Hi, I'm 95kg and a beginner.using a 2000 foil on a big 140 litre board. I'd like to wing it in lighter winds 12-18 mph or so. Any recommendations for a 7m wing? The latest light wind wings are just too expensive and as a beginner I don't want to spend heaps on gear that is pretty much too sophisticated for the likes of me! So, for a straightforward dependable and easy wing, which 7m would you recommend? Prefer rigid handles if possible but not that important. Any 2023/22 models I should look out for?
thanks

I was happy with my 2023 Gong Superpower 7.5, the best part about it was the fantastic boom. It was relatively inexpensive as far as big wings go. As I understand it the 2024 is somewhat different in terms of design, I can't comment on it. I ended up selling it though after acquiring a big high aspect foil that made it redundant, the foil was a Gong Sirus 156 XXL. The problem with big wings is that there's a law of diminishing returns with them as they get bigger. Going with the big high aspect foil opened up more low end for me with my 6.2 wing than the 7.5 with lower aspect foil of the same size. The foil also doesn't bag out and gets used 90% of the time for dockstarting as where I live it's rarely windy when I'm available to go winging. This setup also gets me going with more apparent wind and lets me go upwind faster. This is all just something to think about.

Are we more or less done with big wings these days? back before long skinny boards I bought an 8m for light wing days and loved being able to get on foil in such light conditions. But I never use it any more, a 5.5 is plenty if I run my downwind board and infinitely more fun. I feel maybe instead of spending over a thousand on a big wing, get ahold of a 7-8' downwind board big enough to SUP on . You could get in the air on almost any size wing, the only limitation is whether you have a big enough foil to stay on foil.

Try to find a used f-one cwc 7m. I have the first one they made (v1/v2) and it does what you want. You can probably find one used for next to nothing. Next to nothing is a good amount to spend on your first one since a lot of people find that riding a big wing simply isn't very enjoyable for them so they choose to do other things than wing when it's light.

Getting a narrow board is good advice in general. You'll get away with way less volume. How long you wanna go is personal preference though. The people saying that winging a downwind board is the same as winging a smaller performance board are usually people selling downwind boards. There are definitely tradeoffs with board length

I know buying a downwind board seems to be the ticket these days but folks are forgetting I am a beginner..Im not going to jump on a skinny DW board for the next couple of years at least! I'm sure those who are suggesting a DW board didn't learn on one either..most likely relied on a bigger foil and a bigger wing until they had all the basics nailed. Yes? I think the advice of buying a second hand one is a good suggestion but apart from the CWC .what are the others? DW board one to aim for in a couple of years, depending on progress. Thanks.

Don't get a big wing. Take a grunty 5.5. Also: since you're a beginner; you don't wanna be out when it's light air - you want at least 16/18 kts. Makes your progress a lot more fun.

in my opinion the big handwings don't get you that much more low end, it just means you'll be up in 3 pumps instead of 5. Just learn how to pump properly, and stay fit. Once up the smaller wings are a lot more pleasant to deal with.

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goldenbreeze said..
Don't get a big wing. Take a grunty 5.5. Also: since you're a beginner; you don't wanna be out when it's light air - you want at least 16/18 kts. Makes your progress a lot more fun.

in my opinion the big handwings don't get you that much more low end, it just means you'll be up in 3 pumps instead of 5. Just learn how to pump properly, and stay fit. Once up the smaller wings are a lot more pleasant to deal with.

Yup, I need to be fitter and not fatter

I'd just like to have the option of more days open for foiling.as with any sport you need to be out doing it as much as poss to improve quickly. Just don't always get 16/18 knots.

A very under rated windwing is the Duotone dlab Ventis and as a result they are low cost if you can find one.
I have a 7m , me 74kg 5ft 8in and a 110kg 6ft 2in guy has the 8m, we both foil from 6 knots.
The Ventis is super stable, absorbs gusty conditions, user friendly with a huge wind, range 6 to 15kn is comfortable but up to 20kn is doable.
They are slightly heavier so the dlab version is the pick. I am 78 yo and the weight is not an issue as if no or little wind I just rest the wing tip leading edge on the water. The slightest breeze it supports itself.
More guys chasing light wind should give the Ventis a go.

If UK I got Cabrinha Vision from King of Watersports ?500. It's easy pull-and-go low end, hard handles, gets tiring on hands 14/15 knots.

Just throwing it out there. maybe go for an 8m? I'm 100kg 6'4". Intermediate level but use it for 8+mph days. If you're going to go big, go big :-)

if you're under 6' tall then probably best stick to a 7m. But the 8m will probably get you going in 1mph lower winds and give you more time on foil. It will be difficult to gybe though, but your main goal in getting up on foil right now.

My XPS 8m handles gusts up to 18mph pretty well. If you can get the Ventis on sale that would be a good option.

Duotone 7m Ventis dlab is easy to jybe

I love big sails and the power they give in light winds, even with skinny boards and big foils. I'm 85kg, 6'0", and on very up and down wind (like 2-15 sometimes), so the big sail really makes a difference for days on water. I've not been able to to make smaller sails work with downwind boards like others do. There's a skill do it, but that takes time and learning, and I'd rather just fly!

I have f one v2 CWC 6, 7, and 8m. I love them all and they all have their use. I use the 7m the most for my conditions. The range is great. The 8m does get heavy when slogging, and can be cumbersome to jibe without a gust. I plan to replace it with an Lula 8m when it dies (either duotone ventis d lab or a v4 CWC)

It really is about time on foil, and a big wing can help a ton with that depending on your conditions (I'm just 64kg and with a skinny downwind board and a big foil, my 6.5M wing get's the most use by far where I'm at, and I could use something bigger on many days). If cost is the deterrent, then hitting the used market or looking for closeouts with some patience and persistence may be needed...I haven't found any particular single website for used gear that I like, aside from the Progression Project Forum and the Northwest Foiling FB group...but not many beginners there on PP, and NW Foiling is Gorge dominated, and there a 5M is considered big...

I have the Armstrong XPS light wind in 7 m.
It has a wingspan equivalent to a 6 m duotone unit so it is no where as cumbersome as the 7 m Ventis and 7m F One that I have had before.

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MrA said..
I have the Armstrong XPS light wind in 7 m.
It has a wingspan equivalent to a 6 m duotone unit so it is no where as cumbersome as the 7 m Ventis and 7m F One that I have had before.

Sounds ideal.

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jondrums said..
Are we more or less done with big wings these days? back before long skinny boards I bought an 8m for light wing days and loved being able to get on foil in such light conditions. But I never use it any more, a 5.5 is plenty if I run my downwind board and infinitely more fun. I feel maybe instead of spending over a thousand on a big wing, get ahold of a 7-8' downwind board big enough to SUP on . You could get in the air on almost any size wing, the only limitation is whether you have a big enough foil to stay on foil.

This. You don't even need a downwind board. Ever since I go my custom mid 6'2'', 22'' wide 90 litre I have not missed having a bigger wing at all. Used to have 6.0, now 5.7. Next year my biggest wing will be 5.3 or even 5.0. I am 81 kgs and (still) a fairly average winger (gybing, bit of tacks, looking at 360s...). One big advantage with wings under 6.0 is, for me, that they are way easier to pump and move around.

With my 5.7 wing, fairly grunty, and a my "big" front foil (Axis V2 999), I can get going in about 10 knots, depending on water conditions (easier if flat) and stay on foil in very light wind. A smaller wing has less resistance in the air as well, so when you are up you can really fly.

I very much prefer a more efficient board and foil to allow for a smaller wing. Cannot see myself getting a wing over 5.5/6.0 (depending on how grunty and light it is and feels)

Different quivers for different people, local conditions, skill level at pumping etc, fitness ( in my case age 78 yo) etc etc.
Yesterday was sub10 kn , 2kn but mostly 7 to 8kn and I foiled almost continually for 32.8 k distance. I would not have been able to achieve this without my 7m Ventis. Two sessions as I was comparing an 82 cm mast to the new 94cm dlab slim Duotone.

another vote for the dlab ventis. great wing!