Wingfoiling is the latest trend in water sports! This article will clarify the most important questions: What is wingfoiling? Is wingfoiling difficult? Which types of wingfoiling exist? How does wingsurfing work? How do I transport my wingfoil? And how does the reacha help to have a perfect day on the foil?
What is foiling? What is wingfoiling?
Wingfoiling is a new trend sport. It combines kite surfing and windsurfing elements. When foilsurfing you surf on a hydrofoil. You float above the water surface. No matter if wing-foiling, kite-foiling, pump-foiling or wave-foiling. It results in high speeds and a feeling of weightlessness.
The difference between different types of foils is in their propulsion. The speed, the foilspeed, is generated differently. Wingfoiling uses a handheld kite by putting it into the wind like a sail.
Wingfoil world champion Balz Müller (@radiculo) uses his reacha bicycle trailer to transport his eqiupment
The foilboard is very different from windsurfing or kiteboards. There is no regular fin on the bottom of the foilboard as for surfboards. Instead, it has a downward standing mast. A hydrofoil wing or foil is attached to the end of the mast. Similar to an airplane wing, the foil generates uplift at a certain speed. As a result, the board and rider rise out of the water. The foil board does not touch the surface. The frictional force is reduced. High speeds can be reached by minimal resistance. The world record for wingfoiling is about 67 km/h.
As mentioned, a certain basic speed is required for foiling. The foilspeed is achieved with a wing when wingfoiling. The Wing looks like a steering kite without strings. However, it is steered by hand, just like windsurfing. In terms of production and material, wings are very similar to kites. They are made of synthetic textiles reinforced with Kevlar or nylon. Wings are kept in shape by a multi-chamber system of air bodies when inflated. Thanks to the air bodies, the wing floats when you fall into the water. Which, by the way, is a constant part of wingsurfing, especially in the beginning.
The Wing can also be used in a variety of ways outside of the water. On land, the Wingfoil kite can also be used on longboards, skis or inline skates.
reacha SPORT LONG in use with two foilboards
In 2019, wingfoiling has become a trend and is growing in popularity. An advantage of foiling to regular kitesurfing or windsurfing: Low wind speeds of ten knots are enough. It is easier to handle the equipment when wingfoiling compared to kitefoiling or windsurfing. It is also easier to learn wingfoiling than other foiling styles. If you want to try the trend sport, you can find surf schools that offer wingsurfing courses.
Different types of wingfoiling
Besides classic wingfoiling, there are other ways to use wing and foil boards.
On the water with only a foilboard
So-called pump-foiling involves picking up speed on a short foil board by shifting your body weight. Through pumping motion on the board, the foil lifts you up. Even curves are no problem on the foil board. However, pump-foiling is extremely exhausting. Long distances on the water are only possible with a lot of endurance.
The transportation to the water without a wing is easier. However, the foil board remains bulky and difficult to transport. A buggy like the reacha allows you to bring your board to the water with the mast mounted!
Photo-Credit: Star Board
Using the wing on land
To learn wingfoiling, combining it with longboard or skateboard is ideal! Without
experience in kiteboarding or windsurfing, first steps can be made on land on a board.
If the wind is good, the wing can be used to pick up speed.
Unlike windskating,
the glider is not screwed to the board.
Whether on land or in the water. Always secure your wing with a leash on your wrist! The risk of falling while wingsurfing and your wing becoming uncontrollable is very high!
Wings are also interesting for winter sports enthusiasts. Whether on the slopes or on the cross-country ski trail. The wing pulls you through the snow in windy conditions. Wingfoilers have especially much fun with the Wing on the snowboard. If you want to use the Wing all year round, you should take a closer look at Wing-Skiing..
Especially in the flatlands you want to transport the skis or the wingfoil. This is possible without a car! The reacha bicycle trailer does not have to be pulled straining. Whether Wingfoil or ski, with reacha you get everywhere!
The Foil also makes a good figure on the reacha
Wing-SUP
If the wind is too strong, you don't have to miss out on a tour on the SUP. With the combination of Wing and SUP you will still be on the water. With Wing SUPing you stand normally on your SUP. Instead of paddling, you let your Wing pull you. Pump up your SUP and Wing and you're ready to go.
On the plus side, if you're traveling with SUP, the SUP and wing can share the air pump. If you don't want to carry it in two backpacks, you are mostly stuck with your car. A long SUP is extremely bulky and rarely fits well in the car. With the reacha bicycle trailer you can easily transport your wing and SUP. At your spot you only have to unload your foil at the water's edge. Without emissions, stress and parking problems.
To not endanger you and your environment while wingsurfing: More and more wingfoil manufacturers rely on viewing windows. This ensures that nothing happens to you or others in the water.
Photo-Credit: SUP TV
Without Wing on the E-Foil
We already told you about pump-foiling. The other option, without a wing, is e-foiling. E-Foils have an electric motor in the board, which drives a propeller on the foil. With a remote control in your hand the speed of the e-foil is regulated. Basically, e-foiling works like wingsurfing - only without wind. With an e-foil, you can glide across the water at up to 50 km/h.
The problem with e-foils? They are extremely expensive. Those who are still interested in e-foils: The most popular brands are Flite, Audi and Waydoo. Who wants to see the reacha with an E-Foil can do so at the Motorworld in Cologne!
Contribution of reacha user Flo and his e-foil
How do I transport my Wingfoil?
Even if the material for wingsurfing is more convenient than for kitesurfing or windsurfing, there is still a lot to carry. In addition to the wing and board, you also need to take a pump, helmet, neoprene shoes, wetsuit, life jacket and sunscreen. Basically two components belong to the Wingfoil transport. The Wing and your board. The Wing plus pump can be compactly stowed in a backpack or a special bag. This hardly takes up any space. It is more difficult to transport the foil board. Although there are now inflatable wingboards that can be transported like a small SUP. But there is still the foil consisting of mast and wings.
There are several options for transport: Either disassemble or transport the Wingfoil as a whole.
If you
disassemble an inflatable board and the foil, you can even take it on the plane. It will fit in the trunk of
your car. However, you will be busy at the spot for 30 minutes. The wingboard has to be inflated. The foil has
to be assembled and mounted to the board. And the wing has to be inflated. Warming up before the water sport is
done. In addition, the individual parts of the foilboard, such as the fuse, mast or wing, can be damaged when
the wingfoil is transported.
It is hardly possible to transport it assembled in a car. Depending on the length of the mast, the body is too large for a trunk. You either need a big car or a van. But there are also alternatives to transport your Wingfoil material.
reacha bicycle trailers are the easiest way to transport your Wingfoil. On a bicycle trailer you can put your Wing, your Foilboard and your pump. Secure everything with a strap. And you are ready to cycle to the lake. All without the hassle of finding a parking space and assembling the Wingfoil. And the best thing about it: No CO2 emissions.
You want to use your SUP with a Wing?
The reacha bike trailer has no problem with that. Pack your foil in the trunk and attach your SUP over it! You can find more info below or here
reacha on TV withLuxury Gadgets
Putting your Wingfoil in the water:
With reacha you can pull your board-foil-wing combination directly to the water's edge. Thanks to the bike connector, the bike trailer becomes a hand trailer in just a few steps. So even the last meters go playfully!
You just have to get your foilboard and wing into the water. We have summarized the best tips from Wingpassion.de:
- Grab the wingboard by the hollow at the bottom of the board. Press the front to your hip and the foil
outward.
- When you have a firm grip, take your Wing in the other hand!
- Remember: carry the
board upwind and the wing on the leeward side. So that you do not damage your wing with the
foil.
- If your wingboard doesn't have a carrying cradle, hold it upside down on the foil.
This is not comfortable, but with your reacha you can atleast reach the water's edge.
- Once in the
water, you can float your wingboard with foil up in front of you. In foil depth, the board is simply
rotated!
Transport your wingfoil with the reacha:
With the reacha your Wingfoil material can be transported without problems. Either with the long SPORT drawbar, as with the Weber drawbar or shorter CITY-drawbar
There are two ways to transport your wingfoil material with the reacha. Depending on how much wingsurfing equipment you take with you! You can transport your foilboard mounted on the reacha and secure it with a fastening strap. If you have concerns, you can remove the foils and store them in the trunk of the reacha.
You can also put your wing in the trunk of the reacha or fasten it on your board. With a bike trailer from reacha you don't have to assemble your foilboard on the beach. The length of your foilboard does not matter for the reacha. Smaller wingfoil setups can be transported either with the reacha SPORT SHORT or the Weber drawbar. Is your board over a certain length, drawing it with the reacha SPORT LONG without troubles.
Due to the adjustable width of the bike trailer, so far every Wingfoil has fit on the reacha.
Transporting Wing and SUP with the reacha
You want to go to the beach with your SUPFoil instead of a Wingfoil? The reacha was specially designed to carry long sports items like SUPs or surfboards.
So SUPs up to 4.3 m can be brought to the lake with the long SPORT drawbar. A handy packed Wing finds place in the trunk of the bike trailer. With the reacha you cycle to the water's edge and start directly on the Wing-SUP.
Transporting E-Foils with the reacha
You transport your E-Foil like your Wingfoil. Simply place it upside down on the reacha, and fasten it with a strap!
Once at your spot, you can secure your reacha with a spiral lock. This protects your bike trailer from theft.
If you want to learn more about wingfoiling you should watch these two videos: Learn Wingfoil Part 1 and Learn Wingfoil Part 2
Wingfoiling is
great fun and is quite the trend on the water. Although buying your own equipment is expensive, it is worth it.
The only shortcoming of the sport is the transportation of the wingsurfing equipment. It is possible to
disassemble and store everything. But it' s a very time-consuming method! To get the most out of your Wingfoil,
we recommend using a trailer for transport. This way you not only save a lot of time, you also do something good
for the environment! In addition, fewer things can happen to the board during transport if it is safely stored
in the trailer. And now off to the water!
