Windsurf Wave Foiling (WWF) vs Wind Foiling

Casey’s Blog:  

“What’s the difference between WWF and normal foiling? Isn’t it the same thing?”      This is the question asked to me a million times it seems and probably deservedly so, since I started the WWF craze 2 years ago.  My answer is sort of yes but No not really. To explain it the easiest way, normal wind foiling is more like slalom sailing and WWF is more like wave sailing and surfing.

Normal wind foiling is all about getting in the straps, locking in with  the back foot and going as fast as you can with as much power as you can handle.  A very “locked in” exciting  ride is great for flat water blasting.  It feels like you’re flying a jet (super cool feeling).  It’s the future of going fast in light winds and racing.

WWF is all about using big (slower, but only by a little bit) surf wing foils and tiny sails, which allows you to glide through the lulls, along with the ability to carve and turn like crazy.  Plus that combo gets you going in very little wind. The riding style is more of a upright stance with more front foot pressure that allows you to ride on top of the board and foil. Along with being strapless, this gives it a very similar feeling to riding a surf board. Now because you are using a Surf foil they are designed to gain speed on surf, swell and even large chop making for the coolest and most exciting moments where you dont even need any sail power.  Just surf the wave,  it’s all about surfy surfy.

What type of foiling is for you?   If you do most of your sailing in super flat water or just like to go fast then “Wind foiling” is the way to go.  If you like to play in swell, waves and carve it up in bump & Jump conditions  “WWF” will be your addiction.  I am really amazed at the board spectrum of styles, from surfers, sup, sup downwind, kite surfers and even windsurfers who haven’t windsurfed in 15 yrs,  all are wanting and getting into WWF. It’s pretty cool to see!

Foiling gear is a hot topic these days and a very complex one.  pretty much 99% of the gear being sold is for Wind foiling.  The only setup that has some similarities to WWF is the Naish Wind foil setup and maybe the slingshot kit with one of there bigger front wings, but even those kits are kind of of a hybrid version I would call it.  Naish, starboard and some others have crossover sup boards that would work and have the foil mount moved forward which is what ya need for WWF. The big problem with them is they have full blown out rocker because they are made to be a wave board and that makes for a horrible foil board. Hopefully in the next few years there will be more true and better WWF  kits and options available.

Hopefully that helps to answer that most frequently asked question, or it confused you even more (hahaha)!  One thing is for sure, Foiling is a revolution for all wind sports along with surfing and that makes for super exciting times!

 

WWF (Windsurf wave foiling)

Windfoiling