Intermediate Wingfoil: How to learn to surf the swell?

The main reason we hear when we ask our clients why they took the plunge into wingfoiling is the possibility (or even the dream!) of one day surfing the swell endlessly.

This article is therefore aimed at riders who have already started their wingfoil journey and who believe they are ready to move to the next level.

Once you have mastered the basics (waterstart, upwind and downwind sailing, transitions), a new stage opens up for you, dear intermediates: learning to surf the swell without using the wing as the main propulsion .

This is a key step, as it marks the transition from simply flying to truly understanding the ocean (or lakes, rivers, and streams in our case!), its movements, and using the foil to glide from wave to wave. Here's a complete guide to understanding, progressing, and mastering wave surfing with a wingfoil.

 

1. Reading the swell: It all starts here

Before you can surf the swell, you have to learn to read it.

Swell is a succession of waves generated by the wind hundreds, or even thousands of kilometers away. Unlike shore waves (breaking waves), it does not necessarily break, but propagates in the form of gentle bumps on the water.

For wingfoiling, these are the undulations we're looking for. They offer an incredible playground because they can be surfed without breaking , simply by using the kinetic energy they carry.

Falls are therefore much less risky than when surfing breaking waves (a break).

Good reference points:

• A long swell (period > 8 seconds) is easier to surf because it generates more lift for the foil. Unfortunately, our local swells in Quebec have short periods, which requires more careful and proactive reading of the conditions.
  
  
• A swell direction aligned with the side or side-offshore wind is ideal for easy positioning without drifting downwind. Again, most conditions in Quebec favor an onshore or side-onshore wind, which requires more active kite management in a neutral position.
  
  

 

2. Choosing the right equipment

At an intermediate level, the choice of equipment becomes crucial.

The foil:

• Surface area : A large foil (1200–1500 cm²) is more forgiving and offers good lift, ideal for catching small swells. It's often better to sacrifice a little speed for more stability and lift at low speeds when starting out.
  
  
• Ratio : A high aspect ratio foil allows for better glide and transitions between bumps. We recommend a minimum aspect ratio of 6 for attempting to surf the swell.
  
  
• Mast : A mast of 80 to 90 cm allows you to rise above choppy waters and remain stable in swells. A mast under 80 centimeters will allow for tighter and faster turns, but it will be much less comfortable when sailing upwind and will offer less room for maneuver at high speed (overfoiling).

The board:

• Less bulky than for beginners (between 60 and 90 L depending on your size), it must offer good balance while being agile enough to maneuver in the swell.
  
  
• Pro tip: The appearance of Midlength type boards (more streamlined and narrower) allows for a reduction in the size of the wing, which makes it easier to manage when held in a neutral position.

**Interested in midlengths? Shop them here!***

The wing:

• It becomes secondary : its role is to get you to the swell and remain neutral (flag-like) while you surf. Opt for a stable and lightweight kite that's easy to release.
  
  
• Pro tip: This is where wings made with ultra-lightweight materials (like Aluula, Dyneema, etc.) really shine. Their high price is more justified when used in wave conditions, especially with onshore winds like we so often get in Quebec.

 

3. Practice wing position and release

One of the most technical aspects to learn is releasing the wing and putting it in a neutral position to retain control of only the board and foil.

Practical advice:

• Practice the release and recovery maneuver on land several times before launching. You'll definitely save yourself a few dives.
  
  
• Before gripping the neutral handle (located at the tip of the wing), make your first attempts by holding the front handle of the wing with your back hand. This will allow you to switch from "neutral" mode to "power" mode more quickly.
  
• Keep a low, centered position to properly feel the movements of the swell.
  
  
• Avoid putting too much pressure on the front of the board: let the foil lift and guide it with finesse.

This moment is magical: you feel yourself gliding silently, without any pull, carried only by the swell and the foil. This is where wingfoil surfing truly begins!

 

4. Position yourself on the swell

Surfing the swell requires a good reading of the water and precise positioning.

Location:

• Look for regular lines , which move in the direction of the wind or slightly across it.
• Anticipate: as soon as you see a bump forming, position yourself in its path and pick up speed to catch it.

Technical:

• As you approach the swell, dip slightly down towards the bottom of the wave to accelerate.
• Once you are carried along by the swell, release the wing , balance your weight and let the foil glide .
• Turn slightly diagonally , in a "bottom turn", to maintain acceleration.
• Pro tip: Waves often travel in sets. When you spot an approaching set, always prioritize the last few waves. These will offer you the largest riding area and, consequently, the longest rides.

 

5. Linking together bumps: the "downwind foil"

Once you have mastered surfing a swell, you can learn to link bumps together: this is the beginning of downwind foiling , a discipline in its own right.

The principle is to surf from wave to wave, without using the kite to propel yourself forward. Therefore, you need to know:

• Maintain the speed between two waves.
• Knowing how to "pump" the foil to get through the troughs.
• Anticipate trajectories and correct with the body and the foil (no longer with the wing).

This interplay of transitions creates a sensation of endless, fluid, and almost silent gliding. It is also one of the most technical aspects of wingfoiling.

 

6. Practice pumping the foil

Pumping is an essential technique for staying airborne between two swells.

This involves giving small bursts of momentum with the legs and body weight, in synchronization with the foil, to regenerate speed.

Advice:

• Practice first in flat conditions, without a wing.
• Work on synchronized pumping : leg extension – flexion – front-to-back transfer.
• Don't pump too hard: the secret is in the fluidity , not the power.

 

7. Progress step by step

Wave surfing with a wingfoil is a gradual process. Don't skip steps:

1. Start by following the swell with the wing still active.
2. Next, try small releases of the wing over short distances. Use your back hand to grip the front handle of the wing for your first releases.
3. Gradually lengthen your surfs by fully lacing the wing.
4. Finally, practice riding several swells in a row , in downwind mode.

Each step brings you closer to free and intuitive navigation, where the sea becomes a three-dimensional playground.

 

8. Safety and ideal conditions

Never forget that surfing the swell, often offshore, requires vigilance and self-reliance .

Security :

• Wear a life jacket or impact vest , and ideally a VHF radio or waterproof phone .
• Navigate with partners or in monitored areas.
• Check the weather: the wind should not weaken too quickly (risk of being left offshore without propulsion).
• Wear a HELMET! Racing down the swell at full speed sometimes leads to spectacular falls. We've seen several boards flip over so that their foil comes completely out of the water and then hit the wing or sometimes even the rider – tomahawk style.

Ideal conditions for starting out:

• Moderate wind (15–20 knots), side or side-off.
• Entry into the water sheltered from the waves and a potential exit downwind
  
• Open space, without too many bathers or obstacles.

To finish

Surfing the swell is one of the ultimate pleasures of this sport. It requires technique, patience, and a good understanding of the water. But once you've acquired this skill, it transforms your riding experience. You're no longer just flying: you 're playing with the water , connecting with its rhythm, gliding from wave to wave, free and light.

So, take your time, observe, feel… and let yourself be carried away by the swell!