The new sport of Wing Foil in Tarifa |
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Wing foil surfing in Andalucia
Wing Foiling is the latest-born (surf) board sport : it consists in managing a wing not attached to the board and carried with two hands while standing on a short stand up paddle board with a hydrofoil mounted underneath. 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 to 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 obvious location to try out the sport. Some of the Kite and Windsurf schools offer tuition and courses in Wing foil and, more importantly, a number of kitesurf schools and equipment shops offer classes, as well as options to hire or buy boards and kites.
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 held between 12th and 15th of October 2022 at Bebo Beach House, Valdevaqueros in Tarifa the wind capital of Andalucia. Previous 2022 World Cup tour events were at Leucate (France), Silvaplana (Switzerland), Lanzarote. Following world Cup event will be at Taiba (Brazil) in November. Read event report. >
Book Surf Hotels in Andalucia
The Moorish-style Hurricane Hotel faces onto the beach in Tarifa, southern Andalucia. It offers excellent views of the Straits of Gibraltar, 2 swimming pools and a very popular restaurant. It also has its own stables, and horses can be hired to explore the surrounding area.
