GEAR: WHICH WING TO COMPLEMENT YOUR 5M?

Make the most of the conditions with a second wing to complement the 5m² you got into wing foiling with.

Most people’s very first wing is usually chosen for its versatility and wide wind range. Which for most spots means choosing a 5m² wing. It’s quite an obvious choice, contrary to the choice of your second wing which can take many directions. Some options are more suitable than others, and we’ll guide you through a practical example to help you choose the wing(s) that will create the most adapted quiver for your desire of progression.

Wing foiler: Moritz, GONG team rider, with a Neutra Perf Series, a Cruzader Diamond FSP Pro, and a Curve H.

The wing to complete your quiver

Geoffray's example is a classic. After steadily progressing with his 5m and an accessible board/foil combo for an experienced windsurfer, the desire to handle higher wind ranges with more comfort arises. The question often becomes: Should you complement your 5m with a 3m, 3.5m, or a 4m?

This question was posed on our GONG Galaxy page, where Geoffray received valuable advice from Patrice Guénolé, GONG’s boss & shaper.

"If you often find your 5m too powerful and want to go down in size, the ideal approach is to reduce in increments of 0.5m² for a smoother transition and to avoid gaps in wind range usability. Dropping straight to a 4m would be the best choice.

This will allow you to better handle days with increasing wind and switch to a smaller wing without being severely underpowered. You’ll always be well-equipped. And if you start doing tricks and aiming for high performance, a 0.5m² gap gives you finer control and better versatility between your wings. In fact, a 1m² difference rarely provides the right traction because you'll be seeking a precise amount of power for sending it. Too little won’t work, and with too much, well, you’ll get overpowered and have to back off.

So, in your progression, start with a 1m² gap between your wings, then add a wing in between your two key sizes based on your spot. That’s how you’ll build a winning quiver.

NB: Changing models won’t affect the logic above. Having a more laid-back Neutra in 5m² and a powerful Droid in 3.5m² won’t work because, once again, what you need is to be comfortable, not trying to ‘cheat.’"

Build your dream quiver, starting with a 4m as suggested above, and potentially a 3.5m or even a 3m, by checking out our great deals, leaving little room for doubt! ;)

Also, keep in mind that the smaller the size, the more a 0.5m² reduction makes a significant difference. For a 5m² wing, a 0.5m² gap represents 10% of the size. For a 3.5m², it’s nearly 15%, which is half more, and that difference is very noticeable on the water. So, the smaller the sizes, the more it’s recommended to reduce the gap between each size.