I have been foiling for quite a few years and specifically wing foiling for the past 4 years. It is my new favorite water sport along with downwind SUP foiling and I even sold all of my old kiteboarding gear to make room and funds for more wing foil gear. It is also probably the best possible water sport you can do from a cruising boat because the setup is relatively simple (compared to kiteboarding) and getting back to the boat is easy as long as you don’t go too far downwind.
We constantly get asked for recommendations on wing foil gear. It is hard to give recommendations on gear I have not used, even if it seems like it is the same in specs because quality and function vary immensely even for gear that may be very similar dimensions. I have been using Cabrinha foils and wings since the start and have been incredibly happy with it all. You can order any of this gear through Adventure Sports and use our code “TULA” for 10% off your total order. **Full disclaimer – we may get a small kickback on sales through this link/code.** This is gear I choose to use personally and would never recommend anything that I did not fully trust and believe in.
Here are some gear recommendations for people looking to try wing foiling. All gear recommendations are for 15-20 knot winds which are probably the ideal wind conditions to learn in. If you are lighter then stick closer to 15 knots for learning. If you want to ride outside of these wind conditions you just need a bigger or smaller wing size to suite. A PERFECT wing quiver consists of 3 wings all about 1.5-2m apart in size. For me at 175lbs as an experienced rider that is a 3m 4.5m and 6m wing and I can ride in anything from 10-30knots. You can certainly still get away with just 1-2 wings and still ride in 80% of the breezy conditions.
The minimum gear you need to get started wing foiling is:
-Board
-Wing
-Mast
-Front Foil
-Rear Foil (stabilizer)
-Pump
-Board Leash
-Wing Leash
You also may need a fuselage and/or a mast base but most of the time they already come attached to the foils and mast. The pump and wing leash also may come with the wing. You may also want a helmet and/or floating impact vest for safety. In my recommendations below I will clarify and make sure you have everything you need as a complete kit.
BUDGET Beginner Wing Foil Full Kit Recommendations:
-Wing: 03 Vision Wing OR 03 Mantis Wing 5m is a great size to start with in 15-20knots. For lighter riders or if you want to ride in heavier wind choose a slightly smaller wing and vice versa for a bigger rider or less wind. I don’t recommend a wing bigger than 6m unless you are taller than 6′.
-Board: Code MKII Board OR 04 Code Board
-Mast: Aluminum Mast 65cm is the best for learning and well through beginner into intermediate stage but you may want to consider 75cm if you want to stretch your gear as far as possible into your riding career to save money on having to purchase another mast in the future.
-Mast Base (needed for aluminum mast): Mast Base
-Foil Kit (includes front foil, rear foil, and fuselage): Complete Foil Kit (200lb+ riders choose X2100, riders 150-200lbs choose X1650, riders 110-150lbs choose X1240, riders less than 100lbs choose X930)
-Pump: Cheap but Decent Pump from Amazon OR Much Better Pump
-Wing Leash and Belt: Wing Leash and Belt
-Board Leash: Board Leash
-Helmet (optional): Foil Helmet
-Floating Impact Vest (optional): Floating Impact Vest
-Board Sock (optional): Board Sock
No Compromise Beginner Wing Foil Full Kit Recommendations:
-Wings: 5m Vision Wing AND 3m Mantis Wing A 3m and 5m is a great quiver to start with in 14-25 knots. For lighter riders or if you want to ride in heavier wind choose a slightly smaller wing and vice versa for a bigger rider or less wind. I don’t recommend a wing bigger than 6m unless you are taller than 6′. There is not too much difference between a “Vision” model wing and a “Mantis” model wing. Vision might be slightly better for beginners especially in slightly lighter conditions but as a beginner you would never realistically feel a difference.
-Board: 04 Code Board
-Mast: Carbon Foil Mast (you do not need a separate mast base for the carbon mast)
-Foil Kit (includes front foil, rear foil, and fuselage): Complete Foil Kit (Choose 1650 for riders 150lbs+ and choose 1240 for riders less than 150lbs)
-Pump: Premium Wing Pump
-Wing Leash and Belt: Wing Leash and Belt
-Board Leash: Board Leash
-Helmet (optional): Foil Helmet
-Floating Impact Vest (optional): Floating Impact Vest
-Board Sock (optional): Board Sock
Future Upgrades:
As you become an intermediate to advanced rider you will want to add to and upgrade your gear. Your original gear will still be good for light wind riding however. As you upgrade wings I recommend sticking with the Mantis model and if budget allows a 3-wing quiver is perfect. As you upgrade foils you will want to look at the X series medium aspect foils for foiling in the surf, carving, maybe jumping, etc. and look at the H series high aspect foils for higher speeds, glide, and efficiency like in down winding or just going really fast winging. Remember, generally speaking the smaller and higher aspect the foil the more high-end speed you will have but the less low-end speed you will have and vice-versa for bigger and lower aspect foils. My favorite setup for lighter and downwind SUP foiling is the H1300 w/ 180 HA stabilizer tail and Carbon mast.
As you look for a smaller, lighter, more maneuverable board I would recommend taking a strong look at the Link Wing Board.
Don’t forget to use code “TULA” for 10% off.
Feel free to email me at TulasEndlessSummer@gmail.com with any questions.