Lightweights starting out in uncharted waters

I'm a 65kg old guy who windsurfed decades ago and sailed a fair amount too...now super stoked by this new sport and want to get back on the water. It's still snowing off and on here in Idaho, and the water temp at my local spot is 45F/7C. That, and the fact that no-one here foils at all that I know of has me just watching videos and lurking on forums like this to keep me occupied.

So in the meantime, I could use some advice on getting into this sport as a lightweight, since it seems like with most sports like this, the numbers tend to assume a default of around 80kg. While recommendations for kg +30 for a beginner board takes this into account, that doesn't translate into wing and foil numbers...and it seems that what was considered an appropriate beginner front foil wing seems to be changing as foil design advances (e.g. 2000cm seems like a common recommendation in a lot of places, but now see recommendations for 1500-1600 newer front foils being recommended for starting out, like the Lift - Surf 250 v2).

I know it depends on conditions here, and I was able to find some 10yr old kite boarding discussions of our local spot (inland lake), where guys were saying they mostly use 13m kites, but that 9m gets a fair amount of use as well. Windfinder.com also tells me that monthly average wind speeds average 10-15MPH, with gusts averaging 25-30MPH at my local spot (not sure that really tells me what I need to know (???!!!)).

Any advice on translating numbers/advice for lighter weight wingers in general, or how to get a jump on figuring out what range of gear might be best for my local spot before I start the process of trial and error?

Thanks much...SD

I'm a lightweight winger, same weight, but a bit younger at 37 and learned 2 or 3 years ago on my own (best decision ever). I could prone surf foil halfway decent, but zero wind experience. I had SUP touring experience as well.


I started on a 105L at 5'10", boxy shape by FSM. Tried to start with a v1 Slingshot 4.2M wing and Armstrong cf1600. Had trouble getting on foil so got a f-one 5m and cf2400 foil. Progression took off from there pretty steady.
In a perfect world, you could use that sized foil for the first month then move on to a quicker more efficient shape. The slower nature of the 2400 and steady lift/stability made it a great learning platform. The lift wing you mention is probably a good option for learning.


Based on your wind, I would say a 5M and a 3M would be a good starting point.
I would plan a few small downwind runs across your lake as a starting point.


Feel free to pick my brain!

My main board now is a 60L (mainly due to shallow water spots) and a 34L and my smallest foil is an HA525 and biggest is HA1325. Wing sizes from 2-5m.

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SpokeyDoke said..

MidAtlanticFoil said..
I started on a 105L at 5'10", boxy shape by FSM. Tried to start with a v1 Slingshot 4.2M wing and Armstrong cf1600. Had trouble getting on foil so got a f-one 5m and cf2400 foil. Progression took off from there pretty steady.
In a perfect world, you could use that sized foil for the first month then move on to a quicker more efficient shape. The slower nature of the 2400 and steady lift/stability made it a great learning platform. The lift wing you mention is probably a good option for learning.

Based on your wind, I would say a 5M and a 3M would be a good starting point.
I would plan a few small downwind runs across your lake as a starting point.

Thanks...lots of folks seem to like that CF2400 for learning, but then some warn that a really big front wing is going to want to breach/porpoise on you as you get powered up, and that fighting that hinders learning (and then also you want to ditch the big foil very soon)...

Would like to hear more about your experience with the 2400 and where you went next and why...if it still gets any use in light conditions, etc.

I personally didn't have any major issues with keeping the 2400 wing in the water. I would tune the tail shim more neutral with strong winds. I guess in the beginning there were plenty of yard sales, but as long as you learn to spill power with the wingding, it's a non issue. If you go the Armstrong route, it wouldn't hurt to buy a rig geared towards your next progression, which may be the HS1550v2 and source a 2400 used so you can offload it at a minimal loss ideally.

I ended up on the HS1850 and HS1550v1 after the 2400 for another year or so. Then a lot of the HS1250, then HA1125, no HA925 and HA725 are my most used foils for winging.

I've since sold my HS wings above the 1250. Last session I had on the 1850 felt painfully slow and draggy compared to the HA Wings. That's one great thing about getting past the beginner wings -> It will be easier on your arms/grip.

You could probably start on the HS1850 as well, as that is a great wing that works well in light winds. In the end, I think it's important to spend as much time on foil, while stable, when learning. Then once you are nailing your gybes above 75% it makes sense to go for faster and more nimble foils, as your pumping skills etc will have developed by then.


Also, you mentioned you've sailed in the past. I had no sailing background, but was always intrigued. I think the sailing nature of winging is often overlooked. It is an amazing feeling to have so much nimble control of a sailing craft. Has to be the smallest most efficient sailing craft out there. The amount of adjustments you make intuitively to the sale while riding is awesome.

SpokeyDoke, couple of things I'd ask first.
What's your general skill level? If you're pretty well co-ordinated and good with windsurfing, you can consider going on the smallish side of a learners board (20-30L plus body weight in kg). If not, go bigger (I still use a Konrad 118L board and am 70 kg). The more recent designs are tending to go shorter, narrower but increased thickness to get the volume. My Naish 125 Hover is much more stable, but is not as easy to get flying as it's bigger surface area makes it stick to the water more.
What are your local conditions like? If water is choppy and gets a lot of exposure from a long fetch and wave activity, then consider going for a bigger volume board to assist with learning in compromised conditions. If it's smooth protected waters in a lake then a smaller board may give you more scope to learn with that board for longer.
I can vouch for Axis gear. Used it and the Naish plus Slingshot and all are good but I think Axis is a little better.
I've used the Naish 1572 and Naish Jetfoil 2000 to learn on. Was OK. Moved to Axis BSC 1060 and PNG 1300 and the learning took off. One of the things that may have contributed to faster learning was the Axis fuse I got was the windfoiling one (88cm long) which I found really stabilised the pitch, making gybing muuuuch easier. Yeah, it doesn't pump as easily as the shorter fuses and isn't as manouverable, but I can dial in a gybe easy in most conditions with it now.
What you want to do with your foiling will dictate your best choice for front foil. If it's just getting up and messing around in light winds (say sub 15 knots that you struggle get windsurf planing), then a big area front foil will be a good start. If you're looking to move into waves and speed, then a higher aspect wing might be more what you're after? It's a bit hard to know. The more info you give us on this topic, the more feedback you can get from a number of us that will hopefully steer you in the right direction.
For wings, I found it was about the wingspan. Anything bigger than about 3.2m wide and I have a tendency to touch the tips when trying to pump. So for me (at 175cm tall and with not great shoulders) I found the 5m Slick to be ideal. I posted a topic on this:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Wing-Foiling/Wind-Wings/Windwing-dimensions

If you have the opportunity, I'd recommend learning the foil aspect first behind a tinny at about 15km/h on smooth waters. I think there's topics on this forum which talk about learning to foil behind a boat.
When you first go out on the foil with the wing, give yourself a chance with about 15 knots or more. It's easier to dump power when winging. If you're underpowered it will likely be very difficult trying to learn how to pump onto the foil as well as everything else you'll be trying to control.
Good luck. If you get into it, I doubt you'll regret it. HUGE fun.