As a first step, I recommend keeping the front hand on the front strut handle (move it back if you can) and let go of the back hand and try sailing it one handed that way ("half luffed"). You can leave a little power and stability in the wing this way and can easily go back to two handed, but it switches most of the power from the wing to the swell. One handed riding works pretty well for me when its gusty since the wing luffs out when it gets overpowered with a gust (no back handle pressure to overpower it). Some wings sail better than others half luffed, but you will figure it out with some trial and error.

After you figure out the half luffed riding, move on to the leading edge handle. Its really not difficult if you have enough power from the waves. The hardest part is the timing of getting back from the leading edge handles to the strut handles before you stall or fall off the wave.

Not sure I would say a bigger foil wing is better than a smaller foil wing for what you are trying to do. Just match the foil to the conditions. Too much lift will make it more difficult to ride, but too little lift will make timing of switching between strut and leading edge handles less forgiving.

Just my $0.02.

maybe just do an easy flat water or even tack upwind a bit. Get some speed by heading slightly downwind - grab flag handle quickly - flag only momentarily - then get back into normal riding position. Get used to the biomechanics involved.
also it helps as you flag start a slight pump up. It can help done the track as pumping a little if you come of a swell gives you that extra time to grab the wing into normal riding position again.

When ready for DW swell. best to flag as early as possible. As you turn onto/into swell (with speed) as your body turns grab handle.

keep wrist relaxed - let wing drop a little. No need to hold it up high.
remember like surfing best to ride the swell side on to avoid steep drops which can ventilate the back tail. Ride side on then turn back onto the swell as it moves through, rinse and repeat.


then add in pumping ..


oh use your HS wings to prac this - more stall speed room for error than the HA.

dapara2004 said..
I am finally getting opportunities to ride bigger swell downwind in strong gusty winter wind (25-35 knots average). In these conditions, the swell gets big enough on the bay here to tempt me to let go of the back hand and grab the leading edge handle, and to try to ride the swell. So far, I only feel comfortable in these conditions holding the wing overhead with both hands to depower, but am pretty sure it would feel better just luffing out the wing downwind off to the side. I am seeking advice on how to proceed to this way of riding so I can enjoy the swell more and feel like the strong gusts aren't getting the best of the situation. Balance goes when a gust catches me , so I am hopeful that fully depowering the wing from the front handle will make it easier to stay balanced over the foil. Is a bigger wing better for this even if upwind is slower? I have HA 925 and 1125 and the HS 1250 and 1550v2 from Armstrong to play with. Any advice would be helpful!

When you say riding bigger swells do you mean wind chop? Just because you say it's only big enough into ride in high winds I'm assuming you are not riding what most on here call 'swell' such as a ten second period wave, maybe more like a 3-5 second period ?

I love these conditions, my advice is match your foil size/speed to wave speed those HA foils are
pretty fast, and if my assumptions are correct try the 1550, keep yourself right up the top 1/3 of the wave and you can hang there all day flagged out no worries, if you ride down the face, then turn back up to ride the next one behind, so much fun!

You will enjoy the 1550 on that wind chop. I find the HA wings a bit too fast for close period lake wind chop.
HA are Great for Ocean swell.
What Wind Wing are you using?
I've got a wing with handles & one with a boom. I definately find it easily to ride one handed DW with a boom. You can throw the wing around & just catch it. If you need a bit of instant power to crest a swell you can just give a one hand pump to keep you on the runner. But I'm sure the handles would do the same, whatever you are used to or want to spend the time on.

spartacus said..
You will enjoy the 1550 on that wind chop. I find the HA wings a bit too fast for close period lake wind chop.
HA are Great for Ocean swell.
What Wind Wing are you using?
I've got a wing with handles & one with a boom. I definately find it easily to ride one handed DW with a boom. You can throw the wing around & just catch it. If you need a bit of instant power to crest a swell you can just give a one hand pump to keep you on the runner. But I'm sure the handles would do the same, whatever you are used to or want to spend the time on.

Got to agree that the boom has advantages in wind chop. Even when held with one hand, you can give your wrist a twist, adding a slight bit of power to get through a flat section. Handles just twist and this function isn't available.