HAND WING
The history of various hard-frame hand wings and hang gliders is long, but the current form of wing surfing is made possible by lightweight (1-3kg) inflatable wings that have become common in the 2020s. The wing is constructed of an inflatable leading edge and middle strut, with fabric (canopy) stretched between them. The manufacturing technique is similar to that used in kitesurfing, and many kite manufacturers are now making hand wings as well.
Handles
Soft fabric or hard plastic handles are attached to the center strut of the wing. Some models use a long boom instead.
Opinions on handles vary, but no version has been proven to be superior in terms of usability. There are differences in feel, and the preferred handle can be found by trying different options. If the wing is otherwise of good quality and functional, it is possible to surf quite well with any handle type. However, in cold conditions, it is worth noting that it is more difficult to hold on to a very thick handle or boom with insulated gloves than with a thin one. Gloves are needed when the outside temperature drops below 10 °C or if the water is particularly cold and a lot of time is spent in the water.
In addition to the handles on the center strut, all wings also have a handle in the middle of the leading edge. When holding onto just this handle, the kite is in a neutral state. The handle is used, for example, in wave riding when forward motion is generated by the wave rather than the wind. There may also be several auxiliary handles on the leading edge, and diagonal handles may be located at the base of the center strut and leading edge. Different auxiliary handles may be useful in certain situations, but on the other hand, all additional structures add unwanted weight.
Wing size
One of the significant advantages of wing surfing is the broad wind range of the wing. With one wing size, you can surf in highly variable wind conditions. For example, with a 5m2 wing, a person weighing 75 kg can surf in wind speeds ranging from approximately 6-14 m/s. In practice, it’s more comfortable to use a smaller wing in winds over 12 m/s, but you don’t have to come off the water even if the wind occasionally gets very strong. In gusts, you can quickly turn the wing neutral and let the wind pass through. On the other hand, in weak, gusty winds, the board effortlessly continues its journey through the windless gaps with the foil’s support.
As a beginner, it’s usually best to start with one medium-sized wing: 55kg / 4m2; 65-75kg / 5m2; 75-85kg / 5.5m2; 90kg+ / 6m2. The sizes are approximate, and it’s good to follow the manufacturer’s size chart.
With a wing that’s too small, a beginner who hasn’t yet learned the pumping technique will find it challenging to get airborne in moderate winds. With a wing that’s too large, the wingtip easily catches the water, causing the beginner to fall.
As skills and enthusiasm grow, active enthusiasts often want to maximize the number of days on the water, and therefore they usually have 2-3 wings, such as 75 kg / 3.5m2; 5m2; 6.5m2. With these, an experienced surfer can handle light wind speeds of 4-5 m/s up to stormy winds of over 15 m/s.
The choice of wing size is also affected by the decreasing size of the foil. Small foils need more initial speed to generate lift. Therefore, a slightly larger wing may be used to provide sufficient power. A small foil also travels faster, and gusts feel less significant, even with a larger wing, when the foil is fast and easily accelerates.
Types of wings
Currently, choosing a wing is easy as there are not many different models available.
A general-purpose wing is excellent for learning the basics.
There are lighter and stiffer models designed specifically for race and freestyle use, made from special materials, but for a beginner, it usually makes more sense to get, for example, two reasonably priced and fairly neutral wings rather than one very expensive, specialized one.
A heavier beginner, however, may benefit from a wing that is stiffer than average.
Often, the same wing model is available in both a stiff version made from materials like Aluula or aramid, and a more standard version made from more affordable materials.
In addition to general-purpose wings, light wind wings are also very useful in conditions where the wind is light (4-8 m/s). Light wind models are usually large wings, 6-8m2 in size. The common problem with large wings is that the wingspan increases, and the wingtip easily catches water, causing the surfer to fall. In designing light wind wings, the wingspan has been narrowed and lengthened towards the tail to maintain a large surface area without having the wingtips too close to the water’s surface. Light wind wings may also have different types of battens and reinforcements to increase their stiffness.
Downwind surfing, riding the waves in the same direction as the wind, is a central form of wing surfing in windy countries where regular waves are formed, usually 1-3m high. There are some wings available optimized for downwind surfing. The primary design goal is for the wing to behave calmly in a neutral position while the surfer holds onto the front handle with one hand. There is no need for pulling the wing as the surfer rides the foil along with the wave. Secondarily, the focus is on features that help the surfer rise, tack, quickly and at the steepest angle into the wind.
Freestyle surfing includes jumps and spins. In designing wings for freestyle use, manufacturers have focused on stiffness, lift in the air, durability, and ease of handling.
Race wings are designed with a focus on speed. Unlike single-canopy wings, dual skin and half dual skin wings also feature canopy fabric on the underside of the wing—either covering the full lower surface or just the front section behind the leading edge, similar to camber sails. These wings perform efficiently at high speeds and in gusty or unstable wind conditions.
However, this kind of construction often results in a wing that’s slightly heavier and harder to handle. Low-end power—meaning pull in light wind and during starts—is typically weaker. Race wings also tend to dip or dive during tack turns, unlike freestyle wings, which tend to lift up and roll more easily into the turn.
Windows
The necessity, location, and materials of wing windows are a subject of consideration among both manufacturers and users. Unobstructed visibility is important for safety, but the presence of windows adds some extra weight and presents some design and durability challenges.
If the wing is intended for use in winter conditions (below 0 °C) in cold countries, the durability of the window material should be ensured by the manufacturer. Not all window materials can withstand folding in freezing temperatures and may break. Otherwise, wings generally withstand cold weather just like winter-use inflatable kites.
Finding a suitable location for a window on a wing is challenging because the wing is held at different angles in different situations, and the leading edge and center strut of the wing are often in the way. Some surfers consider windows unnecessary because looking under the wing is easy. However, in situations where several surfers are in close proximity (e.g. racing), windows are certainly justified and increase safety. In the future, we will likely see more wings with transparent canopy fabric.
Bladder
The lightness of the wing is made possible by its airtight inner tube, called a bladder. The bladder can be compared to the inner tube of a bicycle tire, although it is not made of rubber but rather resembles a large plastic bag. The material is very thin, which is why the wing should be handled carefully, especially on the beach. A sharp object on the ground, such as a stick, can make a small hole in the bladder, and a slow leak may only become apparent when on the water. A good practice is to pump up the wing well in advance and close the compression valve between the leading edge and middle strut. Open the compression valve before heading out onto the water. If you hear a hiss, one of the bladders is leaking or the valve is faulty. It is not advisable to go out onto the water with a leaking wing – the swim back to shore could be long and exhausting.
Repairing the bladder is as difficult as repairing a bicycle tire. The most challenging part is finding a small hole in the large “plastic bag.” Once the hole is located, it can be patched with a small sticker.
Pressure and Valves
The stiffness of a kite wing depends on the air pressure used and the materials of the wing. In practice, the goal is to pump the wing with as much pressure as possible while still ensuring that the wing’s materials can withstand it without tearing.
The recommended pressures for modern wings range from about 6-9 psi, depending on the manufacturer. In expensive wings made from special materials, the pressure can even be double that. A wing that is too soft will bend with the wind and not generate any pull. For practical use, it is recommended to pump the wing very close to the manufacturer’s stated maximum pressure. A suitable pump with a pressure gauge can be obtained from the wing manufacturer. You can read more about pumps here:
PUMPS
There is no particular standard for wing valves, so a pump from one manufacturer may not fit another manufacturer’s valve. However, some pumps come with adapters for different valves.
In the first wings, there was usually only one valve. The leading edge and center strut are two separate air chambers connected to each other by one or two small rubber hoses. When emptying the wing, it was slow to empty the center strut through the thin intermediate hose, so newer wings usually have a separate drain valve in the center strut.
BOARD FOILI ACCESSORIES
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?
