What Size Wing Do I Need? Wing Foil Size Chart by Weight and Wind
It's THE question we get after every first flight: « What size wing should I get for foil? », « Is it big enough? », « How do I choose? » 🤔
The answer depends on two things: your weight and the wind! The rest (span, handles, windows) fine-tunes the choice.
📏 The size chart
Average wind | Rider 130 lb (60 kg) | Rider 165 lb (75 kg) | Rider 200 lb (90 kg) |
12–15 knots | 5.5 m | 6 m | 6.5–7 m |
15–20 knots | 4.5 m | 5 m | 5.5–6 m |
20–25 knots | 3.5–4 m | 4–4.5 m | 5 m |
25+ knots | 3 m | 3.5 m | 4 m |
These numbers are guidelines for riders who already fly. Your level, foil and board can shift them by half a metre either way.
👉 Not sure how to read the wind? How to Read Windguru for Wing Foiling.
🌴 What size wing for Guadeloupe ?
With trade winds often between 12 and 20 knots, a 5.5 m² wing is the go-to size for most men, and more like 5 m² for women.
Want a second wing? Add a 4.5 m² for windy days, or a 4 m².
Only one wing to start? Pick the one that covers your spot's most common wind, not the exceptional days. (5.5 m² or 5 m²!)
Piège n°1 : prendre une wing trop vieille :
Yes, we know gear is expensive. But the wing is your engine! A wing that's already 3 or 4 years old is stretched out and may not pull enough anymore. A worn 5.5 m² will pull like a 5 m², or even a 4.5 m².
Better to buy a well-used second-hand board and foil (and sell them in 6 months once you've progressed) than a wing that won't let you progress!
✋ Handles or boom?
Rigid handles: simple and light, what you'll find on most wings. Perfect to start.
Boom: more freedom to place your hands and tune the power. Popular for waves and freestyle, but takes getting used to.
IMPORTANT! Soft-handle wings are a thing of the past. Go 100% rigid: a more direct feel, less wasted energy, no pinched hands… and modern wings have all switched to rigid handles anyway!
🪟 Windows
Clear windows let you see ahead when the wing is powered. On a busy lagoon, that's a real safety plus.
🧵 Construction
Entry-level wings use Dacron: tough and durable. High-end models use lighter, stiffer fabrics: more direct, but more expensive.
For a first wing, durability beats grams. No need for top-of-the-range gear on your first wing: you're going to give it a hard time! 😅
🏄 What about the board?
Same logic: your weight decides. To learn, go for a volume well above your weight. You'll size down as you progress. We'll cover it in another article :)
👉 To understand the rest of your setup: Parts of a Hydrofoil.
🎯 My advice on what size to choose on wing foil in Guadeloupe :
Don't buy before you've tried. At the school, you ride different wing sizes depending on the day's wind. After a few sessions, you know exactly what works for you. Same goes for the board.
And ask us for advice: we'll be happy to help!
Rigid handles, soft handles or boom for beginners?
Rigid handles! The boom is more technical.
What size wing for a beginner man in Guadeloupe?
Generally, the most used size is a 5.5 m² wing.
What size wing for a beginner woman in Guadeloupe?
L'aile la plus utilisé est une 5,0m²
The most used size is a 5.0 m² wing.
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