GEAR: WHAT VOLUME TO CHOOSE FOR A WING BOARD?

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Wing

15 november 2024 0

Find the volume that will allow you to take off and navigate comfortably in wing foiling.

Choosing the size of wing board that's right for you usually comes down to estimating the volume you need:

The more volume you have, the more comfortable you'll be in the non-flying phases, and the easier you'll take off because you'll be high up on the water, ready to launch and fly.
On the contrary, important volume, which is useful on the water, can become cumbersome in the air, as it generates inertia in your movements.

It's all about finding the right balance between comfort on the water and on the foil.

Wingfoiler: David, GONG team rider, with a Zuma FSP 2X, Plus Perf Series and X-Over foil.

Choosing volume depending on your weight and level

Volume is of course not the only determining factor, as explained in this article, but it can help you to quickly get closer to your needs. Here's a simple rule of thumb to identify the right volume for you:

For beginners, it's essential to have a board volume greater than your weight. We generally recommend a volume equal to your weight + 30 L for optimum comfort.

Example: For a 70 kg rider, a volume of 100 L (70 + 30) guarantees good stability.

For intermediates, a volume equal to your weight + 10 L is enough to remain stable while gaining in maneuverability.

Experienced riders can go down to negative volume (weight - 10 L) for greater responsiveness.

The more daring riders will opt for sinker volumes (weight - 30 L), requiring a technical start but offering ultra-light equipment and maximum maneuverability.

Choosing the volume of your inflatable board:

Inflatable boards differ from rigid boards mainly by the roundness of their rails. Whereas rigid boards benefit from sharps rails that stabilize the board, especially at the tail, inflatable boards have rounder rails. This has an impact on the board's lateral stability, so you'll need to choose an inflatable board with a little more volume to compensate.

We recommend choosing a volume of your weight plus 15 L over a rigid board for an advanced wing foiler, plus 25-30 L for an intermediate level and plus 40 L for a beginner.

Wingfoiler: Laury, GONG staff with a HIPE Learn and Plus wing.

The special case of mid-length boards:

The narrowness of mid-length boards also impacts board stability during non-flying phases. To counterbalance this, you should also choose a size with more volume, around 5 to 10 L more than the rules above, be it over a rigid board or an inflatable board. If you choose to complete your everyday board with a light wind board that's longer and narrower, don't hesitate to take a larger volume than you're used to.

Generally speaking, the greatest asset of a mid-length board is its ability to take off very early. The greater the volume, the better it will perform. A few extra liters will put you higher up on the water, allowing you to glide and take off earlier.

Wingfoiler: Malo, GONG team rider, with a Cruzader Diamond FSP Pro, Droid UPE Aramid X wing and HM V3 mast.