CHALLENGES AND ANNOUYANCES OF WING SURFING
The following are some things that all wing surfers experience and have to deal with in one way or another.
Difficult to plan ahead
Although wing surfing is possible in very light winds, there still needs to be wind, and preferably a lot rather than a little. Not every day is windy. Weather forecasts give an indication of good conditions about a week ahead. This is why an enthusiast cannot plan their activities too far in advance. This is difficult for loved ones as well as the surfer themselves – it’s not relaxing to be on the water if your conscience says you should be somewhere else. On the other hand, on a windy day, it’s hard to concentrate on anything else and to keep your eyes off the tree tops or to resist checking weather apps and surf group updates.
The wing is not indestructible
In windsurfing, you can still sail to the beach quite nicely with a punctured sail, but with a deflated wing, you can’t fly or surf off the water in any way. The only option is to paddle from the board.
The wing can leak gradually from a small hole or valve, so that at some point, the stiffness is no longer enough to lift the board into the air. That’s why you should head to the shore immediately if you notice any change in the stiffness of the wing. You can check this by opening the shut-off valve between the leading edge and center strut. If you hear a hissing sound, one of the bladders is leaking.
The wing can also explode if you fall on it. Even new wings have exploded due to manufacturing defects or poor design. When buying a wing, it’s worth asking and googling user experiences. The latest innovations are not always the most durable.
Although wing failure is rare, the possibility should be acknowledged. This means that warm clothing should be worn to be prepared to be on the water longer than expected. The spot or route should be planned so as not to drift out to sea with ocean currents or offshore winds. Surfing should be done at a distance from the shore that allows for a return by paddling in case of equipment failure. It is good to keep a small extendable paddle in the car that can be used to assist someone in trouble. Especially when surfing alone, it is worth considering bringing a phone on the water.
The sport is easily addictive
This applies to all surfing sports. Working with the forces of nature is addictive. Learning the sport is not a given, so progress and improvement bring special pleasure.
Getting up on the foil and flying over the waves is unique and it is difficult to get bored with it. The limited number of windy days ensures that one cannot get to the point of boredom.
The dangerous pastime on calm days is pondering the next equipment purchase. Is it time for a smaller foil, a large light wind wing would also be good to have, and on the other hand, one should be able to get on the water even in the strongest storms. Although theoretically, wing surfing requires relatively little equipment, it is easy to waste a lot of money on the sport. It is not uncommon to buy five boards in a couple of years, and at least as many different types of foil wings, and even backup hand wings. It does not help that some manufacturers release new models several times a year.
Be careful with the wing on the beach
Cuts and scratches on the wing usually occur on the beach. Once the wing is pumped and the board is ready, it’s time to change into a wetsuit. The wing is usually tied to the board with a leash. If the wind direction and strength remain the same, the equipment stays in place. However, there are often eddies on the beach, and the wind can blow in the opposite direction, causing the wing to turn over the board and foil. The sharp edges of the foil easily cut the fabric of the wing. Especially if the foil has hit rocks, there may be rough edges that damage the fabric with even a small touch. It is a good idea to regularly remove the worst rough spots with sandpaper.
To prevent a situation like the one described above, you can turn the wing upside down in a reasonably sheltered spot and place the board on top of the wing inside.
Leash
The wing slipping out of your hand is very likely and happens in practice almost every time you go surfing. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to use a leash with the wing. If you don’t, the wind will immediately take the runaway wing.
When falling, a wingsurf board is very quick to escape with the waves. An experienced surfer can reach the board by pulling themselves with the wing, body dragging style, but in all conditions, it is not possible. Therefore, it is wise for the average surfer to always use a leash with the board as well.
You can attach the leash to your wrist and the board to your ankle. Both can also be attached to the waist. Nevertheless, no matter where they are attached, the leashes can cause confusion and mess, especially for beginners. There are numerous ways to get tangled up in the leashes when getting on the board, taking off, jibing, or even chatting with a friend.
Fortunately, it is nice to know that as your skills improve, you hardly notice the leashes anymore, and getting on the board and jibing becomes routine. When falling, the leashes are only useful because with a few pulls, the equipment returns to you, and you can continue your journey right away.
RENTAL
Are you a beginner or considering your next purchases?
Beginners need a large board and a foil. Some, especially those coming from other surfing disciplines, may only need these larger beginner equipment only a few times. Renting can be a good choice.
Surfing is faster with smaller, lighter equipment. Are you considering, for example, how small a front wing you can fly with, or how much more agile a foil becomes with a smaller rear wing?
