The wingfoil, the latest in board sports
Wingfoil is a water sport combining a board, a foil and an inflatable wing, the wing. The goal is to fly above the water. It is a variant of kitesurfing, which has become very popular in recent years.
What is the wingfoil?
Wingfoil, also called wingsurfing, is the latest popular trend in water sports. It rivals windsurfing, kitesurfing and stand up paddleboarding. A real windsurf, play with the wind to feel a feeling of freedom and speed.
The wingsuiter holds an inflatable sail in his hand thanks to a mini-arm, as in sailboard, or handles and a strap. Attached to the wrist, the strap avoids losing the wing in the event of a fall. The board is equipped with a sheet, fixed under the board: it includes a stick, a fuselage, a front wing and a rear wing (the stabilizer). The mast is held perpendicularly under the board and the wings are parallel to the board. Thanks to it, the plate avoids friction with water. We fly above the surface, even when there is little wind. The wingsurer’s feet are attached to the table by footstraps, to stay in the air longer when jumping.
To start in wingfoil, you have to get quality equipment in a surf shop, like Welcome Surf Shop.
Emergence of wingsurfing in the 80s
Wingsurfing was born in the 80s but only really became popular in 2019. In the meantime, it failed: inspired by the flight of seagulls and hang gliders, the first wing was rigid and pivoted, but it did not not convinced. After several evolutions, including the appearance of inflatable wings, lighter and more compact and above all the incorporation of foil which compensates for the lack of wing power, Duotone launches in 2019 the first wingsurf wing. It was the impetus he needed for riders to embrace the wingfoil.
Choosing the right wingfoil equipment
Technical sport, the wingfoil takes into account different criteria which influence the choice of the table, the wing and the foil :
• the board must be stable. The weight of the person influences the choice of the table: it must weigh between 25 and 30 liters more than your weight. But to start, it’s best to have between 120 and 130 gallons to be more stable. Rigid tables are sporty. Inflatables are great for traveling;
• the ability to fly in all wind conditions and the weight of the wingsur guide the choice of a wing. The stronger the wind, the smaller the wing area should be. The inflatable sail, easy to transport and inflate, can measure between 2 and 7.5m²;
• The choice of foil will be different depending on whether you are sailing, whether you are looking for speed or freeride. There are many models of foils of different sizes or studied specifically for different sports nautical;
Finally, for a session that is 100% fun, it is essential to equip yourself with a good neoprene wetsuit: it must be adapted to your size, your size, the outside temperature and the hot water during falls. , if you try the wingfoil in cold water.
How to start in wingfoil?
A first piece of advice: trust a school to learn the basics of wingsurfing, especially when you are new to the nautical sports. This is the best way to learn about the practice to make sure you get the most out of it before investing in technical equipment. There are schools on all seafronts in France, whether you live on the Atlantic or Mediterranean coast, the North Sea or the English Channel.
At the start, a calm sea, without tides, is to be favored to avoid being often unbalanced, with a wind between 10 and 20 knots approximately, that is to say between 20 and 40 km/h. The site will preferably be free of algae or other objects floating on the surface so as not to disturb the sheet. Be careful not to be dragged too far from the shore, the ideal place makes it easy to get back to shore. The depth of the water must be sufficient to use the sheet without touching the bottom to avoid falls.
The goal is to take advantage of his position at the table to gain speed thanks to the star. You have to focus on the handling of the kite, which you keep in the air above and take advantage of the thrust of the wind. We start on our knees by standing in the middle of the table for more balance, then gradually lifting the front leg then the back leg, and pumping to gain speed. Tip: You can learn how to handle the kite on the beach before going into the water.
Now it’s your turn to try…
What is the total number of disciplines included in the Olympic Winter Games?
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Number of Sports | seven |
| Number of Disciplines | 15 |
| Events | 109 |
| Symbols |
What is the latest discipline introduced at the Winter Olympics? THE surf, sport climbing, karate, baseball/softball and skateboarding are the five new sports added to the program of the 2020 Olympic Games. They were proposed by the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee and have been accepted by the IOC .
What are the disciplines of the Winter Olympics?
The Olympic Games, a winter event global
- Biathlon. Appeared in the Nordic countries, biathlon is a winter sport that combines two disciplines such as cross-country skiing and rifle shooting.
- Bobsled. …
- Ice Hockey. …
- Skating. …
- Skeleton. …
- Alpine skiing. …
- Cross-country skiing. …
- Free skiing.
What kind of sport is skateboarding?
Skateboarding is also the practice of this object, generally considered a sport, a recreational activity, an art form or a means of transport. Practitioners are called “skaters”, “riders” or “snowboarders”. The verb skater means “to skateboard”.
Does skateboarding make you lose weight? Calories burned while skateboarding! Tic tac, shove-it, ollie, this sport is characterized by a series of movements that stimulate the cardiovascular system, melt fat and strengthen the body. This playful and dynamic discipline allows you to burn between 200 and 500 calories during one hour of practice.
Why is skateboarding a sport?
The passion and the burning desire to be able to ride in all circumstances are the main reasons that have allowed this new sport to grow slowly and safely. From the 1950s to the 1970s, skateboarding was a niche sport that few people knew about.
