You want to get into this watersport but you’re lost in the different options: what wing size? what board length? what foil? In this guide, we’ll give you some advice to buy the right wing foil package.
At AFS, we offer two types of available wing foil packages.
The AFS Access package is perfect for getting started in wing foiling in all conditions. It consists of a Flyer hydrofoil, a thick and elongated front wing that provides stability and control for confident progression. The full carbon construction, made in France, ensures rigidity and reliability. The entire setup is lightweight – 3 kg for the complete foil – making it one of the lightest foils on the market, which will make it easier for you to get on the water. The boards in the Fly range have TOMO shapes. Rectangular in shape, they provide stability on the water, whether you’re kneeling or standing. Made with a PVC Glass sandwich construction, these boards are durable and long-lasting. For beginners, we recommend choosing a volume that is 10 liters higher than your weight to ensure buoyancy. The reputation of the WILF wing speaks for itself. It is a versatile, easy-to-use wing that allows you to practice in all conditions and disciplines.
 Versatile and suitable for beginner to intermediate riders. Also constructed with full carbon, the Performer foil with a thinner wing profile allows for more performance. With a medium aspect ratio, these wings remain very easy to use and accessible. This package offers three sizes (1450, 1650, and 1900) depending on your weight and allows for future progression to smaller wings in the same range. The full carbon foil consists of an 85 cm mast and a Performer fuselage, designed for improved glide. It is paired with the Performer RS 260 stabilizer to provide stability and control during flight. You can choose between the Fly and Fire foilboard ranges. The Fly range is versatile and allows you to also practice SUP foiling thanks to its TOMO shape. The Fire range is dedicated to 100% wing foiling with more agile shape and feeling on the water. The pack includes our renowned WILF sail.
To make good progress, we recommend using a 5m2 wing for a weight range between 70kg and 90kg. This size is the most versatile and allows you to navigate in a wide range of conditions. It provides sufficient power to fly in winds ranging from 10 to 20-25 knots, while remaining easy to handle due to its reasonable wingspan.
For riders weighing over 90kg, we tend to recommend a 6m2 wing. More surface area provides more power. We do not recommend starting with larger wings as they can be more cumbersome. This can hinder takeoff and maneuvering.
For riders weighing less than 70kg, a 4m2 wing can work well in wind conditions ranging from 10 knots to 20-25 knots.
However, you will quickly realize that a single wing is not enough if you want to navigate in winds ranging from 10 to 45 knots. It is advisable to complement your wing with another size later on. We often recommend the following combinations: 6m2/4m2 | 5m2/3.4m2 | 4m2/2.8m2.
To tackle very light winds, you can also use wings specifically designed for this practice and longer boards that provide better glide on the water. This allows for quicker takeoff speed.
Several factors should be considered when choosing a wing board:
The longer the board, the better it glides on the water. For beginners, we recommend starting with a relatively long board to experience flying as quickly as possible. Conversely, a shorter board allows for more radical turns, requires more technical and physical handling, and provides instant response. Very small boards have a very low glide speed but are extremely responsive, offer high performance, and are easily transportable if they have reasonable volume and width. They are suitable for more experienced riders.
This refers to the outer curve of the wing board. Rectangular outline boards with wide tips are easier to balance and take off early. They are more compact, requiring less technique. In our range, this includes the Fly 2022 and Fire boards. Ovoid outline boards with thinner tips require a higher skill level for balance and takeoff but offer optimal responsiveness and control.
The width of the wing board determines its stability, buoyancy, and maneuverability. A wider board provides greater stability. In our range, the Fly boards are known for their width.
For beginners in wing foiling, it is important to choose a board with positive volume relative to your weight. Ideally, we recommend a volume that is 10 liters higher than your weight. Intermediate riders can opt for a volume roughly equivalent to their weight. Finally, experienced riders can choose boards with volumes below their weight. These boards will require more physical effort to take off.
There are currently two main types of construction:
Rigid boards are often built using a sandwich construction. Similar to a sandwich, there is a core, usually foam, with outer skins that can be made of PVC, fiberglass, or carbon.
We tend to recommend rigid boards for all levels as they provide a more direct feel, better glide, and allow for faster progression compared to inflatable boards. They’re also way more stable on the water.Â
The choice of the foil front wing surface area mainly depends on the profile range and your weight.
Thicker profile wings, such as our Flyer range, naturally provide more lift than thinner profile wings, such as our Performer or Pure range. Therefore, at the same surface area, wings from different brands will have different amounts of lift.
To guide you in choosing the exact wing size, please refer to our product sheets, which indicate the appropriate surface area based on your weight.
The mast is important when choosing your wing surfing equipment. It is the backbone of your foil! Three criteria should be considered: material, profile, and size.We’ve wrote an article on this very specific topic.
We also recommend carbon masts, although they are often slightly more expensive, as they provide better glide and durability.
Features
Size chart
