The Wing Life Podcast

On our 8th edition of the GWA Show, Tom joins us from Brazil to talk about:

- Their recent wave world cup event in Ibiraquera, Brazil
- Elena and Cash's titles were well-deserved and celebrated. Congrats!!
- Touring around Brazil - Exploring new locations for potential new event sites
- Athletes are pushing the limits in wave riding competitions
- Big News ---- The GWA may allow the use of wings for aerial maneuvers in Wave events next season
- The importance of variety in competition formats is emphasized
- The Maui crew brings fresh energy to competitions.
- There is a high demand for entry into wave events.
- Local events can foster community and grassroots growth.
- Wing foiling is gaining popularity in Brazil, especially in Jericoacoara.
- and much more. 

Visit: https://www.wingfoilworldtour.com/events/gwa-wingfoil-world-cup-ibiraquera-2024/

Chris Museler from the We Are Foiling Organization joins us from his home on Rhode Island to talk about:

- Foiling Week Pensacola 2025 (What is it, Where is it and When is it)
- How Foiling Week began and where it is today
- An overview of the We Are Foiling Organization
- An overview of the city of Pensacola and how it offers ideal conditions for foiling and community events (Great for families)
- The festival atmosphere at Foiling Week which encourages participation of all levels (Lots of Free Demos, Racing, Film Festival and more)
- Their Charitable initiatives are integrated into the event's framework.
- The importance of sharing knowledge and experiences in the foiling community.
- We introduce "The We Are Foiling podcast" which covers industry topics and discussions hosted by Chris himself.
- And Much More.

Visit: https://foilingweek.com/landing/pensacola-2025/

On this episode, Benjamin May joins us to talk about: 

• Big Air Wing Foiling 
• The bar for high jumps has been set at 16-17 meters.
• Proper landing techniques are crucial for safety.
• Injuries are a risk, especially with high jumps.
• Mental preparation is as important as physical training.
• Winging allows for a more straightforward setup compared to kiting.
• The right wing design can impact performance significantly.
• Traveling to different locations enhances the winging experience.
• Fun should not be lost during competitions.
• Warm-up routines are essential before jumping.
• And Much More. 

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/benjaminmay04/

On this episode, Ladina Van Swoll and Charles Dasher join us to talk about: 

• How they met on the island of Bonaire, a windsurfing and a wing foiling paradise.
• ⁠How they found wind and their first foil flights
• ⁠What do they love about living on Bonaire, and what are the conditions like for wing foiling
• ⁠The launch of their new company, SeaZen
• What is included in their camps/retreats 
• ⁠How creating community is a key aspect of their camps and retreats and what is included
• ⁠Plans include expanding their camps to new destinations
• and much more. 

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/seazen.bonaire/

On this episode Greg and Agustin join us from WeCANFoil to talk about: 

• Their origin story, their mission and goals for foiling in Canada
• Foiling offers a significantly different experience compared to traditional sailing, providing higher speeds and a unique sense of freedom.
• Their initiative aims to democratize access to foiling by partnering with local sailing clubs and organizations.
• Community engagement is crucial for the growth of foiling, with events designed to introduce the sport to the public.
• The program has successfully introduced hundreds of people to foiling, showcasing its potential to attract new enthusiasts.
• Foiling is rapidly evolving, with various disciplines being integrated into the WeCANFoil program.
• The partnership with manufacturers has allowed for a diverse range of equipment to be used in training and events.
• The future of foiling in Canada looks promising with ongoing support and interest from the community. 
• and much more. 

Visit: https://wecanfoil.org/

Tom, tour manager of the GWA, joins us to recap their recent wave event in Dakhla Morocco. We talked about: 

• The event site and Dakhla as a promising location for Wing Foiling
• The competition format & overview of the event
• New emerging talents that are making their mark in the sport
• The demand for competition spots is increasing significantly worldwide
• Rules regarding the use of wings during airs are under discussion for wave events
• Video applications - Unedited footage is essential for accurate judging & drone footage
• The future of wing foiling competitions looks promising. The selection process for events includes wild cards.
• Female participation in wing foiling is on the rise, especially on tour. 
• Events positively impact local tourism and community engagement.
• Cultural interactions enhance the experience for athletes.
• Emerging organizations are supporting grassroots foiling initiatives.

Visit: https://www.wingfoilworldtour.com/events/gwa-wingfoil-world-cup-morocco-2024/

Yann Rifflet, PRO Windsurfer & Content Creator joins us to talk about, 

• His entry into water sports as a competitive windsurfer and wing foiling for the first time
• His lifestyle -- living in France and Brazil, enjoying the perfect conditions for windsurfing and wing foiling with his wife.
• His sponsorship with Duotone and the creation of this YouTube channel. 
• The evolution of equipment technology in wing foiling, including the development of high-modulus (HM) masts that offer better performance and lighter weight. 
• The Parawing is a new concept that combines elements of wing foiling and downwinders. We discuss the potentials of this new sport and how we think it will evolve. 
• Upcoming trips to Dakhla, South Morocco for the Kite and Connect event, and to Brazil for a GWA competition.
• The different equipment options from Duotone and the importance of making the sport accessible to riders of all levels.

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/yannriffletfreerider/

Jelle Stoop, foil coach, athlete and founder of Foil School Nederland joins us to talk about:

• First and foremost Foiling! Our rapidly growing sport, with wing foiling gaining popularity
• Foil School Nederland which focuses primarily on wing foiling in Brauersdam, Netherlands and offers a variety of water sports for beginners and pro-level riders.
• The progression of foils and wings has led to smaller and more efficient setups
• Reading the ocean and understanding wave dynamics which is a crucial skill in wing foiling
• Teaching foiling requires expertise and a focus on safety
• Upcoming trips and camps in Denmark, Italy, Tenerife, and Brazil.
• The importance of keeping the sport of wing foiling accessible for everyone
• Wave formats for wave riding competitions and the continued growth of the sport in the next few years.

Visit: https://foilschoolnederland.nl/en/

Alessandro José Tomasi is an Italian pro wing foil racer. He joins us from his home on Lake Garda in Italy to talk about:

• His debut into wind and the early IQ foil racing days 
• His new passion for wing foil racing, early success and teaching on Lake Garda
• His sponsors 
• His hair care routine
• His future aspirations of studying engineering in order to be able to design wings, foils, and boards in the future.
• How living on Lake Garda allows him to enjoy both water sports and mountain activities.
• And Much More! 

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/ale__tomasi/

On this episode, Josh joins us from his home in Fehmarn, Germany, to talk about: 

• His entry into water sports: Stand-up paddling and windsurfing
• His first foiling flights and his transition to Wing Foiling
• His big goal of becoming the German under-19 German champion in wing foiling and what it felt like to accomplish it. 
• His sponsorships with Elevate and A3D
• His local competitions and hopes to compete in the GWA next year
• Front flips, back flips, and 720s
• and Much More!

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/joshmry/