The biggest plus I can see is the ability to launch in areas where kiting is impossible.
Biggest flawed argument. Why? The gear is annoyingly bulky. Big heavy board with a wing you need to pump, then carry together to hard to reach area?? You will do it once, then probably go back to your regular windsurf/kite surf point.
I have tried it a couple of times. In 10 knots I was able to ride very slowly upwind with my 7'4 x25 SUP surf board on the first go.
In 15 knots I switched to kitesurfing with my kite foil and ripping with other windsurfers, while a couple Wingers were dragging along super slowly not having much fun.
Then it happened. One of the wingers who is a regular SUPer, seeing my tiny 90cm strapless foil board riding a 7m2 in 15 knots asked were he could learn kitesurfing....
So my take hasn't changed. These wings are great for resorts and schools. A stepping stone to other high performance wind sports. It also great to have fun with friends on the beach on SUP boards. But worth 1000 euros?(in Japan)
- wing7.jpg (65.88 KiB) Viewed 1099 times