Foiling and eFoiling are, at this point, well-understood sports. Downwind foiling is a novel take on the concept and is rapidly growing in popularity, both at large and at home, writes Joshua Kearney.
A brief review
Wingfoiling freestyle/Wikimedia Commons
Wing foiling – also known as wing surfing or winging – has its origins in windsurfing. Its early pioneers included the very same person who invented windsurfing, James Drake. It differs from its predecessor in the use of a more advanced sail that is not connected to the board itself, as well as in the use of a different type of board: a foilboard.
The foilboard gets its name from its key feature: a hydrofoil mounted on the underside of the board. In combination with more advanced materials, this allows for much higher speeds using smaller, more manoeuvrable “skate sails”.
Downwind, upwind, what’s the difference?
Mixed group of surfers/Wikimedia Commons
Wing foiling in the open sea/Wikimedia Commons
Downwind foiling, compared to normal wing foiling, is distinguished by the unsurprising choice to sail entirely downwind. As foilboards are entirely wind-powered, the lack of a need to turn, tack, or “fight the wind” means they can get to some truly awesome speeds very quickly.
This is innately extremely exciting, as any sportsman can likely tell you: moving much faster than you are supposed to is an exhilarating experience. It can also be a nerve-wracking one, though, as the faster you move the less time you have to react.
In some ways, this challenge is a key part of what makes the sport attractive.
Where to go and where to start
Wing foiler on crystal waters/Wikimedia Commons
Wing foiler overlooking the sea/Wikimedia Commons
In South Africa, Langebaan is one of the most popular spots for downwind foiling in the Western Cape. Thanks to a combination of geography and meteorology, it is among the most consistently windy spots in the country, while also boasting a strong mix of gorgeous views and unexpectedly challenging tides.
Races hosted in the lagoon hot spot include the annual Wind/Wing Cup, which regularly runs for several days long in the early Summer. The major feature here is the Downwind Dash, wherein every discipline of wind-based surfing competes in a single massive slalom race across the entire lagoon.
There are several schools and other training groups that offer courses to learn how to wing foil – such as Flamingo Wing-Foil Center, which can be found in Langebaan.
Foiling elsewhere
Everything you need to start wing foiling/Wikimedia Commons
An eFoil, or electric hydrofoil surfboard/Wikimedia Commons
For those less interested in the sea (or learning to wield a great big kite with your hands), eFoiling presents a unique solution. Instead of using the wind, eFoiling combines foilboards with a simple electric motor.
It doesn’t have the same kind of learning curve, depends less or not at all on local conditions, and can even be used in places otherwise impenetrable to surfers.
This isn’t to say it’s easy, though. Compared to its cousins, it demands a very different technique to control the board. Windsurfing and wing foiling draw all their force from above and in front of the rider, while traditional surfing is all about using the natural motion of the sea. On the other hand, eFoiling puts an independent little force to work beneath you.
If any of this sounds interesting, eFoil Rider, eFoil South Africa, and E-Surfer all offer in-depth guides, advice, and even training courses for prospective eFoilers.
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