Winging Knowledge Center

What is winging and how do I get started?

So, what is winging? Think of it as wind-powered flight on water. You hold an inflatable wing and stand on a board or foil board. If you're using a foil, you use the foil’s lift to rise above the chop. The first time the board releases, everything goes quiet and smooth. That’s the hook.

Why is wing foiling popular?

We've definitely seen a surge in wing foiling popularity over the last few years, and it makes sense. For surfers and windsurfers, there are enough similarities between the sports for easy carryover. Winging can open up more riding windows, giving you more sessions, even in low or high-end conditions. If you're a surfer, you can add a wing as another piece in your toolbox to make the most of those swells. Compared to kiting or windsurfing, setup is faster, launch zones are simpler, and the learning curve is friendlier when you start with the right gear and wind. You don't have to give up one sport to enjoy the other — they're able to work in tandem, giving you more versatility during your sessions.

Sounds interesting — how do I get started?

The best way to get started is by taking a wing surfing lesson or learn with your gear on the beach, ideally using a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or windsurf board. If you're taking a lesson, then you won't need to worry much about gear. But, if you're a lone wolf (not recommended) then you'll basically need the following (we'll get more in-depth later):

• Inflatable wing
• Board
• Foil & mast (if you're wing foiling)

Expect your first 5 to 10 sessions to be about balance and wing control. Land drills teach you hand placement, sheeting, and how to power and depower without getting pulled around. On the water, plan small wins: stable knee starts, standing consistently, short glides, then first flights. We train on Lake Michigan a ton, so you’ll see tips for gusty inland wind and messy chop, not just postcard conditions.

Next: Gear Basics

Winging Gear Basics

As we've mentioned, the amount of gear you need to get started wing foiling is pretty straightforward. Now, let's break down what you'll need to consider when buying your first wing foil setup.

Wing

It's called "winging" for a reason, right? These inflatable wings are available in sizes ranging from 1.5m to 6.5m and can come with windows, handles, or booms. Sizing ultimately depends on your skill level and local riding conditions. Since these are inflatable, you'll also need a pump with the appropriate adapter. Not all brands have the same inflation valve, so make sure you have the right setup!

You'll also want to pick up a wing leash. Some brands come with them, others don't. Make sure you have one on-hand before heading out to the water.

Board

Paddleboard? Wing board? Mid-length boards? (Queue the spiral eyes.) While it's up to you what to start with, one thing is certain — volume is key. You can't just rip on the smallest board and believe it's going to get you up and riding in no time. (In fact, you might regress your progression.)

While figuring that out can seem intimidating, we have a general rule here at MACkite when sizing new riders — take your weight in kilograms and add "20". For example, say you're a 180 lbs. rider (around 82kg). Add 20, and you have your starting board liter size (which would be 102L in this case).

Foil & Hardware

If you're in pursuit of foiling, you'll likely need to consider the aspect ratio (AR). Low aspect ratio wings are typically beginner-friendly thanks to its large, thick wings. This lets you have more lift at low speeds and stay on foil longer. You could also consider a mid-aspect ratio wing if you have solid board skills. Your mast size will also effect your progression, and you'll likely start with a shorter mast (60-70cm) as a beginner.

Next: Size Guide  |  Back to top

Wing Foil Size Guide

Wing Size Guide

Sizes in square meters. Pick for your weight and wind. Beginners often size up for extra grunt.

Wing Foil Progression Tips

You're stoked and ready to get out, right? Us too! Below are our recommended steps to progress from land to water:

Start on Land

We know it's easy to want to jump out the gate. At the end of the day, winging is still a sport that requires learning some fundamentals. The best way to do this is to spend a few hours with your wing away from the water. Head to a park, the beach, a nearby open field...something. You can start with some basic drills to learn how the wing reacts, how to switch hands, and how to flip your wing.

Move to the Water

When you're ready to go out for your first water session, start with a stand up paddleboard. Rent one, buy one. It doesn't matter. The main point is to have a sturdy enough base underneath you, so you can focus on understanding how the wing will maneuver on the water. With this being your first time out, you'll have plenty to work on including angles, transitions, and pumping.

We have a series of videos to help you with drills and basic techniques to get started:

• Light Wind Pumping Techniques
• How to Jibe
• Balance Drills

Stay Humble

We've all been there. Eager to move on to the next big step (and maybe cutting corners along the way). The result? You get hurt. Your ego is bruised. You're questioning your self worth (or is that just us?) Either way, we always recommend to start with a beginner's mindset. Stay curious, have fun, take the time to know your skill gaps, and you'll be in a much better spot. Even if you fell twenty times, if you come out of it with a smile, you're doing it right.

MACkite Tips

While wing progression has a general path, we've found a few tips and tricks from our sessions:

• You need wind to learn. Aim for 15-25 knots.
• Wear a life vest and helmet.
• Wear foot protection — you'll save your feet from getting chewed up by the board pad or accidentally kicking the foil. (You could also consider bringing knee pads.)
• Ride with others, and you'll progress faster.

Next: Parawinging  |  Back to top

Wait...What's Parawinging?

Parawinging is one of the newer innovations in the windsport world, and we're stoked about it. (It's not just a phase!)

What is a parawing?

A parawing (otherwise called a "hand kite") are soft, small foil kites on short lines that can stow away easily, let you surf or foil as normal, and then deploy when you need it. The benefit? Less drag compared to riding with a regular wing. It's more technical than a regular wing, and we recommend to start parawinging only when you're able to ride in near any condition. Like all sports, there's a learning curve, and you need some specific conditions to fully progress.

Who should parawing?

Like we mentioned, it's really designed for prone (surf) foilers who don't want to waste their energy on getting to their next set. But, there's a lot of crossover that works for downwind SUP and kite foilers as well. It's even becomming common practice for wingers to carry a parawing during their downwind runs.

Even our own team had its struggles. As Tucker put it, "I've ridden massively overpowered, small wing boards, small foils, and that's how I kind of learned, but it was hard. It was definitely physical, grueling...it's hard to to control that power. You're on the verge of chaos the entire time.

Parawing Safety

We've had our own unfortunate parawinging incidents, even as experienced wingers. They're not fun, but we've learned a few things along the way. As a reminder, parawinging is for advanced riders.

Here's what we've learned along the way:

• Wear a floatation vest. Parawings don't float like wings do, and if you lose your board, you're out of luck.
• Focus on shorter tacks. You'll stay closer to shore if you need to bail.
• Don't ride alone! As we mentioned, windsports don't need lone wolves.

You'll also want to make sure to wear a helmet, your board is floaty, have a board leash, and wear the proper gear for your conditions. That means you could wear a wetsuit, mittens, a harness...you name it.

MACkite's Tips for Parawinging

• Start with a mid-length board and a larger foil than normal.
• Don't go out overpowered when starting out. Parawings have more power for their size!
• Like winging, practice flying on the beach before going out on the water
• Don't get frustrated!

Next: Buying Smart  |  Back to top

Buying Smart

There is so much information out there, and it's kind of overwhelming. What do you really need? Do you start with a package? It's enough to rip your hair out. Thankfully, we at MACkite focus on providing as many reviews and progression tips and possible, based on our own expertise, to get you started.

Here are a few of our most recent reviews:

• 2026 Mantis Apex Wing Design Interview with Cabrinha's Brendan Healy
• F-One Wing Wrist Leash Review
• Can a folding foil board really perform?

Next: FAQs  |  Back to top

FAQs

What size wing should I start with?

It's really going to depend on your weight and conditions. If you have average speeds (say, 15-25 mph), you'll likely start with a 5 to 6m wing (based on a weight of 180 lbs.) If you have lighter winds, you'll likely bump up to a 7 or 8m wing; on the flip size, you might even downsize a tad if your conditions consistently rock 25+ mph.

What size board should I go for?

Like we mentioned, there's a couple of factors that come into play when choosing your first wing board. But, generally-speaking, we recommend choosing a volume that is 20-40 liters higher than your weight (in kilograms). Say you're a 200 lbs. rider (90kg), then you'd go for a board anywhere between 110L and 130L.

What is a boom?

When choosing your wing, you'll typically have the option to use handles or a boom. Basically, a boom lets you hand onto the wing nearly anywhere on the center strut. Beginners and advanced riders alike are switching to a boom instead of the traditional handle strucutre, mainly for the performance benefits.

That being said, handles have their place too. Your wing is more compact, and can be angled more for better ergonomics. Since handles are closer to the strut than the boom, you might also feel more connected to your wing, which can result in better responsiveness.

What if I want to upgrade my gear?

If you have a solid foundation wing foiling, the best next step is to focus on adjusting your foil size. You probably started with a larger, low-aspect setup to build some skills and confidence. You don't need to downsize far, but here's some general guidelines:

• If you started with a 1800 - 2000cm², try a 1200 - 1400cm²
• If you're on a 1500 - 1600cm², drop to a 1100 - 1200cm²

You can drop down even further than that, but it just depends on where you ride, your weight, and your wind conditions.

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