Wingfoil Equipment Explained for Beginners

Wing, board and foil — what each part does and how they work together. Beginner wingfoil gear explained, with Flysurfer and Levitaz examples.

Wingfoiling looks simple – you stand on a board, hold an inflatable wing, and fly above the water. But when you look closely, you’ll see it consists of three separate components that need to work together. And each has variants, sizes, and parameters.

If you’re a complete beginner thinking about wingfoiling, this article will explain the basics. What is what, how it works, and most importantly – what you need to know before you step into the water for the first time.

Spoiler: you don’t need to buy anything for a course. All equipment is included.

The Three Components of Wingfoiling

Wingfoil equipment consists of three parts:

1. Wing – the inflatable wing you hold in your hands
2. Board – the board you stand on
3. Foil – the hydrofoil attached under the board

Each part has its role and affects how the whole setup behaves on the water. Let’s look at them individually. If you want a plain-language primer on the sport itself before the gear, start with what wingfoiling is.

Wing – Your Power Source

The wing is an inflatable wing that looks a bit like a small kite without lines. You hold it by the handles and use the wind to generate pull that propels you forward.

Unlike a kite, there are no lines and no harness. You hold the wing directly – and you can let go of it anytime. That’s one of the things that makes wingfoiling so approachable. No tangled lines, no being dragged through the water.

Wing Sizes

Wings come in various sizes, typically from 2 to 7 m². Size is chosen based on your weight and wind strength:

• Lighter rider + strong wind = small wing (3–4 m²)
• Heavier rider + light wind = large wing (5–7 m²)
• Beginners = generally larger wing (better stability and pull)

What We Use at Kitepower El Gouna

We ride Flysurfer wings – specifically the Mojo and Tao models.

Flysurfer Mojo is an allround wing that works for beginners and advanced riders alike. It has a stable profile, is easy to hold, and generates consistent pull. If you’re learning, this is the wing you’ll probably start on.

Flysurfer Tao is a higher-performance variant for more experienced riders. Better low-end (works in lighter wind) and better steering response.

We’ve been the official Flysurfer distributor and test point since 2009 – not as a brand endorsement, but as equipment we trust enough to teach on. Over that time, we’ve tried plenty of other manufacturers. We stayed with Flysurfer because the quality is consistent and the products withstand the hard treatment of students.

Board – What You Stand On

A wingfoil board is wider and more voluminous than a classic kiteboard. Why? Because you need stability – especially at the beginning when you’re not yet foiling and standing on the board like on a paddleboard.

Volume and Stability

Board volume is measured in liters. More liters means a more stable board – and an easier time standing on it.

Basic rule for beginners: board volume = your weight + 30–40 liters. So if you weigh 80 kg, you want a board around 110–120 liters.

As you advance, volume decreases. Experienced riders foil on boards with 60–80 liters, because once the foil carries you, board volume matters less.

What We Use at Kitepower El Gouna

Our boards are from Levitaz (German brand we’ve been working with since 2015):

Levitaz Air Boom 135l – our main beginner board for wing foiling. 135 liters of volume means practically anyone can stand on it stably. It’s wide enough to balance on even without moving, and stiff enough for the foil to work properly.

Levitaz Roamer 130l – an alternative with slightly less volume. Still suitable for beginners but a bit sportier. If you’re lighter or have experience with board sports, you can start right on the Roamer.

Why a big board for beginners? Because the first hours of wingfoiling are mostly spent trying to stand on the board while holding a wing and trying to catch the wind. If the board floats stably under you like a paddleboard, you can focus on the wing and technique. If the board rocks around, you’ll only be dealing with balance and won’t learn anything else.

Foil – What Lifts You Above the Water

A hydrofoil is a metal (or carbon) construction attached under the board. It consists of:

• Mast – a vertical rod connecting the board to the foil wings
• Fuselage – a horizontal beam on which the wings sit
• Front wing – the front wing that generates lift
• Stabilizer – a small rear wing that provides stability

When the board gains speed, the front wing of the foil generates lift (same principle as an airplane) and lifts the board above the water. From that moment, you’re not riding on the water – you’re flying above it. If the physics of that interests you, we break it down in how a hydrofoil works.

Front Wing – Size and What It Affects

The front wing is the most important part of the foil. Its size (area) is measured in cm² and affects:

• Larger wing (700–900 cm²) = more lift at lower speed, easier start, lower top speed. Ideal for beginners and lighter wind.
• Smaller wing (540–700 cm²) = less lift, requires higher speed to start, but higher top speed and better maneuverability. For advanced riders.

Mast – Length and Why It Matters

The mast determines how high above the water you fly. Longer mast = higher above the water = more room for mistakes, but also a higher center of gravity.

Standard lengths:

• 76 cm – short mast, low above the water, more stable feel. Ideal for beginners in shallow water.
• 84 cm – medium length, good compromise. Most students continue on this after the basics.
• 94 cm and above – for advanced riders. A long mast requires suitable clearance, so it cannot be used in the shallow teaching area. The team checks the tide and actual depth, then selects the dedicated deeper foil zone when conditions allow; boat transport is not guaranteed.

This is an important practical detail. The first roughly 800 m is a knee-to-waist-deep teaching area; foil work uses a dedicated deeper zone when tide, conditions and mast clearance suit. Our instructors check the actual water level and guide you to the right zone. (More on the layout on our spot page.)

What We Use at Kitepower El Gouna

Foils are from Levitaz – specifically the FreeSeries:

• Front wings: 540 to 900 cm². Beginners typically start on 900 cm² (maximum lift, easy start), advanced riders move to 700 or 540 cm².
• Masts: 76 to 84 cm for lessons in the lagoon. Longer masts for advanced riders in deeper water.

Levitaz is a German brand and we’ve been working with them since 2015. Their foils are designed to be modular – you can change the front wing, stabilizer, and mast depending on what you need. For a school, this is ideal because we use one base with different wings for different students.

How It All Works Together

Now let’s put it all together. On the water, it looks like this:

1. You stand on the board in shallow water, wing in your hands
2. You catch the wind in the wing and the board starts moving
3. The board picks up speed and the foil starts generating lift
4. You shift weight back and the board rises above the water
5. You’re foiling – flying above the surface, propelled by the wing

The whole system is about balancing three things: pull from the wing, lift from the foil, and your balance on the board. When everything is in sync, it’s an incredible feeling – silent, smooth flight above the water.

When something is off, you fall. And that’s completely normal. Wing-control and board drills begin in the first roughly 800 m knee-to-waist-deep teaching area; actual foil work moves to the dedicated deeper zone when conditions and mast clearance are suitable.

How We Choose Equipment for Students

During a course, we choose the equipment – not the student. And for good reason. The right combination of wing, board, and foil depends on:

• Student’s weight – heavier rider needs a bigger board and wing
• Wind strength – stronger wind = smaller wing
• Student’s level – beginner needs a more stable setup
• Lagoon conditions – water depth determines mast length

We have enough equipment to assemble the optimal combination for every student. That’s the advantage of a school with a complete stock of Flysurfer and Levitaz gear – it’s not “one setup for all.”

Do I Need to Buy Anything?

No. The wingfoil course includes all equipment – wing, board, foil, vest, helmet. You don’t need anything of your own.

The Wingfoil Beginner course is 5 hours and starts at €365 (shared) / €515 (private). Everything is included.

If after the course you decide you want your own equipment, we can advise you on exactly which combination to get for your home conditions – come talk to us in the shop.

But honestly – we recommend going through the course first, finding out what suits you, and only then investing. Wingfoil gear isn’t cheap, and a bad choice will cost you time and money.

Difference Between Wingfoil and Kitesurfing Equipment

If you already kitesurf, you might be interested in a comparison:

	Kitesurfing	Wingfoiling
Power source	Kite on lines + harness	Wing in hands
Board	Flat, small	Voluminous, with foil
Safety	Safety system on lines	Drop the wing from your hands
Learning	More complex (lines, harness)	Simpler start
Wind	Needs stronger wind	Works in lighter wind too

Wingfoiling is more accessible in many ways. It’s not better or worse than kite – it’s a different sport with its own advantages. If you’re weighing the two, see kitesurfing vs wingfoiling.

What to Watch Out for When Buying Your Own Equipment

If you’re considering your own gear after a course, a few tips:

Board: Don’t buy a small board, even if it looks cool. Start with volume of your weight + 30 liters minimum. You’ll move to a smaller board once you’re foiling consistently.

Wing: One wing isn’t enough. Ideally, you need two – larger for light wind, smaller for strong. For Central European conditions, typically 5 m² + 4 m² or 6 m² + 4 m².

Foil: Start with a larger front wing (800+ cm²) and shorter mast (76–84 cm). Smaller wings and longer masts come with advancing skill.

Budget: A complete new setup (wing + board + foil) costs approximately €2,500–4,000. That’s not cheap, which is why we recommend a course first and then buying.

Conclusion

Wingfoil equipment looks complicated at first glance, but the principles are simple. The wing propels, the board carries, the foil lifts. Sizes are chosen based on your weight and conditions.

For a course at Kitepower El Gouna, you don’t need to buy anything – everything is included. And if you decide to invest in your own equipment, we’ll advise you based on what we observed on the water.

Wingfoiling is a sport that’s quick to learn and even quicker to love. And with the right equipment, it’s all the easier.