Coming from a windsurfing background I look at this start technique and it definitely interests me. Just curious if there is anyone out there that uses this technique and just how important footstraps (I ride unstrapped) and have a powered wing would be. My board is not a sinker, though looking at that start and based on my windsurfing days, I don't see just how necessary that would be.

i tried similar a few times with floaty 85l and 5.5 wing, but it needed the bottom wing tip to be pushed so far into the water to get the wing vertical enough to have power, it will rub on the foil. i guess the catch is, if it's not vertical enough, by the time there's enough wind to pull it up, i wouldn't be using a 5.5 anyway. I tried with the straps. it is hard work getting the feet in

but if you can sink the board under you a bit like in the video, i recon it would be good

I posted a video from Damien LeRoy in the Stink bug thread which describes a similar start a few days ago.

And here's a bit of detail

Definately not gonna happen on a floater unless you have insane winds. I'm an excellent waterstarter on the windsurfer (can waterstart at 4.5 in 10 knots), but with my 75L (and 90kgs) im getting nowhere with the wingfoil board. I think if you can sink it it should be easier. For my weight and my board (if i'm still strapped in after a crash) I found it way easier to flip belly down with the wing downwind and the board upwind, push myself up from the wing / sink the board and quickly get the wing overhead.

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WhiteofHeart said..
Definately not gonna happen on a floater unless you have insane winds. I'm an excellent waterstarter on the windsurfer (can waterstart at 4.5 in 10 knots), but with my 75L (and 90kgs) im getting nowhere with the wingfoil board. I think if you can sink it it should be easier. For my weight and my board (if i'm still strapped in after a crash) I found it way easier to flip belly down with the wing downwind and the board upwind, push myself up from the wing / sink the board and quickly get the wing overhead.

Yes, the smaller the board the easier it gets. It requires a bit of wind, but not too much - I'd say when comfortably powered it's already possible to start like that. And in case there is a quieter moment it's still possible to pump the wing a bit and it helps. When too quiet I don't bother and try some knee start instead.

For light wind waterstarting with a windsurfer, you can get creative and hold the bottom of the mast and foot of the sail.

Is there a wing equivalent?

This looks like an interesting technique but apparently it takes a bit to time for setup and you hair to wait for the right condition (strong gust) to go.

One alternative I have seen that is way faster and probably easier is simply to sit on your board, hold your wing over your head with one hand and do a pop up using your free hand, and off you go (see video from 3:50). Pretty much like a sinker start but with instant go. Anyone tried it? I will be giving a try very soon.

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Mokuleia said..

One alternative I have seen that is way faster and probably easier is simply to sit on your board, hold your wing over your head with one hand and do a pop up using your free hand, and off you go (see video from 3:50). Pretty much like a sinker start but with instant go. Anyone tried it? I will be giving a try very soon.

Nice, will try soon when the ice melts. If there is a bit of wind (not too much needed really) you can also put one foot in front of the foot straps and just stand up on one leg. The other leg is in the water and I do a little swimming kick with it, so in a sense it resembles the windsurfing water start a bit.