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Fitzsup said..
what do you mean by "Also largely overlooked is the Sup application "
Are you saying you don't need a foil???I sorta thought that's what Robbie Naish was saying.

Robby shows that yes, you can slog at a snail pace on a SUP.

It will be fun if you never windsurfed before... for a while.

But for anyone who has, slogging along is not fun at all. The glimpse of Robby doing it was cringeworthy on this video. When I started SUPing I sometimes used a sail, but under 10kts of wind, the paddle was much more fun than the sail: the problem is that you do not go where you want with a sail: I could see the peak 30 meters upwind of me but getting to it with a sail was a long tedious chore (and also staying there waiting for a set), whereas with the paddle I could position myself there in seconds.

Morning Colas. Is there any chance a small sail in the shape of an inverted triangle could help one getting up onto the foil for downwinding.
I was thinking if the point of the triangle was attached at front foot strap and then hold 2 other ends with stretched out arms to catch maximum wind till up on the foil then just hold the sail in one hand while up and foiling.
I know your engineering brain will have some useful comment before I try it out.

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gibo said..

scubaste said..
Whats the price?

The Naish wing surfer is AUS $1399.

Thanks

Thanks Colas,
I windsurfed in the 80's (yeah I know showing my age).during summer we have strong onshore winds.Just wondering if a wing would be fun.I also wanted to know what size board You would need to get the sail to work.

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colas said..

...
Robby shows that yes, you can slog at a snail pace on a SUP.

It will be fun if you never windsurfed before... for a while.

But for anyone who has, slogging along is not fun at all. .....

That's hysterical. Possibly the lamest sport in the world is paddling around on a SUP. The only thing that might be more lame is the downwinder on a SUP. So much paddling, getting a push from the wave, slide off the back, repeat. Pretend you're surfing. Eventually catch a runner. Yeehawwww!!!!! Until you get that one good day when everything clicks.

Thing is, it's all huge amounts of fun. You can't tell what could be fun until it's been out for a while and the kinks have been sorted out. Ten years ago kite foiling looked impossible. Now you can bolt a foil on anything and have more fun than is reasonable.

I am watching with interest. I have an old SUP with a slot for my foil and I can imagine some applications for a wind wing. We shall see.

I would get one just to see the stink eye after riding out into a lineup full of short board surfers and hooking into a wave out the back.

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Gorgo said..
That's hysterical. Possibly the lamest sport in the world is paddling around on a SUP.

I have been windsurfing since 1975, and slogging with a sail is close to torture.
Paddling is quite fun in comparison, at least you are moving your body and getting some exercise.

Note that I was speaking of foil-less SUPs. Wings should be quite fun with the reduced drag of a foil.

Fitzsup, there is a reason the kitewing never took off for water sports before the foil, Just look at the videos, it looks as fun as dragging a boat anchor.

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Fitzsup said..
Hey JB,
Thanks for all the insight
what do you mean by "Also largely overlooked is the Sup application "
Are you saying you don't need a foil???I sorta thought that's what Robbie Naish was saying.
Thanks if you have time to reply

Despite the angle of Colas reply, I absolutely love windsupping. Heading out on a cross offshore day in the 5kn range is crazy good fun. Again opening up more riding days with gear that suits various conditions. I usually use a 4.5m on my 10'6" Nalu, and find generally I am sailing faster than you can paddle pretty quickly. So I look forward to seeing how the WingSurfer goes, as with Winter coming the morning NW'ers will start, and will be perfect "wavesailing".

With luck, my wing will be here very soon. I will be documenting my progress and experiences, stay tuned.

Ride safe,

JB

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Seajuice said..
Just wondering who would be the nearest Naish dealer to Wollongong. Or is Windgenuity the closest. Just looking at shipping price plus deposit & how soon do you need to pay when they come in. Still saving the dollars. Aaargh! Another toy says the missus!

You've got a few options. But I know Prokite at Kurnell has already ordered a number of wings (not sure how many are sold already). also Balmoral Paddle Surf and Wind SurfnSnow have all bought wings in this first shipment. But Prokite is likely the closest.

Thanks heaps JB! looking forward to your reviews & experiences. Have fun!

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JB said..

Fitzsup said..
Hey JB,
Thanks for all the insight
what do you mean by "Also largely overlooked is the Sup application "
Are you saying you don't need a foil???I sorta thought that's what Robbie Naish was saying.
Thanks if you have time to reply

Despite the angle of Colas reply, I absolutely love windsupping. Heading out on a cross offshore day in the 5kn range is crazy good fun. Again opening up more riding days with gear that suits various conditions. I usually use a 4.5m on my 10'6" Nalu, and find generally I am sailing faster than you can paddle pretty quickly. So I look forward to seeing how the WingSurfer goes, as with Winter coming the morning NW'ers will start, and will be perfect "wavesailing".

With luck, my wing will be here very soon. I will be documenting my progress and experiences, stay tuned.

Ride safe,

JB

Thanks for the reply
I think quite a few people are looking forward to seeing how you go with the wing.
whether the investment is worth it,I think for the foilers it will be a great thing

Looks like Cabrinha kites might be joining the wind-wing club as well

Still a total newby at this, but here's one of my first glides. Just a quick 1 min teaser I made for SM. Might make something up later of all the footage if I get the time.

enjoy



Limited supply in the first shipment, so get in touch with your local dealer ASAP and drop your deposit and reserve yours.

Ride safe,

JB

Hey JB is there any up wind ability or is it just a downwind thing?

The biggest issue for most people will be riding switch on one tack. When I kite foil I do not have to switch my feet which makes the learning process way quicker. Believe me I tried a lot and failed. I have been riding switch on windsurfers and kites from the 80s so it was not a new challenge but foiling is a different ball game.

Huge guns JB! Is it heavy on the arms?

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DavidJohn said..
Hey JB is there any up wind ability or is it just a downwind thing?

I went up wind easily.

Here is my runs on the Nalu Pro 10'er (SUP). This was heaps of fun!



And here is my Runs on the 6' @110ltr Foil Board.



The wind was dead onshore where I took off, and about 8-10kn on the SUP and maybe somewhere around 10-15kn on the foil. A hell of a lot of fun on both. I am still an ultra newby and stacked a little on the Foil on some runs mainly on me switch stance, but I am sure I will have this 100% dialed soon.

I think there is a few wings out there that are not going up wind, but this is definitely not the case with Naish Wing-Surfer.

Possibilities are endless.

Ride safe,

JB

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hilly said..
The biggest issue for most people will be riding switch on one tack. When I kite foil I do not have to switch my feet which makes the learning process way quicker. Believe me I tried a lot and failed. I have been riding switch on windsurfers and kites from the 80s so it was not a new challenge but foiling is a different ball game.

I agree and do not switch my feet either on the Kite Foil. But yesterday was super onshore and I didn't want to loose ground (I thought it would be hard staying up wind, but it's not, in hind sight I would have spent more time staying goofy). Thinking I will add a front foot strap to help in locating and settling my front foot.

It pretty cool learning again.

I would suggest wearing a helmet and impact vest for the first few runs.

Ride safe,
JB

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Scotty Mac said..
Huge guns JB! Is it heavy on the arms?

Hey Scotty, Nah, that's just them relaxed

The wing it self it actually amazingly light, and as soon as the wind get in it, it is near weightless. What gets you is holding your arms up for a few hours. These sessions had a session in between of about 30+ minutes, so 1.5hrs holding my arms out in front of me I am a little sore, but not the usual sore you feel. You don't come on from the session because your arms are tired or sore, but I did feel it later that night and today. But this is normal for a new sport where you're likely using different muscles and need some conditioning.

I am psyched to get back out there and get it mastered.

Ride safe,

JB

What size was that one JB and shape wise whats the main difference between a wind wing and a normal kite

Another thing is the wing will block your view; which I really noticed going from windsurfing to kites, which have an uninterrupted view. It is an interesting concept but I would need an extended demo to be convinced. Certainly would be a challenge, I admire you embracing that challenge JB Should build your guns up

Hi JB. Is it possible just to rotate your upper body rather than learn to foil switch? It looks like some guys are doing this on the vids I have seen.

In regards to the sail obstructing view. I am already thinking if it would be possible to have cords & handles attached to the preferred handles on the sail just to extend the sail further above head height. A bit like a short stringed kite. But I think that would've already been tried in its development.

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Piros said..
What size was that one JB and shape wise whats the main difference between a wind wing and a normal kite

Hey Piros, this is 4m2. Alternate to a kite it is a dihedral as opposed to an arc. This helps the wings actually want to fly level naturaly, it kind of parts the winds and makes its flight stable. Ideally when every thins is going to plan, you have little to no load on the wing where as a kite you always need load to stop the kite fromo falling. The wing nearly flies on it's own (always use the leash ).



Feather light.

JB

Thanks mate great answer

Less than 10knts of wind and just 2 meter lines:

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gurval said..
Less than 10knts of wind and just 2 meter lines:

Pros/Cons to the windwings?

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AlexF said..

gurval said..
Less than 10knts of wind and just 2 meter lines:

Pros/Cons to the windwings?

This is a tricky one, as it will be largely to be interpreted as to what you are after with the Wing-Surfer.

I would say something like this,

Pros.
- Super fast to rig and de-rig (<30sec).
- Light and really easy to use.
- Super safe.
- Easy to go upwind, down wind and Reaching.
- Super fun on the Foil, light and reactive.
- Amazingly fun on a SUP, sail around in as light as 5 or less kn.
- Packs down really small.
- Soft and fully inflatable (WingSurfer) = Hard to hurt yourself.
- Minimal to no sailing knowledge needed to get simple use out of it.
- Easier and less intimidating than Kiting and Windsurfing, therefore likely to be a good stepping stone to get more people into wind sports.
- It's only just begun (in this context), combines with Foiling, the future is limitless.
- Different and exciting to learn.
- I can see a freestyle aspect coming
- Probably keep going for pages here, but you get the idea, it's really good!

Cons.
- This is in the eyes of the beholder, but not as adrenalin packed as say Windsurfing or Kiteboarding in relative terms. It is a much more chilled and relaxed platform with a comforting persona of control safety about it.
- There will be conditions that suit Windsurfing and/or Kiteboarding more at times, but this is not to be taken in place of any existing sports or gear that you have, but as an addition to extend and maximise your water time using existing gear you already own.
- They are selling out fast! If you haven't already put your name down on one, you've missed the first drop. Second shipment is 3/4 sold already also.

Don't get all caught up in comparing it to anything. It is it's own thing. it's just fun and chilled and another cool way to enjoy the ocean.

Here's Robby and Bernd enjoying a cool SUP session in light <10kn breeze.



So fun,

Enjoy,

Ride safe,

JB

JB, I was wondering if the bladders in the wingsurfer will be easily replaced if punctured? Could you use a kite bladder or are they specific to the wingsurfer? I have not owned an inflatible kite so I am not familiar how they are built internally. Will they be something that you can easily order if needed? Would it be realistic to deflate the wing out on the water, roll it up on your board then paddle back in if the wind died? Thanks.

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Hover62 said..
JB, I was wondering if the bladders in the wingsurfer will be easily replaced if punctured? Could you use a kite bladder or are they specific to the wingsurfer? I have not owned an inflatible kite so I am not familiar how they are built internally. Will they be something that you can easily order if needed? Would it be realistic to deflate the wing out on the water, roll it up on your board then paddle back in if the wind died? Thanks.

Hey Hover62,

The bladder are somewhat specific to the Wing-Surfer, there is some tech that is specific to Naish plus it is important that the sizing is correct. But they are easy to replace in the unlikely event of a puncture. A lot of the time if it is a small puncture, it can just be repaired with the included repair kit (like a bike inner tube).

We will be carrying spares for the wings as would (I assume) all importers. Yes these will be easy to get your hands on. We have dealers nation wide.

Rolling up the Wing-Surfer in the water is totally possible, but I would want to draw attention to keeping water out of the valve. Ideally you do not want to get water inside the bladder. But if you were careful you could 100% pack it down neatly and just put the cap in on the valve and paddle back. But the easier option is to just put the leash on your ankle and paddle back towing the wing. It literally floats high off the boom strut and glides with little to no resistance as it tows behind you - super easy.

It really is a cool, fun, easy & safe concept (revisited idea).

Ride safe,

JB

Now a challenge for SB Admin- will there be a new forum, for sale section etc or if not where will it fit?