Wing foil
Expertise in wing foil: quality equipment, advice, French carbon production.
Expertise in wing foil: quality equipment, advice, French carbon production.
The wing foil allows you to go sailing in all conditions, and its practicality makes it accessible to everyone! How do you get started with this new way of flying in the air? How do you choose your wing, your foil board or your first spot? Discover our tips, advice and equipment selection to make winging even easier.
The wings of wing foil are smaller than in kitesurfing or windsurfing: this is one of the reasons for the success of this water sport. In the 10-20 knot range, for a 70-85kg sailor, 5m2 is recommended. For those under 70kg, 4m2, and for those over 85kg, 6m2. In wingfoil for use in light winds, a large foil is better than a large sail, which is rarely practical to handle.
The bigger the foilboard, the better it floats. For a first choice, a board that is +25/30 liters in relation to your weight is ideal. This gives you stability and a fast planing start. A 70 kg beginner will sail with a 95-liter board. Note that this volume is compatible with supfoil practice, so it’s versatile, but a board that’s too small will only punish you and won’t be usable for foil surfing either. Being comfortable to ride is the key to learning a new discipline. This is even truer for wing surfing than for kitesurfing and windsurfing!
The long fuselage will bring stability and a little more power. If you’re a beginner, less sure of your footing, need to start early, have a rather long float of over 6 feet and are fairly heavy, you’ll be better off with a long fuselage. It’s also the ideal fuselage for those who want to go fast on flat water, with small fins (as can be seen in wind and kitefoil, with fuselages over 90 cm and fins under 500cm2, for example).
The short fuselage will bring the front wing closer to the stab, and add maneuverability. A more experienced rider with light surfoil or supfoil boards can switch to a short fuselage to gain in maneuverability and pumping frequency. For those who like surfing sensations, this is the fuselage recommended for waves.
Many of you are wondering about the equivalence of wings from one brand to another. For example, is a 1300cm² wing the same as a 1300cm² wing from another manufacturer? Well, no. Wing foil lift depends on several characteristics.
Often located between the central bladder and the leading edge, the one pump saves time when inflating your wing for the water, by sending air into both bladders at once.
Once your wing is fully inflated, don’t hesitate to close the one pump valve to keep one bladder inflated in case you puncture the other while sailing.
When you deflate the wing, you’ll be able to block the air. The valve system will allow you to cut off the circulation between the central batten and the leading board (as after inflation). When you’re ready to pack away your equipment, you can deflate the leading board first, then roll up the ears one after the other, keeping the central bladder inflated to optimize storage.
There are two main types of hydrofoil construction materials: aluminum and carbon, and we’re going to help you choose the right one for your riding.
Our masts are made in France, with carbon sourced in Europe. We also offer new and used products.
Strapless practice evokes absolute freedom. With no footstraps, the deck is clear and it’s easier to move around and make transitions.
We often advise beginners to start out strapless in order to find the right position: remember, you didn’t start windsurfing with footstraps from day one…
Once you’ve mastered them, you can position them to make sure you’re always in the best spot. The straps will not only help you start jumping, but will also give you greater dynamism when pumping and better steering in a straight line as well as in curves. They’re useful for sporty sailing and better board handling in sustained conditions.
It can be stored completely assembled on the board. Our new AFS covers allow you to store foil and board assembled. We also have covers for individual components. Otherwise, it’s possible to disassemble the whole thing each time to save space.
A harness can come in handy when you’re wing foiling. In this video and article, we explain its advantages.
The belt allows the leash to drag less. It allows you to fit a harness hook for greater sailing freedom. A harness will also provide assistance on long tacks. It stabilizes the wing and improves upwind performance.
There are several types of harness. The belt harness for kitesurfing or windsurfing, with a metal buckle, or the lumbar strap, with a 3D-printed buckle. Since the pull is not as strong as in kitesurfing (we’ll explain why in this article) or windsurfing, and the buckles are not on a rigid boom, we recommend the smaller, less expensive wing harnesses. What’s more, 3D-printed buckles are less likely to damage the deck and rails when you go up.
We opted for a model with a truly adapted design. The belt simply closes with a stainless steel buckle. Several loops along the length of the belt allow you to attach your board leash, wing, etc. You can also pass a harness loop through the strap. Finally, on the back of the belt, we’ve chosen a large zippered pocket for a screwdriver and foil shims, for example, or for cereal bars, a waterproof cell phone, a small radio – the choice is yours.
The further forward the turntable, the more power you’ll have. A taller sailor will compensate by moving the turntable forward.
In low revs, under canvas, soft waves, light wind, you can also move the turntable forward to obtain more lift.
If you have a tendency to be ejected or need to press hard on the front leg (lighter build, high speed…), you need to move the foil back in the box.
It’s also possible to modify the behavior of your foil. For more power, you can use a wedge to kick your stab while moving forward in the position of the mast in the box. This can add pumping or energy to jumps, as well as maneuverability.
The tuning game is almost endless. It’s a question of finding the right one for each individual, according to the conditions of the day. There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all setting!
Make sure you open the wing bag properly, so as not to pull on the wing and trap it in the zipper.
2. Unroll the wing
Lay your wing on the ground and unroll it: first the central flange, then one ear after the other. Lay each part flat.
3. Wedge the wing leash under the pump
Once the kite is unrolled, a gust of wind is all it takes to send it flying, risking damage. To avoid this, take the kite’s leash and wedge it under the pump before inflating.
4. Connect pump to wing
Take the nozzle of your pump and insert it into the valve provided on the bladder. For added safety, if your pump has a leash, you can attach it to the wing’s handle.
5. Inflate the wing
To inflate the wing efficiently, give it a few strokes with a pump to give it its shape (don’t inflate all the way right away). You can lightly tap the bladders to help them inflate properly. Then finish inflating by raising the pressure to 6-7 PSI.
6. Disconnect pump from wing
Once the wing is fully inflated, you can disconnect the pump and close the valve.
If your wing board has a handle, use it! With the foil facing outwards (ideally and depending on the location of the handle), grab the board on one side and your wing on the other. Let the wing fly downwind, holding it firmly to prevent it from colliding with the foil and tearing!
A beginner will prefer conditions with sea wind. By drifting, the user will naturally return to the beach. We advise you – if possible, a protected bay.
Give preference to small edges for beginners. This allows you to adjust your equipment and anticipate your drift. If you manage to stay on a short tack, you’ll be able to sail further and upwind.
La force de l’air s’observe avec la formation de moutons d’écume. Lorsque l’on commence à voir apparaître ces moutons, c’est qu’il y a à peu près 10 nœuds (18 km/h). Idéalement, il faut commencer avec 12 – 14 nœuds minimum, ce qui permet de s’équilibrer plus facilement.
Don’t pull or look for pain in stretching. If you feel any pain, stop the exercises and consult a doctor or Alban (physiotherapist)!
Remember to breathe well, slowly, and exhale as you release.
Stay hydrated! Stay hydrated throughout the day. Remember to bring plenty of hydration before and after your session.
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Ideally, to dry your glider after your session, we advise you to leave it inflated. If you can’t do this, avoid hanging it by the handle. Indeed, when the wing is deflated, if you leave it hanging by the handle, the central bladder may twist.
If you inflate your glider with maximum pressure all at once, a fold or hernia may form and burst. To prevent this, when re-inflating, before applying maximum pressure, check that the bladders are securely in place.
As you inflate, start to apply a little pressure to the bladders to shape the wing. Then, before applying more pressure, lightly tap the bladders so that they settle back into their sheaths. Only then can you apply the right amount of pressure.
At AFS Foils, we mentioned 6 PSI on the bladder, but in reality we’ve taken a bit of a margin and the ideal inflation is 7 PSI on our wings.
The final step is to store the wing in its bag. Unscrew the valve and let the air out. Roll one ear, then the other, up to the central flange.
To get away from the edge, we recommend that you attach your board and wing leashes before setting off. Then turn the board over to position the foil skyward. Use it to move forward and away from the shore, while keeping your wing out of the way to avoid it getting caught in the front wing or stabilizer.
Once the sea is up to your belly, you can turn the board over and climb onto it on your knees. How easy it is to stand up will depend on your board.
The bigger it is, the more stable it is. On a board larger than 100 liters, you’ll be able to stand up straight away and then move forward smoothly, like a stand-up paddle.
Once you’re upright, it’s time to master the wing. To keep the wing elevated, remember to keep your front hand above your rear. The wing is curved and only wants to pivot on its arrow, so if you lower your arm, it will turn downwards and throw you off balance.
If you feel yourself gaining too much speed and/or becoming unbalanced, let go of the back while keeping your front hand up.
To familiarize yourself with this new discipline, it’s perfectly possible to use your own board, but a different support such as a windsurfing float or an inflatable stand-up paddle allows you to learn how to handle the sail without worrying about the hydrofoil. The advantage of an inflatable stand-up paddle is that it’s shock-resistant, even if it does drift a little more. A rigid sup is ideal, for both glide and ease of use. Don’t hesitate to watch all our tutorial videos at the end of this post: mimicry is an excellent way to progress!
For those of you who live in the mountains, you can also take your sail with you on skis or snowboard, to rediscover the sensations of the snow, or to prepare for the summer season!
To trigger take-off, foot placement is important. If you place your feet on the front of your board, you won’t glide because the weight is poorly distributed. However, this technique can be useful when you want to get back to shore, or when you’re overpowered in a strong wind.
To take off, you’ll need to move your rear foot back and look for the sensation of camber. At this point, you’ll need to shift your weight forward so that the board sits horizontally. If you’re just starting out, try “touch and go”: take off and put down the board several times over a few meters. This technique helps you learn to regulate your flight.
When sailing, you can change feet before or after the manoeuvre. Everyone has their own preference, depending on whether they’re comfortable in goofy or regular. To switch feet before or after the maneuver, you need to raise the kite to ensure good visibility and check that no one is behind. Safety first!
Next, you need to anticipate the fact that when you switch feet, the board will tend to land back on the water. So you’ll want to give a little pumping action just before switching to get the board back in the air and higher on the water. The inversion is done either one foot after the other or, if you’re comfortable, with a jump. At this point, the back foot takes the place of the front foot. In terms of flight trajectory, the board will want to land again at the end of the foot change. You’ll need to relaunch quickly to regain a more stable flight to complete the maneuver. Use your eyes to try and block your position. Aim for one in the distance and avoid looking at your feet!
The technique will differ according to the equipment used. If you’re using a big foil with a long fuselage, pumping will be more about inertia and lower frequency. On the other hand, if you’re using small wings and a short fuselage, or a surfboard, you’ll need to add some cadence and frequency.
Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can do some “touch and go” to practice. In other words, you take off, put the board back down and take off again, and so on.
With pumping, you need to optimize the flow and glide. So you need to execute the movement well, even if it means going slower, rather than seeking speed by pumping badly.
Try to be light, let the foil rise and let it fall again, and it will accelerate on its own. You have to be light and let it accelerate. So you need to pump the rear leg to pitch the board up, and put the weight back on the front leg to provide lift to the foil and take off or stay airborne.
As you can see, technique depends on equipment and cardio. It takes practice to get the hang of it, but if you want to stay in shape and perform well in wing foil, get active!
1 – Secure the maneuver by raising your wing or looking through the window to see if there’s room to jibe.
2 – Reduce speed so as not to enter the jibe too quickly.
3 – Start edging inwards, wing up.
4 – As you start to leeward, release the wing.
5 – When you arrive in the wind, you need to pick up the wing on the other side. Reverse your hands on the handle while continuing your edge grip, to re-edge and take off again. The important thing is to always lean into the turn so as to maintain a constant edge grip.
Like the tack, the foot change depends on feeling. It can be done before the manoeuvre, or afterwards.
When tacking, the important thing is to maintain good lift on the foil while trying to climb upwind. You’ll need to position your wing high and curve with your back to the wind.
To maintain lift, it may be useful to add a little pumping by pressing down on the back foot as you enter the tack.
Wing movement is essential. It’s all about sending your kite over your head at the right moment, completely to the other side. Once upwind, you need to maintain your curve.
Of course, you mustn’t forget to concentrate on your footing, so as to keep closing the turn, recovering your wing on the other side and relaunching. The important thing is to maintain your edge grip (curve) so you don’t risk going back the other way. To avoid this, you need to lean slightly into your turn.
Foil And Co is the parent company of AFS. Its main mission is to relocate the production of our board sports equipment to France. Today, the company has 42 employees and is based in Brittany. We develop, produce and market under AFS. We also have 2 other brands, AHD and SEALION.
AFS was born within the AHD entity in 2009, with the launch of the first windsurf foil combo (board plus production foil). The historic model is the AFS-1, a foil dedicated to light wind freeride practice, with small sail surfaces (5.5m² in 10 knots of wind). Its field of use was later extended to SUP foils, with the Sealion range of boards, making it the first Stand Up Paddle-compatible foil on the market (2011). 2017 saw the launch of the AFS-2, a new-generation foil developed and manufactured in France. With it, AFS takes off and becomes a fully-fledged entity dedicated to foils. AFS’s vocation is to offer a more high-performance foiling experience, while retaining top-notch accessibility and stability to provide all riders with a safe ride thanks to full carbon construction. Thanks to our know-how and high standards, we are the leading foil manufacturer in France. At AFS, our customers feel they are listened to and supported in their choice.
AFS Advanced is a branch of AFS working on the development of an innovative experience. It’s a concentration of AFS know-how taken to the extreme. Being one step ahead and opening up new horizons in the world of foiling: that’s the role of AFS Advanced. It’s our way of concentrating our know-how and expertise to produce the most advanced designs. It’s the essence and the future of AFS. The essence of our know-how, pushed to the limits of its performance.
Our head office is located in Brittany, more precisely in Pencran, Finistère. We are located Espace Joseph Rolland – 29800 PENCRAN
All AFS foils are manufactured at our company in Pencran, France. All AFS Advanced boards are also made here. Some of our boards are made in Tunisia at Terminatech, as are our covers. Finally, although we haven’t yet managed to make the leap, our wings are now made in China, although all R&D is carried out in-house.
Depending on your size/practice, you’ll find different information on the sheets presenting our ranges directly. If you have the slightest doubt, our team of enthusiasts is at your disposal via the website chat (blue logo) at the bottom of your screen.
All materials shown are in stock. Delivery takes place within 48 hours of the order being placed.
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