After I decided to start wingfoiling (how it happened, you can find out here) and had already watched several videos about wingfoiling (technique, maneuvers, and rules) on the water, I could hardly wait to finally get started.
First Exercises on Land
Before heading to the water, I wanted to get to know the wing on land first. Surprisingly, it was quite easy to handle.
The most important learnings for wing control:
- With the front hand, you more or less hold the wing, and with the back hand you control it more – for example, the speed.
- The front hand should always be higher than the back hand to have full control over the wing and avoid pushing it downward. Later, you'll likely do maneuvers where the back hand is above the front, but this principle really helped me at the beginning.
- The farther the front hand is from the front tube, the more pull from the wing you’ll feel. For better control, place your front hand a bit more forward.
- To accelerate, pull with the back hand (slightly downward and toward you). The farther the back hand is from the front tube, the more direct and stronger the pull.
- To depower the wing (i.e., reduce its force), you simply release the pull from the back hand – lift the back hand (but not above the front one 😉) or even let go. However, letting go carries the risk of losing control of the wing. So I usually just released the pull.
- When changing grips (e.g. during maneuvers like jibe and tack), you should always keep at least one hand on the front of the wing (handle or boom) for full control. So first release the back hand and place it on the boom or front handle, then release the other hand to reposition it. There are also maneuvers – like the duck jibe – where it’s done differently, but this principle really helped me in the beginning.
Soon I was standing on a longboard – for more stability – and later on a surfskate for the surf feeling.
Cruising across Tempelhofer Feld while being pulled by the wing felt like a small taste of what was yet to come. Fun factor: huge.
Off to the Water
Of course, I was eager to get on a foil board as quickly as possible. The plan: not to practice long on an SUP, but jump straight in. So I got a board that I’d still have fun with after the first attempts – and maybe even jump with someday.
Tip: If you want to practice on an SUP first, don't forget a drift stopper. Otherwise, you’ll probably drift across the lake with the wind and have to paddle back.
My excitement was huge – but the first sessions were pretty sobering. I was overconfident. The board I had chosen was simply too small for me: not enough volume, not enough buoyancy for my weight and level. Especially in light wind on the lake, it made things unnecessarily difficult.
So I got a new board: more volume, more stability. And look: suddenly it worked better. First on my knees, then standing. When I could finally ride upwind confidently and return to the same shore I had started from, I knew: Now I’m on the right track.
The First Flights
And then it happened: the first time the foil lifted. Just a few seconds – but magical.
Things got quieter, I got faster, felt light, almost weightless. Exactly what I started for. From then on, I just wanted more of that feeling.
With short flights I gradually got used to the behavior of the foil. And each time, the flights got a little longer.
Falling is, of course, part of it. You shouldn't let it discourage you, but I always try to fall away from the board and foil without kicking the board away, so it doesn’t continue moving uncontrollably or get slingshotted back by the leash. To fall more safely, I initially skipped the foot straps.
My Beginner Set-up
So you get an idea of what I started with:
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My weight (back then): approx. 63 kg (without gear)
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Wing: 5 m²
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Board: 105 l
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Mast: 75 cm, mounted as far forward as possible for earlier lift-off
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Frontwing: 1750 cm²
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Stabilizer: 300 cm²
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Fuselage: slightly longer for better pitch stability
💡 My learnings about gear and setup for beginners:
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Board: Better a bit too big than too small. More volume = more stability and buoyancy. About 30 l more volume than my weight supported me really well.
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Foil: A larger foil lifts you out of the water faster and is a bit more forgiving than smaller foils.
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Wing: The size of the wing mainly depends on your weight and wind strength. At approx. 63 kg, a 5 m² worked for me in medium winds (4 - 5 Bft), but on light wind days a 5.5 or 6 m² would’ve been better.
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Fuselage: A longer fuselage can provide extra stability.
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Mast: For wave spots at the sea, a longer mast is worthwhile (I later switched to 90 cm).
Safety
Don’t forget: Protective gear doesn’t just make it safer, it also builds confidence.
Helmet and impact vest: definitely recommended. I started without a helmet and rode like that until one crash made me wonder where my board was – it landed right next to me a second later.
Especially at the beginning, you spend a lot of time on your knees and often slide across the board with your feet. So:
- Shoes: even thin ones in summer – protect your feet from abrasions when sliding across the board
- Wetsuit: provides extra buoyancy in the water, keeps you warm, and prevents abrasions when kneeling or climbing onto the board
And even with the best gear: Wingfoiling is relatively safe overall – wing and board float, and with a leash you’re unlikely to lose either. Still, unexpected things can always happen. So before every session, ask yourself: What will I do – and how will I get back – if something goes wrong?
This doesn’t just apply to staying on course but also in case something happens to your gear (e.g., wing, board, or foil gets damaged or lost) or you get injured. So you shouldn’t be further from shore than you can paddle, swim, or get pulled back by your wing.
When I’m out on the sea, I now always bring my phone. There are also apps that help locate and rescue you in an emergency.
It’s also important to know the spot: Are there obstacles in the water you can't see right away – driftwood, trees, structures, debris, or shallow sandbanks you could collide with? Local surf centers, shops, or other water sports people on site can often give valuable tips.
In addition, you should know and respect the right of way rules. Among wingfoilers, for example:
- Left hand in front on the wing = you must give way
- Right hand in front on the wing = you have the right of way
Beyond that, there are additional rules, but they would go beyond the scope here.
And last but not least: Consideration and respect are essential. Don’t stubbornly insist on your “right,” but ride considerately and always expect others to make mistakes too.
Recommendation
I’m not a coach. I’m just sharing my experiences and learnings – more like a conversation between wingfoilers on the shore, except I’m currently monologuing ...
When I started wingfoiling, there were hardly any courses. So I tried it as a self-learner. If you want to just test wingfoiling, get tips from pros, and maybe save a lot of time and money on unnecessary beginner gear, I definitely recommend taking a course. There are plenty now.
PS: You can also follow my progress on Instagram: pasta.particles.
