The 101: Wing Deflate Downwinders, with Coach Casey

This how-to first appeared in Foiling Magazine issue 14 (December 2022) in The 101: Tips & Tricks, as "Wing Deflate Downwinders", a guide from Coach Casey (James Casey). Photos Jason Breen. Republished with the magazine's kind permission.

Coach Casey returns with another essential how-to guide...

Equipment

• Wing: Enough to easily get going but smaller is better. My choice would be the Vayu Aura.
• Board: Downwind SUP Foil Board. I’d recommend the Sunova x Casey Downwind Aviator Elite 6'3 x 21 x 90L.
• Foil: Match it to the conditions but a larger foil to be safe. I recommend the AXIS 1300, short fuse, 475 progressive tail, 75cm high modulus mast.
• Dry Bag: Big enough to fit your deflated wing inside it.
• Paddle: Stiff shaft, big blade. My choice – the VMG Orca 89.
• Paddle-to-boom tie downs/Velcro:. I use an inner tube but you can use tie downs or Velcro to attach.

On-land practice

• Firstly, practice deflating. As simple as it sounds maybe, but you need to re-enact it as if you are either sitting on your board or managing the wing while you are up on foil.
• Practice packing the wing up. Again, it sounds easy, but it is trickier in the water so you'll want practice with the dry bag to make sure your wing fits and the bag is snug on your back with the wing in it.

Your first wet deflate and pack up

Start with a short upwind run, less than 500m from the beach, to do your first deflate downwinder.

• Start by winging upwind about 500m and ensure you have a straight downwind shot to where you started.

• It's easiest if you sit down on your board.
• Take your paddle off the boom.
• Deflate your wing, be mindful to keep the deflate and inflate valve above the water, this is why a higher volume board is preferred.

• Once deflated, fold your wing then close the inflate/deflate valve, then pack it into dry bag. If you get water in your dry bag drain as much as you can, as water is unnecessary weight.
• Put your dry bag with the wing in it on your back and secure it across your chest or waist strap to prevent too much movement while paddling.
• Wait for the right bump and paddle up onto foil.

Deflating on the foil

After a few practice runs or if you are confident, you can start trying to deflate the wing while up on foil.

Advantages to this:

• The wing stays drier!
• You may not have to come down off foil at all which means no pack up required.
• The paddle and dry bag are there as a backup option.

Disadvantages to this:

• It’s tough to deflate whilst reading bumps…
• Potential for an awkward fall with someone filming from a distance…

For more details on how to learn to Downwind Foil be sure to visit www.caseyaus.com and check out the Coach Casey Club.

The AXIS gear in this guide

• 475 Progressive carbon rear wing, from the Progressive rear wings
• Power Carbon High Modulus 750mm mast
• Downwind foil wings and everything AXIS for downwind

Read more from Foiling Magazine, and find issue 14 online.