Went out into waves yesterday for the first time with the wing. (I SUP surfed for years). It was fun for awhile until I overran a wave, came off foil, then the wave ran over me.

While in the water with more waves coming, I realized I didn't have a plan as to how to handle this situation. In normal surfing, I would jump the the board and paddle away (narrow waves), or catch the next one to the beach. With a wing and a board, paddling away was not going to be fast enough, catching the next one, not do able with the wing in the water.

After being pounded by the third wave (only waist-high, but very wide), I decided on this strategy. Me upwind, board next, pointing out to sea, wing downwind flipped right side up (me holding the leash about 1 foot from the wing). Got pounded by 3 more waves. Got quickly on the board, grabbed the wing, stood up and got on foil in one motion and got the heck away.

What is the correct strategy? Any tips? What's your game plan? With winter coming, more waves in most spots here, would like to learn to ride safely.

In that situation my wing is usual pierced by the foil so I roll it up and paddle in 4 major repairs last summer.

In small waves up to head high I hold the wing up above the wave and take the wave on the head, board at the end of the leash as far away as possible. Between sets try and get out of impact zone as soon as possible paddling on the board with the wing trailing or get up with the wing if you can. Wind can be sketchy inside the break. I have caught waves lying down in smaller surf to clear the impact zone.

In bigger waves we have started chucking the wing, prearrange this with others so someone chases it down for you.

What I do depends on the board and wave size. For small waves (waist high) on all boards, I sit on the board, with my back to the waves and throw the wing over while I hold the board and take the wave on the head. Back facing the wave makes it pretty mellow. Its most important to keep the board and foil in control.
For medium waves up to head and a half, I do the same on a big board and opt to throw the wing over and duck dive on smaller boards. Wearing a long enough leash is key here.
In waves bigger than head and a half I only ride a board I feel comfortable duck diving under the wave and ditch the wing if I crash. Better save my shoulder and keep my board in control than lose the wing. I have been wearing a standard surf leash on my wing to make it safer to ditch.

Good tip on facing away from the wave. I thought I heard somewhere to face the wave and grab the front strap while straddling the board when a whitewater comes. I tried that and the nose of my board nearly missed my chin as it corked up and I yard sale'd.