Hi folks, which would be a better size for learning to wingfoil? Rider around 98kg in winter gear.Same brand, same construction but two options:

6ft 9 x 30 at 145 litres 8.2 kg
or
5 ft 9 x 31.5 at 150 litres. Just under 8kg

i supposed my question is whether it is better to have more width or a little more length. Will the added length make it perhaps a bit more versatile?

many thanks.

(Both are Gong boards)

I'd look at something narrower than either. That's a lot of width which honestly just isn't needed even for a beginner.

Both are fine for learning to wing foil.but anything in the 130-150L range is going to check that box. That first board can be ANYTHING. You can and should be off it in a month. Get the CHEAPEST thing in that range you can find.no matter now ugly, old, broken, whatever. Whatever you spend on it is a loss, maybe you can squeeze some $ out of the next kook but probably not. The 90 liter board that comes next - that's the one to think about. You'll be on that one a while potentially and maybe you'll have some opinions to inform a decision by then. This one who cares.

The 6'9" will be awesome to learn on.

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TooMuchEpoxy said..
Both are fine for learning to wing foil.but anything in the 130-150L range is going to check that box. That first board can be ANYTHING. You can and should be off it in a month. Get the CHEAPEST thing in that range you can find.no matter now ugly, old, broken, whatever. Whatever you spend on it is a loss, maybe you can squeeze some $ out of the next kook but probably not. The 90 liter board that comes next - that's the one to think about. You'll be on that one a while potentially and maybe you'll have some opinions to inform a decision by then. This one who cares.

Or you can buy a stable DW board, struggle a little (but not that much) and it becomes your lightwind board.

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TooMuchEpoxy said..
Both are fine for learning to wing foil.but anything in the 130-150L range is going to check that box. That first board can be ANYTHING. You can and should be off it in a month. Get the CHEAPEST thing in that range you can find.no matter now ugly, old, broken, whatever. Whatever you spend on it is a loss, maybe you can squeeze some $ out of the next kook but probably not. The 90 liter board that comes next - that's the one to think about. You'll be on that one a while potentially and maybe you'll have some opinions to inform a decision by then. This one who cares.

That's great advice..last thing I want to do is spend a load of cash and sell it in a month or two. Are inflatables a good bet to start with too, simply because they are cheaper still than most hard boards second hand. Or are inflatables going to slow progress for a total newbie?

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Grantmac said..
Or you can buy a stable DW board, struggle a little (but not that much) and it becomes your lightwind board.

Depends a lot on the conditions. Using a DW board in chop if you can't jibe is a pain - a normal beginner will struggle a lot. On flat water, it's a different story. But it most prices I have seen for DW boards were a lot higher than for beginner boards.

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Slab said..

TooMuchEpoxy said..
Both are fine for learning to wing foil.but anything in the 130-150L range is going to check that box. That first board can be ANYTHING. You can and should be off it in a month. Get the CHEAPEST thing in that range you can find.no matter now ugly, old, broken, whatever. Whatever you spend on it is a loss, maybe you can squeeze some $ out of the next kook but probably not. The 90 liter board that comes next - that's the one to think about. You'll be on that one a while potentially and maybe you'll have some opinions to inform a decision by then. This one who cares.

That's great advice..last thing I want to do is spend a load of cash and sell it in a month or two. Are inflatables a good bet to start with too, simply because they are cheaper still than most hard boards second hand. Or are inflatables going to slow progress for a total newbie?

Most inflatables are trash. I've owned several.

Slab what are your realistic goals? The board you will be most comfortable on, outside of your local wind and chop conditions, will depend on your age, fitness level, water experience, sports acuity. Primarily light winds, getting back to shore if there is no wind at all, gusty, choppy etc etc. Many people are happy on the smallest, lightest board they can comfortably use given their focus (DW, wave riding, freeriding etc). Like the others have said, once over the initial learning phase where do you see yourself? Will someone be teaching you? Do you want learning to be very easy or more challenging? Considering where you are and where you want to be and in what manner you want to make that progress should help you to narrow down your equipment focus.

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RAF142134 said..
Slab what are your realistic goals? The board you will be most comfortable on, outside of your local wind and chop conditions, will depend on your age, fitness level, water experience, sports acuity. Primarily light winds, getting back to shore if there is no wind at all, gusty, choppy etc etc. Many people are happy on the smallest, lightest board they can comfortably use given their focus (DW, wave riding, freeriding etc). Like the others have said, once over the initial learning phase where do you see yourself? Will someone be teaching you? Do you want learning to be very easy or more challenging? Considering where you are and where you want to be and in what manner you want to make that progress should help you to narrow down your equipment focus.

Deffo don't want the learning to be full of frustration ..its not my main sport.surfing is..so it's not something I want to spend ages struggling on a small board. Been there done that! Start off as easy as possible with a wing and then after 6 months I'll have a better idea where next.