VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

I'm going to continue Wingfoiling again in March/April. I'm thinking it will be time to get a smaller Wingboard fairly soon after that. I currently have a 130 litre (6'x30")KT Wing Drifter which I will start with again when I get back to Winging. I'm 225lbs currently and would like something that will at least get me back if the wind shuts down so nothing too small. I was thinking at least 90-100 litres. I don't mind pumping as it's a good workout and I don't mind schlogging as long as I'm not hip deep in the water.

This post is asking for your opinion for a next Wingboard for me to get. A midlength board or just a smaller sized regular shaped Wingboard? Some of you have been Winging for a while now and are on to your 2nd or 3rd board. I'd like to know your thoughts and if you'd get a different 2nd board and why. Also, any Wing boards you are totally stoked on and why.

I will keep my Windfoil gear but I'm going to focus on Winging until I can consistently make my jibes. At the end of last summer I was making 70% of my jibes. I have 4,5 and 6m Wings and a few different foils 700cm2, 1263, 1700. I'd like to be able to go out in 10-30kts.

I'd like to hear your opinion and suggestions. And ........ GO!

Something around body weight to perhaps 10l under and a bit narrower than what you've got would be a solid plan. For me at 95kg and 85L taxies pretty easy in light wind and a 100L is only a touch easier. In both cases if it's really light sitting down saves a lot of energy when there is chop.

Full disclosure I'm selling a 101L NSP which would fit those specifications and I'd be happy to lend it for an extended test ride when I'm next in town.

What are your riding goals for the summer? I'd say if you want to try some jumps that would be the only reason to go with a short and wide wingboard. Or if you're planning on riding mostly the lake and inlet thermals.
Then you can get away with a smaller short/wide board. Otherwise, midlength. The problem is a 100L midlength is still a huge board, it'll offer you deeper touch free carving and tacking, but that's about it over your current board. Tough call, I'd say get your jibes closer to 95% then demo some smaller boards in the 80L range.

GMAC, I'm interested in your NSP board. PM me price and conditions pls.
Smartang, my riding goals are to improve toeside riding, making 100% of my jibes and possibly learning some new jibe types. No jumping, that's for kids and crazies, only bad things will happen if I try to jump. I plan on riding at Nitnaht, China Creek, Pipers and all sites in Victoria. So all different types of sea conditions.

My current Windfoil board is 214x74cm which is longer than even most mid-length boards.

I'm still undecided of my path forward but giving a mid-length board and a smaller regular Wingboard a try to see how they work for me.

That being said, I'll be selling my KT 130 WingDrifter probably fairly soon if you're interested.

One of the pro's about Winging is when you have a crash, you board doesn't get damaged by the mast/boom coming down on it. I do think that Winging is a better all around workout, but maybe that's just because I'm not good enough at it yet.

More feedback/comments would be appreciated.

I'll send you a FB message Bobson!

If a workout is one of your top priorities then go with a sinker board, small fast foil and no harness. Just balancing on a -40L board takes a lot of core strength. I know my heat rate runs much higher (zone 4)just switching from a Sab 980 (932cm2)to 820 (746cm2) with all other board and foil components staying the same. Once I switch to a floater board my heart rate drops to zone 2 which is not even a workout.

Now if you really want a workout then compliment that sinker board with a new downwind sup foilboard and start getting into flat water paddle ups. Your heart will red line in seconds (which for me is about 180 bpm). If I manage to get 5 paddle ups in a row with 1-200m pumps after takeoff my legs pretty much go numb. A downwind board with a proper pump foil will also takeoff in nearly no wind. 5knots?

You can't compare your windsurf board length to a wingfoil board. Windsurf fuselages put the front wing a foot in front of the mast to help counterbalance the long board. On my 8 foot downwind board I'm standing almost exactly in the middle of the board. So there's only about 3 feet of very narrow board in front of me to swing around. They're more snappy than you'd think.

Jibes and tacks benefit from front foot pressure, especially if you want to lean into them. If the tracks are too far back you'll need to compensate with a longer fuse and more stab. Otherwise the nose of the board will always be dropping out when you go for a jibe. As a heavier rider you foil needs to be even further forward. I'd want to see a whole new set of tracks in front of the stock tracks on that NSP for it to work with my foils.