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tinyE
Since 21 Jan 2006
2004 Posts
not really an
XTreme Poster
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Mon Apr 25, 22 6:22 am Getting started with the wing |
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hey all,
i'm old to kiting, new to winging...
i've 'flown' my wing on land a few times, but have been hesitant to get in the water on a foil, for fear of getting stuck. i had a few questions, and will accept any advice you have.
1. How powered up would you recommend being on your first trip in the water? (light or lit)
2. It seems more controlled when i fly the wing slightly overhead, as opposed to sideways. Is this correct? Sideways, it seems like it would drag in the water a little, it also pulls pretty hard sideways.
3. Is it ok to launch from the event site with a wing and foil?
4. Is the best 'self rescue' technique for learning to be upwind of the (a) sandbar, so if you can't stay upwind, at least you float into something solid?
5. I have a large front wing, i'm assuming that would be ok to start with, then as i go faster, i will need a smaller (higher aspect - I think) wing? is that right?
anything else?
thanks in advance! |
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Wind Slither
Since 04 Mar 2005
2587 Posts
The 503
METAL
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Mon Apr 25, 22 7:47 am |
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Just starting myself but...
1. Like kiting, lack of power is frustrating. Wings aren't scary, you can sheet out and dump power easily.
2. Yes, wing tip dipping is a leading rookie mistake
3. I think so? I've seen it a lot when I visit.
4. Don't know with small boards, I've been on a floater and I just schlog in.
5. Yes. |
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moondog
Since 15 Aug 2007
703 Posts
white salmon
Addicted
CGKA Member
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Mon Apr 25, 22 8:39 am |
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I took it up last June...
1) My biggest mistake was being underpowered my first 3 sessions. When underpowered you tend to just drift downwind. Since you aren't on foil the first couple of sessions there is lots of drag.
2) I keep the kite at a 45% angle most of the time. When I get overpowered it goes above my head and I sheet out, instant power killer!
3 &4) The perfect place to learn is Luhr Jensen park just west of the event site. It's deep and you just drift down to the ES and do the walk of shame back to your start point. The Hook is shallow with flukey wind and a long ways to a downwind take out point.
5)I started on a floaty board 125, 3 weeks later went to 110, 2weeks later 95 which I'm still on. Going to a 75 this summer. These board are very easy to sell in the gorge.
As you improve go to a higher aspect foil for better glide. _________________ moondog Last edited by moondog on Tue Apr 26, 22 7:37 am; edited 1 time in total |
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tinyE
Since 21 Jan 2006
2004 Posts
not really an
XTreme Poster
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Mon Apr 25, 22 9:00 am |
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moondog wrote: | I took it up last June...
1) My biggest mistake was being underpowered my first 3 sessions. When underpowered you tend to just drift downwind. Since you aren't on foil the first couple of sessions there is lots of drag.
2) I keep the kite at a 45% angle most of the time. When I get overpowered it goes above my head and I sheet out, instant power killer!
3 &4) The perfect place to learn is Lurh Jensen park just west of the event site. It's deep and you just drift down to the ES and do the walk of shame back to your start point. The Hook is shallow with flukey wind and a long ways to a downwind take out point.
5)I started on a floaty board 125, 3 weeks later went to 110, 2weeks later 95 which I'm still on. Going to a 75 this summer. These board are very easy to sell in the gorge.
As you improve go to a higher aspect foil for better glide. |
Thank you both.
Funny, i have been to the event site a million times and never realized there is a park just up the river. I will try that next time. I suppose some of it is just to buck up and get in the water, and quit being such a chicken. haha
i do have a 110L inflatable foil board to start on. time to go! |
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IWantToFly
Since 29 Jul 2019
150 Posts
Stoked
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Mon Apr 25, 22 9:20 am |
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Just remember to dress for the swim…because it is going to 90% swim to start! |
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shred_da_gorge
Since 12 Nov 2008
1304 Posts
Da Hood & Da Wood
XTreme Poster
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Mon Apr 25, 22 6:24 pm |
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I haven't tried this with a wing (which I just got) but windsurf-foiled with a crossover board last summer; since I expected to end up downwind, I parked at the hook and launched from there, then left my gear at either Luhr-Jensen or the Event Site and walked back to retrieve my van. No stress about returning to where I started, whatsoever, and got to socialize with essentially three different groups of folks in the process.
On an adjacent thread here I ask about wing size for the SF Bay Area, and the consensus is to learn fully powered, which makes sense because you can dump so much power with a wing. (I bought a 4m Raptor on sale at Big Winds and will likely start out on it at 3rd Ave this Friday/weekend given my new job schedule and the forecast). |
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hilton
Since 15 Aug 2008
797 Posts
Opinionated
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Mon Apr 25, 22 8:17 pm |
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Like the others said, it's better to be slightly overpowered rather than underpowered when learning since it is much easier to dump power (and not as scary) than with a kite.
The extra power also makes it easier to stand up when you have more upward pull in the wing and less likely to catch the wing tip and easier to see where you are going if you have enough power to fly the wing more horizontal (over your head) rather than vertical.
Launching at Luhr Jensen and ending at the Event Site is a good way to go since you get a longish run away from most of the kiters. |
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MissAkay
Since 30 Mar 2019
23 Posts
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Tue May 17, 22 5:03 pm |
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Last fall I tried a 5m wing with an inflatable SUP that had a centerboard and had a difficult time managing. I'd get the wing positioned overhead and start moving downwind and then it felt like too much and so I dumped wind before I could veer upwind. Was the wing too big? What size wing do most start off with anyway? |
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lineman
Since 05 Feb 2009
170 Posts
Stoked
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Thu May 26, 22 7:07 pm |
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Rig big, half meter sizing between wings is HUGE. Not like kite foiling, equipment won’t do all the work, have to be ready to pump a lot & follow the swells…. |
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Pepi
Since 16 Jun 2006
1831 Posts
Pure Stoke Sports
Shop Owner
CGKA Member
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Fri May 27, 22 11:18 am |
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MissAkay wrote: | Last fall I tried a 5m wing with an inflatable SUP that had a centerboard and had a difficult time managing. I'd get the wing positioned overhead and start moving downwind and then it felt like too much and so I dumped wind before I could veer upwind. Was the wing too big? What size wing do most start off with anyway? |
Just to clarify on your specific question.
Winging on a SUP board - you only need enough wing/wind to get you moving. There is no need to be fully powered or overpowered, it will frustrate you and be exhausting.
The board does not need a lot of power to move and has a lot of drag at higher speeds.
Winging on a Foil board - you need to be well powered, to slightly over powered (as long as you can manage the wing) this is to power up the board fast enough to engage lift/drive from the foil. These boards have a ton of drag (like a tugboat) and need solid power to gain enough speed to lift up on the foil.
I believe you went out with way too much wind/wing than you could manage comfortably. Going back out on a lighter wind day (maybe barely whitecapping or less) and you will have a better chance of controlling the wing and learning how to power up and maneuver the board better. _________________ Pure Stoke Sports
Hood River, OR
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hood-River-OR/2nd-Wind-Sports/35891485558?ref=mf
www.Purestokesports.com |
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dangler
Since 26 Feb 2006
1753 Posts
WINDY SPOTS
XTreme Poster
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Sun May 29, 22 6:50 pm wing |
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Good advice from Pepi. I would add- I spent one day on a SUP, kinda felt it was enough, a floaty wingboard with a large foil moves thru the water easier, maintains your position better, and even tho you're not getting up on foil you move thru the water so much easier. As well as the practice of getting to your feet on a foil board. Good luck1 (and final tip, for getting to your feet, make sure you get your toes under you, if your feet are flat with your toes pointed back, its tough.) _________________ Kite Repair? AND LABRADORS Call me.(509) six 37-four five 29 |
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tinyE
Since 21 Jan 2006
2004 Posts
not really an
XTreme Poster
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Tue May 31, 22 5:24 am |
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what about foot straps for starting out? use them? ditch them?
thanks again! |
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eabmoto
Since 10 May 2012
116 Posts
seattle
Stoked
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Tue May 31, 22 8:06 am |
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When learning to foil with a kite and now a wing, I’ve always felt the need to adjust my feet to find the perfect balance point. I feel like straps would be very restrictive. Especially for winging, I don’t see any advantage to using straps. |
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MissAkay
Since 30 Mar 2019
23 Posts
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Thu Jun 02, 22 6:04 pm |
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Thanks for all the helpful info about wings n boards, Pepi and Dangler. I really appreciate it! |
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