Get into lowkite with tips from the pros

Fast-track your progress with practical tips from the pros.

We all start from square one, even the GONG Team riders. From choosing your first setup to finding the right conditions, they share their tips and experience to help you get started in lowkite, build good habits from your very first sessions and progress with confidence.

Let’s hear from Bastien, reigning DW Parawing world champ, Pamella, Francesco, Mathieu and Benjamin!

Bastien Escofet, 2026 Downwind Parawing World Champion.

“If there’s one thing I always tell beginners is to start in a steady wind, around 15–20 knots. I mean if you’re coming from wing foiling and already know how to foil. You want enough wind to get up on foil fairly easily, but not so much that you get yanked around.

At first, it’s important to get comfortable handling the Lowkite, especially launching and steering it. So you should practise every move you can on the beach before heading out on the water.

For gear, keep a bit of board volume to make starts and transitions easier. The Cruzader Diamond is great for this: its length helps you get up on foil early, and it’s nice and stable. Pair it with a fairly large foil so you can get going without too much effort.

For the Lowkite, a 4m is a good all-round size for an average-sized rider, in either the Plus or Neutra Light.”

Pamella Ayres

“If I really had to give just one piece of advice, I’d say to choose a board that’s bigger than what you usually use, neither too wide nor too narrow, and, in any case, as light as possible. There you go, if I had to give just one piece of advice.

Another tip concerns the lowkite: it needs to be powerful, especially to get the board up on the foil as quickly as possible. At first, I’m not looking for an easy-to-handle lowkite with short lines, one that has great upwind performance and packs up easily. So I’m looking for an easy-to-fly yet powerful lowkite.

As for the foil, I highly recommend choosing a front wing that offers good lift and glide, such as the Curve L, M, or XL depending on your weight, or the Fluid; I wouldn't go with DW front wings at first.

Practice on the beach to get used to the lowkite, and on flat water with a steady breeze. Here are my tips, based on my experience, which are mainly intended for intermediate-level wingers.”

Foiler: Pamella Ayres, GONG team rider, with the Cruzader Point FSP Pro, Neutra Light and Fluid V3 Atmo setup.

Francesco Cappuzzo

“For me, the key is using the right equipment and choosing the right conditions. A board with more volume than your usual wing foil board, an easy foil with plenty of glide, and a stable lowkite of at least 5 m make learning much easier. The ideal conditions are 15–20 knots and flat water.

Another important tip is to practice handling the lowkite on land with both hands, switching between your front and back hand, to really understand how it works before getting on the water.

My favorite setup, and the one I learned on, is the Cruzader Point paired with the Veloce XL front wing and stab, an 85 cm mast and of course the Plus V3 5 m lowkite.

For me, this is a super accessible, stable and efficient combination, perfect for learning quickly and progressing with confidence!”

 
Foiler: Francesco, GONG team rider, on the Cruzader Point FSP Pro, Plus V3 lowkite, HM85 mast, Veloce V3 Atmo front wing and stab.

Mathieu Fouliard

“First, and most importantly: don’t try to learn in too little wind. A lowkite needs wind to stay in the air. Don’t be afraid to go out in stronger wind, with the right wing size for the conditions and your ability.

Second: choose the right board. Neither too wide nor too narrow, a mid-length is, in my opinion, the ideal choice for getting started. In our range, the Diamond is one of the best boards for learning how to lowkite. That is if you’re already an experienced foiler obviously.

Third: consider using a harness. A harness hook and a harness line attached to the bar can make your sessions much more comfortable.”

Foiler: Mathieu Fouliard, GONG team rider, riding the Cruzader Point FSP Pro, Droid V3 lowkite and Veloce foil setup.

Benjamin Castenskiold

“The biggest tip I could give someone just starting their lowkite journey is to make sure you have the right gear for you. I personally weigh 75 kg and started on a 65 L Cruzader Point board and a Fluid XS front wing, but the right board/foil size obviously depends on your weight, size, and skill level. I learned in relatively strong wind conditions. So I’d recommend bigger board and foil sizes.

You want to avoid going out in super-light wind conditions during your first few sessions. Getting up on foil is considerably harder with a lowkite than with a wing foil or some other foil-related disciplines, especially when you're just starting out.

I’d recommend a wind range of around 15-25 knots to make getting up on foil easier and give yourself the best chance of progressing without too much struggle.”

Foiler: Benjamin Castenskiold, GONG team rider, riding the Cruzader Squash FSP Pro, the Neutra lowkite stashed in its transport bag and V3 Atmo Fluid foil setup.

The right gear, the right conditions, and a few expert tips can make all the difference during your first sessions!

Discover more advice in our How To section.