Hi all,
I just received my 2020 Wizard 125 & Hover Glide FWind V3 and am preparing for my first foiling session (never foiled in my life).

Can anyone recommend a good starting foot strap position? From what I have researched a good starting position is front strap all the way forward and rear strap at the mid point.

Does this sound reasonable or can any Wizard owners share their experience?

I will be sailing a 5.8 (only sail) & I am around 70kgs.

Wizard 125 owner here. I would just start with the front straps only, the rears just get in the way at the start. I would go with the second most forward holes to start then adjust as needed. Which wing are you using? You are going to love this thing.

From the start I always had my front straps in the full forward position. You can leave the back straps off or put them in the third or full rear then you use them for a reference for your back foot it takes some time to feel comfortable putting your back in the straps.Set your mast track at what slingshot recommends.125 wizard fun board happy foiling!

2nd hole from the front on both front and rear straps.

Mast base - center of UJ to center of front foil bolt between 41 1/4 to 41 3/4" (but experiment for you)

Select to expand quote

Windbot said..
Wizard 125 owner here. I would just start with the front straps only, the rears just get in the way at the start. I would go with the second most forward holes to start then adjust as needed. Which wing are you using? You are going to love this thing.

OK noted, seems to be roughly the consensus.

I have the Infinity 76 and a 91cm & 65cm mast. I am tempted to do my first run on the 91cm mast but maybe I am too confident.

Same setup here. About 8 sessions so far, still using the 65 but thinking of the 91 soon. Footstraps forward. Amazing how the foil just flies once you are in or on the front strap. As above back strap just for reference so far.

Loving it.

I bypassed all shorter masts and went for the 90 cm mast. Gives me more time in flight to figure things out so I won't breach the foil as easily.

As I have never brought a new board I actually don't know which holes are paired?

Am I right in saying the matching holes as nicely drawn below?

I did eyeball the straps using this configuration but It honestly didn't look correct, maybe this is just because the straps are brand new.

What I don't get is why the back hole to attach the foil to board is so off center inside the oval? It makes it almost impossible to start hand threading the bolt into the tuttle head. The front hole is more center in the oval but still not center. That was my initial issue with trying to hand thread the rear bolt. All slingshot would have to do is cut the oval center where both bolts would need to be inserted, and drill the hole into the finbox accordingly. It would definitely make assembling foil to board much more convenient, especially with us guys with larger fingers.

Select to expand quote

MagicRide said..
What I don't get is why the back hole to attach the foil to board is so off center inside the oval? It makes it almost impossible to start hand threading the bolt into the tuttle head. The front hole is more center in the oval but still not center. That was my initial issue with trying to hand thread the rear bolt. All slingshot would have to do is cut the oval center where both bolts would need to be inserted, and drill the hole into the finbox accordingly. It would definitely make assembling foil to board much more convenient, especially with us guys with larger fingers.

Hmm, right you are. I did read your thread so will be mindful of such an event. I am also planning to replace all of the bolts/screws with quality stainless fasteners (hopefully before my first session).

@MagicRide on your point, are you meant to use washers and if so, it doesn't seem like there is a lot of room...

Select to expand quote

hardpole said..
Same setup here. About 8 sessions so far, still using the 65 but thinking of the 91 soon. Footstraps forward. Amazing how the foil just flies once you are in or on the front strap. As above back strap just for reference so far.

Loving it.

Stoked that you're frothing Jeff - how much fun is it when you get those long glides

You'll find it easier to maintain height with the 91 mast.


Thomas Hofmann (the drone king) is addicted too - also about 8 sessions in

Owain, Set up your straps as you have drawn in your photo to begin, You may want to move them later maybe not.
Use the washers provided to secure the bolts through the box into the tuttle head. Place the bolt in the T piece and gently spin with your fingers ensuring the Flange is flat on the bottom of the board. I have used this technique hundreds of times without cross threading.
Hope you have as much fun learning as I did. Two years on and still looking forward to my next session.

Here's what I would do if I could start over:

1) front straps only and in the most forward position;

2) have a nose protector in place;

3) put your mast foot on the deck well forward so it will be difficult to lift off. This way you will just get a taste of flying low (practice taxiing around before taking hard flight). When you get some confidence move the mast foot back little by little in the tract until you find a balanced position for the wind strength you are up and foiling in;

4) I would start with the shorter mast -- any breaches will be less dramatic from less height. It is true that a taller mast will give you more response time to make adjustments but for now you don't have a clue how to make weight adjustments so start safe;

5) If you've windsurfed with a fin then you should know how to pump the sail and board. Put your front foot in the front strap and pump the board so you can get some speed and some feel for how the foil is reacting to your weight as you start to move it back to get the board to lift a little;

6) Have some patience. With practice you will learn to make micro adjustments moving your weight forward and back to obtain level flight;

7) Don't be afraid to tune your board for the conditions -- move the mast position forward if you are breaching too much and back a little if you can't get off the water.

8) Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day!

9) If you follow the above advice you can most likely avoid my fate -- being a crash test dummy.

Duly noted @dejavu. First flight is planned for tomorrow. All advice has been taken on board and now it is in my hands.
A GoPro will be documenting this .