Wing
Learn to Wing Program
What is it? and how do I get started?
Wing-surfing and the more advanced wingfoiling are a fantastic way to get more time on the water and to learn new skills.
To help introduce beginners, Australian Sailing has launched the Learn to Wing training program. With progressive courses to develop all the skills needed to get you up on the board with confidence.
What is winging and how does it work?
Wing-surfing and the more advanced wingfoiling are similar to windsurfing and use a wing with an inflated leading edge on a strut or boom to power you along. Unlike windsurfing where the sail is connected to the board, the wing is not attached to the board but controlled by your hands while you stand.
The difference between wingsurfing and wingfoiling?
Wings are becoming increasingly light weight and stable making them an easy progression for people to get into foiling. The only difference is the board used. Wing-surfing can be done on a stable windsurf board or stand-up paddle board (SUP), wingfoiling uses a board with a hydrofoil attached underneath.
The Australian Sailing Learn to Wing course gives you the basic tools and understanding to later progress to Wingfoiling.
What experience do you need?
The best thing about taking part in a Learn to Wing course, is that no prior watersports experience is needed. Mastering the basics is easy and everyone can give it a go.
When trying anything new, taking lessons with a qualified instructor is always a good idea to help to set the foundations and enhance your progression.
How long does it take to Learn?
You can be up on the board straight away. A Learn to Wing Experience is an approximate three- and half hour session. You will get to experience winging for the first time and learn how to go across wind, turn around and come back.
The full Learn to Wing course progresses the basic skills covered in the experience and will take approximately 9 hours to complete spread across multiple sessions.
Learn to Wing Course
Once you have done the experience or want to progress to the next stage, there is the Learn to Wing 9 hour course – often spread over two mornings or afternoons which will provide you with a more detailed understanding of winging.
You will be taught how to safely land and launch the wing, tack and gybe and how to get your board to go faster in different wind conditions. By the end of the course you should be at a good level to go out and practice the skills you’ve learnt. Confident wingsurfers can then progress to foiling and take their first flight at one of our foil labs.
Click the link below to find a learn to wing course near you or for a more detailed syllabus click here.
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Who Can Teach the Learn to Wing Program at an accredited Discover Sailing Centre?
Anyone who successfully completes the FREE online Wing Instructor endorsement and holds a current Australian Sailing Dinghy, Windsurf, Powerboat, or Keelboat Instructor qualification or a current Sailing Coach qualification, will be able to deliver the Australian Sailing Learn to Wing Course at an accredited Discover Sailing Centre.
How Do I become an Australian Sailing Learn to Wing Instructor
If you are already an Australian Sailing qualified Dinghy, or Windsurf, or Keelboat, or Powerboat instructor, or an Australian Sailing qualified Sailing Coach and wish to teach the Learn to Wing Program at your local Discover Sailing Centre, all you need to do is to complete the online course available via the below links, please click on the registration releveant to you.
After registration, you will be provided with a direct link via email to access the online course. Please keep a look out for the email and check your junk folder too.
| Please note: When you have completed the online course, allow up to 24hrs for the qualification to show on your Australian Sailing Profile. |
Learn to Wing Instructor Registration
To register for the Wing Instructor course, select one of the links below in relation to your existing qualifications.
If you have:
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| Please note: You will not be able register if your Instructor / Coach qualification and its associated pre-requisites are not up to date. |
What equipment do Discover Sailing Centres/ Clubs need to deliver the Learn to Wing Program?
Suitable Boards
SUPs or Stable Windsurf Boards, that ideally have a centre fin or daggerboard are the best suited for use as part of the Learn to Wing Program.
Centres can buy centre fins for SUPs if they require from most SUP stores, and most stable Windsurf Boards will already have a daggerboard.
Suitable Wings
Ideally Centres should have a range of Wing sizes to suit wind strength and participant size, wing sizes that range from 3.5m – 6m are ideal.
The DSC self-review form (section 6.0) includes the specific equipment items that will be checked as part of a Centres annual review if your Centre deliver a Learn to Wing Program.
Discover Sailing Centres (DSCs) are welcome to source equipment to deliver the Program from any equipment provider, however, to assist with equipment purchase, Australian sailing has sourced a discounted deal for DSCs to buy equipment from North ActionSports Group.
To access the discount Centres/Clubs should contact Sylvain Mitault at North ActionSportsGroup directly at salesau@northasg.com or call 0424 681 859.
Can we deliver the Learn to Wing Program if we are not a Discover Sailing Centre?
No, the Program is only available to accredited Discover Sailing Centres, if you are a club and wish to run a Learn to Wing Program and are not already a Discover Sailing Centre, click the link to learn more about becoming a Discover Sailing Centre.