Test 2019: Foils and boards for beginners

Photo: Stephan Gölnitz

On the foil, you glide majestically and sublimely across the lake - or hop from one belly landing to the next as a parody of the Albatros airline. And this is not a question of riding style, but is often also down to the material. We have tried out what is suitable for beginners here.

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The avalanche has now rolled over the first snowball. A year ago, for the vast majority of windsurfers, foiling was simply "foiling", a one-size-fits-all class. In the meantime, two to four different wings and special boards have become part of the foil equipment of many brands. The range extends from freestyle to race, just as broadly diversified as in "real" windsurfing. The most frequently asked questions from those interested in foiling, "How can I learn as easily as possible?" and "Can I also use an old windsurfing board?" often remain unanswered.

For older boards without a specially reinforced fin box, the following applies regardless of the riding characteristics: "At your own risk." While tuttle boxes can last quite a long time despite the high forces involved, unreinforced power boxes are not recommended. In the event of breakage, not only are two to three hundred euros due for a repair, in many cases the foil is also likely to be ruined. We have tested classic current windsurf shapes, but equipped with a solid foil box, here - in comparison with the special foil boards - especially for their suitability for easy entry and their further potential. You can find our impressions of the wings used in this test.