Wing foil: Everything you need to know to get started
Wing foiling is the newest kid on the block in the world of wind and surf sports.
It’s the art of riding a hydrofoil board (a board propelled in the air that glides above the water) while harnessing the wind’s power using a detached handheld wing. And because wing foiling is such a new sport, its name isn’t even official yet and you might also hear it referred to as wing surfing or winging.
In any event, there is a consensus on one thing - people are obsessed with this sport and rightly so.
The advantages of using a wing and foil combo (and what makes it so unique) are that you can ride more waves, enjoy longer rides, turn more efficiently, surf even in bumpy or low wind conditions, and most importantly, fly above the water.
If you want to wing foil and are looking for some instruction, make sure to check out Chargers and contact us for more info.
Wing foiling isn’t the easiest sport to learn on your own - you have all of the equipment to think about and then technique - but don’t worry, we’ll break down some of your most pressing questions including:
How wing foils work
How long it takes to learn
What you need to get started
The best conditions for learning (and where)
Advanced skills and techniques
Where to rent/buy gear in Israel
How do wing foils work?
So let’s start with the easy part: the wing
The wing is essentially a handheld sail that enables you to generate lift (to get you out of the water) and propulsion (to get you moving). It even uses sail material attached to an inflatable superstructure that together form the wing shape.
Because it inflates, part of your wing foil kit must include a pump and it’s probably a good idea to have a fix for patches too when it comes to the dreaded but sometimes unavoidable tear in your wing.
Similarly to surfing the equipment you ride will depend on your own ability, the sea and wind conditions, and your objective for the session so always make sure to dial in your gear before heading out.
Next up we have the foil, or hydrofoil
Attached to a board with a hefty amount of liters so that you’ll float, this nifty piece of technology has been around since the late nineteenth/early twentieth century and was originally used on boats to decrease drag.
Also known as a blade, a foil can be thought of as a large metal fin with wings that extends below your board into water.
It operates very similarly to an airplane (and they even look a bit alike) - just as wind is directed under the wings of an airplane as it begins to take off, water is directed under the wings of a foil as you begin to gain momentum and this force lifts you above the surface of the water.
But that’s not all, there are a few more parts to a standard foil that you should be familiar with:
Pedestal: This is what connects the mast to your board
Mast: The structure that connects the board to the fuselage
Fuselage: The structure that connects the mast to the hydrofoil
Front Foil Wing: The part of the foil that creates lift
Rear Foil Wing Stabilizer: A small rear wing that balances the front wing
Last but certainly not least we have the board
While this may seem like the most straightforward aspect of the wing foiling equipment, it actually isn’t as obvious as one might think.
There are so many things at play here - volume, length, width, top shape, bottom shape, rails, strap compatibility, and construction - and each one of these can influence how the board performs under a variety of conditions in the water, in displacement mode, on plane, and in the air.
Plus you have your own weight and ability to consider when making the decision of which board is right for you.
But let’s make it easy - in general, beginners will benefit from larger, higher volume, more stable boards. As you progress in the sport and depending on your objectives (be it aerials, surfing, or downwinds) most riders opt for less volume or liters as they progress.
Bringing it all together: the wing foil
So putting everything we just discussed in action, you have a wing to capture the energy of the wind creating propulsion and the pressure of the water moving under the wings of the foil, both of which work to lift you up on a board that’s completely above the water.
The sensation of when this all comes together is often referred to as feeling like “flying” along the ocean.
Although this is a relatively new sport, there have already been lots of changes to equipment and rapid iterations on hand held wings, inflatable and hard boards, and even the hydrofoils themselves.
Make sure to talk to a professional to understand which version is right for you.
How long does it take to learn?
Learning to wing foil can take more or less time depending on your experience with later sports such as surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing as well as with a hydrofoil.
People who have already practiced board sports or have experience foiling (perhaps tow foiling even) will tend to progress more quickly.
Don’t worry though because even if you have no previous experience in water sports, wing foiling and flying above the water is still an accessible sport.
If you already know how to wing foil and are looking for a challenge, you might consider getting into aerials, downwinding, or surfing.
What you need to get started
As we mentioned above, there are quite a few parts you need to secure in order to start wing foiling.
You’ll need the following equipment:
Wing board with leg leash
Foil (including all of the parts we spoke about above - pedestal, mast, fuselage, front wing, and rear wing stabilizer)
Inflatable wing with hand leash
Wing pump
While a helmet isn’t required, it’s strongly advised as there are a lot of moving parts and conditions can change fast - plus, why not? You really have nothing to lose by putting safety first!
But the key to success is understanding your own capability and goals so that you’ll have the best chance of getting a kit that will help you develop your skills and get the most out of it for the longest period of time.
If you’re not sure, feel free to give us a ring and we’ll point you in the direction of some excellent local resources.
What are the best conditions for learning (and where)?
If you’re just getting started with foiling, no matter what your previous background was with board or wind sports, it’s important to pay careful attention to wind strength, wind direction, swell size, and water depth, as well as other factors such as rocks, debris, other water users and the topography of the area.
The amazing thing about wing foiling is that you don’t really need a lot of wind (or waves) to get started - unlike surfing and windsurfing.
Just look for a sheltered spot from any major incoming swell and if you have 15 to 20 knots (preferably sideshore so that you don’t run the risk of going out to the depths) of sustained wind, you’re pretty much ready to go.
Pretty much any beach along the Israeli coast and in the Red Sea or Sea of Galilee fit these parameters. Just watch out for winter storms where wind and swell can become too big to handle quite fast.
Another thing to consider before going in is water depth.
You don’t want to go to a spot that’s too shallow otherwise you won’t be able to get up. Alternately, you don’t want to pick somewhere that gets really deep really fast just in case you need to get off your equipment and need a foothold in the water.
Make sure that you are at a beach that allows water sports and as a general rule of thumb - don’t go in unless you see others out already.
Advanced skills and techniques
If you’re already proficient at wing foiling and want to take your skills to the next level, you might want to try one of the following:
Aerials - jumping and acrobatic maneuvers powered by wind and/or waves
Surfing - leveraging the power of the wind and the smooth, tight turns of the foil to surf more and longer waves
Downwind - touring the coastline harnessed only by the power of your wing against the wind and board on the swell
Where to rent/buy gear in Israel
Yamit - Tel Aviv
Lev HaYam - Tel Aviv
Lagoona - Bat Yam
Free Gull - Sdot Yam
Surf Shack - Nitzanim
Surf Club - Haifa
Surf Center - Eilat
So, you wanna wing foil in Israel?
If you’d like to discuss wing foiling in Israel, or are looking to book an advanced experience, drop us a line at omri@chargers.org.il or give us a ring at +(972) 52-647-4876.
