Beginner school of wing
Wing sailing (winging) is a completely new sport that is developing exponentially fast. It can reach a lot of wind enthusiasts, as it can be learned by anyone due to its simplicity and safety. Above all, it is extremely undemanding in terms of choosing the space where we will perform it.
We can play with the wing on the beach, on the land with skateboards, rollerblades, skates, skis and last but not least, for what it is basically intended, on the water. We only need a wing, and we choose the means of transport ourselves.
For the initial acquaintance, we first learn on land and then on the water we start with a SUP board, with the help of which we learn the basics. Later, when we gain the necessary knowledge, we use hydrofoil, which allows us to do real, fun, playful winging. Compared to windsurfing and kiting, learning and progress are incomparably faster, easier and safer. Suitable for all generations from 7 to 99 years.
On ice
On snow
On skate-board
Of course, those who have already learned other wind sports (or at least have some basic knowledge), have an advantage in progress. But regardless of that, this is not an obstacle or a condition for you not to be successful on the wing.
We believe, that due to the unpretentiousness of the conditions, the strength of the wind and the choice of space, it will quickly become an Olympic sport.
In the next paragraphs, we will give you some tips to make the learning process easier and progress faster.
The first step is a simple - play with the wing on land.
The best wind is between 8 and 15 knots.
On land, we learn to handle the wing. It may sound silly, but on land we learn how the wing behaves when changing the position of it: turning the wing, rotating the wing, neutral position of the wing, how to give the wing strength and how to take it away.
Imagine holding a larger paper airplane in your hands. Wherever you direct it, it will go.
1. Leading edge
2. Railing edge
3. Wing tips
4. Wing tips
5. Tearing handles
6. Neutral handle (here we also strap in the leash that ties the wing on our hand)
Hydrofoil board with fin and foil
1. Stand area and non-slip surface
2. Pin for securing the safety rope
3. The safety valve must always be open for transport
4. Handle for easier carrying of the board
5. Grooves for the connection between the board and the hydrofoil
1. Front wing
2. Back wing - stabiliser
3. Fuselage
4. Mast foot
5. Mast
6. Top mast
To prepare the wing, we find a suitable, clean space and prepare sandbag (or something where to tie the wing) for the wing, which we will need so that the wind will not blow away the wing when it is inflated. We stand with our backs to the wind and unroll our wing. Turn the wing on its back so that the valve is facing us, connect it with a string on the pump and start inflating the wing with the pump. We inflate it to a certain extent recommended by the manufacturer. When the wing is inflated, do not turn it over, but leave it lying on its back and weigh it down. It can be weighted with water bottles or bags filled with sand. That way the wind won’t blow our wing away, even if we go for coffee.
We approach the wing from the front wind side, with our backs to the wind. Turn the wing as you would like to rotate the wing, i.e., by grasping the handle on the front of the main tube with one hand and in the middle of the tube with the other hand and rotating it by pushing the wing down with the other hand until it turns. In doing so, the hand holding the loop is held high and not moved. The bigger the wing and the stronger the wind, the more force we will need to rotate it. In doing so, we must not let him out of our hands. This wing rotation will come in handy on the water. Now that we have rotated the wing, it is time for a neutral position. It will be a little easier for taller people because of the bigger lever.
Turn your back to the wind and grasp the wing with one hand for the handle on the front edge of the inflatable wing. This will allow the wind to lift the wing so that it will float in the air. We call this a neutral position. In the neutral position, the wing can be held in the hands without much effort, as the wing in this position does not resist the wind. In this position you can walk wherever you want. Walk towards the wind, with the wind, parallel to the wind wherever you want. The neutral position allows us to bring the board to the water, prepare it and get up on the board.
Neutral position on the board, the same as on land.
However, if we turn the rear edge of the wing perpendicular to the ground or water, it will generate more force. If we want to nullify the unwanted, increased force, we simply loosen the grip of the lower arm. This will raise the wing and capture less than the wind and will consequently create less power. We recommend that you practice on your knees, which will help you later in a successful performance in the water. It is important to practice on the land (with skateboard, skates,…), since it will definitely come in handy on the water as the steering is the same. This way you will transfer the memory from the skateboard to the water and it will be much easier for you, and your progress will be slightly faster. Play on land as much as you can, because every little thing will come in handy on the water. Tighten the wing, loosen the wing, turn the wing over your head, change hands… Remember: This is child's play, enjoy! ☺
Now is the time to transfer everything we learned on land to the water. We will start with exercises on the SUP board. For successful winging we need a SUP that has an integrated daggerboard. It is also recommended to tie the paddle to SUP – to help you get back if the wind carries you too far downwind.
Exercises on SUP
Before heading out to the water, find out in detail about the configuration of the coast and the direction of the wind. Choose the appropriate wind strength, between 13 and 18 knots. This will come in handy, as it will blow you away in the first runs. Try to anticipate the location where the wind will take you. Based on anticipation, you will find it easier to choose a landing point that must be friendly and safe to exit ashore. Choose a suitable SUP size that suits your weight. The bigger the SUP is, the greater your stability will be.
· the SUP should be on the windward side and the wing on the leeward side,
· when we get to the water, we put the SUP in the water and keep the wing in the air,
· we direct the sup against the wind,
· we kneel on the board,
· we keep the wing high.
Don't forget the exercises you did on land, now they will come in handy. When you are ready, slowly place the wing from the horizontal to the vertical position, perpendicular to the water. Be precise and point the wing towards the wind in the direction you want to go and slowly pull the wing. You will feel the force of the wing's resistance against the wind and you will already start moving. Congratulations, you are sailing with a wing! Some more time training on your knees will help you maintain balance and get a sense of sailing in the crosswind. The next step is getting up. For getting up, we have purposely chosen a large SUP board on which it will be easier for you to maintain balance.
· put the future back leg backwards
· place the front leg in a deep squat
· lean on your back leg
· follow the rising of the back leg with the front leg and stand up (doing some exercises on land is recommendable)
These skills are key to getting up. When you get up, repeat the exercise of placing the wing from the horizontal to the vertical position, perpendicular to the water. Be precise and point the wing towards the wind in the direction you want to go and slowly pull the wing. You will feel the force of the wing’s resistance to the wind and you will already start moving. The more you pull the wing towards you and back and forth the more successful your sailing in the wind will be. Sailing with a wing on a SUP board requires some skills and practice, so don’t be disappointed in a few failed attempts. Take exercise as a game! It is much easier to gain height with a hydrofoil board –which you will learn more in the next chapter ...
· sit on your knees
· get up
· find a balanced foot position
· point the wing in the direction of sailing
· move your hips back
· tighten the wing
These are the initial steps and if you follow them you will start to plane above the water. If you are lifting too fast, immediately push your hips forward towards the tip of the board. This will interrupt the lifting and bring you back to the water level. So, we need to find the right position and movement of the hips for a comfortable lift and a balanced position.
If you fall, try to keep the wing away from the hydrofoil in the neutral position so as not to damage it. If you are having fun far from the coast, alone, it is recommended to have a rip-stop with you so that you can patch the skirt on the spot.
It usually takes 20-25 hours of practice to successfully sail with a hydrofoil wing. Let nothing distract you from the best entertainment.
When you're done, "park" the board and the wing as shown.
We can play with the wing on the beach, on the land with skateboards, rollerblades, skates, skis and last but not least, for what it is basically intended, on the water. We only need a wing, and we choose the means of transport ourselves.
For the initial acquaintance, we first learn on land and then on the water we start with a SUP board, with the help of which we learn the basics. Later, when we gain the necessary knowledge, we use hydrofoil, which allows us to do real, fun, playful winging. Compared to windsurfing and kiting, learning and progress are incomparably faster, easier and safer. Suitable for all generations from 7 to 99 years.
On ice
On snow
On skate-board
Of course, those who have already learned other wind sports (or at least have some basic knowledge), have an advantage in progress. But regardless of that, this is not an obstacle or a condition for you not to be successful on the wing.
We believe, that due to the unpretentiousness of the conditions, the strength of the wind and the choice of space, it will quickly become an Olympic sport.
In the next paragraphs, we will give you some tips to make the learning process easier and progress faster.
How to start? Play with the wind
The first step is a simple - play with the wing on land.
The best wind is between 8 and 15 knots.
On land, we learn to handle the wing. It may sound silly, but on land we learn how the wing behaves when changing the position of it: turning the wing, rotating the wing, neutral position of the wing, how to give the wing strength and how to take it away.
Imagine holding a larger paper airplane in your hands. Wherever you direct it, it will go.
Equipment description
Wing
1. Leading edge
2. Railing edge
3. Wing tips
4. Wing tips
5. Tearing handles
6. Neutral handle (here we also strap in the leash that ties the wing on our hand)
Hydrofoil board with fin and foil
1. Stand area and non-slip surface2. Pin for securing the safety rope
3. The safety valve must always be open for transport
4. Handle for easier carrying of the board
5. Grooves for the connection between the board and the hydrofoil
Foil
1. Front wing
2. Back wing - stabiliser
3. Fuselage
4. Mast foot
5. Mast
6. Top mast
Pump Leash
Basic steps of wing management on land
Preparation of Wing
To prepare the wing, we find a suitable, clean space and prepare sandbag (or something where to tie the wing) for the wing, which we will need so that the wind will not blow away the wing when it is inflated. We stand with our backs to the wind and unroll our wing. Turn the wing on its back so that the valve is facing us, connect it with a string on the pump and start inflating the wing with the pump. We inflate it to a certain extent recommended by the manufacturer. When the wing is inflated, do not turn it over, but leave it lying on its back and weigh it down. It can be weighted with water bottles or bags filled with sand. That way the wind won’t blow our wing away, even if we go for coffee.
Turning the wing
We approach the wing from the front wind side, with our backs to the wind. Turn the wing as you would like to rotate the wing, i.e., by grasping the handle on the front of the main tube with one hand and in the middle of the tube with the other hand and rotating it by pushing the wing down with the other hand until it turns. In doing so, the hand holding the loop is held high and not moved. The bigger the wing and the stronger the wind, the more force we will need to rotate it. In doing so, we must not let him out of our hands. This wing rotation will come in handy on the water. Now that we have rotated the wing, it is time for a neutral position. It will be a little easier for taller people because of the bigger lever.
Neutral position
Turn your back to the wind and grasp the wing with one hand for the handle on the front edge of the inflatable wing. This will allow the wind to lift the wing so that it will float in the air. We call this a neutral position. In the neutral position, the wing can be held in the hands without much effort, as the wing in this position does not resist the wind. In this position you can walk wherever you want. Walk towards the wind, with the wind, parallel to the wind wherever you want. The neutral position allows us to bring the board to the water, prepare it and get up on the board.
Neutral position on the board, the same as on land.
Power/depower the wing
To power the wing, the wing must be placed from the neutral position to the perpendicular one. To hold the loops, use the overhang. This is done by grasping with the free hand the loop closest to the neutral position loop. vertically parallel. This is the correct grip to turn the wing perpendicular and, if necessary, capture the force of the wind. It is important that the front arm is high and with the lower arm we push the wing up so that the arms are horizontally parallel. Then the wing will not capture the force of the wind. However, if we turn the rear edge of the wing perpendicular to the ground or water, it will generate more force. If we want to nullify the unwanted, increased force, we simply loosen the grip of the lower arm. This will raise the wing and capture less than the wind and will consequently create less power. We recommend that you practice on your knees, which will help you later in a successful performance in the water. It is important to practice on the land (with skateboard, skates,…), since it will definitely come in handy on the water as the steering is the same. This way you will transfer the memory from the skateboard to the water and it will be much easier for you, and your progress will be slightly faster. Play on land as much as you can, because every little thing will come in handy on the water. Tighten the wing, loosen the wing, turn the wing over your head, change hands… Remember: This is child's play, enjoy! ☺
Basic steps of wing management on water
Now is the time to transfer everything we learned on land to the water. We will start with exercises on the SUP board. For successful winging we need a SUP that has an integrated daggerboard. It is also recommended to tie the paddle to SUP – to help you get back if the wind carries you too far downwind.
Exercises on SUP
Before heading out to the water, find out in detail about the configuration of the coast and the direction of the wind. Choose the appropriate wind strength, between 13 and 18 knots. This will come in handy, as it will blow you away in the first runs. Try to anticipate the location where the wind will take you. Based on anticipation, you will find it easier to choose a landing point that must be friendly and safe to exit ashore. Choose a suitable SUP size that suits your weight. The bigger the SUP is, the greater your stability will be.
Description of the process of transition to water:
· we wear the sup and the wing together - each in one hand,· the SUP should be on the windward side and the wing on the leeward side,
· when we get to the water, we put the SUP in the water and keep the wing in the air,
· we direct the sup against the wind,
· we kneel on the board,
· we keep the wing high.
Don't forget the exercises you did on land, now they will come in handy. When you are ready, slowly place the wing from the horizontal to the vertical position, perpendicular to the water. Be precise and point the wing towards the wind in the direction you want to go and slowly pull the wing. You will feel the force of the wing's resistance against the wind and you will already start moving. Congratulations, you are sailing with a wing! Some more time training on your knees will help you maintain balance and get a sense of sailing in the crosswind. The next step is getting up. For getting up, we have purposely chosen a large SUP board on which it will be easier for you to maintain balance.
Description of getting up:
· the starting position is on your knees· put the future back leg backwards
· place the front leg in a deep squat
· lean on your back leg
· follow the rising of the back leg with the front leg and stand up (doing some exercises on land is recommendable)
These skills are key to getting up. When you get up, repeat the exercise of placing the wing from the horizontal to the vertical position, perpendicular to the water. Be precise and point the wing towards the wind in the direction you want to go and slowly pull the wing. You will feel the force of the wing’s resistance to the wind and you will already start moving. The more you pull the wing towards you and back and forth the more successful your sailing in the wind will be. Sailing with a wing on a SUP board requires some skills and practice, so don’t be disappointed in a few failed attempts. Take exercise as a game! It is much easier to gain height with a hydrofoil board –which you will learn more in the next chapter ...
Use of Hydrofoil
Using a hydrofoil will upgrade your current knowledge and increase your chances and capabilities of using your wing. Hydrofoil allows us to significantly reduce resistance and surface tension. As a result, we gain tremendous acceleration, speed, agility, and exceptional sailing angle. Due to these factors, we need a significantly weaker wind with the Hydrofoil board compared to the SUP. For those who have never had experience with hydrofoil, we recommend learning behind the boat first. Here you will learn how to rise above the water, how to maintain balance, twisting and balance position of the body. Once you have mastered this skill you are ready to experiment on your own with a wing and a hydrofoil board together. The method of the process of getting up and managing the wing is the same as described in the chapters above. For a start, it is best to choose the largest possible foil 1900cm2 - 2200cm2 as it will give you great buoyancy and slow speed. These sizes are best for light and moderate wind conditions. If you are in doubt about the choice, contact us. When carrying the wing and hydrofoil, hold them apart by holding the wing high and the hydrofoil oblique. This prevents the wing from coming into contact with the hydrofoil and prevents damage.
Hydrofoil start
· sit on your knees· get up
· find a balanced foot position
· point the wing in the direction of sailing
· move your hips back
· tighten the wing
These are the initial steps and if you follow them you will start to plane above the water. If you are lifting too fast, immediately push your hips forward towards the tip of the board. This will interrupt the lifting and bring you back to the water level. So, we need to find the right position and movement of the hips for a comfortable lift and a balanced position.
If you fall, try to keep the wing away from the hydrofoil in the neutral position so as not to damage it. If you are having fun far from the coast, alone, it is recommended to have a rip-stop with you so that you can patch the skirt on the spot.
It usually takes 20-25 hours of practice to successfully sail with a hydrofoil wing. Let nothing distract you from the best entertainment.
When you're done, "park" the board and the wing as shown.