You have enough water to pass the Foil without touching. There is no obstacle in front of you, underwater or downwind. Okay, let’s go.
Turn the Wing over:
If your Wing is upside down, don’t worry.
Get in the water, or sit on your Board.
Rotate the Wing flat in the water to put the leading edge (the bladder) into the wind (on the windward side). Beware of the Leash being too short, it can be very annoying.
With the leading edge in your hands, you have two solutions:
- Flip the Wing over from the center using the leading edge handles. This is usually quite complicated and should only be done with small Wings.
- Bring your hands close to one tip and use the wind to turn the Wing over.
To use the wind, you will just lift the leading edge with one hand and hold with the other hand to leverage over the tip. The wind will catch under the Wing and turn it over effortlessly. If you have to force the Wing, your orientation to the wind is imperfect.
Finally, move your hands towards the center of the Wing until you catch the center grip of the leading edge and climb onto your Board and prepare to waterstart.
Climb on the Board:
Without a harness, you won’t risk injuring your Board. So be careful if you have a hook.
Grab the Wing by the central front handle, or take the Rail Saver of your Wing Leash (the portion of the strap that goes from the Wing). You hold the Wing with the hand that will be your front hand when starting up riding.
Stand upwind of the board, itself upwind of the Wing. So, in this order: wind -> you -> board -> wing.
Point the Board crosswind and place both hands in the center of the Board, shoulder width apart at least.
You stand up on your hands to ride the Board while kicking with your feet. Be careful not to hit the Foil, you could cut yourself severely.
Kneel down on the Board, first sideways, then one knee behind each front strap, facing the nose with one foot on each side of the back strap.
You are stabilized, you will be able to start up your Wing.
In case of loss of balance use the buoyancy of the Wing. It’s a real second floatation device, think about it.
Take note of these points:
- If you move the Wing towards the nose, the Board will bear away and go downwind (which you don’t usually want).
- If you move the Wing backwards towards the tail, the Board luffs up into the wind (which stops your drift).
You can grab the Wing with the back hand before getting on the Board. This will naturally turn the Board to face the wind, which is very practical. However, you will have to change the hand to start, which can complicate things for you.
You can also climb downwind of the Board, Wing in the front hand, and the Board with the nose pointing downwind:
So, in this order: wind -> board -> you -> wing.
Only drawbacks, the Wing is at your back, you drift very fast, you’ll have to luff up on your knees, and the Wing can pull you back and make you fall back.
Position the Board:
Put your front hand on the front handle of the leading edge, and grab the first ride handle on the strut.
The Wing will come off the water and catch the wind.
Reminder: with Wing in the air it’s very simple:
- If you move the Wing towards the nose, the Board will bear away and go downwind (which you don’t usually want).
- If you move the Wing backwards towards the tail, the Board luffs up into the wind (which stops your drift).
In light wind, you can almost paddle with the Wing’s tip to turn the Board faster. Little trick 😉
Put the Board crosswind.
Stand up on the Board:
First, you’re going to get the front foot flat, drop a knee, and stabilize yourself.
Keep your crosswind heading.
Stand up with your front foot flat, like a front lunge in fitness.
If your Board has the right volume, the balance is fairly simple.
In any case, a very light pressure on the back hand in the Wing will give you enough wind support to find your balance.
Remember to avoid waves and chop at the beginning.
Stand Upright:
You’re going to put your front hand on the full power handle, then your back hand on the first back handle, before the full power handle.
We’re taking it slow and the priority is to stay on course. Just remember to keep the crosswind by putting your Wing behind you if you need to luff up.
The simple placement of your hands is enough to put traction and stabilize you.
Do not let the Wing get caught up in the water:
The rule is simple: if the Wing gets stuck in the water, you must let go and start all over again. Otherwise, you risk bending it and it could explode. It will cost you a Wing…
The line joining your hands must always be at a minimum angle of 45° to the horizontal so that it does not get stuck in the water. As soon as you lower your front hand, the wing will get caught up in the water and you will have to start all over again.
So never keep your front hand low and always lower your back hand. This is the secret of the Wing, the only thing you really need to understand.
Gaining Speed:
You’re stabilized, everything’s okay.
Back the back hand on the full power handle, keep the front hand very high and sheet in gently: Here we go!
Key points:
- Good orientation of the Wing.
- Don’t let yourself drift too long (react quickly).
- Do not force: use the wind.
- Place your knees and your belongings next to the straps.
- Use the Wing to take its course and keep it.
- Let go of the Wing if it gets caught in the water.
