My quest for wing foiling in the lightest wind possible. 

Thanks Daniel, really kind of you to say👍I know i get a lot from hearing about other foilers experiences so I hope I can help others as well

I know what you mean, for example the previous 2 weeks it felt a couple of knots more than what the wind stations have been reading, and this week it's felt like the opposite - that its felt a couple of knots less than what the stations are saying. TBH i usually use the wind stations (and a hand held anemometer) to check on how much the wind varied in a session as I can tell just by standing on the beach what the wind speed is, or at least what size wing I will need. All I know is that we have a lot of kite surfers and quite a few kite foilers in our area, and no-one, not even the kite foilers were going out when I was testing the 8m in the days that the wind stations were reading 5-7 knots

I'm glad you find my videos useful. I've learnt so much from watching other RU-vid content I wanted to put something back into the sport myself. Awesome description of how you attach your home made boom, thanks, that's really helpful as I am in the process of doing this myself. Cheers🤙

@@dominichoskyns9091 You asked about small foil with big wind wing vs. small wind wing with a big foil -- I started with a big foil and switched out the wind wings depending on wind strength. Now I try for the smallest front foil I think I can get away with and will start with a bigger wind wing. Apparently, the wind wing racers are using smaller HA front foils with larger wind wings (also long masts and fuselages). I know that in windsurfing (and now windsurf foiling) that it was all about relatively large sails and small fins (foils) for racing and I suspect it will be the same for wind wing racing and all out speed. If you do a RU-vid search for self-adjusting foils you'll find a video showing a foil for winging that self-adjusts to give extra lift for takeoff and less lift for gusts, (it also adjusts for side-to-side stability) etc. I'm not sure I like where this is going. It's one thing to get help in super light conditions to get up on foil (foil drive) and another to have electronics do most of the hard work thus taking some of the skill out of the equation.

My 8 metre Strike has arrived -- it is huge (the leash was already attached and the inflation valve was one I was unfamiliar with but the wing comes with an adaptor). I've only pumped it up and attached my boom (I use this boom with my Dart wings). Only the front strap of the boom that goes around the front of the middle strut of the wing had to be adjusted for length -- the boom seems to fit just fine but I haven't tried it on the water yet. If the wing flies in light breeze O.K. with the boom attached I'll probably keep using the boom. Here's hoping I can get up in one or two fewer knots of wind -- I'm foiling in low winds now with the 7 metre Slick and 1440 so I'm really interested to see how the Strike does in really marginal conditions. I really appreciate your efforts to check out the latest equipment (especially for light winds) and keep us informed of your opinions.

Sorry for the delay in replying. For the longest time I was all about a big foil, and looking back I'm really glad I spent so much time on big foils as I feel it really helped my progression, whereas going to small foils too early would have been detrimental to my learning process - the odd time I went down to a really small foil I clearly wasn't ready for it. Some people seem to take to small foils really quickly, but I wasn't one of them - it took me a long time to get my skill level to the point where I didn't stall them, or could pump them effectively. Everyone is different, so I can only speak from my experiences, but it was only when I got to a certain skill level (and that only came about through time on the water) that I began to be able to unlock the performance of the smaller foils. Now I would rather use a small foil wherever possible, but I can still appreciate using a big foil when the conditions dictate. As for big wings - I had no choice as our wind is real light most of the time, so I used a 7m to learn (and progress with) so I guess that may be why I feel very comfortable with big wings. My point is that we are all different so whatever feels best to you is probably right for you, but every now and again try something new as you never know when you might be ready for it🤙

@@dominichoskyns9091 I feel the same as Dominic. When you’re ready it feels good to have a small and fast foil. I’m not the best guy in physics but for the foil i guess that the foil lift rises by square of its speed. Anyway as my buddy on the lake always says its all about having fun on the water. And wingfoiling is my addiction since the conditions are somewhat horrible in southern Germany especially for kitesurfing or windsurfing. But with the wing it is awesome. Never had that many days on the water before! Have fun guys!

The 8m strike has a longer wingspan than the 7m slick, and is a little deeper as well. Switching between them both in the same session the 7m slick feels smaller BUT the 8m CWC strike feels lighter, floats/luffs better and moves around easier in transitions. It's an amazing design for light winds. Once in it's wind range the slicks are also amazing - I would prefer the slicks when powered, and the strike cwc when underpowered

At 66kg you are much lighter than me at 82kg. That 15kg makes a lot of difference in super light wind. To give you a comparison for what I use, I found that (with experience) a 60ltr board is fine for everything except the lightest wind. I will even use this board in 8-10 knots, but when the wind is 8 knots and below I find that I need my 90 ltr board to get on foil. In wind that is 10 knots and less I wouldn't use anything other than a big foil, around 1700cm2. At 10-12 knots I will be able to use a 1450cm2 foil and a 60ltr board and the 8m CWC wing. There's always a compromise. That compromise will be either on cost or performance. As i see it you have two options. Either you go for two boards, one that you will probably only use in the lightest wind, and the other will be considerably smaller for when the wind is over 12 knots (possibly from 10 knots when you are experienced). The second way is to buy one board that will be ok for both. This saves money but it will always be slightly too small in light wind and slightly too big in high wind. Maybe 75 or 80 ltrs for your super light wind board and 45 ltrs for your high wind board. To have one board (considering you get lots of light wind) maybe 55 or 60 ltrs would be ok. Obviously a lot depends on your skill level and the size and AR of the foil you are using. High AR foils need more speed to get on foil, so medium AR foils are usually best in light wind. ADDITION - sorry, I just re-read your question and I see that you want to SUP foil with it as well. Unfortunately that will limit you when the wind is over 12 knots as you will need more volume. I suggest one of the new hybrid DW/SUP boards. Axis do 3 sizes of hybrid boards. They are less narrow and shorter than their pure DW specific boards. Getting one of those would be great for light wind and sup foiling, but it would be quite big for winging in 12+ knots. A solution could be to get a hybrid board now, and save up for a small (45/50ltr) wing board for later. BTW, if your board isn't at least 20 ltrs more than your bodyweight (converting kg to ltrs) it will be SUPER DIFFICULT to paddle as a SUP. 66 + 20 = 86ltrs. The narrow boards are also much harder to stand on so I would advise sizing up to 90ltrs, but 100 will make it much easier to learn. 80 is possible but only really with experience. It makes it sooooo difficult if your board is too small for you when you are learning to SUP foil

No second battery yet. Looking into power banks as even a second battery wouldn't be enough for a camping trip to areas that don't have electricity. A good power bank costs a bit more than a new battery but will charge a battery at least 4 times

Our local kite surfing/foiling community have put Holfuy weather stations at all of the local beaches. They are very accurate and can be referred to after a session to check what the wind was at specific times as they display live data but also record historical data every 15 minutes.

For ultimate light wind the bigger foil will be better as it has more lift at slow speed which is important for super light wind. Your best board size for these conditions can be anywhere from 30 ltrs over your weight in kg or as little as 10 ltrs below your weight - it depends on your skill level. Any bigger or smaller than that and the size starts to hold you back. I used to use a 5'9" x 110ltr board which was great (a custom board so VERY light though) but now I'm on a 5'2" x 90ltr board and it is just as easy to get on foil (i'm 82kg) and less swing weight when up on foil so easier to pump and turn etc. BTW if you think the CWC is expensive then don't even look at the price of the D-Lab or anything made with Aluula💸😳

Thanks mate! So I shouldn't buy another front wing for better light wind performance? :) Looking forward your videos!! Best wishes!

On my slicks I put the trigger mount onto the boom just behind where my front hand usually grips. On a wing with handles you can do the same but you have to wrap something around the handle to let it fit, but I just hold the trigger unit in my hand with a rope loop around my wrist. For winging I only use FoilDrive in super light wind so it's always quite chilled. I thought it would get in tbe way but tbh I prefer it like that as I have the full use of the handle

For me personally I would go with the 8m CWC strike as it is sooooo much better for light wind than the 6m, especially if your 6m is the normal Strike, not the CWC version. For me I would always choose a bigger wing and smaller foil when possible, and I have no doubt that you'll be able to get up in much less than 10 knots. I have a 75 ltr and a 43 ltr board that I use in progressively stronger winds, but for sub 10 knots I always use my 110 ltr board as having just that little extra float makes all the difference in the lightest of winds, especially with a foil like the 1050 that needs a slightly faster takeoff speed to get flying. I think a bit of extra volume really helps, and TBH the extra weight isn't noticeable in the lightest of winds as you aren't swinging the board around anywhere near as much as you do in high wind conditions

@@dominichoskyns9091 It is a CWC 6m strike. The 112L was my beginner board. I'm glad that it's going to help extend my wind range. This video is exactly what I needed since I didn't know how to improve my low wind range. Thanks for the help.

Not Dominic but you need to learn on flat water with the wind blowing 14-20 knots. Only then will you learn the proper wing and foot pumping techniques and commit them to muscle memory. Then I would suggest a 7m or 8m Fone CWC to take advantage of low wind take offs.

@@martinomovies thanks that’s good feedback. The issue is that I don’t get these dream conditions.

Without knowing your weight its hard to say for sure, but from what I have heard about the wasp (good wing with decent power) I would say you could skip the 6m and go straight to the 8m. That would get you up I'm 8-10 knots easily, even as a beginner when your technique won't be as efficient as it could (will) be. I'm afraid I don't know anything about the Manta foils

@@martinomovies good point, but the CWC are sooooo easy to pump I would say they are 100% suitable for a beginner. Also the big size means plenty of power which as you say is essential for a beginner to have - easily enough for the 8-10 knots he says he has a lot of the time. In my experience as a beginner there was nothing more frustrating as being underpowered

@@dominichoskyns9091 Many thanks Dominic it answers my question. I weigh 78kg the Manta 84 is a low aspect 2066 cm2 foil . Speed and agility are not my primary concerns, I want to free ride in light wind, get used to foiling and I will be happy if I can gybe by the end of next year 🤣

I don't know the wingspan exactly but I know it's just over 2m. Maybe 2.3m at the most. The CWC flies at such a nice angle and is really light in your hands so it shouldn't be a problem. I've seen a 12 year old kid use it without any problems and he was very small😂

It's only a little Nikon Coolpix. There isn't even an audio plug so I can't use an external mic - the sound quality of my videos is something I keep being told I need to improve on ;-) I have a GoPro max 360 for when on the water but the mic on that keeps getting clogged with water as well!

Yeah, sorry about that, my camera isn't the best. I tend to spend all my money on foil equipment and as I don't get paid for any of the RU-vid content I do the upgrade to my video camera kerps getting overlooked😆

Yeah sorry, I realise the background noise is bad in this video. Since then I've bought a clip mic and that has definitely helped

Good advice😂

From what I've seen automated captions are rarely accurate. As for the microphone - it's on my list, but...💸💸💸😆

@@dominichoskyns9091 they work fine on every video of yours but they aren't enabled on this video....

I can clip on all the mics in the world but it won't help as my camera doesn't have an input jack😜 #onabudget #allmymoneygoesonfoils

@@dominichoskyns9091 Don't you use a phone? A bluetooth mic? Did you spend all your budget in water gear? XD

@@dominichoskyns9091 Start a crowdfunder for a mic, I promise £20 to kick it off

Not my fault - it's the wind ;-))))))

@@dominichoskyns9091 i have just bought 4 Slick wings and thanks to your vid also a new CWC 7.0 for light wind👍

You'll love them they are awesome wings💯🔥 Really glad you found it helpful 😊

@@dominichoskyns9091 wireless mic set perhaps? Rode Go 1 with lavalier is a suitable choice if one was looking

@@nathanjmansfield9969 Yeah, sorry about that, my camera isn't the best. I tend to spend all my money on foil equipment and as I don't get paid for any of the RU-vid content I do the upgrade to my video camera keeps getting delayed😆😆😆😆Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check it out for sure👍

Yeah, sorry about that, my camera isn't the best. I tend to spend all my money on foil equipment and as I don't get paid for any of the RU-vid content I do the upgrade to my video camera keeps getting overlooked😆My current camera doesn't even have an audio jack😫