Wingfoil: What It Is and How to Get Started

Wingfoil is the fastest-growing water sport in the world right now, and for good reason. It combines the freedom of windsurfing with the magic of foiling — gliding silently above the water on a hydrofoil board powered by a handheld inflatable wing. If you’ve been curious about trying it, here’s everything you need to know.

What exactly is wingfoil?

Wingfoil (also called wing surfing or wing foiling) uses three components: a hydrofoil board, a mast and fuselage assembly that lifts the board out of the water, and a handheld inflatable wing that captures the wind. Unlike a kite, the wing is held directly in your hands and has no lines or bar, making it much simpler to manage. When enough speed is generated, the hydrofoil lifts the board completely out of the water and you glide 30–80cm above the surface in near silence.

Wingfoil vs kitesurfing: which should you learn first?

This is one of the most common questions we get at Pura Vida Mallorca. The honest answer depends on your goals:

• Wingfoil is generally quicker to learn the basics (most people start foiling in 6–9 hours) and feels more intuitive because there are no kite lines to manage.

• Kitesurfing gives you more power and range, allows bigger jumps and works in a wider range of conditions.

• Wingfoil works well in lighter winds (from around 10 knots) and can be practised closer to shore.

• Many riders enjoy both — kitesurf on stronger wind days, wingfoil on lighter days.

How does wingfoil work?

The wing generates forward drive when you hold it at the right angle to the wind. As speed builds, the hydrofoil’s front wing creates lift (just like an aeroplane wing but underwater) and raises the board out of the water. You then balance on the foil, which feels like floating on air. Steering is done by shifting your weight and adjusting the wing angle.

What equipment do you need for wingfoil?

• Wing: 4–6m for most adult riders in 12–20 knot winds. F-ONE and North both produce high-quality wings for all levels.

• Hydrofoil board: a larger volume board (90–120L) is recommended for beginners to make it easier to get up on the foil.

• Hydrofoil: the mast, fuselage and wings assembly. A longer mast (70–90cm) gives you more clearance but is harder to control initially.

• Helmet and impact vest: strongly recommended while learning. The foil is a hard metal structure and falls can be awkward at first.

• Wetsuit: Manera and Mystic offer excellent options for the Mediterranean climate.

Learning to wingfoil in Mallorca

The shallow, flat water of Sa Marina in Alcúdia is one of the best places in the Mediterranean to learn wingfoil. The water is warm, the wind is consistent, and the shallow depth makes falling less intimidating. A typical Pura Vida Mallorca wingfoil beginner course consists of 3 sessions of 2 hours each, starting on land and progressing to your first foiling attempts.

Progression after the basics

Once you can foil comfortably in both directions, the progression in wingfoil is rapid and incredibly satisfying. The next steps are: tacking and gybing (turning without touching down), riding downwind swells and waves, pumping the foil without wind, and eventually freestyle tricks. Mallorca offers conditions to practice all of these year-round.

Interested? Come and try a wingfoil taster session with us — you might be flying above the water by the end of your first day.