Windfoiling or foil windsurfing is a surface water sport that is the hydrofoiling evolution of windsurfing, as well as typical sailing boats and sailing hydrofoils. It uses similar equipment to windsurfing with a normal or slightly evolved rig on a normal or specialist foil board. Windfoiling allows the individual to zoom 90 cm above the water on a hydrofoil.
Windfoiling lets you sail in wind conditions you could never get a traditional windsurf board out in the water, and with a smaller sail. People are seeing windfoilers out on the water more and more often which helps grow the sport and it has been included in the 2024 Olympics as a sailing discipline.
Before foiling was even an option, windsurfing only started to get interesting in winds between 15 and 20 knots. Each and every attempt with less wind was usually a mediocre day. With a foil you can get going and have some real fun with only 10 and as low as 6-7 knots but that demands skills and optimal equipment.
While there are some different hydrofoil designs, the typical hydrofoil found on a windfoil is usually composed of four key parts:
The front wing is the largest of the hydrofoil’s wings and is responsible for generating most of the hydrodynamic pressure that lifts the board out of the water.
Back Wing is a smaller wing on the back of the hydrofoil creates some additional lift, but primarily it exists to provide balance and stability.
The mast is a bar that attaches the hydrofoil to the board itself.
Fuselage is the fuselage connects the front and back wings and provides a central mounting point for the mast. Since it is beneath the water, it has a hydrodynamic shape that minimizes drag.
