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Wind thresholds for windfoiling vs. wingfoiling

 
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d0uglass



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 1286
Location: Bonita Springs, Florida

PostPosted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 1:53 pm    Post subject: Wind thresholds for windfoiling vs. wingfoiling Reply with quote

Are any of y'all doing both windfoiling and wingfoiling? Do you have a sense of how your wind threshold requirements compare between the two? And how do you decide when to do which sport?
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Wind-NC.com



Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 980
Location: Formerly Cape Hatteras, now Burlington, VT!

PostPosted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 6:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi James- Yes, definitely doing both and super pumped on both sports! They are both really fun and engaging. Sometimes it is tough to choose so I just take two sessions Wink There are many boards that let you do both sports, so it is a pretty simple swap.

If you have been windsurfing for a long time, you will be WAY more efficient with a sail at first. But as you get more time with a wing, you'll get better at it, and you can start to lower your wind thresholds. Most people need 15+ mph wind to get going with a wing at first, but the pros can get going in just 6-10. This is pretty similar to windsurf foiling except many "regular joes" can get going with a sail in 12+, even on their first day. And as we all know, there is a big difference between 12+ and 15+!

Once you get the rhythm of pumping a wing and your foil, you can generate a LOT of power and get going in pretty crazy light wind. This is somewhat amplified over a sail since the weight of the wing tends to be supported by the wind, and it weighs less than a sail/mast/boom combo anyway. You can also use a smaller and lighter board (with practice) which is easier to pump than a larger windsurf foil board.

That said, a purpose built 7 or 8 meter sail has just tons of power, so you can also pump a windsurf rig and foil very efficiently and get moving in crazy light wind...

Both of these sports/tasks take technique, skill, and fitness, which take time to develop. So put your time in and reap the rewards!

Regarding choosing between the sports- If I have limited time, and/or a small body of water to use, winging is really really fun! You're set up and out in the water in, like, 2 minutes. And you can really maximize the fun factor, even in teeny tiny bodies of water, because you can get up to speed pretty much instantly and motor upwind. I have had awesome sessions in super narrow channels with a wing surf setup, smaller than I would ever imagine trying to windsurf in.

If I have a bit more time and more space to play with, nothing beats locking in on a windsurf rig, going fast, and carving super hard jibes.

Wave riding with both sports is AhhhMaazing!!

Tough to go wrong- might as well enjoy both!

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coachg



Joined: 10 Sep 2000
Posts: 3549

PostPosted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 6:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

For wind threshold right now in a steady wind the wing can fly at lower speeds & stay on the foil at lower speeds, however your post has me interested in putting my wing foil on my windsurf foil board to see if that may work???? 1850 sq cm vs. 1150 sq cm. As for the rest; Location, location, location.

Coachg
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NOVAAN



Joined: 28 Sep 1994
Posts: 1544

PostPosted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 10:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I put the Naish 1800 HA wing on my windsurf foil replacing the 1150. Huge gain in the low end. Its plenty fast and a bit more stable fore and aft. I also got the Naish 1400 HA wing. With the three wings I pretty much only need to rig one sail. If conditions change its three screws to change a wing. Much easier than rigging a different sail.
I wing foiled for a little while. The biggest advantage, rigging and storage of your power source. Less parts on the wing. I found that winging hurt my lower back. Wind foiling with a harness allowed me to lock in and use my hips and legs to control the sail. As for low end range. The size of your foil has as much or more effect as your power source. Both are fun but for me wind foiling works better and if I use the same type and size of foil I can be up and flying as soon or sooner then the wings. Me on a 4.7 wings on a 5.0.
One last thought. Windsurf sails have a large tuning range. Years of development and better materials can make one sail work in a wide wind range. This is ever more apparent on foil. I often see wingers head in to pump up a different size wing when I can adjust my sail to the changing conditions..
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