Hi
I'm beginning to learn winging, but I don't want to lose light wind flying so I could continue windfoiling in flat and light conditions and winging for getting in small shore break, a bit stronger winds (14-18 knots) and avoid uphauling. This is theory, don't know what I will prefer in future. However, in the meantime what do I do with my gear now?
I'm trying to learn winging with my old windfoiling board because everybody says it's easier a longer fuse and board and, after learning winging you need a much smaller board. I would like to have only one board for everything (hybrid board), but most of the people say are not good enough. Besides I've tested a short windfoiling board (180 cm) and didn't like the feeling. On the other hand, the size of windfoiling board use to be bigger than the winging board for the same guy and wind range.
To simplify a bit, the foil could be only one, a medium big one for very light wind windfoiling and when the wind gets stronger instead of going down sail/foil, keep the foil and move to winging.
Only to share experiences and thoughts, bests hybrid boards, etc. I'm sure two boards is the best solution but wouldn't like to carry and store two.
Thanks.
The V2 Shredsled is a great one board option for winging and windfoiling.
I originally thought one board but have ended up with a 95l wing board and a 125l windfoil board. (I'm 83kg) They are different beasts really, you really want a nice small wing board but for windfoil I like getting out on the rail so a bit of width is needed. ??
Dirly is prob right but because the tracks are so long and you can have foil very far forward i feel it wings smaller than it's 110L.
Found some wing video
www.instagram.com/tv/CcdY_OGJy-D/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
I'd prefer to have some more length forward of the mast track to uphaul confortably, but this makes the board longer (2m like JP freefoil), is this too much for winging? On the other hand, the shred sled v2 is big enough to fly with sail early in light winds?
I have the foil x 125 and despite being compact it is huge compared to my Naish wing board. I considered the X Wing but the extra weight of all the foot strap plugs and second foil box put me off. All these boards seem heavy compared to a good old fashioned Carbon slapper windsurfing board 
.
I'm using a Fanatic Stingray 115 for both, but I definitely feel like it's a compromise for winging. I'll probably buy a dedicated wing board next year.
Select to expand quoteseanhogan said..
windsurf.star-board.com/windsurfing-boards/foil-windsurf-boards/foil-x-wing-board/
2 in 1
shape looks good. Pictures don't seem to show a mast track?
Select to expand quoteBullroarerTook said..
I'm using a Fanatic Stingray 115 for both, but I definitely feel like it's a compromise for winging. I'll probably buy a dedicated wing board next year.
Hi Bullroarer. And how is the stingray 115 for freeride windfoiling at your weight and conditions? Does it lose something due to wing compatibility?
Select to expand quotethedoor said..seanhogan said..
windsurf.star-board.com/windsurfing-boards/foil-windsurf-boards/foil-x-wing-board/
2 in 1
shape looks good. Pictures don't seem to show a mast track?
They don't have mast track, only one or two mast inserts
Select to expand quoteMucel said..thedoor said..seanhogan said..
windsurf.star-board.com/windsurfing-boards/foil-windsurf-boards/foil-x-wing-board/
2 in 1
shape looks good. Pictures don't seem to show a mast track?
They don't have mast track, only one or two mast inserts
Oh definitely not a fan then
You can wing the Slingshot Wizard boards, the 130 liter is fine for learning on but as with any wind foil board you will want to progress
onto something smaller.
I just use the Wizard 130L for wind foiling now and a wing craft (dedicated wing board) 90L for winging
The problem is that a high wind windfoiling board works as a light wing winging board, but not the other way around.
Probably the best compromise is the W114, but that'll get very big for winging fairly soon and isn't a super light wind board for windfoiling.
Select to expand quoteMucel said..BullroarerTook said..
I'm using a Fanatic Stingray 115 for both, but I definitely feel like it's a compromise for winging. I'll probably buy a dedicated wing board next year.
Hi Bullroarer. And how is the stingray 115 for freeride windfoiling at your weight and conditions? Does it lose something due to wing compatibility?
I don't feel like it does (lose anything). I weigh 83kg and use it on the SF bay. No issues with uphauling when needed and even I can jibe it. With the dual mast tracks and the Tuttle box and all the foot strap inserts and the reinforcement for mast impact it's a bit on the heavy side. The top being convex results in my feet getting a little lost sometimes when winging, but I'm much better at windfoil than wing and I ride strapless. But I love the smooth bottom shape as it accelerates to foil nicely.
Select to expand quoteGrantmac said..
The problem is that a high wind windfoiling board works as a light wing winging board, but not the other way around.
Probably the best compromise is the W114, but that'll get very big for winging fairly soon and isn't a super light wind board for windfoiling.
Agree with this with the caveat that a 114L board does make a good starter board for winging *if you already have one*.
WinGfoil boards are cheap. No need to settle for some jack of all trades, master of none. Even as a beginner I could appreciate a 5' 75L board versus a 5'4" 92L board - less swing weight, easier to pump. I actually found it easier to gybe (although I came into wingfoiling from a 5' winDfoil board).
I see a good bunch of people keeping both windfoiling and winging permanently. Some leave windfoiling for simplicity. Question for those who keep both. Which are the reasons they keep windfoiling? Taking off earlier in light winds than winging? Other?
Select to expand quoteMucel said..
I see a good bunch of people keeping both windfoiling and winging permanently. Some leave windfoiling for simplicity. Question for those who keep both. Which are the reasons they keep windfoiling? Taking off earlier in light winds than winging? Other?
why do I windfoil more than winking?
* My knee doesn't seem to like all that kneeling
* I like being able to water start in rough water (seems to be easier to waterstart a sail than knee start a wingboard in rough water)
* I like finning so need to carry sails anyways
* I feel like I have less chance of breaking down, which gives confidence on long journeys, wings are super delicate it seems
* Breaches on a wing are less painful than on windfoil, but in general falls winging hurt more than falls windfoiling. Wind foiling I tend to land on my arse or feet, winging I tend to land on my chest or back more like a belly flop
* Windfoiling I seem to be have better glide when depowered
* windfoiling seems like I can get away with smaller foil for given wind strength/sail size so I effectively go faster
* I gave up windsurfing once to kite and my crystal ball said that the same thing might happen if I went all out on the wing
* no farking leashes
* much less likely to come into contact with the foil
* much easier to slog back if wind dies
PS: as much as I love windfoiling I tell people to wing if they want to start foiling, except maybe the hardcore freestyle guys/gals who are used to punishment to achieve rewards
I intend on windfoiling with bigger sails in race mode during the light wind winter days since a swim in is pretty uncomfortable in 0-5c weather and usually when we get a storm front it's enough for my waveboard.
I don't really enjoy winging until it's at least gusting 15kts.
Yeah lightwind winging wasn't as fun for me, granted that I didn't advance very far with winging. I would rather just carry a big sail and go fast on a small foil.
Winging felt a lot better fully wound up in swells but I'd also rather be on a fin or windfoil board at my level.
One thing I hadn't thought about until last night is that winging is far easier to avoid junk in the water because you can slow down and turn all while having excellent forward visibility.
Our local conditions would be miserable for windsurfing (very high gust to lull ratio) and the debris favors winging.
On flat water without junk in it I'd probably rather go fast on windfoil.
Select to expand quotethedoor said..Mucel said..
I see a good bunch of people keeping both windfoiling and winging permanently. Some leave windfoiling for simplicity. Question for those who keep both. Which are the reasons they keep windfoiling? Taking off earlier in light winds than winging? Other?
why do I windfoil more than winking?
* My knee doesn't seem to like all that kneeling
* I like being able to water start in rough water (seems to be easier to waterstart a sail than knee start a wingboard in rough water)
* I like finning so need to carry sails anyways
* I feel like I have less chance of breaking down, which gives confidence on long journeys, wings are super delicate it seems
* Breaches on a wing are less painful than on windfoil, but in general falls winging hurt more than falls windfoiling. Wind foiling I tend to land on my arse or feet, winging I tend to land on my chest or back more like a belly flop
* Windfoiling I seem to be have better glide when depowered
* windfoiling seems like I can get away with smaller foil for given wind strength/sail size so I effectively go faster
* I gave up windsurfing once to kite and my crystal ball said that the same thing might happen if I went all out on the wing
* no farking leashes
* much less likely to come into contact with the foil
* much easier to slog back if wind dies
PS: as much as I love windfoiling I tell people to wing if they want to start foiling, except maybe the hardcore freestyle guys/gals who are used to punishment to achieve rewards
Excellent points!
And how people who practice both permanently decide what to do every day? Which days are dedicated to winging and which ones to windfoiling?
Is it only until they get a good skill on winging?
Is it a mess of gear or possible with only one balanced board? In this second case there must be performance sacrifices in one or both sports
Select to expand quoteMucel said..
And how people who practice both permanently decide what to do every day? Which days are dedicated to winging and which ones to windfoiling?
Is it only until they get a good skill on winging?
Is it a mess of gear or possible with only one balanced board? In this second case there must be performance sacrifices in one or both sports
The intermediate wingers I know are riding 70-90l boards in light winds on up, after about a year total winging from zero. You could use a hybrid wind/wing board but it'll just be bigger and heavier due to needing the float for uphauling.
They also usually ride bigger, slower foils.
Select to expand quoteMucel said..
And how people who practice both permanently decide what to do every day? Which days are dedicated to winging and which ones to windfoiling?
Is it only until they get a good skill on winging?
Is it a mess of gear or possible with only one balanced board? In this second case there must be performance sacrifices in one or both sports
I don't know of anyone else that wind & wing foils in my local area...I'm pretty much the redheaded step child
Anything under 15 knots and I will wind foil, if around15-20 I will probably wing foil because I love getting airtime...when the winds is 25+ I will choose depending on wind direction and launch site.
I see wingers struggle in cross off winds in waves but for wind foiling I can use the sail efficiency to stay up in the pocket and ride swells for miles, if the wind is cross shore and small swell, I can get super boosting air on a wing.
I have really worked on getting my gear as simple as possible:
Windfoiling - one board, 2 sails, 1 mast and boom with the phantasm 92cm mast, 926 and 730 front wings
Wingfoiling - one board, 2 wings with the phantasm 82cm mast, 926 and 730 front wings
Sometimes if I have a late work meeting and its already close to 6pm by the time I get to the beach, if the foil is bolted on the board, it takes 60 seconds to pump a wing, no harness, just climb into the speedos and you can literally be on the water as soon as possible to catch that last bit of wind, this has been a session saver a few times.
I honestly love both of them, each session is a learning curve or trying something new and having a combination of gear just means I can pretty guarantee a great time on the water.
I still like both, winging is great but it doesn't make windfoil bad.
I have a compact wind foil board which fits in the back of the car, couple of sails and a single boom. Starboard Supercruiser and Freeride 1100. I've been rigging sails for so much of my life that it is only marginally slower than pumping up a wing. Plus a bunch of good friends who windfoil ??.
Don't particularly enjoy light wind winging so once I can get up on the foil with a 5m Strike without pumping myself into an early grave, I'm winging.??
Prefer winging when it's choppy/waves, windfoil when flat.
Will keep doing both while they still make me smile!
Select to expand quoteDirly said..
I still like both, winging is great but it doesn't make windfoil bad.
100% sums it up
Also most ex windsurfers who wing have absolutely no idea how awesome windfoiling is.......
Select to expand quotethedoor said..Dirly said..
I still like both, winging is great but it doesn't make windfoil bad.
100% sums it up
Also most ex windsurfers who wing have absolutely no idea how awesome windfoiling is.......
Go on then, tell us why is windfoiling so awesome
Select to expand quotepatronus said..thedoor said..Dirly said..
I still like both, winging is great but it doesn't make windfoil bad.
100% sums it up
Also most ex windsurfers who wing have absolutely no idea how awesome windfoiling is.......
Go on then, tell us why is windfoiling so awesome
I thought i just did lol, but it's not like me to shy away from a mic...
Windfoiling is awesome because it's makes everything we love about windsurfing more attainable/consistent. Windsurfing may have peak maximum thrill (debatable point) but windfoiling has a higher average session thrill especially in marginal conditions.
