Competition Insights from the Super Foil Brasil
Fri 27th Nov, 2020 @ 9:30 am
We’re still reeling from a fantastic first-ever GWA world tour event. This week, the GWA sat down (virtually of course) with a few of the top-placing riders from the event. They shared their favourite event tricks, how we can all progress at wing foiling and their go-to pre-competition snacks. Check out this interviews with Titouan Galea (winner of the Surf Super Session and Wingfoil Freestyle events ) Michael Näf (placed second in the Surf Super Session event) Maxime Chabloz (took third in the Surf Super Session event) and Fernando Novaes (placed third in the Wingfoil Freestyle event).
First up, Titouan Galea, the champion of the event.
Your favourite trick of the competition?
Backflip, a trick I learned two days before the competition
How did you prepare for the competition?
I haven’t prepared for it; I just arrived two days before to get used to the conditions.
Where do you see wing sports going?
I think it’s going to be big when you see how fast it grows in only one year!
How do you recommend someone gets started with wing foiling?
It’s a pretty easy sport, much easier than kite or windsurfing, so go for it, the best is to start into a school and to use big foil and boards.
How can our readers start taking their wing foiling to the next level?
They have to reduce the size of their gear, get your foil and board as small as possible.
What’s your favourite pre-competition food or snack?
I like to eat bananas before riding, especially the ones from tropical places like Brazil!
Fernando Novaes
Your favourite trick of the competition?
Balz’ attempt to 720 and Michel Naf’s railey to 360 back to back
How did you prepare for the competition?
Just sailing and foil surfing at home in very light wind conditions. I also watched the greatest wingfoilers videos to learn a bit about freestyling.
Where do you see wing sports going?
Wingfoiling is going to be huge. The possibilities of this sport are limitless and to be able to surf and sail at the same time is unique. Also, everybody can wing from poor to very challenging conditions.
How do you recommend someone to get started with wing foiling?
First play around with the wing on the sand, just standing and understanding how the wing feels on the wind. Then, go in the water with a high volume SUP board or a windsurf board with a dagger fin. After that, an experienced rider could try to foil directly on a foilboard with the wing. Or if one’s not confident enough, learning to foil separately behind a boat would be perfect.
How can our readers start taking their wing foiling to the next level?
Consistency, perseverance, passion and hard work.
What’s your favourite pre-competition food or snack?
Plenty of water and a big açai bowl with fruits.
Maxime Chabloz
Your favourite trick of the competition?
Backflip for sure!
How did you prepare for the competition?
I got my board with straps on a week before so didn’t have a lot of time to prepare but I made the best out of it and tried to get as many sessions in as possible.
Where do you see wing sports going?
To 10 foot cloudbreak! Haha, I think the sport has a big potential in wave riding.
How do you recommend someone gets started with wing foiling?
Use a big board in strong wind. At least that is how I learned. I think on a lake is the easiest because you don’t have waves that are quite hard to manage at the beginning.
How can our readers start taking their wing foiling to the next level?
I think wave riding is going to become a big thing and new freestyle tricks are coming out every day.
What’s your favourite pre-competition food or snack?
Pasta!
Michael Näf
Your favourite trick of the competition?
My favourite move was the raley into 360 which got me through to the final round of the supersession.
How did you prepare for the competition?
Physically I tried to train as much as possible on the lakes of Switzerland. We don’t have waves which make it challenging to train in the surf.
Where do you see wing sports going?
I think Wingfoiling combines all water sports like kiting, windsurfing, SUP, and surfing. Because of the large wind range; you can do water sports from very little wind to a lot of wind. Additionally, the easy handling and the attractiveness of this sport (riding waves, little wind for sailing) will inspire many new people.
How do you recommend someone gets started with wing foiling?
From my own experience, I can say that you can learn WIngfoiling within a few hours. My brother could fly back and forth with the Wingfoil after only two sessions. For starting, I recommend a big board (+40-50l of weight) and a Big Frontwing (>1500cm2). The Wing should be more or less 4-5 m2 for lighter people and 5-6m2 for heavier people.
How can our readers start taking their wing foiling to the next level?
Start watching videos online and compare your skills with others. Soon there will be a Wingfoil Tricktionary. There you will find beginners to advanced rider tips and tricks to bring your wing foiling to the next level.
What’s your favourite pre-competition food or snack?
Pasta is what I like most. But sometimes I am too nervous to eat!
For more information on the Global Wingsports Association, please click here.
