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- Andrea Cella
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- wing foil, pack wing, foil, wetever, reptile, how to foil, aqua lift
Today, I want to talk to you about a key component of wing foiling: the hydrofoil, or simply the foil. I know many of you are new to this sport, so I’ll try to explain everything briefly and in the simplest way possible. Let’s start with our entry-level foil, the new Aqua Lift, focusing on its front wing with downward-facing tips.
What is the Front Wing of the Wing Foil?
Imagine the hydrofoil like the wing of an airplane, flying underwater. The front wing is the part that lifts the board out of the water when we start gaining speed. It’s mounted under the board and works together with the rear wing and the vertical mast.
Features of Downward-Facing Tips
When you look at the front wing, you'll notice that the tips are curved downward, somewhat like the wings of a seagull in flight.
Advantages for Beginners
This particular design is extremely helpful for those just starting out, for three good reasons:
Stability: Imagine walking on a tightrope while resting your hands on the shoulders of two friends. Easy, right? The downward-facing tips of the wing act just like the support your friends give you to help you reach the end of the rope, helping you maintain balance and not fall.
Predictability: With downward-facing tips, the wing’s behavior is more predictable. It doesn’t suddenly tilt from side to side, allowing you to focus on learning without constantly having to correct your balance.
Control in Choppy Waters: When the sea is rough, having a stable wing becomes even more important. The downward tips help keep the board steady, even when waves are hitting you from all directions.
So far, so good, right? Let’s continue exploring the front wing of our Aqua Lift, focusing on some technical aspects that help the foil lift off the water and operate effectively, especially for beginners. We'll discuss the leading edge profile, the concave upper surface, the convex lower surface, and the trailing edge.
The Leading Edge Profile
Let’s start with the leading edge profile. This is the front edge of the wing that first comes into contact with the water as we move. Think of it like the tip of an arrow slicing through the air. The leading edge is rounded and smooth to reduce drag and promote a uniform flow of water over and under the wing.
How Does the Wing Lift Off?
As water flows over and under the wing, the shape of the profile creates a pressure difference. The water passing over the wing has to travel faster than the water flowing underneath, resulting in lower pressure above the wing and higher pressure below. This difference generates an upward force called lift, which raises the board out of the water.
Concave Upper Surface
The upper surface of the wing is concave, meaning it is slightly hollowed out. This shape creates a pressure difference between the top and bottom of the wing, lifting the board out of the water. For beginners, this concavity allows for a gradual and stable lift, reducing the risk of sudden oscillations.
Convex Lower Surface
The lower surface is slightly curved downward. This shape enables water to flow more rapidly underneath the wing, generating the upward force needed to lift the board. The convex lower surface also contributes to the overall stability of the wing, which is essential for those who are just learning.
Trailing Edge
The trailing edge is the rear part of the wing, where the water flowing above and below converges. In a beginner-friendly foil, the trailing edge is often designed to be thin and sharp. This helps minimize turbulence and ensures that the water separates cleanly from the wing. Reduced turbulence means a smoother and more controllable ride, which is crucial when you’re still learning.
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