Beginners Packs Wing

For whom?

Beginner without experience: The best way to start without breaking the bank.

• PACK WING HIPE FIRST.
• PACK WING HIPE DISCOVER
• PACK WING  ZUMA WOOD 2X 
• PACK WING LANCE WOOD 2X 

Athletic beginner: The best way to start.

• PACK WING HIPE EVO
• PACK WING ZUMA FSP 2X 
• PACK WING LANCE FSP 2X

Experienced: here !

Which wing package is right for my level and needs?

The PACK HIPE FIRST is the most accessible set of equipment to start wing foiling.

The PACK WING HIPE DISCOVER is the simplicity of the inflatable and the performance of the rigid to start wing foiling. To wing, this is the perfect board to start and improve your skills.

The PACK WING HIPE EVO is the simplicity of the inflatable and the performance of the rigid to start wing foiling. To wing, this is the perfect board to start and improve your skills.

The PACK WING ZUMA WOOD 2X  is the combination of performance and simplicity in SUP foil and wing foil with a very fluid board. The Zuma Wood 2X is the compact but fluid board for not struggling. Everything is done smoothly.

The PACK WING LANCE WOOD 2X is ideal for learning the wing easily on a really fun board. The most accessible package technically and economically with its record price.

The PACK WING ZUMA FSP 2X  is the combination of performance and simplicity in SUP foil and wing foil with a very fluid board. Whether you’re a beginner, or just coooool, the Zuma FSP 2X is the perfect board to take the edge off. It’s smooth and easy, yet still very efficient.

The PACK WING LANCE FSP 2X The coolest board to progress in wing. From beginners to advanced riders, the new Lance shape offers a unique concept of short but very wide boards to easily learn the wing on a really fun board.

What size for the wing?

Starting off, we recommend a 5m². This is the most versatile size. You will have enough power to fly in mild conditions, and a wingspan that remains reasonable.

Soon you will see that one wing is not enough. You will want to fly all the time so you will complete your 5m² with a bigger one.

We recommend 2m² maximum distance between your wings. Ideally 1m², and this is even more true in the smaller sizes because when you go from 4m² to 2m² because the wind has risen, you divide the surface area by two, while the wind has certainly not doubled. On the other hand, going from 7m² to 5m² when the wind rises is quite fluid because it is proportional to the extra force of the wind.

Plus :

Don’t overestimate the power of wings. The current hype is that you will have a blast with a 4m² in 15nds, or even 8nds… It’s really just smoke and mirrors to get you to switch to a cheaper wing because it is smaller. The reality is that you need enough surface area to develop the power you need.

What wing board size?

Beginners in wing must absolutely have a positive volume balance.

Your weight plus the Board’s weight must be less than the Board’s volume.

Don’t hesitate to take some volume and width if you’re not sure of your supports.

We advise you to take a volume in the order of your weight + 30 = volume.

Regarding the HIPE and the Zuma, the length will help beginners to take off easily, and in all phases of rides on the water.

Examples for a 7kg board and different sizes:

• 1/ I weigh 70kg + 30 = 100L to be easy. This means that with a 5’7 of 120L I would be very comfortable but without excess. The minimum to float is: 70kg + 7kg = 77L.
• 2/ I weigh 85kg + 30 = 115L to be easy. This means that with a 5’8 of 130L I would be very comfortable but without excess. The minimum to float is: 85kg + 7kg = 92L.
• 3/ I weigh 100kg + 30 = 130L to be easy. This means that with a 5’9 of 140L I would be comfortable but without excess. The minimum to float is: 100kg + 7kg = 107L.

In Wing, we identify three main types of reports based on volume:

Comfort

You can select a volume large enough to float, which is your weight +10 = volume

• Example: I weigh 75kg + 10 = 85L to float. This means that with 85L I’ll be all good as long as I have a good wing level.

Sport

You can also sub-liter because the Lemon is large enough to be stable. If you have a great level and want maximum responsiveness, you can switch to negative volumes.

Up to your weight -10 = volume you can go on your knees while leaning on your wing in the water.

• Example: I weigh 75kg = 75L to slightly sub-liter. This means that with 75L my board will sink lightly and I will have to be precise and sporty at each start.

Sinker

At your weight – 30 = volume, you will have to start by sinking the board: it’s technical, very physical, and you lose part of the low wind range. And above all: you need depth, which can be annoying. The performance gain is debatable depending on your level, but the gain in sensations and responsiveness is interesting for some. It is also the best way to have light equipment, which is essential for the pros and especially for the biggest riders.

• Example: I weigh 75kg – 30 = 45L to use my board as a Sinker. Which means that with 65L and less, my board will completely sink and I will have to start with the help of the wing to get out of the water. In this case, less volume often makes things easier because we sink the board with ease. This makes it easier to place our feet on the deck or in the straps and climb on it. A small board won’t pop out as a cork, therefore easier to on it but not as quick to take off. Its stability qualities when on the surface remain the same underwater.

Finally, the most unstable volume is often the one between 10L and 20L less than your weight.

Choosing the board that suits you perfectly can turn out to be a real challenge given the many parameters that define its qualities. In order to better understand all these parameters of length, width, volume, hull, technology and shape of a board, we explain all of their purposes in this How To : Choose your wing board.

Which technology for my wing foil board?

At GONG, we only make top of the range Boards. Our low prices can only be explained by our choice of exclusively Direct Sales and distribution.

You have the choice between:

•  The simple, solid and very close to rigid inflatable thanks to our revolutionary HIPE.
• The Wood 2X which is much cheaper, but not as light.
• The FSP 2X which is both light and super strong. It is the best-selling technology because it mixes the most advantages and at a very reasonable price.

What sizes of foil wings?

Beginners will have the fastest progression with an XL front wing (any rider between 50kg and 100kg) and a 46cm stab X-Over.

For beginners

In the range very easy and efficient wings at low speed:

• If you are not confident, start with an XL Rise or XL X-Over front wing.
• If you’re good, start with an XL Curve front wing.

The size of the front wing determines the speed/lift ratio. The smaller the wing, the faster you will go but will be uncomfortable at low speed.

The stabs have a major role. They determine the stability of the foil and help the lift, but at the expense of the maximum speed of the foil.

Surf stabs are slower than kite stabs, but have way more lift, and are therefore effective at low speeds. Veloce boards are an excellent compromise between speed and lift.

Which foil mast?

In other words, everything will be played out between 85cm and 100cm. You can find all our advice on choosing between these two lengths by clicking here.

In summary, for waves and freestyle, but also for beginners and progressing, an 85 mast is ideal. Simple to put in the water, an easy rail to rail, it’s perfect. A 90 cm mast and above is great for Racing by offering more margin at high speed, namely in choppy conditions, but isn’t as maneuverable. All our masts : here.

Positioning of the foil?

For GONG foils, place the plate in the rear third when you start and in the center of the US rails when you progress. The Pros can position the foil even further towards the front for more lift and maneuverability.

The more you move it forward, the more the board will pitch nose-up. The more you move it backwards, the more the board nose-dives.

Be careful not to move it too far forward. We often tend not to let their back foot work, especially when we come from kite foiling. However, moving the foil back a little, forces more weight on the back foot and gives a more harmonious attitude and reduces effort.

Which leash?

Take a 5′5 to 6′ Leash in light wind and a 10′ Leash in strong wind. Preferably a model dedicated to the wing and of the coiled type.

Check its condition before each session and change it every year. This is your lifejacket.

Don’t let your wing flap in the wind at the end of the leash, it is not unbreakable! Ditto in the waves, do not hold your wing by the leash, it will explode or you will hurt yourself.

Harness or Harness free?

Riding without a Harness is sexy because it makes you feel free and it’s styley. You can move in all directions, it’s really pleasant.

On the other hand, you don’t have to use a lot of fabric to avoid having your arms stretched out. This means having to pump often to take off.

All our wings 2021 have Harness line attachments. So, you have the choice.

So, if on the other hand you like to ride with a lot of canvas, the use of a Harness is almost mandatory if you don’t want to do sessions bridled at one o’clock. In this case, the installation of Harness lines is super simple, (see our tutorials on the Forum). We advise you to use a Harness that is as stiff and as soft as possible, with a windsurfing type hook.

Tips of 24 to 28cm of distance between the batten and the V-shaped hollow section will be perfect. Use a small diameter rope and a thin sheath because the ends of the rope are heavy and rigid, and therefore dangerous for turns and other tricks.

So, it’s up to you to see if sensation and aesthetics prevail over performance. But it is a safe bet that soon all riders will have Harnesses because the evolution will go towards more powerful wings and more performance.

Wishbone or Handles?

We have tried everything, in every conceivable combination. A boom is great but is not at all suitable for a beginner public who needs a light wing.

With a boom, he’ll hit the board and damage it, or damage his shoulders. And it’s as hard to transport as it is to install.

In 2021 we reduced the number of handles to a minimum and saved almost a kilogram per wing.

The choice is therefore four ideally placed handles :

• One for handling and surfing on the leading edge.
• One front handle on the central strut.
• A space to put a harness line between the front and rear handles.
• A rear handle for low power and tricks on the central strut.
• A second rear handle for full power on the central strut.

For the 2023 range:

• The new large rear handle naturally positions your hand where you are most comfortable. Once in flight, your hand won’t move much, but you’ll find this big handle very useful during take-off, pumping or certain tricks where moving your rear hand makes life easier. Easier to catch than the double handle, it remains precise in steering.

Full Window or Canopy ?

Wings without windows are cheaper, 200 grams lighter and easier to store.

Wings with windows are safer, stiffer and more responsive.

For beginners, a wing with windows is a must because safety comes before the few grams you could gain. The point is not to admire the landscape: windows will allow you to see if there’s someone or something on the other side of your wing when jibing and therefore prevent a potential collision.

With Battens or without ?

The particularity of inflatable wings is their relative flexibility. This is not necessarily a disadvantage if the profile keeps its shape.

For this, the use of Battens is an indisputable asset. But it is more expensive and not as light.

At GONG, you have the choice to use them or not. According to your taste. And to take Wings which are not equipped with them.

Dry your wing ?

Unless you end your session with a long ride in the sun and land on a pontoon, it’s rather rare to get out of the water with a completely dry wing. ? Note that there is no need to dry your wing if it is to be used regularly in salt water, as the salt protects the materials from mold.

If, however, for transport or storage reasons you want to dry them, you must absolutely avoid hanging the deflated wing by the handle on the leading edge. It’s however very practical but it is the best way to obtain a hernia on the central strut at the junction with the leading edge following the collapse of the bladder inside. The bladders are movable in the strut and the leading edge. So if you hang it up deflated to dry, the bladder can slip, or even crumple, in the strut sleeve.

So ideally, you dry your inflated wing in the shade, and at worst flat or at least with just the inflated central strut.

Find all our How to : Dry your wing

Good to Know:

Wings are very light inflatable structures. This is the reason of their efficiency. You must therefore take the greatest care of them.

The classic mistake is to pierce the wing with the foil. You won’t escape it. But it is very easy to repair. Our fabrics limit the tear and contain it instead of the impact.

The more serious mistake is to get the wing hooked in the water and have it stuck in the water causing you to kink it. Kinking will increase the pressure rapidly and cause the wing to explode. Repairs are then the logical consequent. The same happens if you inflate too much.

The inflation pressure of your wing will affect its power and handling in high water. If high pressure puts your wing at risk, you can also cheat if the wind is very strong by inflating it a little less to make it easier to hold. It will be less stable but less powerful.

Note that inflating your wing too much gives a heavy feeling and does not improve performance. It is a very bad reflex.

Everybody wants a wing. So, don’t take a wing that is too complicated at the beginning. Take a wing that is really made for your beginner needs and you will sell it to a friend in a few months without any worries. The low prices that GONG offers will boost your progress without breaking your budget. Food for thought.

Forum link:

All you need to know about wings

Choose your wing