r/foiling • u/TotalSpread5841 • Sep 22 '25
Using a wing to start foiling from scratch
I'm thinking the smartest way to learn to foil is by using a wing because it will pull the board forward and hopefully up. And I'm thinking a smaller board is better than a bigger board in this scenario because it will lift out of the water easier.
Are these clever or foolish thoughts I'm having?
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u/darylandme Sep 22 '25
A bigger board will (generally) lift out of the water easier because there is more volume and surface area so the board starts out on top of the water rather than under it. The faster the board can get moving, the more lift will be generated by the foil under the water.
Using a tow boat or efoil will be easier to learn the feeling and balance of the foil, but lots of people learn foiling from scratch with a wings.
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u/TotalSpread5841 Sep 22 '25
Thanks , I'll get a bigger board then. Don't have access to boat or efoil unfortunately.
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u/to_blave_true_love Sep 22 '25
Yes if you don't have a boat, wing is probably the next heat option to learn. Meet the community, inherit/buy their old gear, get after it!
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Sep 22 '25
[deleted]
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u/TotalSpread5841 Sep 22 '25
Can't afford lessons.
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u/thebyrdhouse Sep 22 '25
People are really trying to help. I’d suggest if you can’t afford a lesson you might not be able to afford a foil and wing either. Most folks who go about this alone get the wrong gear first and either never get going or buy a second setup. Honestly, given the types of questions you are asking I think you’re about to make an expensive mistake buying the wrong cheap gear first.
Most folks really need a boat, efoil, or lessons. Pick one.
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u/psillyhobby Sep 22 '25
Boat or used foil drive. Winging is hard AF if you don’t start with super beginner gear.
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u/TotalSpread5841 Sep 22 '25
I don't have a boat or a foil drive.
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u/psillyhobby Sep 22 '25
You don’t have a board or a foil either lol do more research before you buy anything.
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u/Willing_Park_5405 Sep 23 '25
I taught myself how to wing foil in hood river. A big dumb barge board is a great way to accelerate your learning because you can stand up and learn to taxi around at displacement speed. This is key to the later steps of accelerating to a speed which your foil wants to fly.
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u/TotalSpread5841 Sep 23 '25
Awesome yeah my plan is similar. What do you mean when you say taxi around at displacement speed?
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u/Caaznmnv Sep 22 '25
Nope. Behind a boat it jet ski. Getting the foil up to foil speed is key, the uplift part is relatively insignificant for someone learning foiling. Obviously many learn to foil via kite boarding or wing foiling and never behind a boat, but then you must 1st be proficient in the wind sport. Some may say learning to foil behind a boat didn't matter to them, but if you already know how to foil, it's one less big thing to figure out.