The Windfoil & Wingfoil ABC
The most common terms explained
In wind foiling and wing foiling we use a lot of new terms. Time to list the most important terms, with a short explanation.
Aspect Ratio (AR)
The ratio between the wingspan and the width of the wing / a sail or the wing of the wind/wing foil. A higher aspect ratio (relatively large wingspan) gives a better top speed and range, a larger AR makes a wing more maneuverable.
There is no ‘hard’ number where we call a wing/sail or wing of a foil ‘High’, ‘Medium’ or ‘Low’ aspect. As an indication:
- Low aspect: AR of 5.0 or lower
- Medium aspect: AR between 5.0 and 7.0
- High aspect: AR from 7.0 and larger
Apparent wind
Wind you feel when you are sailing. Combination of the real wind (actual wind direction), and the wind that arises from your own movement. The harder you sail, the stronger the apparent wind is and the more it comes from the front. The apparent wind also increases as you sail more towards the wind.
Back hand
This is the hand that is furthest from the mast during wind foiling. In wingfoiling, the rear hand is furthest from the leading adge. See also front hand.
Back side
Way of riding waves in which the (wing) surfer or wingfoiler stands with his back to the wave.
Bevelled rails
Round rails of the board that ensure that you quickly detach from the water.
Bladder
Inner tube of the wing. This is inflated by means of a valve. The pressure can be up to 7 or 8 bar. The bladder is about the same thickness as a plastic bread bag. That makes the wing vulnerable.
Boom
Central rod to hold the wing. Instead of handles. In addition, a windsurfing rigging also has a boom. This keeps the sail on tension and you hold the sail with it.
Channel(s)
Quiet place between the waves, often with deeper water and currents to the outside. Also deeper piece in the bottom of a board, a kind of channel. This channel in a board serves to get into plané more easily.
Chop
Rippling (= choppy) water. Short pointed waves, short on top of each other without a clear regularity. We often call this a ‘bastard’. Once you are on the foil, you will have little trouble with waves, as long as you can fly over the tops of the waves.
De-power
Letting power out of the wing or sail, by opening it. You do this by pushing your back hand away from you (with the wind direction).
Downwind
English term for ample wind. With a large wind course you fly at an angle between 100 and 135 degrees compared to the wind direction with the wind.
Downwinder
Trip along the coast with the wind, from one spot to another. Very popular with wingfoiler. They can then ride the waves with the waves. This is also possible on large inland waterways, such as the Markermeer or IJssel lake. Synonym is Downwinger.
Foil out
When the foil comes out of the water and loses its /lift, the board falls nose down on the water. This is the same as nose drop.
(Foot) path
Soft foam on the top of the board for extra comfort, shock absorption and grip.
Forward Loop
Forward (with the wind) jumped somersault.
For the wind
Course where the wind comes straight from behind.
Footband
Band on the board you stand in with your foot, for better control. In English ‘strap’.
Front hand
Hand that is closest to the leading edge or mast during foiling. See also rear hand.
Fuselage
Literally the hull of the foil. This is the tube or carbon rod on which the wings of the foil are attached. Comparable
with the fuselage of an aircraft.
Jibe
Change of direction of the board with the wind
Half wind
Course where the wind comes straight from the side. So you foil at an angle of 90 degrees to the wind direction
Handle
Handle or loop at the leading edge and central strut to hold the wing. Is an alternative to the boom. The use of trades is done to keep the weight of the wing as low as possible.
Heel side
If you sail with your heels in the direction of the wind, you sail heelside. This can be done in both your normal stance and switch.
Heel side rail
Rail on the side of your heels.
(Hydro) Foil
The wing construction under the foilboard that ensures that you are in the air
Goes. Consists of a mast, fuselage, front wing and rear wing
Kick Tail
Obliquely cut tail of the board, intended to detach faster from the water. Also called step tail.
Knee start
Starting on the knees with a wing on a board that stays afloat.
Leading Edge (LE)
Front edge of a wing (profile). With a wing the largest inflatable tube.
Leash
Confirmation between rider and wing, and rider and board. Through arm, waist or leg. This is often an elastic rope or curly plastic
Lift
The upward or ‘load-bearing’ pressure that a foil generates with wind foiling or wingfoiling.
Lip
Upper (breaking) part of a wave.
(Foil) Mast
Thin profile between the fuselage and the mast plate/board.
Mast plate
Connector to attach the foil’s mast to the board.
Nose drop
When the foil comes out of the water and loses its /lift, the board falls nose down on the water. This is the same as foil out.
Off shore
Wind that blows straight off the land up the water. Dangerous to wing!
On shore
Wind blowing straight towards the land. Often gives more waves
Outline
Circumference of a board, foil, wing or sail.
Tack
Change of direction against the wind Also called ‘tack’ in English.
Pump
Pulling towards you and pushing the wing or sail away from you to generate (extra) speed.
Powered
Sailing with enough wind. Over powered is that you sail with too much ‘pressure’ in your sail or wing
Rail
Outer edge of the bottom of a board.
Recessed (deck)
Literally: sunken. A lowered deck, for more comfort and a more direct control of the board and foil.
Rocker(line)
Curvature of the bottom of the board, which slowly rises towards the nose (and usually also towards the back)
Goes. Needed to get a board over waves or chop.
Shorebreak
Golf that strikes directly on the shore.
Side off(shore)
Wind blowing diagonally away from the land. Not suitable for novice wingers.
Side-on(shore)
Wind blowing obliquely towards the land.
Sideshore
Wind blowing parallel to the beach.
Stabilisator / Stabilizer
Hind wing of a foil. Intended to stabilize the flight. Also called back wing
Stall
If a wing loses its lift power due to too great an angle.
Stance
(Foot) position of a surfer on the board. Also regular or goofy, heelside or toeside.
Strut
Inflated frame to keep the wing stiff. The central strut is usually equipped with handles.
Swell
Swell. Usually this refers to waves that are sorted (come in series).
Switch Stance
Switch means flipped and stance in this case means the position of the feet on the board. If you’re surfing switch-stance,
Have you turned your feet: the foot that normally stands in front. is now behind, and vice versa.
Tack
Change of direction against the wind. In Dutch ‘tack’.
Tail kick
Kind of mini smoker line at the back of the board.
Taxi
Sailing on the board (not on the foil). Derived from the quiet driving of an airplane.
Toeside
If you sail with your toes in the direction of the wind, you sail to side. This can be done in both your normal stance and switch.
Trailing edge
Rear edge of, for example, a wing, sail or foil wing.
Upwind
The course in which you sail or foil diagonally towards the wind. The maximum angle you can foil is towards 30-40 degrees relative to the wind direction. In Dutch ‘aan de wind’.
US box (double)
Slots in the bottom of the foilboard in which you attach the foil (with bolts and plates). The foil can be moved forward or backward to change the set up. In each windboard, the distance between the 2 US boxes is the same, making the boards and foils interchangeable.
Wing
Airfoil on the foil (forewing), but also the wing (which you move) is a wing.
Water start
Wingfoiling: Start with a wing on a board that doesn’t float.
Wind foiling: Start with a rigging from the water without being able to stand
Wing
Airfoil airfoil (front or rear wing), but also the wing/kite that provides wind propulsion
Wing tips
The curved ends of the leading edge.
Questions?
If there are any missing terms or you see things that are incorrect or not clear, please let us know.