HOW TO: CHOOSE YOUR WING!!!

Because our role has been, and always will be, to accompany you throughout your progress, we have created a How To section for everything related to the practice of the Wing. From the most basic to the most radical moves, you will find everything you need to understand and improve your technique.

For Whom?

– Beginners: The Wing Plus is what you’ll need. Smooth, progressive and stable, it is a light Wing that is easy to handle without getting your arms ripped off.

– Experienced: You need a very stiff Wing, with performance and stability in high range. The Pulse will give you amazing Vmax and handling, while the SuperPower will deliver the torque you’ve been dreaming of.

Focus on the program. Your weight shouldn’t be directed towards this or that Wing. It’s your choice of surface that will be based on your weight.

For What?

– The Wing Plus: clearly its role is to facilitate your first year of Wing flying. Light, easy, it has all the qualities to bring you up to a good level.

– The Wing Plus LTD is the luxury version of the Plus with its windows.

– The Wing Pulse: boost your level, invent tomorrow’s moves, outclass the others in speed and direction, surf like never before… It will break in all registers, but don’t ask it to play gentle ?

– The Wing SuperPower: your body of water exposes you to capricious, irregular, dusty winds? It’s THE unbeatable Wing. And if you sometimes have a moment of weakness at dessert time, it will turn your little treats into a real strength: power to spare and furious accelerations ?

Comparative?

In order to understand the dominant qualities of each of our Wings, we used the following criteria:

– Power: power background, torque.

– Vmax: ability to go fast.

– Technicality: complexity of piloting.

– Agility: easy to handle the Wing on the water.

– Control: stability in the high range.

– Neutrality: depower when the Wing is totally released, flattened out in surfing for example.

What Size Wing?

For you beginners, 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 is up, you divide the surface by two, while the wind has certainly not doubled. On the other hand, going from 7m2 to 5m2 when the wind rises it’s quite fluid because it is proportional to the extra strength of the wind.

Here is the recommended wind range for each Wing:

Don’t overestimate the power of the Wings. The word out there consists in trying to make you believe that you’re going to have fun with a 4m2 in 15 knots, even 8 knots… It’s really a smokescreen that aims to make you open up your wallet on a cheaper Wing because it’s smaller. The reality is that you need enough surface area to develop the power you will need.

What Wing Quiver?

A beginner will be well advised to equip himself with a Wing Plus.

Usually we stay in the same range. This is very true for beginners who will find their marks with one size and find them on the size above or below in the same model.

For a Pro it’s different because depending on the conditions and what he wants to do, he will draw from each model the resources he needs. For example, in 15nds asthmatic, a SuperPower 6m2 will be fabulous. It will erase all the defects of the spot. But in 15nds perfectly regular, he will surely prefer a Pulse 6m2 which will be more manageable and lively. And in 15 knots with enormous slaps, he will have the choice to switch to a Plus to avoid getting his arms ripped off.

What Technology?

At GONG we only make high end Wings. Our low prices can only be explained by our choice of exclusive live distribution.

Our Wings benefit from the best construction, developed by GONG, currently the strongest on the market with its double thickness of leading edge segments and reinforced seams. This is far from basic Kite technology.

Our Wings are built to last and accept the constraints of this new sport. We use the best materials available while keeping our prices low thanks to our no middleman sales system. With basic materials, it would be 30% cheaper, but less durable and much less performing.

At GONG our Wings are the highest quality and if by misfortune you break them, they can be repaired from A to Z with the components we keep in stock for your favorite repairer.

Which Leash?

Take a 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 Harnessless?

Riding without a Harness is sexy because it makes you feel free. You can move in all directions, it’s really nice. On the other hand, you don’t have to wear a lot of canvas to avoid getting your arms pulled out. This means having to pump often to take off.

The Wing Plus is the softest, and therefore the easiest without a Harness.

The Wing Pulse is the most nervous, and therefore not the easiest without a Harness.

The Wing Superpower is the most powerful, and therefore not the easiest without a Harness.

On the other hand, if you like to ride with a canvas, the use of a Harness is almost mandatory if you don’t want to do a one-hour restricted session. 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 soft and as wrapping as possible, with a windsurfing type hook. Tips from 24 to 28cm.

Then it’s up to you to see if the feeling prevails over the performance.

Wishbone or Handles?

Both are fine. You have to understand that a Wing is not steered by forcing on the hands to steer it. You only need to raise the front hand to put the Wing flat and raise the back hand to put it upright. We call this umbrella Vs folding screen.

The advantage of the wish is its rigidity. You can move your hands easily but in use it can be tricky. The big plus is to have firmness. On the other hand, it is heavier, less easy to transport and install, and much more dangerous for you and your Board.

The advantages of the handles are weight, storage, speed, strength and safety for you and your Board. On the other hand, they are on an inflatable bladder which will necessarily be flexible compared to a wish, causing profile deformations.

How many Handles?

The minimalist look with very few Handles is very sexy. It’s also cheaper to make ?

At GONG we made the choice to facilitate the practice with:

– A sufficient number of Handles to get the Wing out of the water, turn it over easily, take it in hand at low power, then put your hands on the handles at full power.

– Logos on each Handle to make it clear what they are for.

– Transition Handles, for example to duck it is much easier with a Handle behind your back hand, to ride with one hand you need a Full Power Handle in between etc…

Window or Full Canopy?

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

Wings with windows are safer, stiffer and more nervous.

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 advantage. But it is more expensive and less light.

At GONG, you have the choice to use them or not. According to your taste.

Good to Know:

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

The classic mistake is to pierce the Wing with the Foil. You won’t escape it. But it’s very easy to repair. Our fabrics limit the tear and contain it at the point of impact.

The more serious mistake is to get the Wing hooked in the water and clinging to it when you bend it. Crushing will increase the pressure and cause the Wing to explode. Repairs are then consequent. The same happens if you inflate too much.

The inflation pressure of your Wing will affect its power and its ability to hold on to the water. If a pressure higher than 10PSI endangers your Wing, you can also cheat if the wind is very strong by inflating it a little less. It will be less stable but much less powerful.

Everybody wants a Wing. So, don’t take a Wing that is too complicated at first. 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. Just think about it.

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All about Wings

Choose your Wing