boardsurfr said..
For windsurfers, getting into windfoiling seems straightforward - just get a foil. In contrast, winging would require also getting a wing and a wingboard, which more than doubles the expense.

But for kiters, getting into winging is easier and cheaper. Buy one wing instead of a sail, mast, boom, mast foot, and extension. Instead of learning to rig, just pump up the wing. Since kiters drastically outnumber windsurfers, that alone means there will be many more wingers than windfoilers. At some spots in the US that I've seen, most of the wingers indeed came from kiting.

Which leaves the question about windfoilers switching to winging. Locally, two of the best windsurfers switched from windfoiling to 100% winging. A third very enthusiastic windsurfer only started windfoiling to learn how to handle a foil so that she could switch to winging later. She picked up windfoiling much quicker than winging, but persisted through many session (her biggest problem turned out to be getting the gear tuned for her light weight). Another windfoiler is in the process of switching. Then there are two windfoilers who have not switched - one of them, who picked up windfoiling quickly, is not even considering it, and the other one tried a few times, but has not yet had a good wing session (which is probably also a gear issue).

That's a small sample, but may well reflect a general trend: some windfoilers will stick to the sail, but many will sooner or later switch to wings.

boardsurfr said..
For windsurfers, getting into windfoiling seems straightforward - just get a foil. In contrast, winging would require also getting a wing and a wingboard, which more than doubles the expense.

But for kiters, getting into winging is easier and cheaper. Buy one wing instead of a sail, mast, boom, mast foot, and extension. Instead of learning to rig, just pump up the wing. Since kiters drastically outnumber windsurfers, that alone means there will be many more wingers than windfoilers. At some spots in the US that I've seen, most of the wingers indeed came from kiting.

Which leaves the question about windfoilers switching to winging. Locally, two of the best windsurfers switched from windfoiling to 100% winging. A third very enthusiastic windsurfer only started windfoiling to learn how to handle a foil so that she could switch to winging later. She picked up windfoiling much quicker than winging, but persisted through many session (her biggest problem turned out to be getting the gear tuned for her light weight). Another windfoiler is in the process of switching. Then there are two windfoilers who have not switched - one of them, who picked up windfoiling quickly, is not even considering it, and the other one tried a few times, but has not yet had a good wing session (which is probably also a gear issue).

That's a small sample, but may well reflect a general trend: some windfoilers will stick to the sail, but many will sooner or later switch to wings.

ZeroVix said..
I don't know. But this is back in 2019 with I76 gear in SF area. I don't know if winging is really more exciting than this. Rider is not me.

miamiwindsurfe said..












In Miami, looking 4-5 years back, windsurfing group that used to ride formula gear jumped to windfoil early, baised to race/ course race. That smaller group still windfoil, at least half like myself moved to free foil side of it vs. race. Few windsurfers that used to only sail on high wind days, after brief hit and miss with windfoil, moved to wing foil now, and again only sail higher wind day. My take on it (actually first person with similar assessment was Jens (boss) from Vela Cabarete), equipment was not user friendly.btw: equipment still in many cases is not good for freeride side of windfoil, so when friendlier option appeared from wing foil, many switched.
Just saw a video from Ezzy, tinny board, sail with huge boom, good luck up hauling or tacking in a big swell, specially if wind drops to zero, or shore break with that boom... Ezzy offering is not easy... no nose boards, or narrow, might be cool, but also not easy Imho. I think the only guy that had good design ideas for it's time was Reef Warrior boards, but he never expanded, didn't go mainstream, too bad.

utcminusfour said..






Let's see your board and foils miamiwindsurfe! You're riding a custom Tillo right? Post some pics please. I have similar gear preferences as you.
Ezzy is just having fun and experimenting, two years ago he was riding an aircraft carrier! He has tried every thing in between. He doesn't sell the boards or foils he creates, he just loves to tinker. I am with you though, no long booms please.
Casey is still at it you know, don't count him out yet. Given the timing of things I bet slingshot's shred sled was inspired/influenced by Casey's