Wind Lulls and Why They Form

The Desert of Air

A lull is a sudden, temporary drop in wind speed. The air loses its mixing energy. The wind settles into pockets of calm. For a wingfoiler on the water, these moments test your technique and glide efficiency.

Three Causes of Lulls

Lulls happen for specific, predictable reasons. Recognizing the cause helps you anticipate when they'll strike.

• Thermal changes: Passing clouds block the sun and destroy a sea breeze instantly. The temperature gradient collapses.
• Turbulence: Wind shadow from cliffs, buildings, or headlands creates dead zones downwind.
• Pressure equalisation: When pressure gradients weaken briefly, the driving force behind the wind vanishes.

How to Ride Through a Lull

Survival in a lull is about momentum management. You must maintain board speed above foil stall speed using technique, not power.

• Shift weight forward: This reduces angle of attack and minimizes drag.
• Point slightly downwind: Trade altitude for speed. A 10-degree turn can save a session.
• Use your wing's neutral position: Don't fight for power. Flag it out and glide.
• Pump smoothly: Aggressive pumping increases drag. Use gentle, rhythmic pulses.

Where Lulls Are Most Dangerous

Certain locations create predictable lull patterns:

• Below cliffs: Wind shadow creates dead air pockets 3-5x the cliff height downwind.
• In bays with thermal dependence: Cloud cover kills sea breezes instantly.
• Near storm systems: Chaotic pressure shifts create unpredictable gusts and lulls.

Summary

Expect lulls near cliffs, during cloud cover, or in unstable pressure systems. Keep your speed and glide through them. The wind always returns—if you can stay on foil long enough to meet it.