I've found myself thinking about wingfoiling a lot over the past few weeks, and where it fits compared to other windsports. As mentioned at the start I've done and enjoy them all, and its been interesting to consider when I'd pick wing foiling in preference to the others.
Firstly I think wing foiling very closely matches the bottom end of regular kitesurfing and windsurf foiling, Kite foiling is probably viable in the lightest of winds, where anything above 6 knots is doable with the right kit and technique.
Kitefoiling does suffer from being very annoying when the wind is very low, as once that kite falls out the sky, it could be a long old swim if it doesn't relaunch.
I suspect wingfoiling is doable above 8 knots with the right kit so brings it very close to using a kite; It does have one very significant benefit that its of little consequence if the wind drops for a while - its possible to make progress back to shore provided there's a bit of wind, and that's a nice safety net when risking light conditions.
Windfoiling takes a bit more wind again, requiring 10 knots or so, but again benefits from being able to get home easily if its a fair bit less than that.
Wingfoiling like windfoiling also benefits from being doable with little launching room - such as at high tides with no beach or in lakes and reservoirs - opening up many locations where you couldn't kite.
Wingfoiling is also supposed to be very satisfying for wave riding, where you can fully depower the wing and ride using wave power alone, yet have the wing at hand for whenever its needed - I've played a little in the waves and seems like it could be a lot of fun when I improve some more.
As the wind picks up beyond these minimums I think it all comes down to personal preference. I really like the very connected feeling that wingfoiling gives - you're totally in control of the board and wing, and you have freedom to move them wherever you like without constraint - it just feels really pure in that respect, and perhaps that's why its so satisfying compared to using a kite or windsurfer.
Firstly I think wing foiling very closely matches the bottom end of regular kitesurfing and windsurf foiling, Kite foiling is probably viable in the lightest of winds, where anything above 6 knots is doable with the right kit and technique.
Kitefoiling does suffer from being very annoying when the wind is very low, as once that kite falls out the sky, it could be a long old swim if it doesn't relaunch.
I suspect wingfoiling is doable above 8 knots with the right kit so brings it very close to using a kite; It does have one very significant benefit that its of little consequence if the wind drops for a while - its possible to make progress back to shore provided there's a bit of wind, and that's a nice safety net when risking light conditions.
Windfoiling takes a bit more wind again, requiring 10 knots or so, but again benefits from being able to get home easily if its a fair bit less than that.
Wingfoiling like windfoiling also benefits from being doable with little launching room - such as at high tides with no beach or in lakes and reservoirs - opening up many locations where you couldn't kite.
Wingfoiling is also supposed to be very satisfying for wave riding, where you can fully depower the wing and ride using wave power alone, yet have the wing at hand for whenever its needed - I've played a little in the waves and seems like it could be a lot of fun when I improve some more.
As the wind picks up beyond these minimums I think it all comes down to personal preference. I really like the very connected feeling that wingfoiling gives - you're totally in control of the board and wing, and you have freedom to move them wherever you like without constraint - it just feels really pure in that respect, and perhaps that's why its so satisfying compared to using a kite or windsurfer.
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