BOARDS TO ACTIVATE FLIGHT

Foiling has developed at a phenomenal rate in the last few years and now the lest leam get their chance to put the latest foil boards and foils through their paces with the focus on user-friendliness.

- James Hardy

You can't deny that the popularity in wind-foiling has definitely taken a slump with the continuous growth and popularity of winging. However, wind-foiling, even though you could consider it a niche discipline in the world of windsurfing still goes on. Pockets of wind-foiling activity still exist at local inland reservoirs and clubs or at your local beach. Yes, they may be in the minority, but it's still going on. Wind-foiling represents windsurfing in the Olympics with iQ Foil being the one design equipment, and with its exciting format and variety of racing formats it's definitely an exciting representation of windsurfing in the racing world that we will get to see for the first time at this year's 2024 Paris Olympics. Junior & Youth iQ Foil is also incredibly popular and drawing huge interest from the next generation, wind-foiling isn't dead, it's just developed and the new kid on the block has stolen some of its thunder.

Personally, for me wind-foiling was a huge part in my foiling journey and personal progression. It transformed my windsurfing by allowing me to spend more time on the water regardless of whether I was inland or at the beach. I was able to perfect skills, techniques, understanding and ultimately have more and more fun. So much so, that I even dabbled with some of the early years of wind-foil racing in the UK. I admit I do a fair amount of winging also, but the opportunity and time on the water wind-foiling provides is a real treat and I am sure I will never get board of it and it's possible to chop and change foils to compliment the challenge our riding.