What Size Wing Foil Board Is Right for Me?

Choosing the right size wing foil board can be a daunting task, especially for beginners who are eager to get started with wing foiling. This guide aims to provide practical advice based on real-world experiences and common mistakes, helping you to make an informed decision and enjoy your time on the water.

Understanding the 20% Rule
When selecting a wing foil board, a useful guideline is the 20% rule. This rule suggests that your board’s volume should be roughly 20 liters more than your body weight in kilograms. For example, a rider weighing 86 kilograms should look for a board of around 105 liters in volume. This provides a good starting point, ensuring stability and ease of learning. You may always go larger in volume, like 30-40 liters about your weight in kg, however you should not go smaller.

The Temptation to Size Down
A common mistake many new wing foilers make is wanting to size down too quickly. This can be tempting because smaller boards are more agile and easier to maneuver once you’re proficient. However, starting with a board that’s too small can significantly slow down your learning process. The benefits of portability will quickly be outweighed by the effects of frustration.

In a recent conversation, a customer weighing around 86 kilograms wanted to start with a 90-liter board, which is significantly smaller than the recommended 105 liters. This desire to start small can lead to frustration and hinder your progress.

Learning Timelines: What’s Your Goal?
When considering board size, it’s crucial to think about how quickly you want to become proficient. Do you want to master wing foiling in a week, a month, or over a season?

Choosing a board with adequate volume can drastically reduce your learning curve. For instance, aiming for a board around 105 liters or even slightly larger (110-115 liters) can provide the stability needed to learn more quickly and enjoyably.

The Surfboard Mistake
There’s a parallel between wing foiling and surfing when it comes to board size selection. Many beginner surfers make the mistake of choosing shortboards because that’s what they see experienced surfers using. However, starting with a longboard, funboard, or hybrid is recommended before transitioning to smaller boards.

Similarly, starting with a larger wing foil board allows you to develop the necessary skills and confidence before moving to smaller, more challenging boards.

Overcoming the Desire for Smaller Boards
If you’re watching videos or seeking advice on what size wing foil board to get, it’s likely because you’re still gaining experience. It’s important to set yourself up for success by choosing a board with sufficient volume.

Experienced wing foilers and shops will consistently advise starting with a larger board. This will ensure you have fun and progress quickly without the unnecessary struggle of learning on a board that’s too small.

Conclusion
When deciding on the size of your wing foil board, remember that bigger is better, especially when you’re starting out. Follow the 20-liter rule, consider your learning timeline, and avoid the common mistake of choosing a board that’s too small. By doing so, you’ll set yourself up for a more enjoyable and successful wing foiling experience.

Start the Conversation
We know you have questions, and we're here to help. Leave a comment below or reach out to us directly. Let’s start the conversation and get you on the right track to enjoying wing foiling.

0:00 Intro
0:16 Outline
0:25 How fast do you want to learn to wing foil?
2:15 The surfboard mistake.
3:08 Put your ego in check.

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Thank you for sharing the kiteboarding, wing foiling, and wing surfing stoke with us! 🤙🏽 Please join us in the comments section and get the conversation started.

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MACkite Blog and Knowledge Center:

[grahamreed]

Proficient Prone foiler who picked up winging two years ago. 65kgs and went 104L and still had a tough time learning. Now I’m down to a 60L after selling my 74L. Prone board for sinker sessions. No problem selling the other boards for not that much loss. Go big for your first board and foil!

[TheBjoernli]

In my opinion volume is only one factor in the decision for your first board. Length and width gives you support when standing up, and riding with you board down at lower wind for some distance. This is the case at our spots here in Switzerland where often the wind is gusty of turns off suddenly. In those situations you will be quite happy to have a stable floating platform that helps you make your way home much much easier.

[blooskyy]

Great advice, and I made that same classic mistake when I started surfing, to this day I wish I started on a long board.

[wingsurfcamp]

Excellent Advice!!!
You didn't learn to drive a car in a Ferrari.
Bigger boards work in light wind and strong wind, but small boards only work in strong wind.
And, learning in strong wind everything happens very fast.
Learning in moderate winds, everything happens a little slower so you have more reaction time, l and therefore you learn faster and have more fun.

[carlossaez]

I am 85kg and I am starting on a 5´4 / 95 litre board 1.700cm2 foil 75 cm mast no problem on a lake (very flat water and 5m2 wing around 15 knots). On the 3rd day I was flying on foil non stop. I would not go lower than that as if felt quite on the limit.

[timcass]

Based on your last statement I am 6’4” and weighing about 225-230. New to the sport/experience and looking to have FUN overall. Will be using my old sup to learn as well as a mountain board to get a good “feel” of how the wing works. Trouble is I am not sure exactly what size board. Ryan has sent me a link for wing and pump, thanks for your help!! 🤔

[tansuakar]

Thanks for the video. I'm a beginner with SUPboarding experience only. 80kg, although it goes down to 75 in summer months. Looking at inflatable boards. There are only two options:
1) 5'5 - 110L
2) 5'11 - 135L

Most experts recommend "User Weight + 40" for beginners. They emphasize that this is the minimum. Not lower, but can be higher. In my case, 80 + 40= 120L

If I go with their recommendation, I should get 135L one. But I feel it could be too big for me. I'm athletic and I know how to balance myself on a SUP board even on choppy waters. What's your take on this? Should I grab 110L?

(Btw, the front wing is 1700cm2 if it matters)

Thank you

[acebailey]

In my opinion what is missing from this discussion is what’s the point of a smaller board. Once you are up on the foil what difference does the board size make? Thank you in advance for the answer.

[shen]

Unfortunately ego's get In the way, nobody wants to be laughed off the beach. Humility in any sport is essential. I come from a Windsurfing and Paragliding background, with PG it was disturbing to see relatively inexperienced pilots flying hot high aspect gliders, just because of peer pressure and wanting to fit in...
I'm old enough to realise humility will help, I'll have a bigger smile and enjoy the sport rather than potentially dropping out because it didn't work out for me.

[neilsimon]

Hi awesome video. Been surfing 25 years. I am 6’2” and go between 165 and 170. What volume board would you recommend to start with? Thanks

[tompark]

What does a smaller board give you that a bigger board doesn't?

[TheSydguy]

Wing Foiling has certainly shot up in first I was looking at Windsurfing or Kite Surfing and people were saying get into Wing Foiling, cheaper, easier etc. Now years later I've finally looked into it and Windsurfing is cheaper for the starting when it used to be the most expensive. Absolute crazy how prices have been jacked right up because of the increased demand, turns me off even getting started.

[Talbert]

Great vid. I bought a 6ft board 130 litres. I weigh 90kgs but am struggling to balance on the board before i even get on foil not sure if I’m not getting enough speed or if the board isn’t stable enough for my size/weight?

[gualnaldi]

Hi MACkiteboarding, I have 80 kgs and I had a wingboard of 100L, front wing Sabfoil 945 and 83 mast. I sail in a bay with wind around 10-15 knots. I already sail out of the water and good control, my next set is Jibe foil and Tack foil. I feel that my board is to heavy, it float well in light winds but to start to fly I need to put too much with my wing 6m. I am thinking to change for a 90L to try to be lighter and easier to fly. Do you think that this size 90 L is a good idea for me? 80 kgs sailor? I am thinking to have a smaller board for strong winds, like 75 L to use with my Sabfoil Front wing 755. I have wings from 4 to 7 m to use.

[mec]

I've Kitefoiled, Windsurfed and started with a Wing on snow, then Longboard in a parking lot.

At 5'9"/80kg I chose a 105lt Quatro. (I could uphaul a 100ltr Freestyle Windsurf board.... so this should be a no brainer ticket to fast progress).

I started with a 5.4 SS SlingWing. Sabfoil W1100 (2100cm2).Went out in 5-15, 10-20, 15-25, 15 Gto45. (Having 1 wing made choice simple).

Anyway, the balance point of the 5'6" Quatro was the size on a toilet seat! I struggled in light winds, I struggled in chop. I found 15-25 was the sweet spot. Enough wind that the wing had enough power to stabilize me on the tippy board, and only needed minimal pump to get moving forward and up on foil.

A friend started with a 6.4SS, and 155ltr board. He's a bit bigger, but made faster progress.

The moral: know your predominant conditions. Start Big. Big Wing. Big Board. Big Foil Wing.
Enjoy being a kook. Everyone's doing it. Each time out is a little victory, and hopefully one little aspect/technique is refined. This allows you to refocus on the next little goal next time out. There's too much going on to get it all at once. If it was easy it would be less satisfying.

Boards are in short supply. So, that big board should have a high resale value to next year's beginners, or keep it for ultra marginal wind future days.

Have Fun!
The MacKite crew won't steer you wrong. Great company!

[skobichevskii]

whats the caveat in going with a 180l board?

[danzbeard]

Thank you for this video! I have a question for you: I kiteboard, surf, and wakeboard, but I've yet to wing, and my wife is a complete novice/beginner (no watersport experience). I'm trying to figure out a setup that will work for both of us to learn on. I know it's not ideal, but I'm trying to save some money. I'm 6'0 190lbs (86kg) and she is 5'4" 120lbs (55kg)... This is the setup I have in mind: Board 90L, Foil 72-75, Front wing 1850, wing 5.0... Conditions at our spot are deep water and wind 10-20 knots. Thank you in advance

[fiskenjunior]

I am 110 kg begginer, what size board should i buy?

[vhb]

Thanks for a candid approach to getting started with winging. I have 15 years of Windsurfing then 13 years Kiting a TT and now would like to attempt Winging. My objective at 78 is to cruise and if I get better that’s a bonus. I’m 6’2/170 lbs with limited experience on a foil. I started using an old windsurf board 11.5’ and a 6.0M wing but I would like to move to a wing board. I’m thinking sticking with a bigger board for a while in the 115 to 125 liters range. What do you think and what brands ?

[ReTreadProducts]

Hi, I', 5'7", 80kg & 69 yrs old. I've done some kiteboarding but no foiling/winging. I just bought a 2022 Cabrinha Crosswing X3 Wing from you to get started. Now I'm looking at inflatable boards (possibly the Slingshot LTF V1) along w/ foil packages to go with it. Recommendations??? Thanks!