Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 19 i Foiling Magazine

This Himalayan odyssey began a year prior, driven by the audacious idea of setting a world altitude record for an eFoil ride. And if we were to tackle a high-altitude lake, we might as well aim for one of the highest, ensuring such a record would not be a walkover. Any ambitious project requires quite a bit of preparation, but we didn’t anticipate that what would follow would be a journey so fraught with technical, logistical, financial, and administrative hurdles. But the Icare team doesn't back down. The real challenge kicked off after two days on a bus on winding dirt roads, clinging to cliff sides, and some not-very-reassuring wooden bridges, connecting Kathmandu to the starting point of a three-week trek through imposing summits, on the path to Mount Everest.…

Anticipation bubbled as we boarded our flight from Oslo, exchanging laughter and animated chatter about the impending sailboat adventure in Egypt. The promise of warmth enveloped us as we transitioned from a chilly -20°C in Oslo to a balmy +25°C upon landing. The allure of the Egyptian sun beckoned, casting a golden hue over our eager spirits. Yet, our journey took an unexpected twist as the baggage carousel played a cruel trick, with our checked bags nowhere in sight. After a prolonged wait, a resolution emerged – the elusive bags would rendezvous with us at the boat in Hamata Port. A four-hour taxi ride later, we found ourselves en route to our dream destination… The first day aboard and turquoise waters beckoned as we sailed to an enchanting island just…

CORE has a solid history in the wind and water sports realm. Tell us first how the brand began: who started it, where it was based, and what was the first product to roll off the factory floor? It all started when CORE’s founder Bernie Hiss built his first kite prototypes and twintips on the Baltic Sea island of Fehmarn, at a time when only a handful of crazy people on Maui had just founded the sport. The Carved Custom board production began in 2001 where, as early pioneers in the field, we handcrafted twintip masterpieces with the highest quality materials and innovative board-building processes. The success of Carved led to the birth of another global brand, CORE Kiteboarding in 2007. At what point did foiling land on the CORE…

Hugh, firstly could you please give our readers a bit of an overview of the new ShiftLock system and how it’s integrated into the wing… HP: ShiftLock is wing handle technology that allows for unlimited handle positions along a strong, lightweight and flexible track system that is part of the wing strut. We have various carbon handle lengths ranging from compact 250mm handles to 400mm, 500mm and the 1100mm boom. You can mix and match the sizes to suit your riding style and quickly shift them into position and lock them in place with North’s standardized T40 foil tool. North offers accessories that also easily lock onto the ShiftLock track, like an action camera mount or a SUP paddle shaft mount that can also work as an action camera pole…

LOCATION SCHÖNBERG, GERMANY DATE MONDAY OCTOBER 30TH, 2023 This year, I had planned to escape to the tropical climate of Brazil during the cold season. However, due to scheduling constraints, I couldn't book the flights early enough, and the prices rose immeasurably week after week. Last minute offers also failed to materialize, and paying 1500 to 2000 euros for flights was not an option. Apart from a road trip to the south of France, it appeared I couldn't escape the cold in Germany. That left me with the low-budget version of Brazil in northern Germany. But I believe the small beach section called “Brasilien” in the municipality of Schönberg on the Baltic Sea has a lot to offer to match it up in some part with the real Brazil. Blue…

In the last few months, there has been great hype around downwind foiling with tons of shapers introducing new, slender boards conceived to reduce drag and make it easier to achieve foil take-off speeds, whether it is with paddling, or winging as in this case. Vayu introduced the Edge Wing as a cutting-edge wingfoil early glide board that promises to redefine the standards of performance and innovation in light winds. I recently had the opportunity to put my hands on this highly promising early glide board in its 6’5 size, with 85 liters of volume – and I simply loved it. The board’s design, at a glance, immediately declares its light wind aspirations – the most evident feature being its long and narrow waterline and its extended tail shape derived…

The Takuma Rise is designed to cater to a broad spectrum of foil disciplines, including prone paddling, SUP, downwind, surf, and wing foiling, the Rise is a testament to Takuma’s commitment to creating the most versatile boards on the market. For testing, we took out the well-rounded 7’10, packing 110 liters of volume into 19.5 inches of width and just over six inches of thickness. We paired this Rise with Takuma’s Kujira II lineup, using the 1400 for lighter conditions, the 1250 for average conditions, and the 1100 for more energized wind and swell. Inspired by years of refined prone paddleboard race designs, the Rise stands out with its sleek bellied hull, low drag pin tail, and concave “gravity deck”. While this slightly recessed G-Deck is nothing new to the…

Pictures of this mast started floating around on social media during M2O in mid-2023 thanks to keen-eyed foil aficionados. And despite initially being developed for team riders, after much consideration, AXIS has decided to release the product due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback despite the relatively eye-watering retail price in order to expand their comprehensive range. AXIS’ new Pro Ultra mast tops the range of masts (Aluminum, Power Carbon, High Modulus Power Carbon) and promises unrivaled stiffness with a revised mast section designed to minimize drag and maximize the performance of the foils. Three sizes are available to span across disciplines in 800, 900 and 1050mm. Like the other carbon masts in the AXIS range, and most other performance carbon masts on the market, the thickness tapers from top to…

The explosion of SUP foil downwinding has, by now, captured the attention of most of the foil world and influenced board design on all fronts with the revelation to the market of how great these shapes are as light wind wing boards. No stranger to innovation in board design, Appletree Surfboards have been making high quality foil boards since the dawn of mainstream foiling and have recently updated their Apple Skipper downwind board. The Skipper Downwind is part of the wider Skipper family of boards (prone and wing models) whose designs are optimized for those wanting to push their riding and to maximize the boards ability to ‘skip’ off the water. The construction is renowned for its durability thanks to Appletree’s proprietary vacuum infusion and closed cell foam which ensures…

For 2024, Naish introduce a new category to their product lineup called Nvision. With this category, Naish are committing themselves to achieving peak performance by incorporating cutting-edge technologies, advanced materials and innovative designs. The inaugural wing in the Nvision series is the latest Naish ADX Nvision, representing their premium and most advanced wing to date. The first notable feature of this new wing is its distinctive golden leading edge and strut. Indeed, the ADX adopts the latest Aluula material, replacing the traditional Dacron used over the wing. For those unfamiliar with Aluula, it is not only nearly half the weight but also significantly more rigid than standard Dacron. This advancement translates into substantial improvements across various aspects of wing performance. For the material enthusiasts, it’s worth mentioning that Naish uses…

Imagine that lazy lump of a reef break you’ve watched for years that walls up for eternity and never really does anything… That frustratingly useless but tempting bit of ocean energy you’ve paddled the lonely 600m over to, gaining nothing but dissatisfaction on more than one occasion. You couldn’t even get into it on your DW SUP foil rig. There’s now a product, I daresay an optional appendage, that will let you draw lines all over it like a fresh powder day in Utah. At first I was at a psychological stalemate with a foil-assist system not being pure. It was cheating. You didn’t earn the wave, you don’t deserve to ride it. Then I had the realization that if I’d had the same attitude to kites, foiling and subsequently…

So first the Blackbird downwind board, and now the Whitebird. Tell us about the design concept here? The Whitebird is inspired by the pioneering Blackbird board from AFS Advanced. However, the Whitebird from AFS is a board that is more accessible, while still maintaining lightness and performance. And the difference is very much reflected in the shape differences of these two boards. The Whitebirds are more compact than the new Blackbird sizes released recently. The Whitebirds are versatile and more compact than the Blackbirds, which are longer and really designed for downwind riding with immediate take-off, with smaller foils like the PURE 800. The Blackbird is the next-level machine for downwinding, while the Whitebird is more of a waterman’s board, for people who love to practice multiple disciplines like wingfoiling…

First up Steve, for those who haven’t yet been introduced to Follow, please give us a little background on the brand. Ah mate, that’s a long story. But in a short version, I have been heavily involved with all board sports my entire life. I’ve always loved gear, why it breaks and why something works. I started working in shops when I was 15 to pay for more board sports gear. After working and managing some of the premium stores within Australia, I saw an opportunity in the wake market to build some quality products that didn’t break. The competitors had no focus in soft goods, it was always an afterthought for the board brands. I put together a Follow team who I believed showed the sport in the way…

Hey team. So firstly, please tell us about the name and what ADX stands for? ADX means Aerodynamic Extreme and the pinnacle products with the highest technology, design processes and materials available are called Nvision. In the near future, you will see a select version of Nvision products through most of our product lines. This is your first Aluula infused wing. Did you try many other materials before settling on Aluula? We tried several different materials from different sources but none of them gave us the same rigidness and lightness that the Aluula material offers at this point. Aluula’s track record in technology and reliability was therefore our first choice. Was the switch to Aluula an easy transition in manufacturing terms? Aluula material is quite new compared to traditional Dacron…

The AIR gets a Team edition! Clinton, please tell us about this new wing and how it sits in the current range. Yes, we’re excited to introduce the AIR Team as a key new product offered in the FreeWing range. This wing was developed with our Wave and Freestyle dream team, to introduce a completely new level in durability and maneuver-oriented performance. This wing has been developed for high-performance freestyle, surf and downwind foiling. The AIR Team features our exclusive Ultra X canopy as the most durable canopy in the marketplace, also combined with our proven high pressure Ho’okipa airframe. Talk to us about the all-new Ultra X canopy, is it as exciting as it sounds? Absolutely, Ultra X is a game changer. This is part of our next generation…

Hey Tony. So firstly, tell us how you discovered foiling… I understand that you tried SUP foil first right? Many years ago I was asked to be on a two-man crew on a trimaran foil sailboat by the owner of the kayak shop I worked for. I was a sea kayak instructor and guide. The foil sailboat was designed by an engineer that designed race foil boats so we knew it would be fast and after that experience I was hooked on the speed of the craft. Then seeing foils for surfing hit the market, I wanted to try SUP foil surfing since I raced and surfed SUP already. That worked out okay, but I didn't have much time to practice since I lived far away from the ocean. The…

01 DUOTONE UNIT D/LAB Duotone were early adopters of the increasingly popular Aluula material, feeding them into their D/LAB products and enjoying plenty of positive feedback. So, this latest incarnation of the Unit D/LAB comes off the back of a good chunk of design experience with the material. Ergonomically shaped for enhanced rider comfort and performance – definitely one to consider if you’re in the market for a new wing… 02 FLITELAB* AMP When any brand’s remit is “unconstrained by rules and conformity”, we’re gonna sit up and take notice, because it both sounds cool and also generally leads to some pretty exciting results. Flite’s recently emerged sub-brand’s first release is the AMP range of assisted take-off options. Being as Flite have been in the electric foil business from the start, if…

Maximizing every part of a foil setup for enhanced glide, maneuverability and speed can be great. However, for me, maximizing my foil setup means asking myself how I could have the most fun on the water. Coming from a surfing and stand-up paddling background, almost every wave you catch you’re trying to throw spray, so when I hopped on a foil I wanted to see if this was also possible. Starting in late October 2023, I started playing around with it. It wasn’t a full slide that I like to do now, but mostly just sliding slashes that scared the living daylights out of Slater Neborsky who was in the water at the time trying to shoot close up shots. From there, I had a few sessions on the North…

LOCATION MAUI, HAWAII DATE SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25TH, 2023 Cash Shooting with the Armstrong family has always been one of my favorite parts of being on the team. There is something about getting together with other athletes with the goal in mind to create cool and innovative content for a broad audience to see. The Armstrong crew has always made me feel right at home wherever we are in the world. On this lucky occasion, we were on my home island of Maui shooting for the newly released HA foil range. Product shoots are always interesting and definitely have their ups and downs, especially since mother nature isn’t always on your side. For this particular shoot, we went into it with the goal in mind to get some lifestyle shots, cruising…

The GWA Wingfoil World Tour closed out its 2023 season in Cauipe, Brazil, in late November. Only the men’s FreeFly-Slalom world title was left to be decided after a tight, year-long battle between Italy’s Francesco Cappuzzo and France’s Titouan Galea. The pair were on equal points on the leaderboard going into the final round in Cauipe. Cappuzzo did enough to fulfil his life-long dream and land the world title, even though he failed to win the event. He was crowned in Brazil along with the other world champions, who had secured their titles earlier. The Spanish wingfoil phenom, Nia Suardiaz, ended her year with six-from-six Free-Fly-Slalom event wins. The 16-year-old had landed the world title with the victory in Hvide Sande, Denmark, in September. A few days earlier Suardiaz had…

The pain… It’s not right. It can make a grown man cry. In fact, it’s as close to simultaneously crying and vomiting as I have been. Frequently. Allowing your digits to get so cold you can’t move them and think they will literally snap off is a weird measure of how much we love our water sports. For some reason the lure of getting on the water on those extra cold days, typically the sub-zero windchill factor that the offshore easterlies in the UK bring, seems enough to warrant risking such pain. And then there’s the potential arthritic long-term suffering we may be putting our fingers under. The cure? Weirdly, gloves have not typically been the answer, as most people using them for winging, kiting or windsurfing then get the…

Building on two already successful designs, the SIC R&D team managed to further refine its wing line by introducing a paradigm shift in performance and functionality, blending a lower aspect ratio shape with an increased support along the leading edge. The result is a more rigid, more powerful and more stable wing that enhances both fun and control. In fact, the meticulously crafted latest iteration of SIC’s Raptor line proves to be a major step ahead both in performance and construction. So, first things first: the SIC Raptor Wing V3 distinguishes itself with a lower aspect ratio shape compared to its previous versions. This, complemented by the increased segmented support and the use of SIC’s ExoTex material along the leading edge creates a much stiffer overall frame with improved tensile…

The Omen Flux is designed to foster progression among all riders, the Flux range lives up to its name as a beacon of change, flow, and innovation in the worlds of both prone and wing foiling. Constructed with Appletree’s superior lamination and closed-cell waterproof foam technology, this board is one of the few that ensures durability and peace of mind, allowing riders to focus on the ride rather than the repercussions of accidental dings. The Flux’s design philosophy draws inspiration from various surfboard shapes and naval architecture, delivering a board that’s fast, responsive, and capable of leveraging light wind or even the smallest bumps for quick takeoffs. The semi-displacement hull, wide tail, and parallel rails work in harmony to provide effortless lift and stability, making it an ideal choice for…

You may not have heard yet, but it seems like the time is now: the machines are taking over… The age of ‘assist’ is upon us and even the most diehard devotees to the world of prone and downwinding are realizing that there’s a place for a little extra power in their lives. It’s not a ‘cheat’ but more a way to expand the possibilities and access yet more hours on the water. (But, yes, if you are struggling to get onto waves with your prone foiling, or struggling to paddle up for your downwinders, the Stoke Foil Boost also has you firmly in its sites.) Before moving onto a closer look at the Boost and the test, let’s address the gold-plated elephant in the room: the entry fee to…

I guess it was two years ago that Armstrong’s first generation HA range was released, and it sat firmly at the bleeding edge of high-aspect foils available at the time from the main brands. It was fast, loose and uncompromising, and required a high caliber of human on top to keep it in check and get the most from it – technical to ride, but very rewarding once you learned to handle it. The revised second generation has now hit the market, with a range of seven sizes currently from 580 through to 1180cm2 in 100cm steps. The design focus has shifted and is now set firmly on surf riding, glide, pumping, easy roll and accessibility. In the hands, it’s evident that there’s been a high level of design input,…

So this is the second incarnation of the AURA. What changes have there been since the V1? As we had the chance to work for more than a year before we came to release the new version of the AURA, we put all our new learning into it. Starting with the most obvious thing, the handles, the new AURA has the option to change from soft handles to rigid handles or to a long boom. Soft and hard handles are included, and the boom comes as an available option. We also now have more segments on the leading edge and thinner tips, which helps to make the tips flexible, meaning that in stronger gusts the tips work smoothly and give you 100% control all the time. The middle section of…

A whole new HA range then! The last range proved quite pioneering. Tell us about the new line-up… We’re really stoked about where we landed with the new high aspect foil range. It’s been a couple years since we released the original HAs, and the development process for this latest incarnation had a different goal in mind compared to the previous range. Where the first HAs were focused on achieving top end speed, these new HAs blend terrific low end lift with amazing glide and remarkable carving abilities; you do really get it all, whether you’re surfing, winging or exploring other foiling disciplines. Your previous HA range was released back in 2021. It doesn’t seem so long ago, but what’s been learnt in the interim? That’s precisely what’s so exciting!…

Hey team, let’s dig in – firstly, what is AeroCore and how does it work? The AeroCore construction makes use of expanded epoxy cores, which allow us to reduce weight and generate exceptional stiffness along with the internal carbon stringer. Combined with our Ultra High Modulus carbon, this lightweight mast boasts exceptional stiffness and torsional flex. And what benefits does it bring to the new masts? With larger wingspan foils, and more demanding riding conditions, our optimized AeroCore placement and carbon stringer have been important factors in improving stiffness while avoiding the added weight found in solid carbon masts. Stiffness benefits are in both twisting and sideways flex, resulting in a much more direct and responsive feel. How long have these masts been in the R&D phase? The Carbon Plus…

Two new high aspect wings then! Matt, tell us why high aspect fans are going to fall in love with these wings… You’ll fall in love with the efficiency, ease of use, and turning ability. Unmatched for wings of these sizes. As soon as we launched the 150HA-X in 2023, customers began clamouring for larger wings with that same 150HA-X DNA injected. That’s exactly what these wings are. Ultimately, they have a blend of characteristics that make SUP downwinding and light wind winging more accessible but are still performance-oriented enough that high-level riders love them in sub-par conditions. Tell us what the X stands for in HA-X… When we developed the 150HA-X, we began to experiment outside of the parameters of the original 120, 170, and 200HA line-up. We played…

Hey Arthur! First question – how are the conditions today and have you been in the water yet? Hi! Today is the weekend, and it’s wingfoil training time at the local sailing club with the other kids. We have a spot in front of the club with a great wave and regular wind, we're going to sail, have a good laugh and do some wave heats. Conditions are good! 18 knots, 1.5m waves, and lots of sun. We’ll all be training together. So how and when did you first discover wingfoiling? With my uncle who brought the first Duotone wingfoil to the island! Everyone thought it was weird at first, now all these people love it. Previously we’d been doing windsurfing, kitesurfing and surfing. Now we do those a bit…

Learning to SUP foil is the most difficult thing I’ve ever done in my life. It took me 12 hour-long sessions to make it onto the foil. I spent a lot of time on my belly, paddling upwind into chop and spray. I also spent a lot of time paddling downwind on my belly without my pride. I put my kit up for sale after session six, confused and frustrated at my own lack of progress. I pulled the post down after session eight, buckled down and then something clicked. There are tons of tutorials and clips of the aliens making it look effortless. I hated watching them, so I never did, which means I overlooked the hacks you find online: paddle nose to toes, keep paddle in the water…

RIDER VIOLA LIPPITSCH WEAPON FLYSURFER TAO DIMENSIONS 2.5M TO 6.2M RIDER HEIGHT 166CM RIDER WEIGHT 55KG I joined the Flysurfer family in January 2024, so I haven’t been riding the TAO long but I´m really happy with it. It’s flexibile, smooth, and agile when turning. The TAO is THE wing for freestyle. Most of the time I’m out with the soft handle version, which is really great for handling. I have had some time to compare it with the version with hard handles and for certain tricks I definitely prefer this option. The main and most important characteristic that I look for in a wing is easy handling. Furthermore, what the TAO fulfills perfectly, is the importance of lift in the wing. It’s super important, specifically for Big Air or…

LOCATION KA’ANAPALI, MAUI DATE FRIDAY JANUARY 12TH, 2024 Last night my wife agreed to come take pictures of me at the beach! A rare occurrence that got me incredibly excited for the day to come. After making sure that the batteries were charged, SD card empty, and lenses clean, I slept like a baby, dreaming of making the next Foiling Magazine cover. As the sun rises, a black coffee in hand, I watch and analyze the texture of the ocean from my lanai in Lahaina. It seems like the raging Kona winds are finally over and left us some fairly clean wind swells coming from the south. The best prone foil spots of the island are facing south, so the day is starting great. But… the devastating Lahaina fires from…

The 2023 WingFoil Racing World Cup concluded with the last event in Brazil, capping off an incredible year that witnessed the participation of over 230 athletes from 13 different countries. The year’s events took place in Abu Dhabi, Lake Garda, Silvaplana, and Cagliari, while the final competition unfolded on the stunning Brazilian beach of Jericoacoara. Jeri is widely renowned for its strong winds, which make it a mecca for water sports lovers. Well beyond expectations, the closing event broke the circuit’s wind record with gusts exceeding 30 knots. FOILING PARADISE The second edition of the Jeri Wingfoil Cup saw four days of speed and action in this foil paradise. Eco-luxury resort Vila Kalango hosted the event once again, following the success of the previous year. It’s a very important competition…

The GA Foils Cross has received a significant update for 2024, introducing several noteworthy changes from its previous model. Renowned as GA’s all-round freeride wing catering to beginners, freeriders, and versatile enthusiasts, the Cross now spans from 2.7m to 6.2m, with 0.5m intervals between sizes, ensuring you find the perfect fit. In terms of construction, the Cross boasts innovative features, notably the utilization of the new ultra-stiff and durable ForceTec Dacron for the leading edge and strut. This material enhances stability and controllability across diverse conditions. Notably, the wing’s center incorporates a double-layer of Dacron at the leading edge, reinforcing stiffness and durability in the area subjected to the most stress. The canopy features the use of VoltNova, a 3x3 weave canopy on the front and central part, delivering a…

I recently had the opportunity to “test” a new range of clothing and wetsuits from Follow, an Australian-based company which has dominated the boat/wake/cable industry for the better part of two decades. Now, Follow is expanding the company’s product lines to develop the “Life” range, aimed to keep up with our outdoor lifestyles whether we are in the ocean, up a mountain, or walking barefoot to the local pub. Tested in Australia, developed for the world, Follow’s products are stylish, durable and comfortable and all-the-while constructed using sustainable materials and designs. Need I also say that they are absolutely perfect for any water sport discipline? As ocean athletes, our surf garments are used and relied upon just as heavily as our boards and foils, which is why I became a…

There’s nothing more telling that a niche sport has well and truly cemented its status than when it receives its own specific wetsuit range. Dutch neoprene wizards Prolimit have designed the Shield range from the ground up, and it’s designed specifically for cold water foil sports in mind, with various genius features making it extremely suitable for task with inbuilt impact protection. There are two suits currently in the range; we dutifully tested the 6/4 in the bleakest of UK winters but there’s also a 5/3 available for less perishing temperatures. The base of the suit carries over some of the materials and manufacturing techniques which make Prolimit suits so solidly constructed and thermally bountiful. Entry is handled by a sturdy YKK front zip system with a generous aperture for…

Downwinding is now most definitely a solid ‘thing’ and has sparked some interesting developments, pushing both foil and board design into some new realms in other disciplines. AK have been quick on the uptake and launched their DW-influenced lightwind wing board in the form of the Nomad. They are running three sizes in 90L, 115L and 135L, with lengths running from 6’6, 7’0 and 7’6 respectively, and thicknesses all sitting between five and six inches. Width is quite literally a sticky subject with DW-derived boards, and the 115L board we tested sports 23” in its widest section making it a true crossover design and an elegant canoe-like outline. A full complement of foot strap inserts are present on self-tapping windsurf-style screws. These allow for a Y configuration or straight surf…

With consumer requirements changing rapidly and foils evolving across disciplines, North have responded to new market demands with an all-new V2 mid-aspect series, which has had a thorough development cycle and bolts straight onto their existing modular Sonar mast system, which now ship out with all titanium fixings. There’s a comprehensive range of sizes available, ranging from 700 all the way up to a 2400cm2. The design aim was clearly a cross discipline and universal foil which a rider can grow into and adapt as their ability level increases. The R&D process has been masterminded by North’s in-house naval architect Uli Sommerlatt, in New Zealand’s ideal test bed of real-world dynamic wave and wind conditions, and this shines through in the universal application of the new series. Fittings-wise, the front…

Firstly James, let’s hear all about the 4th generation Mantis… It’s bonkers to think we are already four iterations through the Mantis, Cabrinha’s best-selling wing. The Mantis has always had the latest technologies and constructions put into it and is an all-round favorite for so many, whether that be beginners through to Cabrinha’s top team riders. It excels in such a wide variety of conditions from waves through freestyle to general freeriding. It has also been the key wing for our team competing in some of the wing Big Air competitions. Over the four generations of Mantis, what have been the most significant performance enhancements? The Mantis shape and aerofoil has always evolved year on year under the watchful eye of Cabrinha’s head wing and foil designer Brodie Sutherland, and…

Hey Urs. Let’s start with your existing wing models, we hear the CROSS and POISON have both had a pretty serious upgrade. Can you tell us what’s new on these two models? Yes, plenty of updates for both models in 2024. The most obvious and visible change is the completely reworked panel layout of the canopy, a much more complex layout. The front section is still similar, with the panels aligned along the foil for a precise shape of the profile. At the rear we added two radial seams, which run diagonally to the foil. The seams parallel to the TE are not continuous anymore, but interrupted at those diagonal seams and shifted a little. That helps keeping the rear part of the wing flat and avoids stretch over a…

Another wing in the RRD line-up gets the gold treatment. Roberto, please tell us all about this new iteration of the EVO WING… The initial EVO WING was designed for beginners and freeriders. After three years of widespread use globally, we've received great feedback and decided to create a new type of wing. It will remain as easy to use as the original EVO WING but with more tension on the profile, especially on the main body of the wing itself. It features a larger leading edge and a completely new outline design. This design takes into account all the developments over the past few years, including those in the Wind Wings and Gold Wings. In short, the wing is entirely redesigned from scratch, incorporating all the technological, constructional, and…

Hey both! So to start off, where are you right now? When was the last time you both got in the water? MS: Hi, right now we are at home, in Sardinia, in Oristano. The last time we entered the water was yesterday. It was a great session, with excellent wind conditions! Maddalena, you were crowned Wingfoil Racing World Champion in 2023. How did that feel? MS: Being crowned the Wingfoil Racing World Champion in 2023 was a thrilling achievement that exceeded all my expectations. At the beginning of the year, I faced significant challenges, encountering many obstacles. These initial difficulties make the current success even more exhilarating, reflecting all the hard work I put in. I don’t believe there are words to explain my emotions after this victory, and…

Growing up on Kauai I was always into water activities. It led me to a professional bodyboard career for a few years after high school. I then moved to Oahu when I got a job as a flight attendant for Hawaiian Airlines. Then I got heavily into shortboarding and snowboarding. My foiling journey began in 2017. Once I saw the possibilities of it I knew it was something I had to do. My wife and I just bought a house fronting one of our favorite waves to shortboard. Knowing how limited are the days that this wave would be good, I saw foiling as a way to be in the water every day. At that time the gear was pretty terrible and since the community of foilers was slim to…