the basics of Winging & Wing Foiling. Our videos will be focussing on what appear to be the main stumbling blocks. So whether you’re totally new to Wing Foiling and yet to hit the water, or you’ve already committed and got your own gear but are struggling… we hope these videos will be useful.
Part 1 - The foil... How it works under your feet and how to control it when you start to fly!
Part 2 - Getting flying and staying flying in lighter winds
Part 3 - Foiling gybes and going switch stance

[@AndrewWorkshop]

Perfect timing, just got a Duotone slick wing. Can't wait to be able to use it properly. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@SUPboardermag]

Thanks Andrew. Glad you like the video. Hope your progression is sped up with these tutorials. Cheers, Beau

[@rustyoc]

Finally up on foil and loving it.. great content as always, looking forward to next episodes, particularly riding switch, I guess it's just putting the time in on the water

[@SUPboardermag]

Stoked to hear you are up on the foil! Glad you enjoyed this first video in the series. You'll hopefully learn a lot more before the end. Keep up the winging and progression. Yew! Beau

[@haraldbartikowski9955]

thanks - easy to understand, very helpful!

[@SUPboardermag]

Glad it was helpful! Cheers, Beau

[@matttcoburn]

G8 explanation!

[@skreebop]

TImely video Reuben! I have a starboard foil set up as well. I'm still getting the hang of things. I went out today for the second time this year in some choppy, gusty conditions with a 3.5m/1500mm, and found it tricky; both difficult to stand up stably and also to engage the foil. I switched to my low aspect 2000mm and it was night and day. Felt nice and stable and the 3.5m was still able to handle the gusts without being overpowered. I actually had some decent, controlled foiling runs. I guess the point of my rambling is it's remarkable how changing even a single variable can make you go from flailing in exhausted frustration to foiling (and knowing what's what seems to only come with hard-won experience). Looking forward to the next upload! It's still a mystery to me how one stays up on the foil indefinitely (I tend to just stall out after a while).

[@SUPboardermag]

Sounds like you are well on your way. It's unbelievable how much easier winging is with a bigger foil. Thanks reuben

[@anthonyrutten4018]

Great advice bro!🤙🏼

[@SUPboardermag]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ianmclaren9420]

Very clear foot stance positions for the approach and exit of the turn. Also the point that there is no need to move your feet positions, instead just transfer weight by leaning or arching foot.

[@SUPboardermag]

Great advice. Thanks for sharing. Beau

[@glimpseireland2005]

Good stuff, well presented. When can we have the next episodes please...........

[@SUPboardermag]

Thanks for the comment and glad you liked it. Expect these videos to come out roughly each week!

[@georgemalesky9462]

Thanks!

[@SUPboardermag]

No problem! Cheers, Beau

[@davidpyle2472]

Great series of vids. Do you have any advice on hand position? Should my front hand have an over or under arm grip? I think you had over arm on the vids but couldn’t be sure. Thanks

[@SUPboardermag]

Hey David, sorry for the late reply, I do both . When I pump in light winds and ride most of the time I'm in normal over arm grip. But as I come out of a gybe and rotate the wing I grab the wing with my new front hand in under arm grip. I then sometimes ride with under arm grip for a bit but as I enter the next gybe I always put my front hand back to normal over arm grip. Back hand always stays the same ,overarm. Hope that makes sense? Thanks Reuben

[@lettheroadtakeyou]

Hi, where should I be placing my feet? Looks like that you have your back foot right over the mast? How about the front? Thank you.

[@SUPboardermag]

Very observant. My back foot is usually on top of the mast or maybe just behind it. (But sometimes this also depends on what size foil I am riding.) My front foot is a very large shoulder width in front of that. The most important thing is if your feet are offset of the centreline slightly (side to side) then you can control the boards pitch and roll all at the same time. I hope that makes sense? By bringing yourself up onto the foil slowly you can find that sweet spot where are your feet will feel comfortable and in control of the board in all angles. Thanks Reuben

[@neilsimon6871]

At 75kg in light wind, flat water (6-12 knots) what set up do you recommend size size? Thanks!

[@SUPboardermag]

Hi Neil, thanks for sending over your question. It always depends on what sort of feel you want on the water, going for a big win will obviously give you more power but I personally don't like going bigger than 5.5 really. So I would recommend a 5.5 wing with around a 2000 cm² front foil. With good technique this will get you up around 8 knt at 75 kg. Of course the bigger you go with your front foil the more lift you will have in lower speeds and the same with the wing too. But I find this size of foil and wing is a good all-around feel when you're flying. Helps thanks Reuben

[@neilsimon6871]

@@SUPboardermag thanks for the feedback Rueben!

[@davidhmws]

Advice is overall good, but completely leaves out the importance of directing the board downwind to pick up speed, and then aiming board back upwind once up. Knowing when the board will get up to speed (a gust, flat water, aim downwind) allows one to prepare for the speed and change in water resistance as board rises.

[@SUPboardermag]

Hey David. Yes you are correct this can help.But for the video we try not to encourage riders to head down wind to gain speed really. The wing will have less power/pull when moving off the wind (especially in light winds) and for many first time riders this just makes them end up even further downwind at the end of their session. But good point well raised it will help certain riders in windy conditions. Thanks Reuben

[@davidhmws]

@@SUPboardermag Yes, need to be judicious when deciding to head downwind, but I am unable to get the board to speed up to foiling speed without at least a slight downwind angle. Downwind also tends to change the angle relative to the chop, board can speed up easier.

[@Fire4FX]

How much for this kit to get setup?

[@scuuga]

about 3.500€ + wetsuit, helmet, life jacket... etc

[@vhb4302]

Great video thanks for putting it all together. I’m thinking of purchasing a Starboard 2022 Wingboard but uncertain which one to get. I’m a senior, with kiting experience and no foiling yet. I weigh 73KG and the dealer is trying sell me the 6’3”/115Liter board you are using in the video. As a beginner I feel that’s too small but what size would make more sense ?

[@SUPboardermag]

The Freewing Go wings are pretty much some of the cheapest wings on the market at around €600. Boards from €1000 and foils from €800 can be found on the market too.

[@jbsmith991]

@@vhb4302 As a fellow senior I agree with your apprehension about board floatation. I suggest you consider a board you can stand on with no wind. Take into account that floatation is less in fresh water compared to salt water. A wider short board with plenty of floatation is ideal. If at all possible find a used floaty board to learn on and sell it after you are comfortable enough to get a smaller one. Many will recommend that you buy a board that will eventually be the size you want after you learn. They underestimate the difficulty of getting to your feet when you are older. 125 to 130L appears to be a sweet spot for a lot of seniors starting out and you may find it is useful on light wind days later. A good wing is a good wing no matter your age or skill level. Foils are a bit like boards; bigger is better and may continue to be useful for a long time and again in light wind.

[@ianfellingham6495]

@@vhb4302 Hi Vincent I,m a senior too and I weigh with wetsuit etc about 85kilo. I purchased and have been using a 120l 6ft board. I don’t have too much trouble standing up and going, but when I’m trying to gibe or tack when low riding I spend most of my time in the water! I quickly lose any ground up wind as just standing on the board takes quite a bit of work. I have just ordered a starboard wing board 7ft 140l as I think this will give me more of a chance to progress quickly. I think I could progress and have been doing so with my 120l but I just think life will be a lot easier with more flotation. If I had my time again I would go for the larger volume board. Hope that helps. Ian