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ian eve tom Activities 15 November 2022

There are 2 sections to this page - 'First Time Windfoiling' by John Lymer, followed by 'Competitive & World Championship Windfoiling' by Jennie Roberts. You can't say we don't try to cover all the bases! As time goes on, maybe we'll be able to complete the sandwich with some of the learning to progress between these two extremes?

First Time Windfoiling

Words John Lymer

This article gives some first impressions of windfoiling, learnt from just a single outing, preceded by watching several helpful YouTube videos. It may help others who are about to embark on their first windfoiling adventure, or help you decide whether or not to give it a go. And for those who have no intention of trying it, hopefully it will at least give an insight into what the buzz is all about.

You can also see a short video of my early efforts here and another one 3 years on here .

The Kit

I bought a JP Hydrofoil ES 135 board (2021 model) and Neil Pryde Glide Wind 1700 from Robin Hood Watersports in July 2021. This is the cheapest windfoil board RoHo supply and the package was £2099, which was a saving of £150 on the separate prices. A 135 litre board is the middle size in the range and was what was recommended to me, even though I only weight about 62Kg. At 114cm long, it's shorter than any windsurf board and at 85cm wide is almost as wide as a formula board. The foil is aluminium and carbon and is actually a thing of beauty! A foil with large wings was recommended to make the learning process easier. It will also be good in light winds if I become more proficient and later on I can fit a smaller wing to the foil if I need. The foil’s mast is 80cm tall, so it can lift the board quite a height off the water. In my case, this was sometimes followed by a sudden ‘splash down’, but the rounded rails of the board are designed so you get away with that much of the time, rather than being pitched off the front quite so often as you might be with a conventional windsurf board. I wore a helmet and impact vest.

My windfoil

Set-up

I need to be in waist deep water or more before being able to sail the kit. The stance for foiling is more upright than for windsurfing and it’s important to keep the legs straighter. Any flex in the legs is transmitted to the foil, unintentionally making the board tilt and turn very quickly, at which point I lost control and either splashed down or fell in the water! I found I need the boom about 4” higher because of the more upright stance, though I normally have it a bit lower than recommended. I started with the footstraps outboard and will need to experiment whether that’s best and also try moving them forwards or back. I put the mast base almost as far back as it will go, as recommended by Callum at RoHo and by one of the YouTube videos. The sail should probably be one size (1m²) smaller than you’d normally use.I went out with a 7.5m rig in about 10 knots of wind, then changed down to a 6.5m when the wind increased a little.

Technique

YouTube videos recommend you start with your front foot in the strap when the power from the rig starts to come on. You can put the back foot in too, but to start with, probably just in front of the strap is better and maybe a little inboard. I put both feet in the straps on some of my later runs. The foil is very sensitive to shifts in weight, so moving into the straps when airborne isn’t ideal – do it just as the power from the rig comes on. For the first ‘flights’ it’s best not to hook into the harness, though I was using the harness later in my session – it was too hard on my arms otherwise! It’s striking how steeply the board rises out of the water when you weight the back foot. And, if you lean back along the board’s length, you’ll rise. Conversely, shifting weight onto the front foot lowers the board – very useful in bringing things back under control! So, riding at a constant height above the water, to progress beyond the up/down dolphin motion, seems to be a lot about the weight distribution between front and back foot. I’ll need to practice pumping the rig to get on the plane in light winds/with small rigs, but apparently it’s weight on the back foot which is again the key to getting aloft.

The foil has sharp edges, so to ensure some distance between you and it, it’s safest to try and keep hold of the boom when you fall in. You’ll probably want to uphaul more than waterstart for the same reason – thrashing about with your legs to generate lift isn’t such a good idea near those wings!

Conclusion

My first windfoiling outing was a little disconcerting at times for sure, but thoroughly exhilarating! I’m sure it didn’t look pretty, so I’m glad there was no video evidence ... unlike the 2nd outing! There was a lot of up motion, followed by sudden down motion and questionable directional control too. But I also managed some flights of more than 100 metres and to lower the ride height gradually at times too. I’ll count that as a success. I can’t wait to get out and do it all again!

And here are some of the videos I found useful -

(9) How to Windfoil - First Flights (basics) - YouTube

How to FOIL by Balz Muller SUI21 - YouTube

PART 1 – Idiot’s Guide To… Foiling!! - YouTube

How to Setup your Windfoil - YouTube

Competitive & World Championship Windfoiling

Words by Jennie Roberts

Following on from John's article about learning to wind foil, I have transitioned from 'normal' windsurf course racing to foiling racing in January 2020. I spent early summer last year foiling at WPWC getting my gybes and straight line foiling more competent and I later moved to the South coast for a higher variety of conditions, along with being with others on the same pathway to train with. For Summer 2021 I have had the chance to be a full time athlete, after finishing the second year of University in May - the perfect time for the competition season to start. I then went to Cornwall for our first competition of 2021 where I finished 4th Senior girl and 1st under21 in the UK. I am currently writing this in a tent in Silvaplana, Switzerland ahead of the World Championships starting next week.

The kit we race is adapted for higher speeds than the recreational foiling kit, with upwind, downwind and slalom all raced on the same equipment. The kit, IQ Foil, is all one design with the women on 8m² sails and the men on 9m² whatever the wind and water state, from 5 to 30 knots. For the foil we have a 900 cm² front wing, 255 back wing, 115+cm fuselage and 95cm mast. The board is 95cm wide and 220cm long.

Common questions; answered:

Can you control how high you fly? Yes, placing your weight further backwards will bring you higher, and further forward will lower you back down.
How fast do you go? On this set up my maximum speed is 27knots (30mph).
How long does a race last? Slalom has a target time of 3 minutes and course racing has a target of 15 minutes.
How do I learn? To start, you ideally need to be able to windsurf non-foiling to a planing and gybing standard. This will make transitioning to the foil slightly easier than learning the basics on the foil equipment. Lots of centres now have foiling courses for you to try and if I see you up at Watergrove I'm happy to chat or answer any questions!

See you on the water, Jen

ian eve tom Activities 15 November 2022

Words by John Lymer; Photos by John Lymer & Andy Pepper

With the water level at Watergrove rather low, 5 members decided a drive to the coast may be worth the effort. How right they were! For some of us it was our first trip to sail at West Kirby in 15 or 20 years, but maybe now we won't leave it quite so long. It was 21C, sunny at times and the wind was a solid Force 5 South Westerly all day long! Even better than forecast. John was pleased with his 31.3 mph down the wall, while Dave recorded 32.9 and others may have fared similarly but weren't armed with GPS proof. It's £10 for the day for users of the Marine Lake, including parking, changing rooms and showers. You do need to phone the centre for a car park barrier code before arrival - 0151 929 7707.

Here's a link which explains suitable conditions for sailing on the Dee estuary during some high tides.

Here's some of the action, mostly featuring our club members ....

ian eve tom Activities 15 November 2022

Visitors and Day Sailing

Why Watergrove?

We pride ourselves on being a friendly place to practise your favourite watersport.

Most of us come along just to blast back and forth and hopefully improve our gybes, as well as to learn from those who always seem to be able to do it better! A few members like to try their hand at freestyle and some record their top speed on GPS … then post it on our Speed Ladder and brag about it! The Club also has a long tradition of racing and some winners in Regional, National and even International events. We have some promising new young members and links with Hollingworth to cater for young racing windsurfers. Informal competitions are held on regular occasions, but there is always plenty of space for those who just like to windsurf.

The water is relatively clean and the sailable area is about 375m x 800m. There is a good Clubhouse with changing facilities and hot showers, cooking facilities, plenty of free parking, ample grass rigging areas between car park and water, and a safety boat that is launched or ready to go when there are powerboat-qualified members present. Above all, it’s a friendly environment in which windsurfers of all abilities are encouraged. We have new members who have passed their RYA Start Windsurfing course, and some older, returning windsurfers who have rediscovered the delights of the sport …. and most of us somewhere in between.

The prevailing wind direction is SW or NW. Most directions work well and the reservoir is about 650 feet above sea level, so it gets a good amount of wind. If you stand at the Clubhouse and look towards the dam you are looking due South. So, a Southerly wind has to come over the dam wall. This is usually okay, though you may find some wind shadow if the water level is very low – not usually an issue but can happen mid-Summer if it’s particularly dry. Wind with an Easterly component can be a bit gusty, though still very sailable and you can get some very strong winds from this direction. Launching in North/North Westerly winds involve some wind shadow near the clubhouse due to trees.

Other Activities

Watergrove is a good place for other activities as well as windsurfing/foiling. These include: wingfoiling, paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking. There is also a radio controlled model yachting group affiliated to WPWC. An excellent range of footpaths and bridlepaths (some permissive so not shown on maps) ensure that the club is a good starting point for walks and mountain bike rides - you can borrow a route map from the Club. An angling club has the fishing rights for the reservoir.

When can you sail?

When you join you will get a key for the gate to the access road, our car park and the Clubhouse. You can sail any time during daylight hours. Visitors should enquire (via our Contact Us page) about a day sailing ticket. You’ll be given the temporary code to the combination lock for the gate to the access road. Visitors need to plan their visit to coincide with others, so that the clubhouse and car park are unlocked. Sundays are particularly popular, but whenever there’s wind, including weekday evenings, you’re likely to find others on the water. The shoutbox on our website helps people check who else plans to sail when they plan to, which helps with both safety and friendships. Non-members are welcome to register to use the shoutbox - just email us.

What about kit storage?

We have 54 storage slots for members' boards and rigs and a few of these are always vacant, though storage is popular. Many members like the convenience of keeping their kit at the Club and the quality of the sailing available at Watergrove is good enough so that many rarely sail elsewhere!

Do I need my own kit?

We have a wide range of Club boards and rigs that members occasionally use. Practically all members have their own kit. The club kit means that members who are fairly new to the sport can use that to start with, before deciding to buy some of their own. We also have some kit mainly for use by T15 youth sailors (normally 8 to 15 years old).There is a regular trade between members of boards and rigs as abilities progress, and a good grapevine of information on the latest equipment and where it can be found for the best prices.

What about complete beginners?

As individuals, we have sometimes taught new members with no previous experience, but the most time-effective way of learning is to attend an RYA Start Windsurfing course at a Recognised Teaching Establishment, where they will have a wide range of beginners kit to try out. Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre (01706 370499) is an excellent teaching establishment just two miles away. When you have achieved your Start Windsurfing, or a higher level, you should easily be competent to windsurf at West Pennine Windsurfing Club.

What about Safety/Insurance at the Club?

Members will be made aware of the few dangers there are on this water. On occasion, if water levels are low then some shallow areas are to be avoided. A safety boat is available, and members are always on the look-out for anyone in difficulty. We have an excellent safety record, but members have to be aware they sail and use the facilities at their own risk, and indeed are required by the Club’s constitution to carry insurance against third party liability, such as that provided by RYA or UKWA membership (which we encourage), or through many household policies (but check the small print). Alternatively, separate insurance can easily be bought online. The Club is affiliated to the RYA.

Clubhouse – water supply

We are not connected to mains water, but keep a supply of bottled water on site. Our water supply is fine for showers and washing, but has to be boiled before drinking. Hot water is heated by gas. Space heating, when necessary, is by radiators and/or fan heaters. There is a microwave, kettle, and basic cooking facilities.

Visitors and Day Sailing

Why Watergrove?

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