Kamil Manowiecki’s journey on the water began with sailing Optimists as a kid, leading him to victory at the 2024 Wingfoil Racing World Cup. In this interview, he sits down with Jen to share his experience—from his first wingfoil session in Hong Kong’s Stanley Bay to going head-to-head with the world’s best. He dives into the mental toughness required, the gear that gives him an edge, and his pursuit of a World Championship title. Tune in for an inside look at his incredible career!

Hi Kamil, thanks for joining us! Growing up in Sopot must have been fun; it looks beautiful! How do you think that influenced your journey in watersports?  

Growing up in Sopot, surrounded by the sea, fueled my passion for watersports. Sopot is a beautiful and pleasant city that offers a great quality of life. In addition to the sea, we are surrounded by forests, and everything is within biking distance—which is how I spent much of my childhood. I sailed my first miles at the end of Europe’s longest wooden pier. My club, Sopocki Klub Żeglarski, played a significant role in my development. Here, I took my first steps in windsurfing and began to pursue my athletic journey.

Who were your biggest inspirations when you started wingfoiling? Have they changed over time?  

I was first inspired by Balz Müller (Radiculo), whom I saw at Silvaplana. He raced on the lake, winning all the races while performing tricks and smiling the entire time. As the sport evolved, Titouan Galea also inspired me. He was the first to perform massive rotations and win world titles. When I met them in person, I realised I wanted to be like them.

What made you choose racing over freestyle?  

I’ve been involved in watersports for most of my life. I started windsurfing at a young age and quickly developed a passion for it. I competed in various disciplines before discovering wingfoiling.  

My journey as a rider began over ten years ago when I started sailing Optimists. I progressed to national competitions, and in 2016, I won the Polish Championship—a turning point in my career. Eager for more dynamic experiences, I transitioned to the Bic Techno class the following year. Despite being new to this category, I quickly caught up with more experienced competitors and claimed the Polish Champion title in 2017.

Since then, I’ve defended my title every year, progressing through Olympic classes like RS:X and IQFoil. Along the way, I represented Poland at the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina in 2019, earned the Vice European Champion title in RS:X Youth in 2020, and placed third at the Formula Foil World Championships in 2021. After two years of Olympic class training, I saw the opportunity in wingfoiling and decided to pursue it.  

Not many people know this, but my first experience with wingfoiling was in 2019 in Stanley Bay, Hong Kong, with my friend Edo Tanas. It was an incredible experience—I remember learning to pump simultaneously with my hands and legs. We even managed to fly around some local islands and cruise among container ships. That adventure ignited a deep love for wingfoiling in me, a love that continues to drive my journey in the sport.  

So, as you can imagine, racing has always been close to my heart. For some, racing might seem straightforward once you can tack and jibe, but the devil is in the details. I notice things others don’t even think about, and those small adjustments taken all together then make a big difference.  

How do you prepare mentally and physically for competitions?  

I spend a lot of energy and time preparing for competitions, starting with the right equipment choice, setting it up, and testing it through everyday physical training and mental coaching.

What’s the one thing you’ve learned from competing that has improved your riding the most?  

My biggest lesson is to race confidently and not let the fear of mistakes hold me back. Everyone makes mistakes— making fewer mistakes and pushing forward makes the difference.

Massive congratulations for winning the 2024 Wingfoil Racing World Cup in Brazil! What were the high and low points of that event? Can you share a standout moment or lesson from competing alongside Francesco Cappuzzo and Mathis Ghio?  

Thank you! The high point was winning the event—the culmination of all my hard work and preparation. The low point was the intense pressure of competing at such a high level, where every mistake could cost you. Racing against incredible athletes like Francesco Cappuzzo and Mathis Ghio taught me to stay calm under pressure and trust my training.  

What does “focusing on yourself” mean to you, and how has that mindset helped you succeed?  

For me, “focusing on yourself” means staying committed to your own process and not worrying about what others are doing. It’s about trusting your preparation and sticking to your plan.  

What’s your choice of gear for each discipline?  

For wingfoil racing last year, I used Ozone wings, a Chubanga foil, and Attack boards—a combination that proved to be perfect. Let’s see what equipment I’ll be using this season! 

I enjoy wave-winging with some freestyle action in my free time and off-season. With my 80 kg weight, I typically use a 4 m wing, a 30+ litre board, and a 600–700 foil with an 85 cm mast.  

What’s your ultimate vision for your career in wingfoiling, and how do you hope to inspire others along the way?  

My ultimate vision is to continue competing at the highest level, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in wingfoiling, and ultimately winning a World Championship title. I’m committed to this vision and hope to inspire others with my dedication and passion for the sport.  

Being from a cold country presents its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to training in the winter abroad while balancing time with my family and close ones. However, with their unwavering support and understanding, I’ve been able to overcome these obstacles. I hope my journey will inspire others to pick up wingfoiling as their hobby and show them that with determination, anything is possible.

Amazing, thanks Kamil! We look forward to seeing what the future holds for you!

Thanks, Jen!

By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.

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