Wing foil in Tarifa

Wing foil in Tarifa

By Chris Chaplow

Wing Foiling is the latest-born board sport : it consists in managing a wing not attached to the board and carried with two hands while standing on a hydrofoil mounted on a short stand up paddle board. This a cross-over discipline between Windfoiling, Kite Foiling and SUP Foiling. The foil (hydrofoil) which is mounted under the board can be combined with the other disciplines for become Wing foiling, SUP foiling, Foil Surfing, Wake foil, wind foil.

In Wing foiling it is posible to move with more freedom on the water than other disiplines by using both the energy of the wind and swells. The hydrofoil allows to take-off over the water and to fly over the surface. Wing Foiling is practiced on a short but wide and thick stand up paddle board to allow its rider to be stable and easily stand up on the board. It is also possible to practice Wing Foiling in the waves and to use the lift of the wing to get back to the line-up and connect the waves.

History of Wing foil

Wing Foil was invented in the early 2000’s for windsurfing use only, it was then forgotten until Hawaiian waterman Kai Lenny brought it back to the lights by using it on his SUP Foil in 2018.

Thanks to its ideal situation on the Straits of Gibraltar opposite Africa, where the Atlantic and Mediterranean meet, with constant winds, Tarifa is already known as the European capital of windsurfing and kitesurfing. The beaches of this historic Moorish town have also now established themselves as a world-class destination.

Tarifa is the perfect destination to try out the sport, as the sun shines nearly all year round and, more importantly, a number of kitesurf schools and equipment shops offer classes, as well as options to hire or buy boards and kites.

Wingfoil Schools in Tarifa

Most beginners sign up for a Wing foil course at one of the kitesurf schools, where equipment will be provided. You can choose from private (one-to-one), semi-private (2 or 3 students) and group (3 to 6 students) courses.

Your next step, after completing your course, would be to buy second-hand equipment from one of the surf shops on Calle Batalla del Salado. Professionals will have more than one kite, in a range of sizes to suit various wind conditions, exactly as with a windsurf sail.

Equiptment manufacturers

Naish have a wing-surfer range with their Wing-surfer and S25 Wing-surfer. The Sroka company have a wide range of boards, foils and wings. A full set for Wing foil will cost about 2500€.

GWA Tarifa Wing Pro

After a successful first Global Wingsports Association - Wingfoil World Tour event in Fortaleza, Brazil in November 2020 the second and last event of 2020, the GWA Tarifa Wing Pro, took place in Tarifa, Spain from 27th - 30th December 2020. Read event report. >

The 2nd GWA Tarifa Wing Pro, event closed the seven event 2021 world tour in Tarifa the wind capital of Andalucia from 27th - 30th December 2021. Previous tour events were at Fortaleza, Cumbuko, Dakhla, Hvide Sande and Sylt. Read event report. >

The 3rd GWA Tarifa Wing Pro, event was held between 12th and 15th of October 2022 at Valdevaqueros Beach in Tarifa the wind capital of Andalucia. Previous 2022 World Cup tour events were at Leucate (France), Silvaplana (Switzerland), Lanzarote. The following World Cup event was at Taiba (Brazil) in November. Read event report. >

The 4th GWA Tarifa Wing Pro, event was be held between 12th and 15th of October 2023 at Valdevaqueros in Tarifa. The Previous 2023 World Cup tour events started at Taurange (New Zealand) Cape Verde) in February and followed by Sal (Cape Verde), Leucate (France), Gran Canaria (Sain), Fuerteventura (Spain), Saquarema (Rio Brasil), Hvide Sande (Denmark), Dakhla (Morocco). The following World Cup event was a at Cauipe (Brasil) in November. Read event report. >

The 5th GWA Tarifa Wing Pro, Surf-Freestyle event is to be held between 3rd and 5th of May 2022 at Valdevaqueros Beach (to be confirmed) in Tarifa. The Previous 2024 World Cup tour events will start at Sal (Cape Verde) in February and followed by Leucate (France). The following World Cup event will be at Lanzarote (Spain), Gran Canaria (Sain), Fuerteventura (Spain), Dakhla (Morocco), Ibiraquera (Brasil) finishing at Cleara (Brasil) in November.