I guess a fairly common question but I could not find a good explanation online.
I started to wing 2 weeks ago. I'm at session number 4. 115L board, 1850cm2 front wing, 5.5m A-wing. mostly wind from 15 to 20knt with higher gusts.
I have been flying since the first session (after 30 very frustrating minutes figuring out a way to water start in the small wind waves . Thanks to 6 or 7 years of kitefoiling!
I foil both sides no pb, started going toe side yesterday. managed the first few gybes. So overall pretty happy with the pace of learning.
But still struggling to understand what is the good technic to go upwind efficiently... I never thought I would get on a foiling watercraft and struggle to go upwind
So far, not a real issue, since we did downwinders or had a security boat to take us back to the launch spot, but this is a lot of logistic for afterwork sessions...
My issue is not with the board handling obviously. I can foil super high in the wind, to the point the wing goes out of the wind window and it start to luff and you loose power.
It is more with the wing handling I think.
- I tried bending the front arm and keeping the back arm straight - which results in puting the wing more to the back but also changing the angle of the wing in the wind and make it loose power early
- I tried the opposite keeping the front arm straight and sheeting in witht he back arm. which seems to work better, but is is exhausting.
So bottom line: any recommandation or tutorial on how to go upwind effiicently (ie. high angle and without killing your arms)?
Thanks!