SET YOUR WINGS AND FLY

Our Test Editor sees how a selection of the latest 5m wings fly.

- James Hardy

OVERVIEW

Now, if you aren't sure what winging is, or you haven't noticed its incredibly rapid growth as a sport, which attracts a hugely diverse spectrum of user, then I am not exactly sure where you have been for the last couple of years? As an early adopter of the sport, I've been very lucky to be a part of its growth.

I'll openly admit that when I first saw winging in action, I thought to myself, "This is never going to take off.". However, fast forward just a few short months and I witnessed an individual at my home spot on Hayling Island making it look smooth and balletic, which firmly grabbed my attention. I pondered a while longer, but soon found myself booked on a weekend clinic at the OTC in Weymouth. By the end of those two days, I was sold on winging,

Anyway, back to the test... why is the 5m wing such a popular size? Well, it's not too big and it's not too small i.e. its span - wing tip to wing tip - is manageable enough that the tip doesn't easily catch on the water, making it easier to handle and flip over than something larger. Five metre wings tend to remain stiffer, anything above this size and you start to see brands building in new technology and including new features to hold the wings shape. Five metre wings also don't feel as twitchy as say a 3m counterpart, but the biggest thing is that a 5m wing suits the vast majority of conditions which individuals should be learning to wing in. The 5m wing is an absolute staple within your winging weaponry. It's reliable, dependable and it has fantastic range. In essence, it's usually the perfect tool for the job.

A lot has happened in terms of wing development and design in the space of just a few short years, which is great, but what is really fantastic to see is that different brands are really starting to fit, and become defined in who they are for, and what attitude or riding style you need to portray in order to match the wing.