Wing Foiling, SUP and Surf Wing Foil Technique
All in the Prep
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’re most likely aware that recently there have been a few well-off gents flying up to the edge of space, dressed as Thunderbirds, who have then returned to earth with big grins to pop corks and shower their teams in Champagne. Your Wing foiling journey will have many similarities. You aim to leave...
Duck Gybe
The Duck Gybe is a personal favourite. Not only does it feel fabulous and look amazing, but it’s also pretty functional! Due to the movement of the wing, you’re far less likely to get backwinded by your induced wind when it’s light, and the wing’s movement gets the power back on sharpish. What’s more, if you’re happily gybing, meaning that...
First Foiling Foot Switch, Heel to Toe
As the title suggests, this is intended as your very first foiling foot change. We say this as there are a myriad of methods and possibilities, both simple and more advanced. However, we rate this technique and order as one of the simplest and most useful which will stand you in good stead. We’re assuming that you have already changed...
Foiling Foot Switch, Toe to Heel
If you’ve been following this Wing Foil series, you’ve likely been through the heel-to-toe foot switch. Now, ladies and Gentlemen, it’s time for the other one! The Toe to Heel. This member of the family is equally useful. You can call on it any time you’re toeside to return to heelside. Whether after a gybe or tack, you’ll have the...
Get Up on the Foil
If you’re reading this, we hope that you’ve already had a chance to watch our Wing Foil #1 All in the Prep video on the Tonic Mag channel. This issue we’re going to get up on the foil. We’re looking to have enough wind, so that getting up on the foil is doable without pumping the wing or the board....
Pumping
We’re going to delve into the world of pumping as a means to get up on the foil for this issue. If you’re happily flying around, you will perhaps notice that you need considerably less power in your wing once you’re up than you do to get up. Effectively, this can mean that you’re on a bigger wing than required!...
Riding Toe Side
Riding Toe side is a key skill that will unlock a whole world of moves and possibilities. A good solid toe side will help you stay up on the foil, will improve your gybes, is essential for tacks and will come in handy for an absolute plethora of tricks. It’s a foundation, an essential part of your armoury. Whether you...
Tack Off The Foil
Today’s the day, Ladies and Gents! Your first foray into the world of tacking. If you’re unsure what a tack is, think of it as changing direction 180 by steering up into and through the wind. It’s the opposite of the gybe. The tack has a few advantages over the gybe: if you’re trying to make ground upwind, you won’t...
The Duck Gybe, Toe to Heel
Welcome back! It’s always exciting to introduce a new move, and in this issue, we’ll be guiding you through another absolute gem, the toe-to-heel Duck Gybe. Assuming that you’ve been working on the heel-to-toe Duck Gybe, you’ve hopefully fallen head over heels for this fun and functional method of gybing. Well, rather than let you bask in the glory of...
The Heel to Toe Tack
Just when you thought you could relax and possibly rest on your laurels. Content in the knowledge that you have built up quite a box of tricks, bursting with gybes, a cheeky tack, pumping and ducking. Well, we’re going to burst that rightfully smug bubble and set you yet another challenge. Not quite the Crypton Factor, but the heel-to-toe tack...
The Toe to Heel Tack
If you’re ready to up your game and fancy a new wing foil challenge, tacking is the next logical step. Like a well-crafted corkscrew, the tack is practical and stylish, not to mention blissfully satisfying. Carving up through the wind and exiting on your new tack is the perfect way to change direction quickly and make up ground. Once nailed...
Wing Foil Gybe Part 1 - Heel to Toe Gybe off the Foil
We know that many of you are keen to move onto riding and pumping, but before racing off into the grand bleu in a flurry of youthful exuberance, we thought it both prudent and wise to have a look at turning around, and more specifically the heel to toe/switch off the foil. So yes, today is about woffing (winging off...
Wing Foil Gybe Part 2 - Steering on the Foil
We said it in our first Wing Foil technique, and it holds true through every stage, you’ve got to put in the preparation work. Everything needs care, love and attention and your future foiling gybe is no different. As such this issue is all about the second stage of your foiling gybe prep, nurturing it towards reality by steering on...
Wing Foil Gybe Part 3 - Foiling Heel to Toe Gybe
It’s on ladies and gents, it’s on! If you’ve been following this Wing Foil series and the videos on the Tonic channel, your prep for the foiling gybe is done, the foundations are laid, you’ve never been more ready:) We write this with utter conviction because you’ve got a feeling for wind direction, a solid first position, a balanced dynamic...
Wing Foil Gybe Part 4 - Toe to Heel off the Foil
It is time to tackle the other gybe! Even if you haven’t mastered the foiling heel to toe gybe, getting yourself acquainted with the toe to heel winging off the foil gybe will give you a skill that you’ll call on more often than you’ll care to imagine. We all have a better side. You may be happy riding left...
Wing Foil Gybe Part 5 - Foiling Toe to Heel Gybe
Just when you thought you could enjoy sitting on your laurels, the latest Tonic drops and you’ve been gifted yet another challenge. There is of course a carrot dangling here, as the toe to heel foiling gybe is another step towards staying up on the foil for longer, whilst also doubling as an extremely effective method of turning around. And...
Featured
Wing Foil Gybe Part 1 - Heel to Toe Gybe off the Foil
We know that many of you are keen to move onto riding and pumping, but before racing off into the grand bleu in a flurry of youthful exuberance, we thought it both prudent and wise to have a look at turning around, and more specifically the heel to toe/switch off the foil. So yes, today is about woffing (winging off...
Utthita Parsvakonasana / Extended side angle pose
This pose is about extending the arm, legs and stance. Already a challenging pose on land, on a SUP it’s even more of a challenge, so it’s important to take the time to get the foundations right. Start by positioning the legs even distance from the central handle of the board. Front toes pointing forward, back toes at 90 degrees....
Adho Mukha Svanasana Variation -Three-Legged Downward Facing Dog
A little more challenging than the regular downward facing dog, this pose requires core strength, flexibility and courage! Start in downward facing dog with your navel positioned over the centre of the board (over the handle). Spread the hands on the board to cover as much board surface area to ensure a strong foundation. Slowly lift one leg, keep the...
Eka Pada Urdhva Dhanurasana / One legged wheel pose
An advanced Yoga posture which requires back flexibility, strength and a lot of balance on a SUP! Set yourself up for bridge pose by lying on your back with bent knees with the handle positioned in the middle of your back. Placing your hands on either side of your head fingers facing your shoulders and your elbows pointing upwards. Lifting...
Sukhasana -Easy Pose - Beginner
A great pose that stretches the knees, ankles and opens the hips. It also focuses on lengthening the back muscles and spine. Usually, this pose is done at the beginning of a SUP Yoga practice, Sukhasana helps to still the body and mind in preparation for other more challenging poses. It instils a sense of tranquillity and a feeling of...
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana / Upward Facing dog
Low to gravity, upward facing dog is a stable posture to practice on a SUP. It opens the back and stretches the front of the body which feels amazing especially when you take big deep breaths in. Press both hands evenly onto the board and imagine lifting up and out of the chest rather than simply leaning backwards. Depending on...