Hi all,

I'm getting back into windsurfing after approx. 10 years. One of the things that made me decide I needed to dust off the gear after far too long was foiling - I tried efoiling and loved it, and that gave me the push I needed.

I've got a 5.3m wave and 6.6m freeride sail and I'm looking at a JP Freefoil 130 board and probably a NP Glide Wind HP foil package. I'm also interested in winging and so while initially I'll be windfoiling, I'd like to get a setup that can work for a beginner winger too. I'm ~90 kgs and primarily sail(ed) flat water.

I was looking at the 15 and 11 front wings for the Glide Wind HP, with the thought that the 15 would be big enough to learn on but still useful as I progress, with the 11 more useful once I improve and/or for stronger wind conditions. I was also looking at both rear wing sizes to give me some options.

So having said that, I've got a few questions and hope people can provide some answers & advice!

1) Do you think the 15 and 11 front wings make sense for a beginner/intermediate wind and wing foiler?
2) I've just seen the NP Glide Swift wings, which are interchangeable with the Glide Wind mast & fuselage, and these wings are described as being a new design concept that are great for beginners through to advanced/pro. The aspect ratio & shape does look quite different to the Glide Wind wings. Realistically, would it make sense to be looking at one or more of these wings (instead of the Glide Wind wings), or are they going to be too difficult for a beginner? Link - www.neilpryde.com/products/glide-swift-carbon
3) Any general thoughts or comments?

Cheers!

I can't comment on the new front wings (they do look nice!) but the Glide HP is an easy wing to use - not particularly fast but smooth. My only advice is to go for the longest mast you can afford if the primary use is going to be windfoil. You may ultimately want a shorter mast (and shorter fuse) for winging but longer is much easier with a sail.

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Awalkspoiled said..
I can't comment on the new front wings (they do look nice!) but the Glide HP is an easy wing to use - not particularly fast but smooth. My only advice is to go for the longest mast you can afford if the primary use is going to be windfoil. You may ultimately want a shorter mast (and shorter fuse) for winging but longer is much easier with a sail.

The 1500 should be fine at your weight. The 2.0 stab is a bit small, imho, see if you can get the 2.5 instead. You may also find that it's a bit back footed. Don't be hesitant about adding a shim to get a bit more angle. The 1300 is really lifty at my 65 kg so I think the 1500 should be good to start and the 1100 when you get a bit more time. I run the mast base about 100 cm from the front tuttle screw.

As awalkspoiled said, get the 85 cm mast if you can find it. The 80 will work but every little bit helps. I wouldn't try to learn on the 70 or even shorter.

The new wings do look very nice but, for learning, the current wings are fine: docile and straight forward. I would imagine (having zero actual experience on them) the new wings will take just a touch more speed to get off the water but accelerate better.

Thanks guys! Yep I'm going for the 85cm mast length which is as long as I can get. If I want to go shorter for winging later on the 75cm mast and shorter fuse are interchangeable.

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Paducah said..

Awalkspoiled said..
I can't comment on the new front wings (they do look nice!) but the Glide HP is an easy wing to use - not particularly fast but smooth. My only advice is to go for the longest mast you can afford if the primary use is going to be windfoil. You may ultimately want a shorter mast (and shorter fuse) for winging but longer is much easier with a sail.

The 1500 should be fine at your weight. The 2.0 stab is a bit small, imho, see if you can get the 2.5 instead. You may also find that it's a bit back footed. Don't be hesitant about adding a shim to get a bit more angle. The 1300 is really lifty at my 65 kg so I think the 1500 should be good to start and the 1100 when you get a bit more time. I run the mast base about 100 cm from the front tuttle screw.

As awalkspoiled said, get the 85 cm mast if you can find it. The 80 will work but every little bit helps. I wouldn't try to learn on the 70 or even shorter.

The new wings do look very nice but, for learning, the current wings are fine: docile and straight forward. I would imagine (having zero actual experience on them) the new wings will take just a touch more speed to get off the water but accelerate better.

I'm pretty sure the 1500 front wing package comes with the 2.5 - either way I will get both 2.0 and 2.5

Over in the winging forum (www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Wing-Foiling/Wind-Wings/NEILPRYDE-Glide-Swift-Carbon-2023) JeroenSurf has tried the new wings and reckons they're an improvement in every respect except the pricetag. Not sure if that feedback is specific to winging as NP also advertise the new wings as being an event-winning freestyle windfoiling wing, and I'd be happy to spend the money and get the new wings straight off the bat unless they are worse (like, more agile/less stable) for a beginner and will hold me back.

Some of the descriptions do seem to sniff of marketing bull - I don't know how a wing can be agile enough for a professional freestyle windfoiler while also being stable enough for a beginner - but I don't understand foiling very well.