For those of you that still wing, what wing size are you using for low winds AND wave riding?
I’m not particularly interested in riding on flat waters and low winds, but I’m pondering the option of getting a 5.5-6m wing for those low wind days with waves, but most of the people I see are riding those bigger wings on flat water and as soon as they can, are going down to 4m.
Are any of you riding waves with such big wings, or are they not really worth it for surfing because they’re such a hassle?
I use a 5.5 for lightwind (10-12 knots) wave winging, I would not want anything bigger. A lightweight wing helps a lot. for light wind waveriding I normally go 4.5+ 6’0” midlength board/888 foil then 4.5+7’4” dw board/888 foil, 5.5+7’4” dw board/888 foil. that gets me down to probably 10-11 knots and maybe I have to slog out then get on a swell to get on foil. Some of my favorite conditions actually, clean pointbreak waves and the wing naturally flies behind you
I agree with the prior poster. I have a 5.5m and wouldn’t want any bigger. That said, before this 5.5 I really didn’t like any wings over 5m. If you can pay up for lightweight materials it makes a big difference on big wings. I have a 5.5m vayu aura x2 and get a lot of use out of it. I don’t use a DW board for winging though. Either a sinker or a mid.
Well… As light as possible! 15kts is by no means light wind, there are starting to appear whitecaps with that wind and you can comfortably use a 4m with 15kts. I’m talking about more marginal conditions. That point where it’s windy enough to not be comfortable to surf or prone foil, but not really enough to be properly winging.
From what everybody is saying, I won’t be going for a 6m anytime soon. The parawing will be a more interesting purchase.
6m is my biggest wing in my quiver, but I ride a sinker so not getting stuck out there is a factor!
Honestly once on a wave and surfing it flags well enough that it doesn’t worry me and I enjoy the smaller foil is allows me.
Bigger wings are where you can really justify spending some extra on better/lighter materials as there is simply more of it there to make a difference.
Main issue for me with a 6m is pumping it can be a bit trickier avoiding dipping a tip.
It depends on your geography, stance(as it relates to that geography) and what you’re trying to do in those conditions.
At our spot we have a wave that, even when really small, wraps around upwind at our spot. It’s a really fun thing to play around on backside to the wing even in really light wind. Downwind wave riding with a big wing in light wind SUCKS. Being front side to the wave isn’t nearly as fun so stance is def a factor.
For me, I have a light wind wing setup (7m CWC V1) that I love for sneaking a session in - both at home and on road trips with the family. It works at our spot and is great also for desperation sessions. I also got that wing for $300 so thsts a huge factor. Maybe don’t go out and buy a brand new $1500 wing but keep an eye on used gear and jump if something comes up(like I did)