Titouan Galea has been a part of the Cabrinha Ohana for a year. In this exclusive feature, he sheds light on his childhood, his top picks from Cabrinha's new gear, his aspirations for the final GWA stop, and his contribution to Cabrinha's R&D team to revolutionise their wingfoil range.

I grew up in New Caledonia, a place that still holds a special spot in my heart, with its idyllic blend of crystal-clear waters, diverse conditions, and warm hospitality. Growing up in this tropical paradise, I developed a deep connection to the ocean, fostering a passion for watersports, fishing and diving. New Caledonia is a stunning destination with various conditions, ranging from flat waters to huge waves. The water is always clear and warm, making it an ideal location to spend time in the ocean. My love for kitesurfing and surfing led me to explore other places, including Mauritius, an island known for its turquoise waters and perfect conditions. I spent many years there and learned to kite when I was 9 - it's one of my favourite places on Earth!

I switched to Cabrinha a year ago, which marked a significant turning point in my career. Stepping into unfamiliar territory, I faced the challenge of adapting to a new team, gear, and brand identity. While looking into this new opportunity, I did my homework speaking to other riders and some key staff in the wing and foil design team. It was clear that they were investing a huge amount of development and time into this area, and I had the unique opportunity to join this exciting movement. When you test gear, you look for and feel the intricacies of every small change in setup, so changing board, foil and wing was a big thing. Still, it was the right thing and a huge opportunity to add my ideas to their processes, and I would be allowed a lot of input and access. 

I embraced the change and immersed myself in understanding Cabrinha's philosophy and design ethos. There are many people working in each product sector, and it’s been an eye-opening process, one that, after a year of work, we will soon see some of the fruits of Cabrinha’s upcoming product launch in January 2024. 

I've always preferred riding small boards; my go-to sizes are the Link 4'6 and 4'8. When it comes to foils, my favourites are the H550 and 700 for freestyle tricks and big-wave riding. For racing, I mostly ride the Mantis wing and the Apex version. Riding smaller boards allows me to have better control and feel the foil more efficiently since the board's weight doesn't play a significant role. They also offer less drag in the air, which is essential, especially when tackling big waves. The same goes for foils - I like them small for speed and control, particularly in waves. The beauty of the smaller H-series wings is that they don’t top out, and you can push them as fast as you can go while still feeling stable at slower speeds. This is useful when landing tricks and getting straight back onto foil.

This year, my competitions had their ups and downs, with good and bad results that put me in first position, especially before the final with Francesco Capuzzo. My aim is to win this year's last stop and take the world title. I've already prepared my gear with new foils and faster, more rigid wings. I will fly to Brazil ten days before the competition begins, giving me some time to prepare and train.  

Competition has always been a driving force for me, fueling my determination to excel and push the boundaries of his sport. Whether sailing, kitesurfing, or wingfoiling, I relish the thrill of testing my limits and vying for victory. I have always liked competing, where my interest in equipment design comes from, as you need the best gear to top the podium.

Competing has many good points; first, it keeps you at the top level, forces you to progress continually, and gives you adrenaline and goals. My competitive spirit has propelled me to the top of the wingfoil world, earning three world championship titles. Competition not only drives my personal growth but also contributes to the overall development of the sport. Competing is what makes the sport grow. It pushes everyone to be better.

The Wingfoil Tour has become like a close-knit family for me, consisting of a diverse group of athletes from around the world. It feels like a community that comes together multiple times a year in beautiful locations worldwide. The only downside to the tour is being away from home for extended periods, especially when you live in a remote place like me.

With its quick growth and diversification, wingfoiling has evolved into a multi-faceted sport, offering a variety of disciplines that cater to different styles and preferences. I always did various disciplines, including freestyle and wave riding. However, for the 2023 season, I decided to focus on slalom racing. 

I am still determining which one of the disciples will grow the most. One thing is sure: the young riders are now leading the freestyle game; they spend three times more time in the water than me and recover ten times faster. I decided to focus on slalom racing this year but will also do some wave events; it’s great that I have a brand that supports me with these decisions and works alongside me to develop new products that will push the sport forward and make it more accessible to the broader public.

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By Titouan Galea

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