Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 18 i Foiling Magazine

Great flick Fabi. Was it all filmed in Gran Canaria? Yeah everything was filmed in Gran Canaria. We went to some different spots but all the images are taken in the south or southeast part of the island, and also in the mountains which are right in the center of the island. And how long did it take to capture this? How many sessions were involved do you think? We were there for around two weeks and filmed nearly every day. To get such a project done with so many different images, landscapes, lights etc, you really have to do many different sessions and at different times, so I would say at least two sessions per day for a couple weeks. Is Chucho a good friend? Do you ride together…

Picture yourself arriving in one of the most remote places on Earth, where all you can find are expanses of crystal-clear water, untouched nature, and a constant breeze. As you glide on your foil, you can see your shadow moving, reflected on the sandy bottom of one of the world’s most beautiful seas. Sometimes, you might encounter curious sea turtles popping up, or you can gaze out towards the ocean and catch a glimpse of distant breaching whales. Sounds like a dream, right? But it’s all real, an undiscovered reality. There exists a hidden gem in the Indian Ocean, which resembles a paradise. This spot is renowned for kiteboarding, but we decided to explore it with wingfoiling, and what we experienced was nothing short of extraordinary. With only a few…

After our adventure down to Brazil to the Pororoca, we had been looking at some other interesting waves that hadn’t been foiled yet. I’d seen a video of the Skook in the springtime and it looked like it was deep enough to get a foil in there. What I didn’t see in that video was the rapids and whirlpools behind the wave! The Skook mission came up pretty short notice. I got a call from Matt about a week before that the tides were going to be good. I flew up to Seattle to link up with the crew and drive up the rest of the way to BC. The first day there we dropped the ski in and went to the narrows on the slack tide. It was totally…

01 OMEN AHI TAILS The Ahi stabilizers from the up-and-coming technical brand Omen are an efficient way to get more low end out of any mid to high aspect front wing. Providing amazing turning response, a hard-to-believe drop in stall speed, and huge boost in low to mid range efficiency, these tails perfectly complement any setup with a high aspect tail to provide more range when conditions get tough. 02 TAKUMA EFOIL CARBON Not ones to release anything that’s less than *chef’s kiss*, Takuma’s eFoil Carbon is, as is to be expected, a highly polished and good-looking bit of kit, with its aerodynamic shape adding to its enhanced stability and control. Choose between jet or propellor propulsion, and get ready to glide on some premium carbon construction. 03 FOIL DRIVE…

LOCATION DAYMER BAY, CORNWALL, UK DATE SATURDAY OCTOBER 21ST, 2023 It would be impossible at just about any other location, but Daymer Bay, tucked half a mile into the Camel Estuary, is a very unique spot that allows multiple sports to co-exist on a series of different reef, point and sand bar breaks which, on its day, connect up to create the most idyllic foiling wave with a variety of sections and lines which flow into a ride that stretches for around a kilometer. For its day to happen, a highly specific set of wind, wave and tide conditions needed to align. With permissions and logistics in place we launched the competition idea with a series of holding dates and were inundated with entries from riders across the country who…

LOCATION MOLOKAI2OAHU DATE SUNDAY JULY 30TH, 2023 Race morning, I woke up surprisingly well rested feeling calm about the day ahead. I had prepped all my gear the night before, filled my hydration bladder with my race nutrition and charged my headphones. Unfortunately we didn’t get to stay near the start line and had a 25-minute drive to Kepuhi Beach. On the drive, we didn’t talk much about the race and pointed out a few of the landmarks with my parents and girlfriend in the car. Arriving just in time for the pre-race ceremony, it was a surreal moment to experience. Straight after, the three of us racing on the Armstrong team (Armie, Mateo and I) put the finishing touches on our gear setups and bantered as we waited to…

After last year’s high-aspect push in general foil design, in more recent months the foil industry has seen a robust swathe of mid-aspect, heavily surf-focused offerings which blend wide speed ranges and playful roll characteristics. AXIS had a very complete range of foils existing, and their answer to the latest and greatest market trend is the Spitfire, which comes in a comprehensive range of seven sizes denoted from their spans ranging from 720mm up to 1100mm. At first glance it’s extremely obvious why they’ve named it after the iconic WW2 fighter plane. The elliptical front wing design is instantly recognizable. There’s more to this shape than the RAF reference though – from the front you’ll notice a very gentle and gradual downturn over its span leading into the tips. The…

Since their inception, Lift Foils has consistently been at the forefront of eFoil innovation, pushing boundaries and setting new standards in this rapidly evolving sport. With a rich history in crafting both eFoils and classic foils that blend performance with simplicity, Lift has solidified its position as a leader in the industry. Continuing this legacy, the 160 Camber Pro is one of the latest additions to Lift’s lineup, tailored for those who crave a sporty and engaged riding experience. This foil unlocks a new level of controlled speed, particularly catering to lighter riders and eFoil enthusiasts. With a 6.2 aspect ratio, a surface area of 160in² (1032cm²), and a wingspan of 31.5” (80 cm), the 160 Camber Pro strikes an impressive balance between size and performance. Designed to operate in…

Lots of fresh new boards then! Headline news is the new Arcade. Can you start off by telling us about that one, and how you decided to enter it into the range? The all-new Arcade focuses on meeting the demands of the rider looking for a pump, tow, and wake foilboard. We focused on a very compact geometry that was ideal for a rider that either has a major secondary power source, such as a boat or ski, or a rider that was 100% focused on pump foiling. Being a multisports brand, we try to cover all the bases, and the same goes for foiling. Pump foiling is emerging quickly, with competitions being hosted throughout Europe. So, we decided to increase our offering and introduced the all-new Arcade to provide…

You have a reputation for bringing out well-considered products. How long have you been developing the new Roamer S and the Vert foils? With the introduction of our first wingfoil range in 2022 we’ve been fully aware that this was only the beginning. The priority for our first range was to develop products that are extremely versatile, accessible and allow an evolution for most of our customers. However, we’ve obviously been aware from the very beginning that more advanced riders crave more powerful products. That being said, we basically worked on those products for more than two years. And that time was definitely necessary, since we set ourselves the goal to develop a product which is not only appealing for the professional rider but allows for an average advanced rider…

So guys, we’re into the 4th generation of the Slingwing! Please tell us what’s new in this latest version… Elliott: We are super excited to launch our all new SlingWing in its fourth generation. This new wing utilizes our new True Tension Airframe, Rigid H-Grip Canopy Construction, VersaStrut and SlingGrip handles paired with our signature ClickConnect system which brings unmatched balance, power, stability and ease of use to the new Sling-Wing V4. Tell us a little more about the new True Tension canopy. What does it bring to the table performance wise? Elliott: The SlingWing V4 offers our all-new True Tension Airframe design. A strategically calculated taper from the center of the leading edge to the wing tips keeps the first third of the canopy structure rigid for on-demand power…

This is a new addition to your “Stealth” range then Steve. Tell us about why you’ve gone with that particular style for this wing/prone crossover… This new design is proving to be advantageous in both the winging and prone disciplines. For winging, it allows you to get on foil quick and easily, as well giving you a high performance feel when carving turns. The narrow widths liven up the board dramatically compared to the traditional wide and square boards. For prone surf foiling, the new shape and added volume allow you to catch waves super early or when not even breaking yet. They paddle extremely fast! With having the foil box forward like a traditional downwind board, the length feels much shorter than it is, so it still performs…

Hey guys. So firstly, tell us how old you are, where you’re based and where your local spots are. Touara: I’m 16 and I live in Tahiti in French Polynesia. Our local spots are on the north and east of Tahiti island. I like Hawaii for prone foiling, but when it works I prefer our home spot at Papenoo Beach because it’s a big spot and there are a lot of long waves with a good backwash to get back out to the peak. Haunui: I'm also 16 and live in Tahiti. Mostly I prone in Papenoo or Pointe Venus, but like my brother I prefer Hawaii because the waves for surf foiling are much better. Have you been in the water today? Touara: Yes! We’ve spent all day in…

It’s 4 o'clock in the morning. I've only slept for two hours when a wave of warm, humid air envelops me as I step off the plane that has just landed on the tarmac of Wallis Island’s Hihifo Airport. With my eyes still half closed, I tousle my hair and pick a Tiare flower to tuck behind my ear. I'm delighted to resume this routine that I used to follow daily in Polynesia. “We” are 60 riders from France, Australia, and New Caledonia, gathered to participate in a friendly event that brings together various riders from various water sports, the Air Calin Manatai Cup. The Wallisian welcome, in the Polynesian style, leaves no doubt about its warmth. As soon as we pass through the exit doors, we are immediately adorned…

One of the fun parts of being a Red Bull athlete is the calls I often receive, proposing crazy stunts across the globe, in locations I might not otherwise have ever heard of. So it wasn’t too surprising to get a call from someone at Red Bull proposing I wakeskate deep within the confines of the Earth, in a narrow cave filled with cold water. The cave is called Bluespring Caverns, located in Indiana. The prospect of wakeskating in a dark cave, underground, was intriguing, but didn’t seem feasible at first. In the end, I was right, but with the help of my team, we were able to pull off something even more epic underground. When they proposed the project, Red Bull sent me a handful of enigmatic photos of…

Over the past few months, I stumbled upon some intriguing YouTube videos of people effortlessly hydrofoiling behind a personal watercraft (PWC) without holding onto a tow rope or engaging in strenuous pumping to move forward. At first, I had my doubts. I've been a Sea-Doo PWC enthusiast for two decades, and one thing they all have in common is that they create pretty small wakes – really tiny, to be exact. Intrigued by this new way of hydrofoiling, I decided to do some research. I discovered that Liquid Force was selling a Wake Setting device designed specifically for PWCs, promising to make the wake taller. Luckily, I have a close relationship with Liquid Force, a brand I've been involved with for almost 18 years. So, I got in touch with…

LOCATION WIJK AAN ZEE, NETHERLANDS DATE WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2023 Leading up to this North Sea session at Wijk aan Zee in the Netherlands, the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday looked promising for epic conditions, with the synoptic chart showing purple. I knew Mistral wanted a shoot during October to replenish the image bank, but with this weather system coming in, it made sense to take advantage of it. Mistral notified photographer Benny Jansen, but he had to be at the Red Bull Megaloop Challenge kitesurfing event in Zandvoort that Tuesday, which was finally going ahead after a four-year lapse due to poor conditions. I went and watched the event and texted Benny to see if he could shoot the following day, as the swell and wind would still be hanging…

LOCATION HOOD RIVER, OREGON DATE TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2023 I had been anticipating the epic conditions of the legendary Hood River for months, so we organized the trip, and finally after 25+ hours of travel time from Cape Town, myself and my good friend James finally made it to Portland, Oregon. From there we had a short but highly jetlagged drive to Hood River and were immediately welcomed with a fresh breeze and warm weather! The following day after waking up at an unearthly hour, we eventually came to our senses and immediately began psyching to go and get in the water as the conditions were looking perfect for our first wingfoil session. After a very strong coffee and a good breakfast, we set off with hopes of scoring some…

It’s indicative of a maturing industry when brands like AK are onto their third iteration of the Tracer, which has historically been their well-received mid-aspect offering. Based in Muizenberg and with R&D centered around the often prime conditions of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa, it’s a perfect proving ground for foils that can handle themselves when the sea states are a little more spicy. This year it’s a ground-up redesign, and quite a departure from the previous system. Out of the box we’re looking at a relatively swept design from the front wing with an ultra-smooth monobloc junction into the fuselage minimizing thickness and potential drag points at this critical area. Examining the front wing nose on, there’s a subtle gul wing either side of the central spine. Running…

Born in Hood River, the mecca of windsports, brothers Jeff and Tony Logosz started Slingshot in 1999 with a commitment to originality, innovation, and quality. With these passionate core values, Slingshot took off and quickly became a global leader in windsurfing, wakeboarding, and kiteboarding. Even before foiling was a thing, Tony Logosz was already designing early inflatable wing concepts back in 2011! With these roots, it’s pretty clear that Slingshot was also destined to be at the forefront of the foiling revolution. Over the years, Slingshot has built an incredible range of foils and cater to every discipline with their Phantasm series. However, one of the most exciting designs that Slingshot has released to date is the PTM 899. The ultimate addition to the carbon fiber Phantasm series, the PTM…

Round 2 of your Mid Aspect Sonar wings. Tell us what the main changes are here from v1? The goal for the MAv2 Series was to improve the low-end lift, glide and ventilation-free tip-breaching characteristics of the first-generation MA Series while retaining what made the original MA special – the agile turning feel, high top-end speeds and stability over the whole speed range. The MAv2 Series have a lower stall speed, so they get up on foil faster, they are extremely easy to use and also have a surprisingly high top-end speed. Fun and maneuverable, they are our most versatile wing to date and are perfectly suited to most wingfoilers. It’s a comprehensive range of eight sizes. Talk us through the range, and which disciplines are best covered by which…

Hey guys. Can we first get a little background to Foil Drive? Where did the concept come from, and who are the main players behind the scenes? Foil Drive started out as a personal project of CEO & chief designer, Paul. With an injured shoulder, he had the desire to catch more waves in the limited free time he had and from further out the back where most waves are unridden. The local crew soon got around it and all wanted one. Cue Foil Drive… Paul brings a range of experience to the table, having founded the first commercial drone operation in Australia and over 20 years of experience designing RC aircraft, electric skateboards, scooters and mountain bikes. His passion expanded into jetboards and electric surfboards, then came foiling! The…

Hi Sam. We’re hearing good things about the M1. Tell us a little more about this new wing… Thank you, the feedback has been amazing. As a designer, getting that positive feedback from your customers is definitely a rewarding feeling. The M1 has been a two-year project for PPC. We really looked at what was on the market and how we could improve on that. We have developed our strut and leading edge with the new Dyneema material to reduce surface area and make a more streamlined wing. Then we’ve changed from our old soft handles to new Carbon EVA boom handles, and changed the profile of the wing for minimal drag and maximum power. We have also created the new specialized M1 canopy. Yes, can you give us a…

+ Flying over water, who would've thought an underwater airplane would be such a big hit? Foiling is such an incredible and interesting sport, constantly evolving through design, technology and innovation. The sport has taken off in the past half decade or so and seems to only be rising in popularity. The only question now is, where will foiling take us?+ Summer 2020 was when I first got my hands on a hydrofoil. I got lucky and timed my learning perfectly amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Nobody was on Maui, so there weren't many bystanders or video cameras to witness the drowning cat act I was putting on. Looking back on the foil I learned on compared to the foil I ride today is insane! Even though it was only four…

CAN YOU SUMMARIZE WHAT YOU DO? Windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing, and now wingfoiling are the sources of our total commitment! The extraordinary and inspiring places where our ION CLUB centers are located promise to be the backdrop for the most exciting days of your year. Our professional and specialised skills motivate and bring our guests to the next level. These qualities are underpinned by the fact that we use the latest equipment and only operate at all the very best spots on the planet. Our guests can always find the latest equipment for rental and qualified instructors for lessons no matter your level: beginner, intermediate, or advanced. WHERE ARE YOU BASED AND WHEN WERE YOU ESTABLISHED? We were established in 1985. We are still and will always have our base in…

RIDER Hunter Lukes LOCATION Chicago, Illinois PHOTOGRAPHER Nick Snider Hunter: I got a last minute call from Nick to come out on the boat to shoot some wake foiling pictures and videos. Chicago is a really unique place for this. One of the tallest, most impressive skylines situated right on one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, Lake Michigan. Having usually ridden on smaller inland lakes I was blown away by the views this session provided. Conditions weren't perfect and I definitely wish I had brought my longer mast to handle the chop better, but Nick managed to capture some amazing shots with the Chicago Skyline in the background. RIDER Sil Romeijn LOCATION Fuerteventura PHOTOGRAPHER Matemade NL Sil: This was taken on the last day of a Mistral…

Hey Jason. So firstly - how’s life been since the “incident”? Life has been very different since my encounter with the beautiful humpback whale. I have been interviewed by journalists from many countries in several different languages. Not to mention all the morning shows and news outlets here and overseas. My mates have also nicknamed me “Whale Boy”, which I’m yet to get used to. Walk us through exactly what happened that morning… It was a beautiful clear and sunny day here on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. We also had a nice southerly blowing, so I decided to hit the water at one of our local beaches. I entered the water at about 10.30am, heading out to sea on my first run. I turned around and started heading back…

Firstly David, how did this collaboration originally come about? Did you approach Marc or did Marc approach you? A moment of pure serendipity happened. Back in 2020, Flite had organised a raffle to raise funds during the Australian bushfires by offering a chance to win a Fliteboard. One of the hundreds of entrants that landed into my inbox had the name Marc Newson. Seeing his name on the screen led to a daydream about collaborating with him on a future Fliteboard and I immediately reached out. It turned out we had a mutual connection, and the partnership was quickly established from there. Were you already well acquainted with Marc’s work? Absolutely, Marc was one of my long-time design heroes. I had always admired the purity of form of his work…

We had been sitting in a natural hurricane hole on the boat “Escapade” for the better part of a week, hiding from the 45 knot winds which we thought had been left behind, 1000 miles back in New Zealand. The island of Qamea has steep mountainous terrain jetting straight up from the water, covered in a majestic jungle canopy. Every morning was like waking up on the set of Jurassic Park. Massive bats flying across the bay on their daily commute. One of the reefs outside Qamea is like a giant horseshoe and all that wind we left behind in New Zealand, as it turned out, was just getting started and promised a sweet, sweet long period swell that was headed our way. Now if only the local trade winds…

Famous Kung Fu fighter Bruce Lee once said: “Be like water”. Adapt to any circumstances, feel the energy that is within you and go with the flow. The other day I had a wing foil session close to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, when I experienced a unique moment. It was early in the morning; the sun slowly came over the mountain range and filled the landscape with a warm, fresh light. The wind blew moderately into the small bay. Armed with a 4m wing and a 65 liter board, I jumped into the cold water and comfortably headed out towards the coming sets. I was the only one out and the setup was as good as it can be. The colors of the water under my…

Hey Craig. First up, what’s your background in design? How did all that start out for you? Product design is quite a unique area of expertise. It started for me at quite a young age. Not necessarily designing products with any specific purpose, but my childhood had always followed a very creative and explorative pathway. Growing up in a workshop surrounded by everyone building stuff, I was always interested in creating and fixing things. The openness to challenges and creative grounding catapulted me into design, where I completed my professional training in Industrial Design. My focus in design has been centered around technical product design; whether this is a complicated mechanical part in a spreader bar or a beautifully blended hydrofoil wing – the underlying design must be well tested…

LOCATION LAKE MAITLAND, FLORIDA DATE MONDAY AUGUST 14TH, 2023 It’s been six years now since I left my hometown in Central Florida and re-located to Charleston, SC. At the time I left I had just learned to foil on Slingshot’s first generation “Wake Foil” release in 2017. I was basically the guinea pig for Slingshot to test the market and see if boaters would adopt this new water sport on lakes and behind wakeboard/wakesurf boats. Lake Mait-land holds a special place in my heart as it’s the first lake we foiled and discovered we cold surf the foil with no rope. Again, no one was doing it and the only real reference I had to what was possible was what the Slingshot Kite team was doing with them while being…

GWA WINGFOIL WORLD CUP DENMARK 2023 HVIDE SANDE, 3–9 SEPTEMBER The women’s Surf-Freestyle got off to a faltering start in Hvide Sande, Denmark, when the wind dropped out on day one. But when the athletes returned to the water, they had to contend with a fresh format of one wave and one trick to count to their score. Some, with surfing experience, fared better than others. The French pair of Orane Ceris and Kylie Belloeuvre ended up battling for the third and fourth podium places, with Ceris coming out on top. The Dutch former world champion, Bowien van der Linden, gave Nia Suardiaz a run for her money. But Suardiaz’s Frontside 3 trick and wave score both slightly outpointed van der Linden’s best efforts to give the young Spaniard the…

As part of their move into the wingfoil market, Mistral have collaborated with Sabfoil to bring out the Sultan foil. Aimed at the intermediate level rider looking to progress their riding, Mistral have utilized the modular Sabfoil system in turn giving their customers the opportunity to invest in a wider range of foils as they progress further without having to change to a new system down the line. The Sultan is a 1100cm2 mid aspect foil (AR 5.8) supplied with a 703mm aluminum fuselage and paired with a 202cm2 stabilizer. The stab is quite thin and higher aspect (AR 7.7) giving the mid aspect front wing a bit more glide and is supplied with a range of shims that let you tune your ride for more or less front foot…

GA’s windsurf legacy knows no bounds and their foray into the wingfoil market is steaming ahead with plenty of exciting new products in the pipes. The Poison is the all-round offering from Gaastra with six sizes available from 2.8 through to 7.2m. Off the bat, it’s evident that Gaastra haven’t played it safe in terms of design, and the Poison wing has plenty of unique and innovative features. The modular handle system is cleverly designed with the handles slotting into some neat plastic tracks and locking in place with simple M6 Torx bolts. The handles are mid diameter and offer a decent tactile EVA grip which looks as though it will prove to wear well in the long term. The strut is a unique stepped-back design with a considerable angle…

As wingfoiling development literally surges forward particularly in the race scene, a new approach is required for harnesses. With plenty of people using an impact vest whilst winging for obvious reasons, it makes sense to combine the two and integrate a spreader bar system into a flak jacket to spread the load across your chest and upper back and make it ultra comfortable, as well as enabling a higher hook position. ION have collaborated with Ronny and Pietro Kiaulehn at Wingman Products who produce handmade bespoke custom design, to bring a mass-produced version to the market at a more reasonable price point. First of all let’s focus on its impact protection. In the rear of the jacket is a large oval-shaped EVA shock pad with a tough composite backing which…

First let’s talk about the new Duotone Downwinder SLS. It looks like a very different shape to its Fanatic downwind predecessor. Definitely, there has been a lot of development in the world of down-winding over the last year. The performance gain to be found with longer and narrower boards has made such a big difference in getting more people into the sport. The goal was to make a board that had the best balance of early planing for a quick takeoff while keeping it stable and easy to ride. Where have you done the bulk of the DW development, and who’s been involved? The development for this board was done on Maui which has some of the best variety of conditions for testing. Finn and Jeffrey Spencer and Sky Solbach…

First up, what does the name Tanji mean? Sounds exotic. The name Tanji embodies the spirit of adventure and excitement. It draws its inspiration from Japanese culture, in particular their Manga style. It reflects the dynamic and playful nature of this wing, which is perfect for riders seeking an exhilarating and exotic experience on the water. Tell us a little about the technology involved in the Tanji, and how it sits alongside the RS in the range? The Tanji wing is a technological marvel designed for dynamic and playful riding. It’s incredibly reactive and fast, making it perfect for those who crave excitement on the water. In comparison to the RS, the Tanji offers a more playful and versatile experience, emphasizing agility and maneuverability. While the RS is designed for…

Firstly, please give us an overview of the new Quicklock Carbon Mast… The main thing to emphasize first is that it’s a revolutionary system. We've seen many fast foil attachment systems, but this one is truly unique in its kind. The footprint dimensions are really minimal, and the time it takes to assemble the foil is also really minimal, you can fix your foil to the board with only one screw. So this equates to a good bit of time saved in setting up? Talk us through the process. Yes, the significant reduction in setup time with the Quicklock system, from six minutes to just 30 seconds for attaching the foil, indeed translates to a substantial time-saving benefit. It makes the setup process much more efficient and convenient. In brief,…

Hello Theo! Please let our readers know where you are at this moment and when was the last time you were in the water… I've just arrived in Cumbuco for the final stop of the GKA strapless and hydrofoil final event, after spending a month at home, where I scored some epic wind and wave conditions with hurricanes passing just north of us. Some spots that rarely work were on fire, and I'm stoked I didn't miss those sessions right before getting on the plane. How did you first get into foiling? I got into kitefoiling first. I was instantly hooked by the incredible sensation it provided. When I saw the first videos of Kai Lenny foiling even in minimal waves, I knew I had to give it a try.…