Re: I'm not convinced (but want to be)
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 4:33 pm
Pick the sport that works for your beach. I want to paddle surf a shortboard and get shacked in huge barrels, but my spot is basically a small lake, so I don't.
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You may be right! I'll keep a lookout.bragnouff wrote: ↑Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:05 pmI think you just have to find spots that are more adapted to the realities of winging. All those spots that you've always dismissed for kiting, because the launch is sketchy, wind shadow inside, no room for setup, etc... they might work for wing instead. Maybe with a different perspective on your requirements, you'd find some great options around.
I think that's where the value is with wings, ride in places where kites cannot. To be fair, when riding on kiting spots, I still see the kite as having the advantage on pretty much every aspect (except the novelty).
I live at one one the best kiting spots on the planet, yet I choose to wing.TomW wrote: ↑Tue Aug 04, 2020 6:17 pmYou may be right! I'll keep a lookout.bragnouff wrote: ↑Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:05 pmI think you just have to find spots that are more adapted to the realities of winging. All those spots that you've always dismissed for kiting, because the launch is sketchy, wind shadow inside, no room for setup, etc... they might work for wing instead. Maybe with a different perspective on your requirements, you'd find some great options around.
I think that's where the value is with wings, ride in places where kites cannot. To be fair, when riding on kiting spots, I still see the kite as having the advantage on pretty much every aspect (except the novelty).
Yes! What he said!
X3
I think we agree more than we disagree. First, I am not saying "transport to waves only". It is simply a preference for water moving the foil vs wind moving the foil. I also love carving and jibing but I prefer the sensation of doing it with water power (even if very small) vs wind power. Of course you need wind to wing but for example, I use the wing to get up to just the correct speed for a small wind swell and then try to use the energy of the swell to carve or jibe or just glide a bit. Winging allows you to use really big foils comfortably and if on a given day, I can match foil size with swell size correctly and hit it at the correct speed as I go to the leading edge handle of my wing, the glide and carve is just magicalPeter_Frank wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:34 amNot for me - it is definitely an awesome fun wind sport, and I love playing around even if flat or small chop, riding holding the wind in your bare hands (great feel, so much more natural) and carving and practicing transitions and everything.
No way it is a way to transport to waves only, for me.
Even in really small waves, bottom turning and cutbacks using the wind a bit and trying to hit the small top, is great fun too
Nothing beats making a fluid smooth jibe, going around powered at first, maybe narrow maybe faster, switching the wing and then your feet, and off you go the other way
Just like it is fun on surfboards or kitehydrofoils or windsurfers - this is, for me, an awesome feeling
Surfing waves, jumping, and doing other tricks is fun, but carving and jibing is the backbone of all these windsports for me, and the rest simply putting more good stuff on the cake.
Peter
I was worried too but desperate to try the new sport anyway. I'm 6'0, 108kg. I bought a f-one rocket air inflateable, the f-one foil and a 65cm mast and built the foils and fuselage because I like designing and building things. The air-SUPs are about half the price of the EPS Composite layup ones. My first session today. Knew the winds would be marginal but they did pick up a bit as it was getting dark and I'm feeling stoked even though I was only sitting or kneeling on the board. All progress in building new muscle memory! The wind was probably around 10 knots gusting to 15 and my foil is around 1800, deep lifty profile. If I'd been standing and pumped had I might have got on foil but still building confidence with first session.JakeFarley wrote: ↑Tue Aug 04, 2020 3:47 pmThe biggest obstacle for me is the cost of new equipment. I'm 6'2", 200 lbs., so from what I've gleaned from this forum is that I need a 120-140 liter board, 1600-2400 hydrofoil, and a 6m wing. Cost $3000+ new. Not sure if there is that much used equipment on the market where I live. Would like to demo or rent before I make the investment. I might contact a couple of local shops to see if they have demo equipment.
Agreed some of us ex windsurfers especially enjoy other aspects of wingfoiling, lets just say that wave riding is where the wing excels.Peter_Frank wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:34 amNot for me - it is definitely an awesome fun wind sport, and I love playing around even if flat or small chop, riding holding the wind in your bare hands (great feel, so much more natural) and carving and practicing transitions and everything.
No way it is a way to transport to waves only, for me.
Even in really small waves, bottom turning and cutbacks using the wind a bit and trying to hit the small top, is great fun too
Nothing beats making a fluid smooth jibe, going around powered at first, maybe narrow maybe faster, switching the wing and then your feet, and off you go the other way
Just like it is fun on surfboards or kitehydrofoils or windsurfers - this is, for me, an awesome feeling
Surfing waves, jumping, and doing other tricks is fun, but carving and jibing is the backbone of all these windsports for me, and the rest simply putting more good stuff on the cake.
Peter