Wake Foil FAQs
1. What is a Wake Foil Board?
A wake foil board is a unique type of Wakesurf board. It’s distinguished by its mounted foil mast with wings, which offer a unique surfing experience. These wings create lift, allowing the board to rise above the water. The beauty of wake foil boards lies in their low-speed lift capability, meaning they can be towed by almost any vessel, making wakefoiling the new hot commodity in the watersports industry
2. How is Wake Foiling Different From Wake Surfing?
The difference between wake foiling and wake surfing is essentially how you ride the board and maintain balance. Wake surfing is kind of a cross between wakeboarding and traditional surfing. A tow boat pulls you up out of the water. Once you have enough momentum, you drop the rope and surf the wake much like you would with an ocean wave.
Wake foiling, however, is designed to make you feel like you're flying above the water. Because of the board's design, you don't need as much speed to generate lift, and you utilize different movements and foot positions to maintain momentum.
Overall, there is a bit of a steeper learning curve to wake foiling, especially if you're used to wake surfing. With surfing, you can feel the water underneath you, making it easier to fine-tune your balance, speed, and board position.
Wake foiling elevates the challenge, as being above the water increases the distance between you and the surface. As you ride above the surface, every movement becomes more strategic and technical. The higher you are above the water, the more precision and skill your movements require, adding an exhilarating layer of complexity to the sport.
3. How Do I Choose a Wakefoil Board?
Many elements of wake foils can affect your ability to ride them. Here's a quick overview of each component and how it can impact your experience.
- Board Size - Larger boards are better for beginners because they're easier to stand and balance on. However, once you learn how to wake foil well, you may prefer a smaller, more agile board.
- Mast Height - For beginners, shorter masts are ideal as they keep you closer to the water when reaching foiling speed, enhancing safety and ease of learning. Mast sizes generally vary from 14 to 28 inches. We recommend the Ronix Shift Foil for novices, which comes with a versatile mast adjustable to 14, 17, and 20 inches. This adjustability allows new riders to start with a comfortable height and gradually progress. As your skills and confidence grow, you can transition from the 20-inch mast to the more challenging 28-inch option, further advancing your wake foiling abilities.
- Wing Size - Wider wings can generate more lift, making it easier to rise above the water. In some cases, you may be able to wake foil without a tow vessel if the wing is large enough. Smaller wings are best suited for larger wakes, as you have more agility and maneuverability.
- Straps - Experienced wake foil riders generally forgo using straps so they can move freely as they ride. However, beginners may prefer to have foot straps to feel more secure and stable as they maneuver.
4. What Popular Wake Foil Brands Do You Offer?
At Wakesports, we offer the best brands for wake foil boards. Because this sport is relatively new, only a handful of companies make high-quality wake foils. We are proud to sell brands like:
You can buy individual wake foil components or a complete package. We recommend packages for beginners since they come with everything you need to learn how to foil. After getting the fundamentals down, you can swap parts to adjust your experience to your liking. Our sales team can also help you find the best parts to achieve your wake-foiling goals.
