wingboarding
What Gear Do You Need After Your First Wingfoil Lessons? | SF Wing Foil Academy SF Wing…
I’m Captain Joshua Waldman — Bay Area native, lifelong waterman, and the founder of SF Wing Foil Academy in Tiburon, California.
I hold a 100-Ton U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain’s License and have spent more than three decades on the water, commanding everything from powerboats and fishing vessels to offshore sailboats and luxury yachts. My life at sea has taken me through ports from Seattle to Panama, across the Galápagos Islands, and out to Tahiti — always chasing consistent winds, new horizons, and the next athletic challenge.
Those years of ocean sailing did something unexpected: they turned me into a wind sports obsessive. When wingfoiling arrived on San Francisco Bay, I recognised immediately what it was — the most accessible, thrilling, and technically rewarding wind sport ever created. I built SF Wing Foil Academy to share that feeling with anyone willing to step onto a foil board and find out for themselves.
My teaching philosophy is simple: safety first, progression always, and genuine one-on-one time in the water for every student. I don’t run crowded group sessions where students get 20 minutes of attention and a thumbs-up from the shore. I’m in the water with you — or right alongside you on the chase boat — coaching in real time through 2-way radio helmets, adjusting your gear, reading the conditions, and giving you the feedback that actually builds skill.
Every student at SF Wing Foil Academy gets a setup tailored to their size, weight, and experience level — customised beginner boards, correctly-sized wings, forgiving foils, and properly-fitted wetsuits. The right gear makes an enormous difference in your first session, and I’ve invested in the best available so that you don’t have to.
Whether you’re booking your very first wingfoil lesson, looking to progress through the 3-Day Package, or ready to tick the Golden Gate Downwinder off your bucket list — you’re in experienced, capable, and genuinely passionate hands.
SF Wing Foil Academy · Tiburon, San Francisco Bay · (415) 350-5524 · sfwingfoilacademy.com
I’m Captain Josh Waldman, a Bay Area native and seasoned waterman with a passion for all things wind and water. As a 100 Ton Licensed Captain, I bring three decades of experience running a variety of vessels, including powerboats, fishing boats, sailboats, and luxury yachts. My love for sailing the world ignited a passion for wind sports, which I’ve been able to cultivate right in my own backyard. I’ve sailed through ports from Seattle to Panama, including the Galapagos and Tahiti, always drawn by the consistent winds and the desire to explore and grow as an athlete.
We prioritize developing srong technique and eliminating bad habits to maximize your chances of success.
We prioritize developing srong technique and eliminating bad habits to maximize your chances of success.
Read positive experiences of people who consulted your service before, and you will be more confident & courageous to approach our service without hesitation.
I’ve taken lessons from several different instructors and Josh is by far the best. He helped me get up on foil on my first lesson with him- something I hadn’t been able to do in all my previous lessons. He was just a 15 min drive from my apartment in S.F. and located at a picturesque marina in Tiburon.
He brings you out to The Bay on his boat (and picks you back up when you get too far down wind, which in my case is a few times per lesson so it’s nice avoiding the “walk of shame” up the beach with my gear, which is typical for me in all the land-taught lessons I’ve had!) Amazingly the wind was good just 5 minutes from the school so we wasted no time running to a flat water spot w nice consistent wind. Another huge benefit is that he coaches you through 2-way radio helmets as soon as you get in the water and throughout the experience.
If you wanna learn to wing, and you want to progress quickly, Josh is your guy!
Joshua is a fantastic teacher. He forced me to work on my weak areas (foot switch, transitions) and gave me great tips on wing handling. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking to get into wingfoiling or wanting to progress faster.
First class… first class is all that comes to mind. Josh is a super positive and plesant guy who is eger to bring his joy of wing foiling to everyone who is interested.
He has the best setup to teach you right from his home that has a private dock. We started with some dry lessons and quickly got on his power boat to find the perfect amount of wind to get started.
I used his gear as he offers a super wide board that makes getting on foil very easy.
I highly recommend the sport and I highly recommend Josh. What a fun time!!!
My first lesson with Josh was a fantastic experience. We started with practicing the wing handling basics on land, followed up with boating out to ideal winging conditions in the bay. I was able to learn more from this single 3 hour session, than I have in the past 7 solo sessions (& countless hours watching YouTube tutorials). Looking forward to my next lesson with Josh.
Josh runs an absolutely superb wing foiling program! Josh is top-notch, incredibly knowledgeable, and passionate about the sport. The course structure ensures progress from beginner to advanced levels smoothly. He offers high-quality gear and prioritize safety above all else. The stunning location by the Golden Gate bridge adds to the unique, exhilarating experience. I’d highly recommend it to anyone seeking a challenging yet fun new sport to master. Truly, a 5-star learning experience.
Now’s the time to learn #wingfoiling with #sfwingfoilacademy
Welcome to the Wingfoil Academy Blog! Dive into expert tips, inspiring stories, and the latest trends in the world of foiling. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, find everything you need to elevate your skills and passion for the endless glide and flow state.
What Gear Do You Need After Your First Wingfoil Lessons? | SF Wing Foil Academy SF Wing…
What is Wingfoiling? The Beginner’s Complete Guide | SF Wing Foil Academy SF Wing Foil Academy Beginner’s…
The Golden Gate Downwinder: A Complete Guide | SF Wing Foil Academy SF Wing Foil Academy · …
Choose a wing-foil specific school with experienced instructors who live the foiling lifestyle 12 months a year and bring years of experience, tailored lessons, and a strong focus on safety to maximize your progression.
Learn the essential skills of foiling, from learning to leverage the wing, getting standing, reading wind gusts, and maintaining balance and flow state for a smooth ride.
Our goal is to build your skills to where you can stay up wind and confidently launch and land at your local spot. We can also make rec's on choosing the right gear, understanding ocean conditions, and practicing essential techniques before hitting the water.
