What size wing to start

[johan h]

I’m new in wingsurfing and cannot decide what size to start. I’m 170 cm and 68 kg. Wind at homespot usually 14-20 knots. Want to start with one size and maybe later get a second one for more wind. Should I start with a 5 or 4m? Would a 5m be difficult to handle in the beginning and will slow down progression?

[Janus]

Choosing between those sizes my choice would be a 5m.
5m's are not difficult to handle.

[Dave K]

Agreed. Start with a 5m. Add a 4m after that. I’m on the OBX and my 5m gets the most use followed by the 4m. I have Slicks.

Tons of advice already out there on foil size and board size to start with depending on your weight and background experience

[BenS]

I’m new in wingsurfing and cannot decide what size to start. I’m 170 cm and 68 kg. Wind at homespot usually 14-20 knots. Want to start with one size and maybe later get a second one for more wind. Should I start with a 5 or 4m? Would a 5m be difficult to handle in the beginning and will slow down progression?

I'm a similar size to you (172 cm tall and weigh 63 kg) and went for a 5m wing to start with (a Takoon Wing V2). Will be using it for a similar wind range (15-20+ knots) and as a beginner I assumed it would be better to have a bit more power available during water starts and getting up on the foil. Wings are much simpler to depower entirely in stronger wind and with gusts as they can be safely flagged out using the leading edge handle or rested on the water when you want a break. Much easier than kiting when you want to take a short break too as the wing has no pull when depowered. I'm only two sessions in, but so far the wing has been manageable. Getting and staying up on the foil I'm finding much more difficult!

[IWB2]

JohanH,
I am a fraction lighter than you, and been wing foiling over 2 years. I also would recommend the 5m as your first wing for the 15-20kt wing range as this would be my size choice even now. Yes a 4m is a little bit easier to handle than a 5m, however a 4m in the sub 20kts becomes a lot more advanced. I tend to use my 6m from 10-15kts, 5m from 15-21kts then 4m from 21 to 27kts, 3m to 27 to 40+ kts,.

[Peter_Frank]

I’m new in wingsurfing and cannot decide what size to start. I’m 170 cm and 68 kg. Wind at homespot usually 14-20 knots. Want to start with one size and maybe later get a second one for more wind. Should I start with a 5 or 4m? Would a 5m be difficult to handle in the beginning and will slow down progression?

Go with a 4½ or a 5 m2 as the first one, you need power when learning, and these sizes are still okay easy to handle and not big and clumsy (= difficult when learning).

When learned, both sizes are sufficient in 14 knots at your weight.

In 20 knots you can use a 3 or 3½ m2, so both, or a 4, could be your smaller kite later.

Peter