The best wing foil board for a beginner is a rigid, wide board with more liters of volume than your weight in kilograms. It floats you when you are not moving and gives you time to find your position. At AFS, the board we recommend to start is the Fly One, in four sizes from 90 to 125 L. Your size depends on your weight (see the chart below). All our boards are on our wing foil board page, and the rest of the gear is on our wing foil page.
Before you buy, take a few lessons: you will confirm your size and your gear. See where to learn wing foiling.
What size Fly One for your weight?
Here is the size we recommend for beginners, with the dimensions of each size:
| Your weight | Recommended size | Volume | Length | Width | Board weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 65 kg (143 lb) | 5’8 (S) | 90 L | 173 cm (5’8″) | 61 cm (24″) | 6.3 kg (13.9 lb) |
| 65 to 75 kg (143-165 lb) | 6’0 (M) | 105 L | 182 cm (6’0″) | 63 cm (25″) | 6.6 kg (14.6 lb) |
| 75 to 85 kg (165-187 lb) | 6’2 (L) | 115 L | 189 cm (6’2″) | 65 cm (25.5″) | 7 kg (15.4 lb) |
| Over 85 kg (187 lb) | 6’4 (XL) | 125 L | 193 cm (6’4″) | 66 cm (26″) | 7.2 kg (15.9 lb) |
The Fly One is sold as a board only: foil, wing and leash are sold separately. It is built with a PVC sandwich and fiberglass. It has inserts for footstraps and a Double Rail US box.
2-year warranty. Returns within 14 days, return shipping at your expense.
Why volume matters when you start
Volume is flotation. At first, you spend a lot of time stopped or at low speed: on your knees, then standing, before the foil lifts out of the water. A board that floats you well stays stable through these phases.
Width matters too: a wider board feels more stable under your feet. On the Fly One, width goes from 61 to 66 cm (24 to 26″) as the size goes up.
Volume has a cost: a bigger board is heavier. The Fly One weighs 7.2 kg (15.9 lb) in 6’4, versus 6.3 kg (13.9 lb) in 5’8. So stick to the size recommended for your weight.
Rigid or inflatable board to start?
People mostly choose an inflatable board for travel and storage. To learn, the standard is a rigid board. That is the AFS choice: the Fly One is a rigid board.
To see how our boards are made, read our article on AFS board construction.
How to match your board, foil and wing
Your board works with your foil and your wing. For your first sessions:
- The foil: look for stability and forgiveness. We recommend a foil for your weight and riding style: find it with our foil finder. More in what size foil for wing foiling.
- The wing: we recommend 4 m² under 75 kg (165 lb), 5 m² from 75 to 90 kg (165 to 198 lb), 6 m² above. More in our guide to the equipment you need to start wing foiling.
- The conditions: to learn, we recommend around 15 to 25 knots (see wing size by wind speed). Below that, taking off is hard. Above it, it can be dangerous for a beginner.
When to move to a smaller board
Once you fly with ease and link your runs, the big board starts to feel heavy to handle. That is the time to size down. At AFS, the Fire V2 (80, 90 or 100 L) is for riders who want to keep progressing.
FAQ
What size wing foil board for a beginner?
One with more liters of volume than your weight in kilograms, in a size matched to it. On the Fly One, we recommend 90 L under 65 kg (143 lb), 105 L from 65 to 75 kg (143 to 165 lb), 115 L from 75 to 85 kg (165 to 187 lb) and 125 L above 85 kg (187 lb).
What volume board for 80 kg (176 lb)?
From 75 to 85 kg (165-187 lb), we recommend the Fly One 6’2 (L), which is 115 L.
Is a bigger board always better?
No. More volume helps when you are stopped, but the board gets heavier and harder to handle. Stick to the size recommended for your weight.
Is an inflatable wing foil board good for beginners?
It is mainly a choice for travel and storage. To learn, the standard is a rigid board, like the Fly One.
How do I stand up on the board?
The steps are in how to stand up in wing foiling.
New or used?
Listings for used AFS gear are on our marketplace.
Who can help me choose?
An AFS expert helps you for free to choose your size and setup, by call or WhatsApp, with an answer Monday to Friday. Ask your question.