There are guys here in Perth who do several kms on 4'something prone boards. They catch actual breaking waves inshore and then head out and get on the lump train. It's doable. I've done several hundred metres but I wing now. I'll try again this season I think.
Catching windswell out to sea.... it's doable too but it will probably have to be nuking...some days when it's in the 25knots plus ramgr it looks like it would be easy. Don't forget, if it's all crossshore like it often is here, all that wind really helps propel you downwind.
www.instagram.com/p/B8fqm0tnucc/?igshid=jn8xkt3kzhuvEdit:
Sorry I re read and realised I didn't answer much for you.
Swell/waves needed: depends a bit on your local setup but here we have places where you can scratch into 5 second windswell with a gutter to let you out off the back of the bank. If there is swell our beaches become no go and you have to find a burger somewhere within reach of the DW line.
As for wind I've witnessed the dude in the above insta hit it at 15 but looks like more fun at 20.
Wings needed:
HA is vital really, because it's so much more efficient. The fella above used to do some stuff on the old LA GF and Axis stuff but HA is really where it's at and that's what he uses.
You can do this. It won't be easy but you have to start somewhere...and it's the most pure way to downwind. No paddle, no wing, no jetski just your board and you.
