ACCESSORIES
Wetsuit and other neoprene gear
When wing surfing, you don’t need much more than a board, foil, and wing – especially if you’re practicing in warm countries. However, in Nordic conditions, a wetsuit or drysuit is necessary, and active surfers typically have 2-3 suits: a 3mm summer wetsuit, a 5mm transitional wetsuit with or without a hood, and a drysuit or hooded 6/5 mm wetsuit for cold weather, which can be worn with thin 1-3mm base layers.
Additionally, most wing surfers wear neoprene shoes throughout the season, which not only keep their feet warm but also protect them from the foil and rocky shores. They often have two pairs of shoes: a 3-4mm pair for summer weather and a 5-7mm pair for cold water.
By wearing neoprene gloves or mittens, you can continue to practice in sub-zero temperatures.
For someone buying their first wetsuit, a 5mm suit is probably the best purchase. It may not be wise to buy the cheapest wetsuit from a hardware store, as there are differences in neoprene insulation and stretch. Seams also last longer in high-quality suits from well-known manufacturers.
Harness
Since the wing is lightweight to hold onto, a harness is not particularly necessary. However, for those with a background in windsurfing or kiteboarding, it is a natural piece of equipment and works well for wing surfing too.
A harness consists of a hook-equipped harness belt and a harness line attached to the wing. When sailing on a reach, the hook is attached to the harness line. This way, part of the wing’s pulling force is transmitted through the harness line to the hips, reducing the load on the arms.
The hook can also be attached when sailing crosswind, but when sailing downwind, at high speeds, or pushing your skills to the limit, it is best to detach the hook from the harness line. If a surfer is hooked onto the wing by their hips when they fall, they can easily end up on top of the wing, which can cause the wing to explode.
You can use harness lines meant for windsurfing in wing surfing, but a thinner line or a harness that is lighter than a windsurfing harness is more effective. A windsurfing harness line is too heavy-duty, and when pumping the wing with your arms to take off, the line can easily hit your face.
Tools
Usually, the only tool needed is a torx key that fits the foil screws. In most foils, all the screws are of the same size and no other tools are required.
The foil screws loosen over time and should be checked and tightened before each use. If the foil needs to be disassembled for transportation purposes, it may be wise to use a hand ratchet wrench. In this case, the screw must be threaded first by hand, and the final tightening should be done by hand as well. Using a power tool can easily damage the screw heads and the aluminum threads.
Foil protection
When transporting a foil, it is always recommended to use a protective cover. The cover protects the foil from scratches, as well as the car interior and door frames from the sharp edges of the foil.
Protective covers are available for the foil wings, mast, and larger parts of the “airplane” section. Not all foil manufacturers include covers in the package, and they may need to be ordered separately. If a suitable cover cannot be found, it can also be sewn at home.
Pump
A pump is not automatically included with the wing, which is understandable since many enthusiasts have multiple wings. The wing manufacturer provides a pump that fits the wing valve.
Usually, the pumps included in manufacturers’ packages are basic, single-chamber, and one-way pumps that work but are slow. A large 7m2 wing can be pumped more efficiently with a two-chamber, two-way pump. If you also use an inflatable board, investing in a two-chamber pump may be wise.
There are also many electric pumps available for SUP boards, but purchasing one solely for wing pumping is questionable. Pumping the wing by hand takes about 1-3 minutes and provides a warm-up for the surfer. If the board is also inflatable and needs to be deflated after each practice session, purchasing an electric pump is justified.
Most pumps have a pressure gauge (in psi), and most manufacturers also specify the maximum pressure used for the wing and board.
Wing and board leash
A leash, should always be used when using a wing, as it is also recommended for use with a board. When practicing difficult maneuvers like a backside flip, the board leash may be left off, but for regular surfer, it is always recommended to use a leash.
The wing leash can be attached to the hand, and the board leash to the ankle with a velcro fastening. Wing surf harnesses also have attachment points for both leashes. Where to attach the leash is largely a matter of personal preference.
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?
