If you’ve accessed this section of our website, you’re probably at a fairly early stage of getting into this wonderful sport and you’re wondering what skills you need to wingfoil.
Wingfoiling is a fascinating sport and most people who see wingfoilers on the water for the first time are impressed. At almost every session we are approached by passers-by and interested spectators. The first question is usually: “What is that you’re doing?” And the second question: “Is it difficult?”
Our answer is usually: “It’s easier than it looks at first!”
And we think that’s absolutely true. However, it is quite complex to learn and requires a range of knowledge and skills that need to be combined.
What skills do you need to master wingfoiling?
Basic knowledge
First of all, there is the very basic knowledge and skills that seem to have little to do with the sport and the fun of it, but which are elementary prerequisites for maintaining the fun of it and enjoying our successes safely:
- We need knowledge of the equipment and how to handle it.
- We need to be familiar with the natural elements of water and wind.
- We need basic knowledge of how to move with the help of the wind.
- As we will often not be alone on the water, we need to know the (right of way) rules for behavior among ourselves.
- We need to know how to deal with and control the potential dangers of the sport.
Basic techniques
In addition to these basic skills, we naturally need knowledge and skills relating to the basic techniques of the sport:
- We should be able to handle the three pieces of sports equipment – wing, board and foil – individually and in combination as quickly as possible.
- We need techniques for standing up on a relatively small board that floats on the water in wind and waves.
- We need to transfer the energy of the wind and get the board moving so that we can then steer it in a targeted manner.
- If we succeed, we have to get the board and ourselves to fly with the help of the foil, which not only coincidentally resembles the shape of an airplane, keep it in the air and finally land it in a controlled manner.
- In addition, there is the controlled change in direction of travel or flight – steering and steering – which needs to be mastered
Advanced techniques
Finally, it is about the following advanced techniques:
- We need the ability to change direction, which is given to us by mastering the basic jibe and tack maneuvers.
- We probably also want to develop further and learn more advanced, more demanding maneuvers, such as the jumping maneuver.
Depending on our previous knowledge and experience, each of us will have to acquire more or less new skills. Accordingly, your individual learning process for wingfoiling will be faster or slower.
With the extensive information we have compiled here in the Learning, Tips & Tricks section, we want to make this process as easy and effective as possible for you. The structure of the individual subpages essentially follows the above list.
We would be delighted if you actively used the information according to your individual needs and in combination with your previous experience and learning progress. We are always happy to receive feedback and suggestions! 🙂