How do I wing-foil?

#WINGFOIL

January 24, 2025

Antonin

You’ve mastered the basics of wingfoil (or almost mastered them), and now you want to take it to the next level? As with windsurfing and kitesurfing, for some, jumping is a natural progression towards an even more aerial experience! Among the many possible maneuvers, jumpering is both spectacular and incredibly rewarding. But how do you go about taking to the skies and enjoying a different view for just a moment? Here’s our advice on how to do it safely.

How advanced should you be before jumping into wingfoil?

Wingfoil jumping is a logical evolution for any wingfoiler who wants to add an extra dimension to his practice. However, it’s important not to jump too quickly, so as not to hurt yourself or break your equipment.

Essential prerequisites

Master the basics: before thinking about jumps, make sure you know how to sail independently. In particular, you need to be able to pass a maximum number of jibes and feel at ease in a variety of wind conditions.
Comfort and balance: it’s important to be comfortable on your board, maintain a good speed, feel a natural balance and react quickly to changes in the environment.
Physical strength: jumping requires a certain level of physical fitness, particularly in the legs, to propel oneself into the air.
Control your equipment: you need to be comfortable with your kite, board and foil. Dexterity with all equipment is essential.

Stages of progress towards the jump

Perfecting your fundamentals: continue to work on your sailing technique, your balance and your energy, both physical and mental, and build up your self-confidence.
Try out small jumps: learn with a single jump, then two, then three, etc., propelling yourself slightly out of the water, even a few centimetres and on flat water. The spot shouldn’t be hostile on the day you try jumps. This will help you gain confidence and familiarize yourself with the sensations… and with falls! Knowing how to land is also essential.
Watch videos: wingfoil tutorials are a valuable source of inspiration. Ask experienced riders for advice and take the time to listen to them, observe their techniques and analyze their movements.
Join forums or groups of wing foil enthusiasts via the web.
Take a course: private tuition or coaching can help you make faster progress and correct any mistakes.

What wingfoil equipment do I need to jump?

The choice of equipment is a key factor in the success of your first wingfoil jumps. The right equipment will enable you to optimize your performance and evolve in complete safety.

Selection criteria

The board: opt for a small board, with a volume roughly equivalent to your weight (to start with). A short, responsive board will offer more speed, making it easier to achieve higher jumps.
The foil: a foil with a large, wide front wing gives you stability in flight (no more than 1500 cm²). As for the stab, it should be small for better responsiveness. Finally, a mast of at least 80 cm will enable you to stay well above the surface of the water and go faster (and avoid touchdowns before impulse).
The wing: wingfoil jumping is all about speed. That’s why it’s best to be slightly overweight. However, you don’t want to be too overcrowded either, as the wing must remain easy to handle. It will be easier to jumper with a 4 than a 5 m² wing if you have both sizes in your quiver. Ideally, you should start jumping on a day when you have a good 4 canopy.

Other equipment

Leashes: essential if you don’t want to lose your board or sail in the event of a fall. Expert riders don’t put leashes on their boards, but if you start jumps, put one on.
Helmets are highly recommended to protect your head in the event of impact on the water or with your equipment.
Impact vests: for the same reasons as helmets, impact vests help prevent injury when you fall.
The wetsuit: put on your neoprene wetsuit, even in summer.
Footstraps: both front and rear, straps must be attached to your board.

Additional tips

Progress slowly: Don’t put pressure on yourself and go at your own pace.
Training: take an hour out of your session and do just that: jump. Repeat the actions.
Warm up before each session: a little physical preparation on the beach goes a long way.
Sailing with a partner: if you can, sail with other people. It’s safer.
Respect safety rules: Follow safety and priority rules before jumping. Don’t jump too close to the edge, choose a wide area and look around to make sure you’re not in the way.

Performing a wingfoil jump: Action!

How do you take off completely out of the water and fly for a few moments? What technique should you use?

Jumping stages

Preparation: make sure you have enough speed, both feet in the footstraps as you edge your wing, and that the wind is steady. Go upwind, keep your body straight and tense, and lean on your front leg.
Impulse: bend your knees into a sitting position, lowering your center of gravity. Push on your back foot to drive the foil into the water, while pulling on the wing to gain height.
Take-off: relax your legs and let the air carry you along, with your body relaxed and your gaze fixed on the horizon.
Flying: arms and legs extend, the sail must be neutral, free of wind, flat and parallel to the surface of the water, with the leading edge facing into the wind.
Landing: cushion the landing by bending your knees as you come down, while keeping your body under tension. The wing becomes a parachute, positioned almost overhead. It’s the back of the board that catches the jump. For a smooth landing, avoid landing flat with all your weight. This could not only cause a fall, but also damage your board.
Landing departure: To take off immediately after landing, open your wing and press on the front leg, while flying crosswind or even a little off. Don’t hesitate to pounce if necessary to regain glide.

Once again, start with small, gentle jumps before attempting more complex tricks and figures. It’s certainly easier to take off with a bit of chop or real waves or swell in front of you… But you’ll go higher, and that’s not the point at first.

Wing-foil jumping is a maneuver accessible to almost all levels, as long as you practice regularly and follow the safety instructions. Don’t hesitate to ask experienced wingfoilers for advice, and watch videos regularly. Are you ready to take the plunge?

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Pratique :

Sup Foil

Wing Foil

Surf Foil

Downwind

Dockstart

Wakefoil

Windfoil

Sous-Pratique Wing Foil :

Freestyle

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How do I wing-foil?