Kitesurfing VS Wing Foiling?

KITEBOARDING GEAR I RIDE

More Fun On INSTAGRAM!

MUSIC

[whatsupbudbud]

Long time skateboarder, snowboarder, unicycle rider and what have you here. Started wingfoiling 2 years back and it's true what Jake says - easy to get into relatively. It is not an easy device to control but definitely the learning curve is less than on a kiteboard initially since it floats, the wing and board are connected via leash and you can self-rescue easily though I did once cut my hands by being blown into reeds and not being able to get out apart from pulling on them with my bare hands towards shore, lol.

Then I tried kitesurfing in Mexico (lagoon) and I immediately fell in love with it. It's just magical. And easy since you are not pulling with your muscle strength as you do with a wing. Granted, there are gadgets you can use to attach to the wing but I digress. The kite is designed to pull you by your torso. There are issues here as well, for example, the widely popular waist harnesses are pulled up, especially when you're a beginner, thus increasing strain on your body. But did I already say it's freaking amazing???

I learned within a season. Paid for the initial training some 400 USD (2 hours) but don't regret it one bit. The rest I self-learned from other kiteboarders. Now I can confidently go alone provided the conditions are not dangerous (wind direction off shore, gusts, etc.).

You still reading this? Get in the water already!
🔥

[andylitespeed]

Good thoughts, thanks. My two cents worth. A point that is somewhat location dependant (we don't all live in the West Indies): wing foiling we use all wind directions, all offshore, cross shore and onshore. When I used to kite and kitefoil, we could only use onshores. I now get three times more water time by wing foiling. I can now get wing foiling from 7 knots no worse than (recreational) kite foilers. Lastly, wing foiling (also prone foiling) in waves is an endless progression of fun. Unlike twin tip or kite foil, we can completely depower and forget about the wing and get very intimate with the waves. But each to their own and it helps to try them all! Keep up the good work.

[AnthonyBlyth]

Ive been watching your videos and wanting to learn kitesurfing for years but i never got round to it because I'm a good 2-3 hours from the coast. I started Wing foiling about a year ago at a lake which is 15 minutes away. Lots of people all started at same time and im loving it.

[simonm]

Great set of comparisons, Jake.
Wing foiling wins on lake or reservoir access. Like London UK.
Kite surfing/foiling is usually coastal at least in the UL, and even then restricted. I love windsurfing, kitesurfing, kite-foiling and now wing-foiling.
I took up wing foiling a year ago, at 64! I noticed wing foiling attracts windsurfers who don’t want the hassle with loads of kit. Kite surfers who like a no worries approach to having fun….
And a load of people who haven’t done any water sports and like the idea of having a go at something.

My message is…do it! It’s fabulous fun!

My other message is. If you want an easy learning curve and to have fun, choose the right board. Floaty. Don’t go too small….it’s not worth forever falling off!

Choose a nice low aspect foil with plenty of lift. Until you really nail the combination of wing movement and kicking the board onto the foil, it can be very frustrating.
Get a lesson or two …it will speed up your progress.
But, when you do get onto the foil life is truly fantastic!

Choose a slightly bigger wing. Let the wing do the work for you, till you master how to pump the wing.
Wings are not like windsurf sails, when the big gust comes through, just flag it out, no stress, no drama.

Enjoy the ride, and don’t think too much about going round the corners (like, if I remember her name, Megan? In the video, that how it’s done!)
Oh and Jake, I just love all your kitesurfing and kite-foiling videos. Antigua for us next year!

[jamesstark]

I'm excited by both! I live on a lake (which is too gusty to kite). Yet, I can wing on my paddle board in light wind, Snowboard wing on the ice in winter, and wing surf on my old windsurfer with a foil. So, this year's motto is less trips to the beach (2 hour drive). Saves on gas too!

[levelplain]

Nice comparison between the two Jake!! Many of my friends and I have had winging take over kiting here in Sydney. We have the ocean with surf, harbour swells and a lake, But more importantly we have shit wind for kiting most of the time and Winging gives us the ability to Wing in all wind conditions anywear anytime !! This I Know is the biggest single decider for the vast majority of the kite crews froth on this new sport. But when the winds get really up go kiting!!

[userTJ]

I have been windsurfing for the past 35 years. I do have quite a few sails, masts and boards, so it's the most gear, but I can go out in shallow water with a fin, sail just about anywhere (no kite lines to deal with), and I just pop a foil on my windsurfer to have the most fun on the water.

[leapnlarry]

I have been windsurfing Short boards for 40 years and now an avid Kiter for the last 20 years. Im interested in kite foiling, we live in an rv and travel across the country, more opportunities to safely ride a wing, lakes , river ect. Thanks for the conversation. Larry

[barrymonteiro]

I think this video is 'right on time' with the current state of progression in wind water sports!

I'm a senior dude who took my first kite lessons at 64 yrs of age. One of the most exciting activities I've undertaken. I currently have about 17 hours of lessons, stretched over a couple of years. I still would not be comfortable going kiting solo by any means. I've had jetski support during all my lessons.

I recently watched a wing foiler while on vacation in Turks and Caicos. It seems less daunting to learn. It also looks like it would be very doable solo, without some of the risks inherent with kiting. No tangled lines, inverted kite scenarios or death loops!😅

There will always be enthusiasts that stake their claim on their first love of a sport (i.e windsurfers) even as times change and equipment evolves. I think the Wing will be attractive to new adventurers for several reasons, a big one being the shorter learning curve (making it less expensive to learn).

The fact that you can go out solo to learn after introductory lessons is a plus too.

I've been watching your videos since Megan was first getting started kiting. They're always super well done.

Thanks for sharing the Stoke! I might have to get one of those North wing setups! 👍🏻🤙🏻

[jimbo]

Great video jake! The other consideration is do you live near a Bay or the ocean versus near a lake. For me the ocean is 2 hour drive but I live on a lake so kiting is very difficult with gusty winds. where Wing boarding you can wait for the gusts like windsurfing and have good sessions. And one more thing, winging is much safer. your never getting dragged into power lines or across parking lots like you would with a gust of wind while kiteboarding.

[afirmacoespositivas]

this video was just what i was looking for. thank u!

[isacferreira]

NICEEE, i got you phrase "go further with less efford" thats kind of what i like, so kite is long term as you teach, but as almost newbee to the wind thing, the foot print wind learning must be very cool on the wing, so i will go for wing to learn the wind principal, after will see for sure kite, thx you very much,

[ShareseVHatch]

Can you buy one board and use both kite and wings with the same board? Also, I am not by the ocean, but have access to a large open lake. What would you suggest for that? Thank you!!

[huntergillies]

Super helpful summary Jack. I had been hoping someone might explain the pros and cons 👍

[randalbladel]

Love kiting, but moving to winging because I now live in a place where kiting venues are few, sketchy, and difficult to access, not to mention requiring really solid skills to stay safe. I can wing in small lakes near home and feel much safer.

[jodykaufman]

Great vid - articulate and to the point. Nice.

[kenmammel]

Thank you Jake for clearly defining the wind requirements.
The wind - where I live is dictating my decision. We have 15 mph average wind. Which means some days 8 to 10 mph and other days 12 to 20 mph. I'll be launching from a boat in the middle of the lake so I'll be safely away from the many common land obstacles .
I'm leaning heavily towards the kite-foil-boarding because of light wind requirements.
Now to determine what equipment to buy?
Advice appreciated!

[obscurelines]

In Brighton it seems an absolute Kitesurf centre, makes sense, we have a lot of wind. But I've never seen wingfoiling. However, on big lakes in Italy I saw scores of wingfoilers.

[MrConfo]

After years of windsurfing, i kitesurf since 1999 from 15 to 35 knots with only one kite and one directional board, a dream. I've never tested a foil, so i ask if it's correct to say that kitefoiling is more risky than wingfoiling concerning hurting the foil ? This could be an important point for some riders to make their choice. I admit that i would be excited to test a foil but also scary with this sharp edge under my feet.

[gunnernic]

Nice quick synopsis, would love to join but NZ too far away from Ant ;-(