CJW forum posts in last 60 days

I reckon ~70% of the control comes from the front foot in those situation so makes sense to sense to go front strap to front strap, watch any video of someone racing a wingfoil, or even a kitefoil, it's always front strap to front strap.

The problem with a rubber mallet in these situations is they don't have the initial impulse compared to a normal hammer due to their shock absorbing nature, even dead blow ones. I've had to do the same before, make sure the mast is very secure on something, a block of hard wood etc and tap the tiatanium end with a normal hammer, be carful don't hit it too hard. The extra impulse from that type of hammer makes a difference and you can get away with it due to the Ti tip, but you need to be careful. That has worked for me before where smacking it endlessly with a rubber dead blow did nothing,

I think your first post with the 4 points of advice was basically perfect dieseagull, describes the learning process most go through. My main thing with straps is it provides much more control and also much more consistency. Putting your front foot in the same place every time is the only real way to build the muscle memory when you are beginning, otherwise the foil forces are likely different almost everytime make it very hard to build that muscle memory. Also give Berowne's background it's one less thing to have to think about given how used he is to them.

I also don't really understand why anyone would sacrifice the added control with straps and for what benifit? Maybe it's just because I come from a racing background etc so like to go fast and as such generally foil on high aspect foils....and cruising around and 20+kts with straps is sketchy enough, let alone without them? I can kinda see it if you come from a surfing background or something where straps are completely foreign but if you've done any high level of windsurfing or kitesurfing, surely it's a no brainer?

As Jeroensurf said when windsurf foiling, the fact that the mast is connected to the mid-front of the board takes out the rotational axis and pitch axis instability, it damps it all massively. On a windfoil that's all in your feet, much more delicate control is needed.

You'll get it, when I started, and as you know, come from the same racing 'IQ foil' style background as you I had the same issues but over a few sessions you'll figure out the more neuanced control required, just take practice to learn that new muscle memory. Foil setup is also important but from memory you had an F4 setup so it's probably good already.

Despite so so so many posters on here suggesting it to new wingfoilers, particularly those with deep rooted windsurfing backgrounds, to remove the straps I think is actually a ridiculous idea. I listened to that advice when I started, despite my better judgement and literally foiled like 100m and went, this is the stupidest idea i've ever heard of, went straight back in, put the front straps on and have never looked back. Having straps, the front ones only to start, makes so much of a difference to the control, foot placement and general consistency when wingfoiling I honestly don't know why people would not use them....particularly if you come from a very high level of windfoiling and windsurfing. I can understand it if you're just crusing around on a massive foil at like 12kts just 'feeling the flow' but if you want to progress bigtime, you need straps, imo.

I would also practice toe side riding both sides, a lot. It's an important skill, much more important in wingfoiling that in windfoil as you really need to be able to do it well once you progress to foiling tacks etc. There are so many videos on learning to gybe on youtube and that's the best way as a video is much easier to digest than a description on here. They highlight how imporant the wing switch timing is when you're starting etc...and you need flat water too at the start, makes it much easier.

I have the forward WIP wing vest Neo. Pretty similar to the impact vest you have but the hook is removeable, takes about 5 sec and it's never come off accidently. I'd say if you are racing and really loading up the wing it would not be as good as the impact vest as the webbing is a fair bit thinner so the load spread into your back isn't as good as a proper harness etc.

www.forward-wip.com/produit/wing-neo-vest-50n/