A NEW NORMAL

On a trip to La Tranche-sur-Mer in France last year, Tris Best estimated over 80% of the windsurfers were foiling. This summer in Portland Harbour, foiling activity has increased dramatically too he reports. With the market offering plenty of choice to recreational windfoilers, our test team check out some of the latest foil offerings.

- Tris Best

FINDINGS

Developments for 2020 in the windfoiling market are just as you’d expect of a niche sector that is maturing at pace. There’s a year of consolidation, a moment to inhale and reflect. Many brands are keeping their lineups much the same as last year, giving the market a chance to try what has already been presented. Some brands are introducing new additions; new wings or fuselages to experiment with and push range and performance. To this end, the modular system has proved its worth, providing future prospects in development for both the product and the user.

External influences outside the sport of windsurfing have been instrumental in progression. Design direction taken directly from kite foiling and more recently sup and prone-surf foiling is all tangible within the windfoiling market, making the choice available that much more rounded. And this cross-pollination has sparked a whole new watersport, wing foiling, whose roots and riding sensations rest much closer to home than others. Wing foiling is catching on like wildfire around the country. Initially ridiculed by some, it has now wholeheartedly been adopted by many windsurfers and watermen/women alike, like a wide-eyed fervent sibling. Many of the foils here have crossover potential to be used in wing foiling too, giving added value to the investment. And if you’re turning your nose up at the very thought or mention as you read this, all I would say is … don’t knock it until you’ve tried it for yourself!