Have you mastered (or almost mastered) the basics of wingfoiling and want to take it to the next level? Just like in windsurfing and kitesurfing, jumping is a natural progression for some people, offering an even more aerial experience! Among the many possible maneuvers, jumping is both spectacular and incredibly rewarding. But how do you go about taking off for a few moments and enjoying a different view for a moment? Here are our tips for successfully completing your first jumps in complete safety.
How advanced should you be before jumping into wingfoil?
Wingfoil jumping is a logical evolution for any wingfoiler who wants to add an extra dimension to his practice. However, it’s important not to jump too quickly, so as not to hurt yourself or break your equipment.
Essential prerequisites
- Master the basics: before thinking about jumps, make sure you know how to sail independently. In particular, practice jibing as much as possible and make sure you feel comfortable in various wind conditions.
- Comfort and balance: it is important to feel comfortable on your board, maintain a good speed, feel naturally balanced, and react quickly to changes in the environment.
- Physical strength: jumping requires a certain level of physical fitness, particularly in the legs, in order to propel oneself into the air.
- Control your equipment: you need to be comfortable with your kite, board and foil. Dexterity with all equipment is essential.
Stages of progress towards the jump
- Perfecting your fundamentals: continue to work on your sailing technique, your balance and your energy, both physical and mental, and build up your self-confidence.
- Try small jumps: learn by doing one jump, then two, then three, etc., propelling yourself slightly out of the water, even if only a few inches and on flat water. The spot should not be hostile on the day you try jumps. This will help you gain confidence, familiarize yourself with the sensations… and with falling! Knowing how to land is also essential.
- Watch videos: Wingfoil tutorials are a valuable source of inspiration. Ask experienced riders for advice and take the time to listen to them, observe their techniques, and analyze their movements.
- Sign up for forums or groups of wing foil enthusiasts online.
- Take a course: private tuition or coaching can help you make faster progress and correct any mistakes.
What wingfoil equipment do I need to jump?
Choosing the right equipment is key to successfully completing your first wingfoil jumps. The right gear will help you optimize your performance and progress safely.
Selection criteria
- The board: opt for a small board, with a volume roughly equivalent to your weight (to start with). A short, responsive board will offer more speed, making it easier to achieve higher jumps.
- The foil: a foil with a fairly large and wide front wing provides stability during flight (no more than 1500 cm²). As for the stabilizer, it should be small for better responsiveness. Finally, a mast of at least 80 cm will allow you to stay well above the water surface and go faster (and avoid touching the water before the impulse).
- The wing: wingfoil jumping is all about speed. That’s why it’s best to be slightly overweight. However, you don’t want to be too overcrowded either, as the wing must remain easy to handle. It will be easier to jumper with a 4 than a 5 m² wing if you have both sizes in your quiver. Ideally, you should start jumping on a day when you have a good 4 canopy.
Other equipment
- Leashes: essential if you don’t want to lose your board or sail in the event of a fall. Expert riders don’t put leashes on their boards, but if you start jumps, put one on.
- Helmets are highly recommended to protect your head in the event of impact on the water or with your equipment.
- Impact vests: for the same reasons as helmets, impact vests help prevent injury when you fall.
- The wetsuit: put on your neoprene wetsuit, even in summer.
- Footstraps: Both front and rear straps must be attached to your board.
Additional tips
- Progress slowly: Don’t put pressure on yourself and go at your own pace.
- Practice: Take an hour of your session and do only that: jump. Repeat the actions.
- Warm up before each session: a little physical preparation on the beach is important.
- Sailing with a partner: if you can, sail with other people. It’s safer.
- Respect safety rules: Follow safety and priority rules before jumping. Don’t jump too close to the edge, choose a wide area and look around to make sure you’re not in the way.
Performing a wingfoil jump: Action!
How can you lift off completely out of the water and fly for a few moments? What technique should you use?
Jumping stages
- Preparation: make sure you have enough speed, both feet in the footstraps as you edge your wing, and that the wind is steady. Go upwind, keep your body straight and tense, and lean on your front leg.
- The impulse: bend your knees into a sitting position, lowering your center of gravity. Push down on your back foot to sink the foil into the water, while pulling on the wing to gain height.
- Takeoff: relax your legs and let yourself be carried by the air, with your body relaxed and your gaze fixed on the horizon.
- Flying: arms and legs extend, the sail must be neutral, free of wind, flat and parallel to the surface of the water, with the leading edge facing into the wind.
- Landing: cushion the landing by bending your knees as you descend, while keeping your body tense. The wing becomes a parachute and positions itself almost above your head. The back of the board takes the impact of the jump. For a smooth landing, avoid landing flat with all your weight. This could not only cause you to fall, but also damage your board.
- Landing departure: To take off immediately after landing, open your wing and press on the front leg, while flying crosswind or even a little off. Don’t hesitate to pounce if necessary to regain glide.
Once again, start with small, gentle jumps before attempting more complex tricks and figures. It’s certainly easier to take off with a bit of chop or real waves or swell in front of you… But you’ll go higher, and that’s not the point at first.
Wing foiling jumps are accessible to almost all skill levels, provided you train regularly and follow safety guidelines. Don’t hesitate to ask experienced practitioners for advice and watch videos regularly. Looking for even more thrills? Are you ready to take the plunge?
