What started as a smooth sail from Bonaire to Curaçao took an unexpected turn—straight into massive, barreling waves! A last-minute detour, a legendary yacht, and a wingfoil session of a lifetime made this trip one for the books. Wind, waves, and pure adventure—let’s dive into Sil Romeijn’s latest adventure!

Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to join the crew of Kialoa 3, a legendary 70-foot racing yacht, on a sailing adventure from Bonaire to Curaçao. When I was asked to come along, I had one question—could I bring my wing gear? The answer was yes, and I didn’t hesitate for a second.

For someone who thrives on adventure, combining sailing and wingfoiling is irresistible. Sailing takes you to places you wouldn’t otherwise reach, and wingfoiling is the perfect way to explore once you get there. The gear is light and easy to pack and launching straight off the boat opens up a new world of riding. More and more sailors are picking up wingfoiling for this reason—it’s just too good a combo to pass up.

Stepping onto Kialoa 3 for the first time was breathtaking. The yacht has this stunning, classic design that any sailing enthusiast would appreciate. It carries a deep history that is well-known within the sailing community. It’s part of a series of five iconic yachts, and I was standing aboard number three. I’ve sailed plenty before, but nothing on this scale. This was the biggest boat I’d ever been on, and I had no experience handling something of this size. I expected smooth sailing, but I didn’t expect we’d end up scoring some of the best waves of my life. That surprise twist made the entire trip unforgettable.

We set off for Curaçao on a Friday afternoon, cruising downwind at a steady 10 knots. The sea conditions were classic for that stretch—open ocean swells rolling beneath us, giving the yacht a smooth, surfing motion. As the sun set, we witnessed one of the biggest green flashes I’d ever seen—it felt like it lasted forever.

The energy on board was amazing. We had a mixed crew of about nine people, with sailors from Sweden, the Netherlands, England, and France. Two crew members were hitchhiking to Colombia and had joined for part of the journey, adding another layer of adventure. The conversations flowed as quickly as the miles beneath us, with everyone sharing their sailing stories and plans for what came next.

After a short weekend in Curaçao, we set sail back to Bonaire. As we approached Klein Curaçao, a small island along the route, we spotted something unusual near the northern point—a thick white mist rising into the air.

At first, we thought it might be a wind turbine or some strange atmospheric effect, but then it hit me. I knew this part of the island sometimes got good surf, and as we got closer, we saw what was causing the mist—perfect rolling barrels breaking over the reef. It was firing!  The moment I realised what we had stumbled upon, my excitement skyrocketed. My friend Tom, a Swedish surfer on board, was just as stoked. The crew could feel our energy, and soon, everyone was buzzing. After discussing it with the captain, we decided to stop for a quick session and lunch.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though—just as we were manoeuvring to anchor, we ran into some unexpected issues. The halyard got caught in the furler, making it difficult to roll in the Genoa sail, and at the same time, the day fuel tank ran dry, shutting off the engine. So, there we were, approaching a remote reef break with limited manoeuvrability, trying to troubleshoot on the fly. But the captain and crew handled it like pros; before long, we were ready to get in the water.

The moment I started rigging my gear, the adrenaline kicked in. I had brought my light-wind setup, expecting mellow conditions, but in reality, the waves were massive—easily 3 to 4.5 meters—and the wind was lighter than I would have liked. This made it incredibly challenging to get up on foil, but once I did, I knew I was in for something special.

Riding those waves was pure magic. The swell came in from deep water and hit the island at the perfect angle, creating fast, hollow waves that broke close to shore. It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced in the Caribbean. My foil—a high-aspect Florence 130 designed for downwind racing—was completely overpowered in the conditions. It accelerated like crazy, making sharp turns nearly impossible. So, instead of my usual carving style, I went for long, straight, high-speed runs, playing it safe while still soaking in every second.

Tom had paddled out on his surfboard and managed to drop into a couple of waves—some of the biggest he’d ever attempted. The crew stayed on Kialoa 3, watching the session unfold. They took videos and photos on their phones, cheering us on from the boat. The excitement was contagious—even those who weren’t in the water felt the thrill of what we were experiencing.

After an unforgettable session, we climbed back on board, exhausted but exhilarated. Lunch was served: a delicious couscous dish packed with fresh greens and a hint of lemon, which hit the spot after an intense few hours.

The sail back to Bonaire was smooth, and we completed the entire trip in just one tack. As the sun set, the island came into view, and by the time we reached the coast, the moon was rising, casting a silver glow over the glassy water. We sailed along the shoreline in absolute stillness, reflecting on the incredible day.

We celebrated at the harbour with a cold beer, still riding the high of what we had just experienced. Plenty of sailing stories were told that night, but none could quite match what we had just lived.

Experiences like this only deepen my love for both sailing and wingfoiling. The beauty of travelling by boat is that you end up in places you’d never reach otherwise. And with a wing and foil on board, every stop has the potential to turn into an epic session.

Anyone thinking of combining these two sports should just do it. Pack your gear, chase the wind, and prepare for the unexpected. You never know when you’ll find yourself in a moment like this, scoring waves in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but the ocean, good people, and the purest kind of freedom.

 

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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