Getting Started: Wing Foiling vs Windsurf Foiling

If you are already a proficient wind surfer, then maybe give that a try first, as long as you're not investing in all the gear. For everyone else opt for the wing, and here's why. It is so much more convenient, so much easier to learn, and just a better pairing of disciplines. First off, Wing boards are smaller, lighter and all together easier to transport, and the same goes for the wing vs the sail. It is relatively easy to throw a wing and pump in a large backpack and carry your board and foil any reasonable distance to access the water. In contrast, with a windsurf foil set-up, not only is the sail set-up much more involved, but you'll also have to transport the sail and board separately until you're right at the water, and each piece in isolation is so much bigger and heavier that it will benefit you to keep them in smaller disassembled pieces until you're as close to the water as you can get.

Next, is ease of learning. In my opinion the wing is very intuitive, and while instruction always helps, you could probably figure it out just by looking at it and holding it in the wind. Wind surfing on the other hand takes a lot more learning, understanding and strength. So if you don't already know how to do it, don't think about trying it with a foil for the first time. In contrast, while maybe not the best way, I wouldn't hesitate to put someone with no experience whatsoever out on a foil with a wing for their first try. While it's unlikely that they'll successfully get up and foiling that day, they can learn what they need to learn in a relatively safe an easy manner none the less. Lastly, it's just a better pairing of equipment. The way you can easily handle the wing makes it very intuitive to see how pulling on the wing performing a pumping motion can both generate speed and help pull you out of the water and up onto foil. Then once you're up and foiling the freedom afforded by being able to easily and instantly de-power and re-power the wing provides you the freedom to perform quick turns and have an overall sense of ease in comparison to a sail. Furthermore, if like me you struggle to ride a foil switch stance, the wing allows you to remain in your natural stance while changing the direction you're riding across the wind. This explanation could go on and on, but these are the basic reasons why the wing is the way to go unless you're already a diehard windsurfer.