Back in the early 1980's a friend in Madison, Wisconsin made a canvas on bamboo "kite" like this for wind-driven ice skating with racing skates, it was a lot of fun.
Naish version
Most of these "ill-informed opinions" are based on the real world experiences of those of us that came from windsurfing. And you last statement about it being a complement to kiting????? Well that was how most windsurfers saw kiting too. Just like with me, most windsurfers did both for a few years, then ditched the windsurfing gear all together. The debate is wether this new sport is going to follow in the footsteps of kitesurfing and prevail, or windsurfing and slowly die out after a good run. The extreme fringes of opinion range from only a few year run of wingsurfing to it replacing and/or taking away new entrants to kitesurfing.mikesids wrote: ↑Wed Jun 05, 2019 12:13 amThere's some really ill-informed opinions going on here by people who have already decided this just won't work or won't be enjoyable. If you are actually interested in how this might unfold check out the wing.surf page on Facebook for latest updates and videos. A lot of folks already enjoying themselves, riding swell, foiling one handed etc. A complement to kiting, not going to replace it.
Yes, will be interesting to see how things develop. I think the foil (r)evolution is changing many things.Matteo V wrote: ↑Thu Jun 13, 2019 3:07 pm
All of these questions add up to an unknown future for wingsurfing. This year should shed some light on whether it has the excitement to take kiters away from kiting. Next year, we should see some lessons pop up and see if new entrants to windsports divide between kiting and wingsurfing. The following year, we should see if wingsurfing has the staying power to match it's hype, and disprove it's naysayers.
Matteo V wrote: ↑Thu Jun 13, 2019 3:07 pmMost of these "ill-informed opinions" are based on the real world experiences of those of us that came from windsurfing. And you last statement about it being a complement to kiting????? Well that was how most windsurfers saw kiting too. Just like with me, most windsurfers did both for a few years, then ditched the windsurfing gear all together. The debate is wether this new sport is going to follow in the footsteps of kitesurfing and prevail, or windsurfing and slowly die out after a good run. The extreme fringes of opinion range from only a few year run of wingsurfing to it replacing and/or taking away new entrants to kitesurfing.mikesids wrote: ↑Wed Jun 05, 2019 12:13 amThere's some really ill-informed opinions going on here by people who have already decided this just won't work or won't be enjoyable. If you are actually interested in how this might unfold check out the wing.surf page on Facebook for latest updates and videos. A lot of folks already enjoying themselves, riding swell, foiling one handed etc. A complement to kiting, not going to replace it.
The similarities cannot be ignored if you are forecasting for the future. Nor can the differences be ignored:
1. Windsurfing was limited to high wind speeds for those who wanted to be on smaller boards. Kitesurfing can use a tiny board with a big kite in almost any wind speed. - Kitesurfing wins out, so what is wingsurfing's range without a hydrofoil (hint: worse than windsurfing)
2. Windsurfing was limited to the wind on the water and very small benefit from pumping the sail. Kitesurfing had the wind window and sining the kite was actually the same as pumping a windsurfing sail, though it took no energy input. Kitesurfing wins out, so how do you "pump" a wingsurfin wing?? (hint: with no mast base connection to the board and no wind window, you really can't justify it)
3. Windsurfing had multiple sails and components with a large cost associated with each piece and even larger cost for "all carbon - best components". Kitesurfing can rely on just one bar and a few easily packable kites of. Kitesurfing, for transport ability, cost and storage, and ease of assembly, wins out. Wingsurfing, at it's infant stages, seems to be in line with kitesurfing, but we will have to wait and see what development brings. Will wingsurfing stay as uncomplicated as kiting is now??? I would think it could, but it also could change drastically and morph into a multiple board/gear thing too.
All of these questions add up to an unknown future for wingsurfing. This year should shed some light on whether it has the excitement to take kiters away from kiting. Next year, we should see some lessons pop up and see if new entrants to windsports divide between kiting and wingsurfing. The following year, we should see if wingsurfing has the staying power to match it's hype, and disprove it's naysayers.
james, I have stated before that my experience was with the KiteWing from back when I started into the wind sports. I actually owned a KiteWing Rage 55+ (purchased new), and used it extensively on land/snow. At the same time, I was experimenting with:
Definitely give it a go! I enjoyed my KiteWing, but just could not justify hauling it around when a kite and windsurfing gear did all that the KiteWing did. Now that I pretty much exclusively kite, maybe there would be a niche for a "stringless kite wingythingy" at 40knot windspeeds on the snow. And I would love to hit up a demo if they ever have them out in Oregon. Maybe I still have my KiteWing skills from way back when. Also, I would just like to know what difference in feel the inflatable structure gives the wing. Obviously, my assumptions could be wrong.juandesooka wrote: ↑Sat Jun 15, 2019 4:56 pmInformative post thanks Matteo
Though I still want to try for myself. foil seems to be the big difference maker....for sup foiling i am hopeful this may open up some fun possibilities
Exactly! Not the same as the old ones! The hydrofoil is the game changer for the wings.
Users browsing this forum: billybob and 93 guests