Discover the Thrill of Wing Foiling

Your Guide to Getting Started

Wing Foiling is an exciting, inclusive sport perfect for adventurers of all experience levels. Whether you're a seasoned water sports enthusiast or completely new to the scene, you'll find wing foiling accessible and exhilarating. With quality instruction and equipment, you'll be amazed at how quickly you can get up and riding. 

Here, we’ve compiled some general tips to support your progression or prepare you for your lessons, however, in no way are these tips a substitute for taking lessons with a certified school. Every person learning to Wing Foil should familiarize themselves with local regulations, safety guidelines, and etiquette to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all water goers.

Finding the Perfect Spot

Before hitting the water, take a moment to assess your location:

  • Check for Hazards: Look for rocks, boats, docks, or anything hidden beneath the surface. Chat with locals or other water sports enthusiasts about any known dangers.
  • Understand the Conditions: Ask yourself:
    • Where is the wind coming from and where is it blowing to? 
    • If the wind pushes you, where will you end up and is that a safe area clear of any hazards?
    • How deep is the water?
    • Is there good quality wind in the area that you intend to practice?

Learn to fly the wing on land

Start on solid ground to build confidence:

  • Safety First: Always start by putting your safety leash on.
  • Handling the Wing: Pick the wing up by first grabbing the center handle on the inflatable edge - from there you can move your hands to the handles located along the strut to imitate riding with the wing. Always grab the front handle first and then place your back hand on the back handle. Keep the wing high overhead. Practice walking left and right to see how the wing reacts to the wind.
  • Flipping the Wing: Practice kneeling on the ground to flip the wing over. Holding the wing at the center handle practice flipping the wing over with your other hand. If you find that while you do this, the wing hits the ground, practice flipping the wing over by walking your hands to the wingtip and flipping from there. This will be more challenging to do in the water so practice is key.

Getting upwind to get started

Most locations will require you to swim upwind and away from shore to get started. To do this, you will want to lay down on your board hooking your feet on top of the wing which will be just downwind of you so that you have both hands to then paddle upwind.

Getting Up and Riding

Here’s how to transition from paddling to riding:

  • Mounting the Board: Climb onto the board in a kneeling position with the wing on the downwind side of you. Grab the center handle first, then move your hands back to the other handles as you practiced on land.
  • Standing Up: Keep the wing overhead, slowly pulling it in to catch more wind. When you begin to feel pressure in the wing, move one foot up and then the other, keeping a low and athletic stance with knees bent and feet spread apart.

Taking Flight on the Foil

Once you’re standing and gaining speed:

  • Balancing Act: Keep pressure on your back heel to maintain direction and keep your weight centered.
  • Pumping the Wing: Pull in on the back hand and release, moving in a quick in-and-out motion. If you have the right-sized wing and foil, this should lift you onto the foil. You might also need to ‘pump’ the board to help it release from the water. It’s okay to get just a little lift at first and touch back down.

Why Taking Lessons is Essential

While these tips offer a glimpse into the process, nothing beats the personalized instruction from a certified school. Lessons will:

  • Enhance Progression: Professional guidance accelerates learning and reduces risks.
  • Provide Gear: Most lessons include gear. This has two added benefits. Firstly, that you can give the sport a try without committing to purchasing all of the gear and second, you may be able to progress out of initial beginner equipment with a few successful lessons. This means when you are ready to practice on your own, you will be looking to purchase gear that will suit your needs for a longer period of time.

The Joys of Wing Foiling

Why choose wing foiling over other water sports? Here are some perks:

  • A Fresh Challenge: Many people are just starting out, so you’ll be in good company.
  • Easy Launch Sites: Unlike other water sports, wing foiling requires less space, making it more accessible.
  • Safe Learning: Beginners start with a large, floaty board that’s stable and easy to manage. It doubles as a paddleboard, so you can take breaks or return to shore easily.
  • Versatile Conditions: Wing foiling works in light winds and gusty conditions. Advanced riders can even foil on small waves that other boards can’t ride.
  • Pure Fun: The thrill of gliding above the water, powered by the wind, is unmatched.

What to Expect

Wing Foiling can be an exhilarating experience. The feeling of harnessing the wind’s power to lift you out of the water and glide effortlessly across the surface is truly unique. Imagine the rush of wind in your face as you balance on the foil and carve through the water with little resistance or vibrations under your feet. Just smooth sailing. The sensation of flying above the water while being propelled by the wind is both thrilling and liberating. It requires skill and balance to master, but once you get the hang of it, wing foiling can be incredibly rewarding.

Equipment You’ll Need

To start wing foiling, you’ll need:

  • Wing Foil Board: Start with a large board (around 100L+). The size also depends on the rider's weight.
  • Complete Foil: A large front wing surface area (1600-2400 cm²) helps with stability. The size also depends on the rider's weight.
  • Wing: Size depends on your weight and conditions.
  • Safety Gear: Wetsuit, helmet, impact vest, booties, and safety leashes.

As you progress, you’ll move to smaller, more performance-oriented equipment that suits your advanced skills.

Get ready for an incredible journey into wing foiling. With the right preparation and guidance, you’ll be up and riding the wind in no time!

Wing Foiling with Duotone Pro Centers

Find the right school

If you aren’t sure where to start or don’t have a school near you, consider visiting one of our Duotone Pro Centers to start your Wing Foiling progression. All of our schools have well qualified instructors, use the latest high quality and beginner friendly equipment from Duotone and Ion, and will be able to safely guide you in your transition from beach onlooker to Wing Foiler!

 

COUNTRY LOCATION SPOT MOTORBOAT SUPPORT BEGINNER-FRIENDLY
Italy Torbole, Lake Garda Flat to choppy water Yes Yes
Italy Sicily, Lo Stagnone Flat water No Yes
Portugal Viana do Castelo, Cabedelo Beach Flat to choppy water No Very
Spain Tenerife, Granadilla Harbor Flat water Yes Very
Germany Sylt, Rantum Flat water No Very
Austria Podersdorf, Neusiedler See Flat water Yes Very
Belgium Koksijde, Oostduinkerke Flat to choppy water No Yes
Greece Mykonos, Korfos Beach Choppy Water Yes Depending on the conditions
Greece Limnos, Keros Beach Flat to choppy water No Yes
Cape Verde Boa Vista, Praia Carlota Flat to choppy water Yes Yes
Tanzania Zanzibar, Kiwengwa Flat to choppy water Yes Yes
China Pingtan, Various Spots Flat to choppy water No Yes
Sri Lanka Kappaladi, Various Spots Flat water Yes Very
Sri Lanka Kalpitiya, Various Spots Flat water Yes Very