James Hyde

Questions & Answers

What other water sports do you do and how long?

Windsurfed for 16 years, surfed for 9 years, SUP foiled for 3 years, and sailed for 8 years.

What do you like about wing foiling?

It can turn flat water sessions into one's to remember and the wave sessions are always epic.

How did you learn and how long did it take you to wing foil?

First session out, I went out 3 miles on my strong stance and got some long flights, once I turned around i learnt it was a lot tricker going on my weak stance but after 2.5 miles of drifting managed to get some flights.

What is your favorite gear combination and why?

Ensis 5.2m wing: It does everything you could want, so strong, stable, and easy to use. Naish 110L Hover: Brilliant for SUP foiling and foot straps make it easy for wing foiling and it's so light and compact for jumps. Neilpryde Glide Surf Medium: combined with Ensis 5.2m you can get some huge jumps. Love it.

What was your favorite wing surfing session?

Local beach in 13 knots with a head high swell and cross shore winds. Some of my longest rides and I could turn off before even getting to the surfers in the line up. Then jumping off every wave on the way back out and when the set wave would come through gybe straight onto it and surf in.

What tips or recommendations do you have for anyone who wants to start?

Using footstraps gives you so much control. Learning them from the start will get you jumping in no time.