Overhead Wing Gradient Capture – How 2 m Height Difference Equals 4 Knots More Power
You are stuck in a lull. The wind speed at your board feels like 8 knots. You pump furiously, but nothing happens. Yet, a rider next to you lifts their wing high above their head and flies away.
They are exploiting the Wind Gradient. Due to friction with the water, the wingfoil wind is significantly slower at the surface than it is just two meters up. Understanding this profile allows you to find knots of power that do not exist at board level.
The Logarithmic Shear Profile
Air "sticks" to the water. This friction creates a boundary layer. In a standard shear profile (over moderate chop), the wind speed increases logarithmically with height.
- 0.5 meters (Board Height): 10 knots.
- 2.5 meters (Wing Tip Height): 14 knots.
That is a 4-knot gain just by changing your arm position. In light wind (8–14 knots), this difference is the critical threshold between floating and foiling.
The "High-V" Technique
Beginners often keep the wing low, near their waist, trying to catch the air they feel on their face. This is the "dead zone."
To capture the gradient:
- Lift the Leading Edge: Raise your front arm until the wing is at a 45-degree angle above you.
- Sheet In High: Pull the back hand down, scooping the high-altitude air.
- The Pendulum: Use your body weight to hang from this higher, faster air stream.
You will feel a surge of torque. You have tapped into the cleaner, faster wingfoil wind that is flowing over the friction layer.
Gradient vs. Gusts
In high wind (25+ knots), the gradient can be dangerous. The difference between the lull at the water and the gust at the tip can rip the wing from your hands. This is why we lower the wing in storms.
But in the 15–25 knots sweet spot or lighter, maximizing height is free energy.
Summary
Don't trust the wind you feel on your cheeks. That air is slowing down due to friction. Trust the air above you. Reach up. The wind forecast might say 10 knots, but at 2.5 meters, it is blowing 14. Grab it.