SHALL IS SIZE DOWN FIRST MY WING BOARD OR MY FOIL?

September 07, 2022

The better we get at the wing game the smaller equipment we want to have, but what is better, to size down first the board or the foil?

For the majority of wingsurfer, it is a common concern of deciding which item should be downsized first - the board or the foil. However, there are a variety of factors which need to be taken into consideration before making this decision. Firstly, make sure you're confident in your skills as a beginner wing foiler. Once this has been assessed satisfactorily then it is possible to start deciding on which item needs downsizing first, but it will depend on how big both items (foil and board) are. If your board is 110 liters or bigger and you are using a1800cm2 foil or bigger, than is better to downsize the board first. If your board is smaller than 110 liters and your foil is around 1500cm2 or bigger than is better to downsize the foil first and than the board, but this is not a rule that applies always and can be different for every rider. Each of the two options brings some advantages

Advantages of sizing down the board:

Less swing weight
Easier transitions
Better pumping and carving
Less resistance to the wind and less turbulence in high winds
Easier to carry around & travel

Some people say that is more difficult to get on a foil on a smaller board . So how do you know when you're ready to trade out your larger board for something smaller? Look for two things: First, balance - being able to easily kneel on the board, stand on it and pump yourself up so that you can get onto foiling. If everything goes smoothly in choppy waters or waves with light wind - you are on the right track. Second, efficiency - knowing how to use the wing efficiently and maximising its potential by pumping at exactly the right moment . If you are able to get going on your foil after just a few pumps, than yes , you are ready for a smaller board

Advantages of sizing down the foil

Better performance
More speed
Increased carving ability
In some cases better pumping

Don't forget that with a smaller foil, you need more speed than usual in order to get going and create pressure to release the surface tension . But one good way to get ready for this is becoming better at pumping. The more efficient you become at this the sooner you will be ready for a smaller foil. It is also recommended to practice first all moves as tacks/jibes on a bigger foil before sizing down. Once confident with your transitions, you are ready to enjoy a smaller setup.

Considerations

The above mentioned factors are not a rule. Sizing down between 10-18 liters form a large board is kinda of safe, keep 20-30 liter as the maximum. Regarding the foil, reducing 200-300 cm2 is a safe option while keeping 400-500cm2 reduction as the max.

Personal experiences

According to my personal experience i can say that a bigger foil helped me sizing down liters. I found easier taking off also in lighter winds, i felt the board more stable while kneeling and also during the pump/start process. I have personally used a Fanatic HA 1750 front wing when i first moved the first time to a smaller board. The easy lift & stability characteristics of this foil helped me getting going and having fun a also in mid-light wind conditions. I personally enjoy more a more playful board at the cost of a little more slow foil than having a rocket but is a bulky size.