Practical test 2020: Sail or wing?
We've taken a look at the latest trend in several ways. As a professional version on the foil board, on the WindSUP in light winds and in comparison to the compact windsurf sail. We were also able to compare the wing concepts with and without a handle for the first time.
Is that still windsurfing?
If you follow the actual definition, which stipulates a movable connection between mast and board as an essential element, the answer is: "No." But on the one hand, many windsurfers are interested in it and on the other, it at least looks a bit like it. The riding technique, whether on a special foil board (bottom right) or on a WindSUP (top right), differs enormously from classic windsurfing.
With sail and wing on the WindSUP board
It sounds tempting: you're out paddling, the wind picks up, you pump up the wing in no time at all and casually surf back. This is possible for experienced windsurfers and/or kiters, but it is difficult to hold height and a board with a large centre fin is a prerequisite. But the problem is a completely different one: as long as there is enough wind for the wing to fly on its own, from an estimated wind force of around three, experienced windsurfers can also come back upwind, but even then the riding position doesn't really feel relaxed.
It gets much worse when the wind drops further, then the wing, regardless of type, must be held forwards and upwards by the long arm so that the wings do not drag in the water. This quickly evokes associations with "lifting a beer mug" or "painting the ceiling".
Our test subject from the SUP department, who was making his first attempts with a wing and sail without any windsurfing experience, was hit even harder. Visibly without any orientation as to how and where to hold the wing over or next to his body, he drifted inexorably downwind. The featherweight "SUP Sail" was a completely different story: on the wide board, our guinea pig easily caught up with the sail, somehow intuitively held it almost correctly in the wind and after half an hour, was travelling back and forth safely without losing height and clearly enjoying himself.
And the professional comparison? "With only four or five knots of wind, the wing is extremely cumbersome because you have to carry it in front of you. With a windsurfing rig, you simply lean on the fork and 'chug' home in comfort," summarises our surf tester. The special SUP sail is not much bigger than a folded wing in terms of packing size (multi-part mast, two-part boom) and, at 8.5 kilos including bag, is not particularly heavy either. The sail is well suited for cruising in light winds and almost perfect for learning to windsurf. The fact that the boom and mast are additionally split is not noticeable when surfing, only the boom is not well sealed.
Available sizes1.5/2.5/3.5/4.5/5.5 square metres
Price569/619/679/739/819 Euro (incl. 3 to 5-piece mast and two-piece fork)
Wing + Foil = challenging
"You should already know some kind of foil sport", said surf tester Nik in the last issue and we can only confirm that. When the board lifts onto the foil, you should already know exactly what you have to do, because compared to windsurf foiling, the "third leg" is simply missing - the connection via the mast foot for board control. Holding the new "sail" correctly is not particularly difficult, but only if you don't have to think much about the board.
All beginnings are difficult
You start with the wing on your knees, so a large board with at least 130 litres makes sense. The wing often lies next to the board "on its back" in the water and is held the wrong way round when you pull it up. With a bit of feeling, however, you can still start with the wing "on the left" - still on your knees - and then flip the wing sideways over your head.
This is unlikely to succeed in a half wind. Now it's a matter of gripping the wing in the riding position, dropping down to a headwind and keeping the wing nice and high. Brian Talma had the most important tip for us: always keep the front arm high. Then you can put one leg up and push yourself up into a standing position with a strong knee bend. That's the first step.
But accelerating to take-off speed is also very different from windsurfing. You drop a long way, look for any wave - no matter how small - and try to fan it with the wing. The "SlingWing" is rather tight in the hand and can be pumped almost like a windsurfing sail. The Duotone counterpart is more bulbous and somewhat softer. However, both require support to take off, as you will only be able to take off successfully if you "pump" your legs and have a large surf wing under the board (not a narrow windsurf wing).
The SlingWing we tested has numerous straps that are comfortable to grip and allow all the necessary grip positions. Unlike on the continuous tube, you can't slide with your hands, but have to let go briefly to change your grip - but you soon get used to this. And the riding experience? "Light, leisurely, sublime, like surfing across the lake on a longboard. Almost weightless, but also very slow." With the 4.2 SlingWing, we needed so much wind that all the other windsurfers were already gliding at full speed.
And - is that still windsurfing? It's undoubtedly fun and has "its" area of application, but - unlike windsurf foiling - it's not really "windsurfing".
Available sizes3.0/4.2 square metres
Weight: 3,2 Kilo
Price: 829 Euro
Info: www.slingshotsports.de
