Wing Foil Board Size | Is Bigger Always Better?

Straight to the Sinker?

with Matt Aiken from North Kiteboarding

Jake: What size board did you get started with, and what size are you on now?

Matt: I haven't changed too much there. I've dabbled in some smaller boards. I learned on 135 liters, and I'm about 215 pounds. I learned in flat water and some pretty strong winds in Cape Hatteras.

Jake: Lucky you! I'm not knocking our spot; we love it here, but flat water it is not.

Matt: That definitely helps. Strong winds and flat water makes all these sports a lot easier. Now I'm riding a 2022 5'5" by 117 liter North Seek. I don't want to say I feel invincible, but I feel real solid on my feet on that board.

I've dabbled in 100 and briefly on an 80 liter board. 100 liters is technically not a full sinker, but it's tippy. I'll get up on my knees and fall in, where on the bigger board I feel really stable. Smaller boards are, of course, a little lighter and a little more nimble, but I haven't found dropping down a size to be game-changing. It feels to me like the next step is going to be to go straight to the sinker size. It's been my experience that going just a little bit smaller only makes the sport harder and not substantially better.

Jake: So do you think you're going to move to a smaller, higher aspect wing before you go to a sinker board?

Matt: I don't know. I've been trying the smaller wings on the big board. I don't think that's necessarily wrong. I think it's just when I go to sinker size that's going to be the determination, but it's my first season winging, so baby steps. But it's been a blast; it's been really, really fun. 

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