Quote from: Dommo on May 24, 2020, 06:08:42 am

Quote from: Mike dubs on May 19, 2020, 11:32:25 am

3rd session, still struggling to get up in the chop and on shore waves. Very unstable, maybe my board at 26.5” wide is too narrow? I am controlling wing better and standing up but struggling to get centered and even if I get going I tip off. Also struggling with both leashes, I have the board leash on a waist belt but it’s still going round the foil, the Naish wing leash also seems way too long, so might make a shorter one?

Any suggestions appreciated.

Hopefully 4th session later this week.

Mike

Hi Mike
I know Gunnar has advised that 26" is not too narrow, and I freely acknowledge that he is one awesome foiler who is MUCH better and knows a hell of a lot more than me, but I thought it might be useful to hear from an average foiler who doesn't have the natural ability and TOW (time on water) that he has - if you have the chance to try a wider board I would strongly advise you try it. My local conditions are also VERY choppy so although I can handle a 26" wide board when conditions are flat, I found that when in choppy/messy conditions the extra 5" width made all the difference. I started with a Naish Hover which is 6'5" by 31" wide, and I have also used a friends f-one board that was the same length but 26" wide. The f-one was literally unmanageable for me in chop (acted like a bucking bronko!) but the Naish was super stable and allowed me to progress fairly quickly. I have no doubt that if I used nothing but the f-one to learn in my local area I wouldn't have made the progress I have. Now I am of a reasonable standard I can handle a much smaller board, but to start I would strongly recommend you at least try a wider board and see if it helps.
I just want to add that I'm not disagreeing with what Gunnar is saying about stance & technique etc - he knows what he's talking about!!!!!! I just know that from my own experience a wider board can make life a hell of a lot easier in choppy conditions.

I have about 15 sessions and I agree with this 100%.  There is a lot of information online about board sizing for learning and much of it is about the appropriate board volume relative to body weight.  In my experience, the volume issue is important but also important is board dimensions, especially width.  The current board trend is to pack in as much volume in small dimensions but I think they are making these boards too narrow.  A width of 25-26 inches is pretty narrow for a beginner and if there is any chop, makes learning much harder than it needs to be.  I started with a 25 inch board and then went to a 28 inch board which really helped my progression.  As one improves, the width will be a hindrance to riding but when considering a board for learning, pay attention to the width, as well as volume.

You seem to have misunderstood me.  I did say the 26" is narrow.  It's not too narrow for most people to deal with, but still very narrow especially for a beginner.   

However in the end what you have is what you use.  The trend is also set my the riders in the end.  Just see what is happening with everyone now believing Fanatics hype about double-concaves in the nose.  It may actually be bad on a Wingfoil board, but as a lot of people believe it's good, manufacturers are making their boards like this.  So if the riders want wider boards, there will be wider boards produced. 

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Gunnar