#3


 THE BEST
CONDITIONS TO
GET STARTED

 

 

 

 

 

 

WINGFOIL

The best conditions to get started

It’s important to understand certain basic rules when you’re learning to wingfoil, especially in regards to weather conditions and safety rules. Choosing the right spot is also important when you’re starting out, as you need to have a lot of space and no waves. Follow our tips and recommendations and your first wing sessions with your new TAHE equipment should go smoothly. 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SPOT

Wingfoiling can be practiced in the ocean or any other stretch of open water with enough space. If you’re at the sea, look for a spot that is very open and has no waves, ideally with a big sandy beach. Ask the locals about any possible sandbanks or shallow areas. You need easy access to the water and enough depth for you be able to get up on your board quickly without the foil touching the bottom. If there are people doing other sports (windsurfers, kitesurfers, or sunbathers), look for a place downwind of them.

Don’t wingfoil near swimmers and avoid places where there are large growths of seaweed; it’s a foilers worst enemy! On inland waters, there aren’t the same restrictions or issues— there won’t be waves, so you just need to be aware of the wind direction, making sure that you’ve got a landing spot somewhere downwind in case you are pulled or driven in that direction.

Regardless of whether you’re coastal or inland, whenever you’re not riding your board/foil, remember to protect your foil’s wings with the covers that are supplied with it to avoid any kind of accident or incident.  


WIND STRENGTH

When you’re learning, it will be much easier in a moderate breeze (Force 3 or 4, about 10-15 knots). Strong winds make the wing more unstable and difficult to control, making it more difficult to power up the wing. Beware of thunderstorms, especially if you’re on water in the mountains. Storms can happen very quickly, bringing violent gusts of wind with them. Wherever you are, check the weather forecast before you leave home to avoid unpleasant surprises.

 

Regarding the wind direction, the best for learning is when the wind is blowing parallel to the beach or slightly onto the beach from the sea. These directions ensure that you are always able to get back to the shore, even if the wind dies completely or you are pulled downwind while riding. Never, ever ride if the wind is blowing from offshore, it can easily blow you far out to sea! The same rules apply to inland waters: sailing is safe when the wind is parallel to your departure point or blowing slightly onto it.

THE RULES OF « PRIORITY »

It is very important to understand the priority rules everywhere you wingfoil. Wingfoiling inherited its rules from sailing and they are the same for all boats, windsurfers, and kitesurfers. The number one rule to remember is this: if you are sailing on a starboard run/tack (wind coming from your right), you have priority over anyone else coming towards you on a port run/tack (wind coming from their left). When you have priority, you can carry on steering the same course without needing to take avoiding action—the person coming on a port tack must avoid you, preferably by steering downwind of you.

Rule number two concerns downwind priority: when two wings are running parallel to each other on either a port or starboard tack, the downwind rider takes priority over the rider who is further upwind.

The third rule: keep a safe distance. Whenever you want to make a maneuver like a big change of direction or a jibe, you must keep a respectable distance between you and any other person sailing on the same line.

Finally, to avoid all risk of collisions, make your maneuvers clear and comprehensible for other water users, and try to plan ahead, rather than make last-minute moves.   

LOOKING FOR A BOARD?

Designed to give new riders a short learning curve,
and plenty of room to progress.
Available in both rigid and inflatable construction.

 

... OR A WING? 

Take flight with TAHE's new Alizé Wing series! Designed to fly in lighter winds and also be light to handle

 

 

...AND A FOIL? 

Aquilon Foils are ideal to get started “flying!”
The simple set of two sizes are designed to help you learn in style and progress quickly.