I guess that for the low end, with a foil, it is more important to have a wing that can be pumped efficiently to get the foil planning than just switching to a bigger surface. So with a wing that is stable when sheeted out as Windgenuity describes, plus a good pumpability, I can see how we could have this one-size-fits all that was not possible with non-foiled boards and rigid rigs. Interesting.
Windgenuity: "If you're not interested, thats fine. But don't bag it until you've really tried it." should be added to the forum etiquette rules :-)
Select to expand quoteWindgenuity said..
This will make a hell of a lot more sense as more people get to try the Wing-Surfer.
Very important not to get confused thinking that the Wing-Surfer is hear to replace all wind sports!! It is NOT!
As Colas said earlier, we all used to get away with one size sometimes two. Windsurfer One Design is still one size, and probably the largest windsurfing class in the world still (and it's having a resurgence too with the LT). When I started Kiteboarding back in the super early days, I only had one size. It took ages for them to make 2. The reason ranges get expanded is the need for greater performance, more speed, higher jumps and so on.
Generally the first evolution of most things is middle of the road, easy to use, stable and fun! Then we want more.
With everything as you increase one side of the performance spectrum you sacrifice something on the other. There is not magical anything out there that just does everything!
Naish' direction (at the moment) with the Wing-Surfer is to stay middle of the road, keep it limited to fun and accessible. This is also what Naish has done with its Windfoiling line. Sometimes people just want to have fun and not worry about jumping higher that Bob, for going faster than Benny.
Now, something to think about! The Wings have been around for decades (4+), but never really taken off!! Why??? In my opinion foiling, and more to the point Surf foiling has opened the window. The wings have been around and regularly used on the snow and ice because of the low drag/friction. This allows us to get more performance out of a smaller wing which makes it manageable.
Enter Surf Foiling! Big ass wings and designs that have not ever been seen before (yes foiling has been around for decades and more too, but not like this, and not as accessible as this). What a great time to dust off those old Water Wing designs companies tried to develope some 40 years ago.
Yes the Wing-surfer works and is fun on a SUP, but you're likely not going to get planning, go fast or get any serious air, but it's fun and great for the general cruising person that just wants to float along and enjoy the day.
Foiling is where the Wings will show their real potential, but even then, there will be limitations to those that try to up the performance as any wider in the wing span will be incredibly hard to use - This eliminates higher aspect designs (normally the first place to go to get more bang for your buck).
One size fits all. Well it does! Because you can easily dump power by flying the wing high, the bottom en is good, but you still beed 12kn approx. so it's not like Wind or Kite Foiling where you're going incredibly early. When the gusts come on the Wing-Surfer's Luff Strut design allows the profile to flatten off (something the others do not have), this means you can sheet out without ridiculous amounts of flapping of back powering because of fu length battens and the like, this is why some brands need to have more sizes, because like with a fully battened sail, they don't like being flagged, the battens flap back and forth and result in the sail being uncomfortable and near impossible to use. The Wing-Surfer does not do this, it sits still and behaves it self. Yes in 40kn, it would not be fun, holding a hanky in 40kn is hard work. No-one going out in 40kn is looking for a nice cruizy time. This was not the point of noting this above, but merely the fact that it has been done (which honestly surprised me).
Anyway, super stoked to see Naish have launched the official Wing-Surfer Website wing-surfer.com which has heaps of info, pics and video to check out.
It will be good to see all the great content going up as the wings start delivering around the globe.
Yes, you're going to be jealous if you haven't put your name on one, they are heaps of fun.
No, you're not going to go out and sell all your wind gear because of the Wing.
Yes, you'll likely have more fun days on the water each year because of the Wing-Surfer's addition to your wind quiver.
No, you probably won't be more desirable to the opposite sex because you have a wing 
(except the added days on the water and prolonged sessions because you're having so much fun will result in you getting fitter and more buff).
If you're not interested, thats fine. But don't bag it until you've really tried it. But place it in expectations that it's not designed for. And accept it as a pretty cool thing that is going to give a lot of people out there more giggles each year (if not yourself).
Keep stoked,
Ride safe,
JB
Hi I apologize if I came off like a hater I was not actually bagging out wind wings in general I was simply calling BS on the claim of a 10-40 knot wind range. I still feel this is very unrealistic and can see you have back pedalled a bit on this one as well.
I am quite interested in wind wings and can see some potential niches they could fill where they would actually be better than kite or windsurfing.
Firstly having a big volume board that you can really paddle and a wing you can either pack down or tow in would make them a lot safer than kites or windsurfers, with a kite if it goes to ** your more or less swimming and windsurfers look very cumbersome to swim in with.
That aspect could really open up a lot of options-
going out in really offshore winds ( a bit dodgy but could be done) tack back and forth just outside the wave line, surf the waves in, sail back out, if you get too far out pack down and prone paddle like mad.
Winds that are too up and down ( like today in Perth 
) I was nicely powered one minute then kite falling out of the sky the next minute, with the sup and the wing you could just wait out the lulls.
Also if people master the art of packing down and setting up on the water they could do some serious long distance journeys and crossings. Sup foil+paddle+wing and you would be able to make way on the water no matter what the conditions.
I am also intrigued by the ability to 100% depower the wing and have it float along with you. When riding waves kite foiling you really need to pay attention to the kite to keep it in the air.
Getting caught up in some serious surf could be really messy though!! Getting out through a solid beach break would be very difficult but it could be great for the sort of smaller waves and wind swell that we often foil in. Here in WA we have lots of spots with bombies, reefs, places with big channels and or partially breaking waves that could be great.
These wings will also open up a lot of locations that aren't suitable for kiting due to lack of launch spots wind shadows, rocky shoreline etc
Anyway these are just my musings on wind wings. I am interested to see how they go although I probably won't be jumping on the bandwagon very soon as between supping and kiting I already have quite a full roster.
Good post YoungBreezy. That sums up many of my thoughts on this too.
I am a lifelong surfer, have been rabidly kiting for 7 years, with a surf focus but last few years a lot of foiling, and now a couple years into sup foiling as the new mistress. I envision these wings have potential to cover off some situations where surfing isn't much fun (too windy) but where kiting isn't really doable or all that great (wrong direction, not strong enough, not a good launch, etc).
Another possible benefit: sup foiling has been immensely fun, but one of the negatives is the long paddle back after super long rides, especially on days where it's a bit windy ... so having the same length and quality of rides, but without having to paddle? Sign me up! :-) Also, hate to admit it, but with my now 50 year old increasingly creaky body can't handle going as hard as I have been, getting a variety of repetitive strain injuries ... mixing it up is becoming crucial. I am sure the full time wing surfer will get their owns aches and pains too.
As Windgenuity says, this won't replace the other toys, it's another toy in the box. I can understand some of hate from the kiters and windsurfers, as this certainly isn't as rad as ripping along in 40kts in either of these sports. But I doubt that's what it will be used for by most people. For some of the haters I have my doubts if they actually know how to surf or have experienced it -- on the kite forums at least, when you dig just a little, you find many of these riders consider zipping around wind swells on a twintip to be "surfing". I find the magic of surfing is riding the wave energy without other energy sources: wind, motor, etc. And you can't know it until you've felt it. No judgement on where these folks find their fun, whatever floats the boat is cool with me, but I don't find their opinion all that valid in evaluating these wings' capabilities for foil surfing.
But that's all just guessing, speculating, dreaming ... don't have one, haven't tried one, and doubt I will any time soon. But open to the possibilities 
As mentioned it will be awesome to see all the stoke once people get out and master the wing.
Youngbreezy, no stress, wasn't referring to you, just over generalising "some" of the feel out there. LOL
Also no back peddling. This was in relation to an experienced foiler that I can trust, and measured gusts in which they managed to continue foiling. The key thing I took note of was his comment that there is no way he would have been able to ride (on the foil or in control) on a windsurf or kite foil in these conditions. So yes, 10-40kn is possible, never said it would be fun 
, just doable!
Unfortunately we have been starved of wind for 2 weeks now, so I haven't been able to get out and get some more footage. fingers crossed for some this weekend.
If you're on instagram, check out the feed of @realwatersports , you'll see them trying the Wing0Surfer for the very first time in 25-35mph winds. Yes he's a little all over the place, but it is his first time and in quite reasonable ends.
www.instagram.com/p/BxqhXG4nKfG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
www.instagram.com/p/BxqhXG4nKfG/?utm_source=ig_web_options_share_sheet
www.instagram.com/p/BxqhXG4nKfG/
It's almost here!
Ride Safe,
JB
Looks like a decent first attempt. And lots more wing love in the comments, like this chesnut: "I think I had more fun taking my last ****. " ;)
I have a friend who demo'd the slingshot one , had a good report: I have tried some of the larger slingshot wings. The best word to describe them is hilarious. you can foil along with very little speed and basically pivot on a dime. cavitation is forgiving as well. Your downwinder idea sounds like a blast! With a big wing you could surf the juan de fuca swells easy
Naish, slingshot, duotone, FOne, Ozone, etc....lots of possibilities.
I would like to see some footage of people surfing some little rollers with wind wings, there are some brief moments in some of the vids where the rider totally depowers the wing and surfs along but it would be cool to see more.
www.instagram.com/p/BxsEv3jHd7M/?igshid=19n7v7u9xbhfx
This is a little snippet of what I am talking about!! Need to see video!
Select to expand quoteYoungbreezy said..
www.instagram.com/p/BxsEv3jHd7M/?igshid=19n7v7u9xbhfx
This is a little snippet of what I am talking about!! Need to see video!
That looks good I need a demo to see if it is doable for old arms 
Mmm, that photo does look fun. In comments, I thought this was a good answer to what is the most frequently asked question.
Q: Windsurfing and kiting and kiting already have foiling options, what is the advantage or the reason to get a wing? This is a legitimate question, not a rhetoric one :)
A: good question. It allows a different sense of riding, less gear, can ride for hours with no harness , opens up places where kites are sometimes restricted or wind is too gusty to windsurf or kite - once up on the foil even in super lite winds the wing generates apparent wind that allows you to stay up on the foil - and super simple to learn where windsurfing can take sometimes months years to master we are seeing guys get up and fly the 1st day. Kiting is great but some people are intimidated by the power/ lines so this is another fun option to harness the wind and go out and have loads of fun on foil or SUP boards
Check this out it's epic . Beach start to a wind wing hand off , so good.
www.instagram.com/p/Bxwp1nbn5bH/?igshid=1k10b15pa9l4m
There's a great picture of Robby Naish getting air with the Wing-Surfer and foil-board on his Facebook site.
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said..
There's a great picture of Robby Naish getting air with the Wing-Surfer and foil-board on his Facebook site.
Ride safe,
JB
A short click from WIngsurfer News Facebook feed of Robby Naish winging in some strong winds. Pretty cool. One size for all conditions.
Select to expand quoteWindgenuity said..
A short click from WIngsurfer News Facebook feed of Robby Naish winging in some strong winds. Pretty cool. One size for all conditions.
Enjoy,
Ride safe,
JB
dare I suggest they invest in a tripod Don't want to be a hater, god forbid
I'm pretty excited about this.
I don't have a kite, windsurfer or yacht - I'm keen to do something with wind on the water, but am a long way from getting over the inertia of cost and gear hassle with a completely new sport (given family commitments, otherwise....). So for me, the wing surfer looks like a great, simple option to make something of those days when it is too windy to SUP.
However, I don't have a foil either so I'm interested to see more of wing-sup action on standard SUPs. I suspect we won't see so much of that on videos (as is going to look less cool on Instagram), but presumably punters like me with only SUPs is where the market must be....?
JB - what's the thinking on the best kind of SUP for wing-surfing. Is the Nalu type of board? How do you think it would go on a surfsup like the 8.10 Speeed vs a tourer like my 2011 12.6 glide?
Looking forward to following the progression and can't wait to demo!
Oh yeah - and cheers to Naish and all those other companies who are putting the time effort and money into coming up with new toys. Sure there is a profit motive, but its still fantastic to see it all happen!
Cheers HB
Slingshot wings landing in Oz this July. Already ordered mine. Cheers Josh.
Some interesting design aspects - Inflatable trailing edge & vision window.
Available in 4.2m so essentially the same as Naish.
I'm a Slingshot kite fan, so im assuming these new wings are built the same and surf tough.
slingshotaustralia.com.au/collections/slingwing/products/2020-slingshot-slingwing
Get involved..
Select to expand quoteHBsups said..
I'm pretty excited about this.
I don't have a kite, windsurfer or yacht - I'm keen to do something with wind on the water, but am a long way from getting over the inertia of cost and gear hassle with a completely new sport (given family commitments, otherwise....). So for me, the wing surfer looks like a great, simple option to make something of those days when it is too windy to SUP.
However, I don't have a foil either so I'm interested to see more of wing-sup action on standard SUPs. I suspect we won't see so much of that on videos (as is going to look less cool on Instagram), but presumably punters like me with only SUPs is where the market must be....?
JB - what's the thinking on the best kind of SUP for wing-surfing. Is the Nalu type of board? How do you think it would go on a surfsup like the 8.10 Speeed vs a tourer like my 2011 12.6 glide?
Looking forward to following the progression and can't wait to demo!
Oh yeah - and cheers to Naish and all those other companies who are putting the time effort and money into coming up with new toys. Sure there is a profit motive, but its still fantastic to see it all happen!
Cheers HB
HB,
I like using the Nalu. The longer boards and tourers work well, but in the super light stuff the board tends to want to bare away (just a power over drag/wind resistance thing).
Today I am hoping to hit the "Waves" on my Maddog 7'10" to test the wing out. The surf is near flat, but it will give me some insight as to how it will work in better conditions.
Stay tuned.
Ride safe,
JB
Select to expand quotebaldy123 said..
Slingshot wings landing in Oz this July. Already ordered mine. Cheers Josh.
Some interesting design aspects - Inflatable trailing edge & vision window.
Available in 4.2m so essentially the same as Naish.
I'm a Slingshot kite fan, so im assuming these new wings are built the same and surf tough.
slingshotaustralia.com.au/collections/slingwing/products/2020-slingshot-slingwing
Get involved..
Here is a pic of the Slingwing from IG.
Some interesting design differences across Naish, Slingshot, signature and duotones
Select to expand quotegibo said..baldy123 said..
Slingshot wings landing in Oz this July. Already ordered mine. Cheers Josh.
Some interesting design aspects - Inflatable trailing edge & vision window.
Available in 4.2m so essentially the same as Naish.
I'm a Slingshot kite fan, so im assuming these new wings are built the same and surf tough.
slingshotaustralia.com.au/collections/slingwing/products/2020-slingshot-slingwing
Get involved..
Here is a pic of the Slingwing from IG.
Some interesting design differences across Naish, Slingshot, signature and duotones
Looks a bit more efficient with the trailing edge tubing. .....not doing the golden arches thing
Hmmm? Would like to see a comparison in make & performance from someone unbiased. But shouldn't be much of a difference between the popular kite specialists.
I am thinking less wing wonder, straighter tracking with the Naish wing with its concaves either side of the middle strut. If that makes sense?
But as Slingshot says, less flapping of the trailing edge. Something they would have tested.
The handles on the Slingwing appear to only run down part of the way down the strut. All the others seem to go almost end to end. The option to reach further back on the strut could be handy at times. The Signature wing video at 1:17 even has a guy cruising just holding the wing in low wind with one hand near the tail end of the strut. The Naish video above also shows the rear handles being used. I wonder if Slingwing will have way to extend their handles further back?
Select to expand quoteFishdude said..
The handles on the Slingwing appear to only run down part of the way down the strut. All the others seem to go almost end to end. The option to reach further back on the strut could be handy at times. The Signature wing video at 1:17 even has a guy cruising just holding the wing in low wind with one hand near the tail end of the strut. The Naish video above also shows the rear handles being used. I wonder if Slingwing will have way to extend their handles further back?
Slingy have had the wing in development since 2011. And the shape of their wing is a lot different to all the others. So I imagine after having it tested for so long. That shape does not near the far rear handles..
Question for JB or anyone else who has used a wing.
What is the routine for getting in and out of the water with a wingsurfer and a SUP foil board ? ( not a little light board, a regular 7 footer, with a big foil wing). In particular with say an onshore / cross onshore breeze and some waves to contend with. I am looking at using the wing for riding swell on 15-25 kts days , so there is going to be some white water to contend with.
My question essentially is - given that you need two hands to carry the foil board ( one for the board handle and one for the fuselage), how do you also carry the wingsurfer ? Seems like you need a third hand , unless the wing flies stably overhead by itself on a leash ?
Thanks in advance
The Handle thing is an interesting view point. I really like having multiple options for my grip. After quite a few goes now on the wing and getting consistent glides on the foil and riding from super light to heavy winds, I use different handles for the following,
Front hand/arm,
Forward handle - Good for baring away and floating the wing more / running a more over head angle with ease.
Next handle back - Most all-round handle. This balances well with the back hand on the 3rd last handle. It does make the rear hand a little more positive (more powerful back hand feel) and generally where I like to be when nicely powered and reaching.
3rd Handle back - Power position. This tends to put the wing into a more vertical plane. This is good for punching upwind and staying more sheeted on as the straight front arm takes a lot of the load and the back hand just trims.
Back Hand/Arm,
3rd handle from the back - I use this one 90% of the time. It seems to be a good sheeting angle with and compliments the above positions well.
2nd handle from the back - This is only used sometimes, mainly if it is super gusty, I combine this one with the 2nd from he front and have a wide grip. It makes controlling the wing easier while getting flogged by a gnarly gust.
4th handle from the back - I use this sometime s along with the 2nd from the front or absolute front handle when going down wind or when super powered up across or off the wind.
5th Handle forward. I use this for sailing with one arm. The wing balances here relatively well in light air. Helps to get the wing out and clear easily.
So all up, I am using a lot of the options in a variety of different conditions. I can imagine on a long DW'er having the option to get the balance point close to if not perfect a really big thing, as when it neutral it's weightless. and going 10+km would be a dream.
I think some of the battened (non Luff-Strut) wings out there will have trouble covering the same wind range and trim range as the Wing-Surfer. But I am bias
More coming,
regards,
JB
Select to expand quotemikesids said..
Question for JB or anyone else who has used a wing.
What is the routine for getting in and out of the water with a wingsurfer and a SUP foil board ? ( not a little light board, a regular 7 footer, with a big foil wing). In particular with say an onshore / cross onshore breeze and some waves to contend with. I am looking at using the wing for riding swell on 15-25 kts days , so there is going to be some white water to contend with.
My question essentially is - given that you need two hands to carry the foil board ( one for the board handle and one for the fuselage), how do you also carry the wingsurfer ? Seems like you need a third hand , unless the wing flies stably overhead by itself on a leash ?
Thanks in advance
Hey Mike,
This is an interesting Q!
Firstly I would recommend against riding in "waves" to start with. Wait until you're competent in getting everything together before tackling onshore and shorey's.
I personally can carry my foilboard in one arm and the wing in the other. I do this when entering the water. Brown-water/Fishermans Beach where I have ridden a few times is dead onshore and approx. knee high+ shorey/onshore waves. Timing is everything, but the best thing is the wing does fly weasily above your head lead by one hand then will also follow you nicely in the water. You can put the wing leash onto your ankle first up and tow it out (prone) a bit before starting. It will follow you with minimal drag but I would not suggest paddling it through actual breaking waves.
Getting up and going can be pretty easy, Robby Naish shows this in a few of his videos. I generally have the wing flying above my head, bare the board away and spring up onto the board to my feet then snatch the wing up and grab the handles in kind of 3 big moves (but quick). Robby's method is more to go on your knees for a bit and set the Wing then get up one foot at a time. It's up to you what you're comfortable with.
Again, I suggest just sailing in flat water for the first dozen times to get things really dialled before taking on any open water. Whilst it is incredibly easy, there is still a learning curve.
Enjoy,
Ride safe,
JB
Do you think you could submarine start a very small prone board. (Like behind a boat) Or not enough pull?
