We’re sure you’ve all noticed there’s a new kid on the water sport block. Wing sports are making a big impact worldwide, and more recently here in the UK. We caught up with WSA Wing Sports Trainer, Phil Plume of Cave Active Adventures who works with Stephen Moore of Adventure360 - Find Your Freedom, to hear the reasons why he thinks the growth of Wing sports is going to be huge over the coming years.
1.Wing-sports are new!
Come on, who doesn’t like new stuff? When Phil started SUP’ing people used to stop and ask him what it was? Now he get’s this when he’s out on the wing. Winging has only been around since the spring of 2019 and only really began to gain popularity over the course of 2021. As its seen along the coast and lakes of the UK more and more this summer, interest is going to grow.
2. Wing kit is portable
The kit is small, really small. A good beginner board can be between 6 and 7 foot. In comparison a beginner windsurf board that’s around 10 foot. These can also be inflatable, reducing the size further. Those proficient at foiling could be on a four-foot boards so storage and transport becomes easy. The wings pack up small and are light and simple. No masts, booms or lines, just a direct connection to the elements.
3. Everyday’s a surf day
If you love surfing, then this is for you. It’s a well-known fact that summer surf in the UK is… well? Shall we say, average to none existent! Even in the winter there are many locations where the surf just doesn’t come knocking. Foiling allows you to ride the smallest of swells and actually have fun. Combine this with a bit of wind and even on an inland lake you are surfing the swell.
4. Wing sports are more accessible than you think.
You don’t need the foil. There, he said it! Ken Winner, the designer of Duotones first Foil wing, initially envisaged it as a wing to be used on a SUP. All Phil’s beginners start this way and love it! Some are actually happy to leave it there. If you’ve got a SUP already; you only need to get yourself a wing, stick-on dagger board and you’re away. Fun for all the family. To progress just add the foil and board.
5. There’s a healthy second-hand Wing sports market
Now is a great time to get into winging! Supply issues in the early days are sorting themselves out and the early adopters are moving onto their second or third setups. This is creating a healthy second-hand market. You don’t have to spend thousands buying kit. You can pick up a second-hand wing for relative peanuts and just give it a go.
5. Wing sports are great for kids
Winging really is kid ready straight out of the box. There’s no child specific equipment required and no set rules. It’s all there ready for them to fly and experiment. Small boards, small wings: lightweight and quick to learn. Mark Phil’s words. In the not too distant future, there are going to be kids zooming around and jumping right over you as they do a double backflip, combined with some move that’s not even invented yet.
6. Wing sports are Intuitive and quick to learn
No really, they are! They are not as hard as they look. That wing wants to fly, you just have to learn how to control it. It’s very intuitive in the way it works and once you have that dialled, it becomes second nature. The foil takes a bit longer, but once cracked its like riding a bike. With some lessons, a good wind and a bit of natural talent, you could be up on the foil within 6 hours.
7. Wing sports are addictive!
From the first time you rise out of the water and hear….silence; you are well and truly hooked. You never want to stop. It’s such a great, and totally unique experience. Phil often watches seagulls skimming the waves down by the coast, almost dipping their wing tips in the water as they skim across the surface. He’s always wondered what that must feel like…and now he knows!
Huge thanks to Phil for sharing his insight into the world of wing sports. Phil works with Stephen Moore of Adventure360 - Find Your Freedom, to deliver the WSA Accredited Wing Sport Instructor Courses.