GETTING STARTED WITH WING SURFING
Who is wing surfing suitable for?
In windy and warm countries, wing surfing is approximately one or two years ahead of Nordic countries. The hobbyists include girls, boys, women, men, and even for senior citizens. In the competitive sports side, lightweight juniors challenge muscular windsurfers who have switched to wings – it remains to be seen with what characteristics the brightest medal will be achieved in the future.
Learning wing surfing is easiest for those who already practice windsurfing, kite surfing, or wave surfing. Reading the wind and motor skills of balance are basic skills required in all of these sports. If you already know how to windsurf or kite surf on a foil, learning wing surfing can be very fast – you can already get up in the air on a foil on the first few practice sessions.
If you have no prior experience with surfing, it may take a couple of summers for beginners to get on the foil. Since the sport requires very little strength, lightweight surfers have an advantage in getting up on the foil, especially in light winds. Surfers weighing over one hundred kilograms may have difficulty getting into the air in areas of moderate winds.
The amount of practice is the most important factor affecting development, so wing surfing is not a good choice for those who get or want to get on the water only a few times a summer. Learning the basics requires active training, so it is desirable to spend all possible windy days on the water. On the other hand, surfing is extremely addictive, and when you notice that you are improving, it is difficult to stay away from the water.
One of the most challenging stages of wing surfing is getting up on the board. Wing surfing does not have a typical water start like windsurfing or easy-to-use continuous traction available in kites, so you climb onto the wing surfboard in a kneeling position and then stand up at a suitable moment. Only after that, the balancing force of the wing can be properly used. You may have to wait for a suitable gust in a kneeling position, and therefore, the sport may not be suitable for those with knee problems.
Learning wing surfing is not a certainty, so the sport is excellent for those who crave challenges in a hobby and are willing to invest in the initial phase. After learning the basics, the sport is relatively light and very rewarding and addictive. Flying above the water with the wind’s power is a stunning and relaxing experience which is hard to get bored of. Leisurely cruising with the wing is fun, and those who want extra challenges can learn tricks up to flips and jumps that reach several meters high – several freestyle windsurfing tricks are also possible in wing surfing.
Acquiring Equipment
Currently, there are no major differences between hand wings of an active enthusiast and a beginner, so acquiring your own wing right from the start is reasonable.
However, the situation is different when it comes to the board and foil. A beginner needs a larger board and foil to facilitate learning and progress. You can read more about choosing equipment here:
WING BOARD FOIL ACCESSORIESWing surfing is worth starting in winter
It is a good idea to learn how to handle the wing on dry land. Learning to rise on the foil is the most challenging phase and is easier if you don’t have to pay too much attention to the wing.
The wing is very intuitive to learn, and the feeling is very close to that of a rig for windsurfing, especially for windsurfers. On less snowy ice, you can start with skiing, snowskate, or snowboard. Basic driving I a straight line is usually achievable after about 15 minutes of training. Next, it is good to learn the necessary technique for turns. Turns are easy on skis, but they can also be done on a snowboard.
Most wings are frost-resistant, just like surf kites. However, if there is any uncertainty, it is advisable to confirm with the manufacturer.
