Wing or Kite?
With the explosive success of Wing foil, there are now as many Wing foilers as kitesurfers on our spots. Someone who wants to get started can ask: am I going to kite or Wing? Should I try the foil or the twin tip? Of course, you can do both, but sometimes you have to make choices. Here is the result of a small survey on the beach to try to decide on the Wingfoil vs Kitesurfing match.
Wing foil or kitesurfing: which is easier?
For those with a windsurfing background, you will undoubtedly have an easier time getting into wingfoil than kitesurfing. For balance first, because at the start, you have to know how to stand on a board. Also, for handling the Wing, a windsurfer will more naturally manage to control and position the Wing like a sail to generate power or go upwind.
For beginners without any background, kitesurfing have a more straightforward progression. The wing foil is more frustrating. There is this vertical dimension due to the foil you must manage, which you often even have to learn before considering switching to the Wing. You also have to handle several successive accelerations.
Kite Surf 1 - Wing Foil 0
Wing Foil or Kite Surf: which is more dangerous?
One could also wonder which is more impressive or if wing foil is more or less as impressive as kitesurfing. The kites will roll in the waves; the lines will get tangled in your feet. You'll drink the cup and above all, don't sail without a line cutter! Even if kitesurfing equipment has evolved tremendously in safety, beginners will still make impressive falls.
Wing foil is not as quiet as a game of dominoes either, but the falls are less violent. You cannot fly away because a wing is less powerful than a kite. There is no line. The main danger would come from falling on your foil, but learning to fall away from it is one of the first lessons you will learn when learning Wing foil
Kite Surf 1 - Wing Foil 1
Wing foil or kitesurfing: which is more practical?
The difference will be made at the level of the boards because the wings and kites, are easy to transport, carry and store. For a beginner rider, a rigid Wing foil board will take more space than a kite board, you can hardly take it in your small car, and the portage to the beach will be more complicated since it is necessarily a larger board and, therefore heavier. Nevertheless, a wing foiler can opt for an inflatable board that is easy to store and transport.
On the beach, the kite surfer must mount his kite with the lines without making any mistakes while finding the necessary space. To kite, you must also equip yourself with a harness. The Wing foiler, meanwhile, will have to assemble his foil without dropping the screws in the sand. Its a Draw.
Kite Surf 2 - Wing Foil 2
Wing foil or kitesurf: which is cheaper?
On the one hand, you must equip yourself with a kite, a bar and a board, without forgetting the accessories such as the harness; on the other hand, you will need a wing, a foil and a board. The budget for getting started is about the same, if kite boards are cheaper than Wing foil ones, Wings are cheaper than kites. However, to get started in wingfoil, opting for an inflatable board is possible. And there, the budget level changes everything! At Takoon, for example, you can find an all-inclusive pack ready to sail with an inflatable board for less than 1000€.
The cheapest is the Wing foil: it takes the lead in the score.
Kite Surf 2 - Wing Foil 3
Wing foil or kitesurf: which has the most spots?
Of course, this is the significant advantage of wing foiling:
- Launching is less dangerous.
- Less space is needed.
- There is no risk of decapitating a beach volleyball player, and fewer prohibitions, especially during the summer.
And you can ride with less wind.
Wing foil is ahead in the match
Kite Surf 2 - Wing Foil 4
Wing Foil or kitesurfing: the most conditions?
At the very beginning of Wingfoil, it was said that it was a sport made for fun light winds. But we have seen, with the technological progress of boards, foils and wings, and their reduction in surface area/volume, that the Wing can also perform in strong winds. However, kites have a greater range because you don't have to hold them in your hand. Its wind range should be slightly wider.
One point for the kite, but by a hair
Kite Surf 3 - Wing Foil 4
Wing Foil or Kite Surf: the strongest sensations?
There, it's about tastes and colors; we may not all agree! We interviewed pros, gifted and confirmed riders, teachers, beginners... in short, just about everyone. The conclusion is that everyone is having a blast. In wingfoil as in kitesurfing, you can move towards freestyle, wave, downwind or even big air, and experience incredible sensations.
The foil is magic. And for beginners, even those for whom it is the first time, the slightest take-off is a fabulous, indescribable experience. And when in light winds while surfing on the swell, then there are the strongest feelings of ecstasy.
We won't make many friends, but We will say a small point for the wing foil.
Kite Surf 3 - Wing Foil 5
Wing foil or kitesurf: who jumps higher?
If some Wing foil champions are starting to send higher and higher with impressive jumps, it is still the kite that will mark the point: more accessible jumps, more hangtime
The kite is back in the race.
Kite Surf 4 - Wing Foil 5
Wing foil or kitesurf: who is faster?
With the evolution of foils, this trend is starting to fade. But, in general, for beginner riders who are not Wingfoil Racing world champions, kite surfing will tend to offer faster sensations of speed.
Last minute equalization of kitesurfing, but really by a little margin.
Kite Surf 5 - Wing Foil 5
In the end, Wingfoil or kitesurfing is a matter of preference! Learning, spots, sensations, gear. You now have the keys to decide between to kite or Wing foil. But either way, go for it! And don't forget, long live the wind, long live the oceans, and let's pick up the plastic on the beaches.