About Wing Foiling
Wing Foiling, Wing Surfing, whatever you want to call it. Winging is here to stay and is reaching new people and places that other sails have failed to reach.
Not all wings are equal. Getting the right wing for your ability and conditions will help you learn and progress faster and with less effort.
Boom Vs handles: A boom offers infinite hand location adjustments without having to let go of the grip. However it is long, adds a bit of weight and does not pack down as small.
Handles: Hard vs Soft - Hard provide more control and are a little easier on the hands. Soft handles are lighter, pack down easier and are the most durable.
Materials: Aluula, Hookipa, SLS, Dacron -
Dacron is the standard, its the industry standard and a trustworthy material that sails, kites and wings have used since the beginning. It has been evolving and todays Dacron is lighter and stronger than that of even a few years ago. Dacron has the longest lifespan of the materials. It degrades slowly and consistently over time and is readily reparable by almost anyone. There are many versions of Dacron that go by many names, in various weights, thicknesses, thread count and manufacturers.
SLS or Penta-TX is a Duotone exclusive, it is a laminated cloth similar to Dacron, but slightly stiffer, stronger, lighter. The lamination separates it from Dacron and makes it water impermeable. This is a great middle ground for performance, economy and longevity.
Aluula is a premium laminated sail cloth that is extremely light, stiff and strong. Its incredible weight to strength make it the premier material for leading edges and struts. It provides a an credibly light and stiff wing for maximum efficiency and power. Aluula is very hard to work with and only a few facilities can repair it. Its lifespan is 3-4 years and it will hold a very high performance until it gives out and then there is no saving it. Like a Mylar sail they are near perfect for their entire life and then they die quickly.
Hookipa is a woven Dyneema that is laminated to hold shape. This material is easier to work with then Aluula and shares most of the same benefits. Super strong, light and virtually no stretch.
Style: Wing shapes, handles, and materials are constantly changing. A 1 to 2 year old wing is not going to perform as well as this years model. Wings are getting stiffer, more durable, more stable and more powerful each season. We are seeing stronger materials, tighter canopy layouts and more dihedral shape which adds stability when flagging the wing from the front handle.
Size: While learning it is easiest to start with a lot of power. If you are in 20mph or less we recommend a 5m plus wing. Adding or subtracting a meter for every 20 lbs over or under 200 and for every 5mph of winds. The F-one CWC and Duotone Ventis wings are staples in light wind areas and are the easiest wings to get you going in the least amount of wind. They are light and still perform well at the top end of their wind range, with many riders using them from 10-25mph
For beginners we recommend the following sizes:
10mph @ 200lbs = 8m or 9m
14mph @ 200lbs = 7m
18mph @ 200lbs = 6m