HYDROFOIL ACADEMY AUSTRALIA

Is It Easy to Learn Wing Foiling?

Is It Easy to Learn Wing Foiling?

The answer is Yes and No. 

As in most other sports the steepness of the learning progression curve depends on your body co-ordination and your previous experience in other related sports.  However, after a couple of structured lessons (6 to 10h) you will be able to wingfoil upwind in both directions. 

How does a typical Wing Foil learning journee start at our Sydney Foiling School ?

Our Basic Wing Foiling course consists of three modules. After confirming the starting date and time of your Module#1 Basic Wing you are ready to go. All courses are run at the PRO Water Sports base in Rose Bay; First we will Introduce you to the equipment which you will be using during your first 2h session during module#1. This session is usually shared with another student and you will be towed behind a boat. You will develop the feel and skills to fly a hydrofoil in the water. You will learn how to control the lift, generated by the foil and after 2-4h of training you should be able to foil controlled at a set height.

Learning how to

Learning how to "fly" a hydro foil with a stunning Sydney backdrop 🤙🤩

What to expect:

If you wakeboarded or waterskied behind a boat previously you might be surprised about the slow take off speed and the lift generated by the foil. It will take you a few attempts to get used to standing up on the board, finding the correct foot position for your front and back foort, control the lift developed by the foil and finding the balance to maintain continuous lift and to fly above the water for a few minutes. It takes most people between 2-4h to perfect module#1.

Module#2 - Flying a Wing Sail

This module is all about learning how to handle, fly and be efficient with a wing sail. You will also learn how to steer (jibe and tack) a foil and wind surfboard powered by a wing sail.

What to expect: We first introduce you to the equipment, talk about wind directions and take you through the setting up procedure. You will then learn how to fly a wing on the beach/land first before hitting the water. We will also cover the first basic maneuver, the jibe. Now you are ready to hit the water. Dependent on your previous watersport skills you will either get started on a wind surfboard or a wing foil board. You will learn and to perfect how to go upwind & downwind and how to jibe. Our boards have sufficient volume to to keep you stable and allow you to focus on your wing handling skills. In the beginning you might find it challenging to fly the wing above your head, change the direction of your set course and avoid touching the water surface with your wing tips. However, as frustrating this might be during the first 20-30min, you will quickly develop the correct skills allowing you to stand up with confidence, fly the wing above your head and to stay in control on your set course. Please allow 2-4h to complete module#2 and to be ready for module#3.

Customers with no windsurfing background usually find it easier to progress through module#2 on a windsurf board. Our windsurf boards have +225l opposed to the large hydrofoil boards with 120-140l

Customers with no windsurfing background usually find it easier to progress through module#2 on a windsurf board. Our windsurf boards have +225l opposed to the large hydrofoil boards with 120-140l

Customers with windsurfing background are usually ready to get through module#2 on a large sup foil board (120-140l)

Customers with windsurfing background are usually ready to get through module#2 on a large sup foil board (120-140l)

Module#3 - Wingfoiling (combining both learned skills of flying a wing and fly surfing a hydrofoil)

This module combines everything you learned in Module#1 & 2; Riding a hydro foil and flying a wing sail. You will learn how to transition the energy in your wing into forward speed, allowing the foil to develop lift, take off and start flying above the water in a controlled manner. We will also teach you how to stay upwind and wing foil downwind. At the end of the lesson you might be ready to start practicing your first jibe.

What to expect: You are now so close to your goal of learning how to wingfoil. You will find everything which was challenging in module#2 is now much easier. You will be standing up with confidence on the Wing Foil board powered by your flying a wing sail. From module#1, you remember to load your front foot and not your back foot when increasing the cruising speed. We will tell you to push the nose of your board slightly downwind in order to pick up some speed and develop the correct take off speed. You will feel the foil developing some lift and in no time you will start flying over the water. Your first runs will only last for a few seconds but further into the lesson you will develop more control and things will start feeling more in control. By the end of the lesson you might be ready to start practicing your first jibe. Please allow 2-6h to perfect this module.

This is the start of your exciting journey in Wing Foiling !!!! From now on, you will notice progression from session to session and incredible excitement in your journey of progression.