Vermont may be a land-locked state, but up here in Burlington, lake life looms large. Lake Champlain has drawn adventurers to its shores for years, and the latest trend catching on is "winging." This exciting new sport, a simpler and more accessible cousin to wind foiling, is gaining popularity for its thrilling yet approachable nature.
At the Burlington Surf Club, in Burlington’s trendy South End, Intro to Windsurfing and Intro to Winging lessons are offered nearly every evening and on Saturdays. We tried our hand at “winging,” a variation of wing foiling that’s rapidly becoming the fastest-growing wind sport, according to the surf club.
In winging, participants hold a large inflatable “wing” while standing on a wide, stable paddleboard. Wind foiling, winging’s more advanced sibling, involves a lighter board with a hydrofoil. Winging is considered easier to learn than windsurfing or wind foiling because the board offers greater stability and control.
Imagine holding a large, inflatable wing overhead, feeling the power of the wind tugging you forward, as you glide across the shimmering surface of Lake Champlain. By reading the direction of the wind and positioning the inflatable, handheld wing in various positions overhead, you can catch a gust and sail smoothly over the lake’s surface. With some practice, you learn to work with the wind rather than against it, seamlessly passing the wing from one hand to the other to effortlessly turn the board in the desired direction of travel. The best conditions for learning come when the wind blows parallel to shore.
On a gusty night on the eve of tropical storm Debby’s arrival in Burlington, five wannabe wingers circled up for the surf club’s two-hour, $60 intro class. Two instructors set us up inflating the wing with hand pumps, then gave us an overview of current wind direction and the techniques to correctly position the wing to move upwind, crosswind, or downwind. Then, we got a feel for the wing from the safety of the sandy shore, holding it straight up with one hand to feel it “flag,” or fly straight out with the breeze.
Once on the water, we started out “taxiing,” or kneeling on the board while getting the wing in position. Despite our beginners’ best efforts, the easiest way to travel was quickly downwind, towards the Burlington waterfront harbor. The two instructors were hard at work in an accompanying dinghy, ferrying the cumbersome package of sailor, board, and wing back upwind to try again.
Don’t expect to be sailing effortlessly right away—conditions matter a lot, with either too much or too little wind offering lackluster results. Physical fitness and comfort in the water are essential, as the force of an incoming gust can knock the new winger off the board (repeatedly!). And you will likely need to paddle against the wind to get back in position.
After a few hours of trial and error sprinkled with a few fleeting moments of free sailing, we made our way back to the beach. The shallow waters off the shore of the Surf Club’s sandy beach provide a welcoming basin to practice and maneuver. And hot showers, a changing room, lounge area, and snack bar offer room to recover from the use of rarely-used muscles. To really level up the experience, end your evening with a session in the onsite Savu Sauna.
The Intro to Winging lesson offers an impressive bang-for-your-buck chance to try out an otherwise inaccessible sport, and it’s more than just a lesson—it’s an opportunity to connect with Burlington’s adventurous spirit. For those who find themselves hooked, the Burlington Surf Club offers wing and hydrofoil rentals for $40 an hour or $85 for a half day, so you can keep honing your skills and dive deeper into the exhilarating world of winging. With the fundamental techniques learned, your next step is more time on the water, where you’ll soon be skimming across Lake Champlain, soaking in breathtaking views of the Adirondacks, the Green Mountains, and the Burlington skyline. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or simply eager to embrace something new, winging at the Burlington Surf Club promises an unforgettable experience that will keep you coming back for more.
