
Wingfoil – how to crack it?
What is a wingfoil?
First of all, let’s explain what a wingfoil is and what it consists of. It consists of two independent elements, i.e. our wing, which is the driving engine, and the board with a foil attached to it. The foil itself is a specific structure located under the board that allows it to be lifted out of the water. This happens due to hydrodynamic forces. At the appropriate speed, a lifting force appears on the front part of our foil which lifts us above the water. We described the principles of how the wingfoil works in detail in the previous article.
Is wingfoil difficult?
Like any other sport, especially water sports, they require certain knowledge and skills. However, compared to windsurfing or kitesurfing, wingfoil (or wingboard) is relatively easy and more intuitive. It does not require much physical strength because the load-bearing element, i.e. our wing, is very light and can be lifted out of the water very quickly and easily. This is different, for example, in the case of windsurfing and heavy sails that we pull out of the water. In addition, our wing does not have any hard or dangerous elements, which makes learning wingfoil very pleasant and safe.
Can anyone learn wingfoil?
As with other water sports, anyone who is not afraid of water can learn to foil. Of course, certain predispositions and previous experience with other water sports are important. It will certainly be easier for light people with good physical fitness and having a good balance. However, this does not change the fact that even someone who has never had any contact with water can also learn the basics of a wingfoil.
How long does it take to learn a wingfoil?
Unfortunately, this question cannot be answered unambiguously, because the time we need to master wingfoil depends on many factors. As we wrote above, your own predispositions and previous experience, e.g. with windsurfing or sailing, are very significant. The place, conditions and equipment on which we learn wingfoil will also be of great importance. Usually, this learning is divided into two stages. The first one is learning and controlling the wing itself. For most beginners, this is an easier part of learning, and the results come very quickly. Traditional windsurfing or SUP boards are mainly used for this purpose, as it makes learning much easier. Then we move on to learning the foil, which usually takes a bit more time. We will definitely spend a few days on the water to fully enjoy wingfoil sailing. In some cases, just a few hours are enough to feel what it’s like to fly with a wing.
Where and how to start learning wingfoil?
In fact, we can learn wingfoil on our own, anywhere. Just buy or rent the appropriate set and start learning. However, this solution may turn out to be time-consuming and ineffective, especially at the beginning of your wingfoil adventure. It is worth taking advantage of the help and advice of experienced instructors who will thoroughly show and explain the basics of wingfoil. The same applies to windsurfing, sailing and other water sports. For this purpose, we can purchase a course or take at least a few individual lessons. This form of learning will undoubtedly prove to be more effective, safe and, therefore, much more enjoyable!