Wingsurf

Wingsurfing is the new trend for 2021, an exciting discipline that is collecting a lot of consense from kiters, windsurfers, and watersport fanatics. What makes wingsurf so special is that is easy to learn, and allowed on most waters.

To read all you need to know about wing foiling, click on the link to scroll to the bottom of the page!

Wingfoil history and gear

The first wingsurf got born in 1986, invented by Tom Magruder, and was called "Wing Weapon". Since then, many different wingsurfers prototypes have been used not only paired with watersports, but also to land boards and skiing sports. Until 2019, when the hydrofoil revolution exploded in the kite, windsurf, and other sailing disciplines. Slingshot is been the first brand to have the idea to pair wingsurfer traction to a foil board.

Wingsurfing today is a totally new discipline, that is attracting kiters, windsurfers, and other watersports fanatics.

To Wingsurf you need:

An Inflatable Foil Wing, also known as "foiling wing" or "Wingfoil"
A Wingfoil board, better if specific for the discipline you want to practice: freeride, freestyle, or wave surf.
A Wingsurf foil fin: hydrofoils for wingsurfing are available in different shapes and sizes, according to the rider's style and experience.

What makes wingsurfing so special is that is accessible to most. You don’t need a lot of gear, a long time to set up, space to extend your lines, or a fellow surfer to help you launch from the beach.

For these reasons, wingsurfing is allowed on most beaches and spots, even when other watersports are forbidden.

How to Wing Foil

Wondering how to handle a foil wing? There are actually 3 types of wings that offer 3 different ways of control.

Wings with a grab handle: These are the most common foil wings and have two or more handles, according to the size. Ex : Ensis, Wasp, Slingwing.
Wings with a boom: Duotone has a patent on this technology, used on the Echo and Slick wing. Windsurfers will feel immediately at home: it is possible to grab the bar everywhere, while the wing feels lighter thanks to this construction. These wings are great for freestyle and speed, but not as good for surfing waves.
Hybrid wings: The Eleveight WFS wing offers a hybrid construction, with a short front boom and handles in the rear part. This construction brings the best of both worlds.

Types Of Wing Foil Boards:

There are many different types of wingsurf boards, but we can divide them into 2 types:

Hard boards: These rigid hydrofoil decks are the most sold and the most performant. Thanks to the rigid construction, they offer a direct feel and maximum control on the foil.
Inflatable boards: Inflatables are perfect for beginner wingsurfers or for travelers. There is less risk of having them damaged during transport, and they offer more volume per size. It's easy to take them everywhere because, once deflated, they pack down into a small backpack.

Learn Wingsurfing:

How do you learn wing foiling? Which are the step to take?

Here is a small guide:

Start by understanding how a foil wing works on the beach: Before hitting the water, play with your wing on the beach in light wind conditions. Learn how to flip the wing around and experiment with moving your hands around and changing grab handles. Learn how to generate power. WhilepPracticing land, it will be also possible to learn the jibe and tack movements.
Get on a SUP: Ok, now starts the fun! Navigate on a large SUP and learn the basics; go back and forth and start trying your first jibes and tacks.
Learn Foiling: If you never tried a foil board before, it is better to learn how it works by being towed behind a boat. Without distractions, you can focus on feeling how the board responds and, in less than one hour, you will be good to go (if you are already a foiler you can skip this part).
Wing foiling: Here you go!!! Grab your foil wing, get on your wingsurf board and start surfing. If you have followed correctly the previous steps, you should be able to take off for the very first time!

We strongly recommend starting wingsurfing using the right gear: a large foil fin, that will help you get going in low winds and at lower speeds, a big wing, and a wide and floaty board.

Do your first waterstart tries on a day with at least 15 knots, avoid breaking waves and try to find a spot with water as flat as possible (waves and chop are killers at the beginning).

Always use a helmet and an impact vest, and don't forget to use a leash for your board.

If you wanna know more contact us or book one or more wing foil lessons with Wake-style.com!

Wingsurf Brands:

At wake-style.com, and at our shop in Bussum, you will find all the best brands for wingfoil and wingsurfing gear.

Duotone: one of the most iconic kitesurf brands, previously known as "North Kiteboarding", Duotone stepped massively into the wingsurf game, bringing a huge back of knowledge and 2 specific wingsurfers: the Unit and the Slick hybrid wing.
Eleveight Kites: rising from the ashes of Best Kiteboarding, is the new hot brand in the watersports world. Eleveight will surely blow your mind with their newest WFS foil wing.
Slingshot: this famous American brand invented the very first inflatable wing, the "Slingwing v1". slingshot is now rocking the market with its third version: the Slingwing V3.
Ensis: the Swiss brand that revolutionized the sport, and the wing of choice of the world champion Balz Muller. Check their Score wing!
Ozone: a leading brand for flying parachutes and kitesurfing, they also took part in the wingsurf revolution with their Wasp, already at its second edition.
Naish: historic windsurf & kite brand from Mr. Robbie Naish, they've been in between the first to commercialize a foil wing globally: the Naish Wing-surfer.
Check out also the new Matador!
Cabrinha: The classic Hawaiian kitesurf brand couldn't miss the wingsurfing movement of course and is in fact present on the wingsurf market with two performing sails: the Crosswing X3 and the surf-oriented Mantis, which is available with or without window panels.
North Kiteboarding: the freshly renovated watersport brand from North Sails, they couldn't miss a wingsurf wing in its toys catalog: the Nova.
Airush / Starboard: two classic kitesurf & windsurf brans gets together to realize the perfect allround foil wing: the Freewing V2.
Reptile: a well-known brand in the windsurf industry, they are now producing also their own wing: the Bora, made in the EU and named after the famous wind blowing from Siberia.
F-One: Another world-renowned kitesurfing brand stepped into the wingsurf game with 2 brand new products: the Strike and the Strike CWC.
Smik: An Australian SUP brand, Smik is now producing the MK2 "Wing Ding", a wave surf specific wing that has now arrived at its second edition.
Takuma: a top-quality hydrofoil brand, Takuma is also offering its own surf sail, the WK wing.

Learn Wingsurfing in the Netherlands and buy your Wingsurf gear with Wake-style.com

If you want to learn wingsurfing or you want to buy wingsurf gear, contact us for personalized deals or come visit us for lessons and tips. At Wake-Style.com we are passionate wingsurfers, so you will always have from us the right advice on the latest wingfoil gear for all your wingsurfing needs.

Wakestyle Wingsurf Shop

Our surf shop is in Bussum, Netherlands, just 20 minutes from Amsterdam, Utrecht, Almere, Amersfoort, and Hilversum. Our wingsurf courses can be taken on all the wing foil spots in the area!

The nearest wing foil spots are: Almere, Marina Muiderzand, Loosdrecht, Wijde Blik, Ijburg and Strand Horst.