Up and Coming - Tyler Flanagan

Introducing FLYSURFER's team rider, 21-year-old Tyler Flanagan! He may be new on the wingfoiling scene, but he is quickly turning heads with his skill! Stay tuned as we dive into what makes this South African native and adrenaline junkie tick in this issue's Up & Coming!

Tyler, we are thrilled to have you join us! Please tell us a little about yourself - What was your childhood like in South Africa? 

Thanks, Jen, I’m stoked to be here! My name is Tyler Flanagan. I am 21 years old, turning 22 in December. I grew up in a small town called Melkbosstrand, just a 20-minute drive from Blouberg, which is Cape Town's main kiting destination. Growing up in Cape Town, we were never short of things to do, from surfing to golf and mountain biking on world-class trails just a 30-60 minute drive from where I live. I focused a lot on MTB Enduro and Downhill racing in high school. My family is also very active, which made it possible for me to engage in sports and try new activities. I am currently an IKO and IWO instructor (kite & wing instructor).

That’s awesome! You’ve been wingsurfing for a few years; who convinced you to give it a go, and how old were you when you first started?

I was 18 years old when I first tried wingfoiling. One of my very close friends, Nathan Van Vuuren, convinced me to try it. We were on a massive SUP with a double centre strut wing, which confused the living daylights out of me, haha! But fast forward a couple of years, and I still love every second of it.

Armstrong Foils | View in Mag

Cabrinha | View in Mag

What did you struggle with most when you were first learning to wingfoil?

One of my biggest challenges was transitioning from heel side to toe side while riding. It became even more difficult because I live in an area with bigger waves, which made me quite scared of falling. This fear caused me to go out too far and struggle even more, haha!

Do you attend university or plan to enrol in a program, or do you see yourself solely becoming a professional wingfoiler? 

I am not attending university because I am still unsure about what I want to study. Whenever I go into the water with a kite, wing, and foil, I discover something new about them and how they respond to different movements. It would be a dream come true if one day I could work in the R&D department. But, this field is not for everyone, no matter how strong their desire is. In the future, I may switch to an entirely different career.

Winds on! Who is the first person you hit up for a session? 

That’s hard to say, as we are a very close-knit group of friends. I’d have to choose 2 of my best friends, Nathan van Vuuren and Jake Rankin! 

When did you first join FLYSURFER?

I joined FLYSURFER at the end of 2022.

What’s it like being on the FLYSURFER team, and how has their support impacted you?

Being an ambassador for the Flysurfer team has been an amazing experience so far. Even though most of them are at HQ, having Luke Mcgillewie, Nathan van Vuuren, and Julian Zens on this side always creates a great vibe. When the team does come down, it feels like seeing family in a sense. They are the most energetic and fun people to be around. They have taught me so much when it comes to wing design and what key factors to consider when testing. Their support so far has been incredible, helping me progress more and more in both my Kiting and Winging.

Mystic | View in Mag

Ride Engine | View in Mag

What’s your FLYSURFER wingfoiling quiver of choice? Why?

My go-to choice is the TAO 4.5 and 3.5. These smaller-sized wings are perfect for the windy conditions in Cape Town. Not only do they handle strong winds exceeding 40 knots, but they also perform exceptionally well in lighter winds of around 15 knots.

Another reason I prefer these particular wings is their versatility in different riding styles, such as wave riding and downwinders. The wings effortlessly glide and respond to my every move without flapping or drag. It's easy to forget that I'm even holding them!

Freestyle is another reason, with the power and ability to pull any trick and shape easily. 

What trick have you been working on lately? Have you landed it yet?

I’ve been working on a few, including backflips, 720, 1080, front flips, wave jumps with a 360, handle passes, and some technical wave-riding tacks. 

Scrolling through your Instagram page, I can't help but notice that mountain biking constitutes 50% of your content! Is it safe to assume you have an equal passion for mountain biking and water sports? Is mountain biking something you see yourself doing professionally one day?

I have been actively involved in mountain biking since I was about 10-11 years old. While my passion for it may not be the same as before, I still enjoy going out for a ride whenever possible. Throughout high school, I competed in numerous races and got pretty good results. After I graduated school, I dedicated another year to racing and gradually developed an interest in winging/foiling.

Armstrong Foils | View in Mag

FacePlant | View in Mag

Where do you see wingfoiling going in the future?

Considering how young the sport is and how it's starting to flourish globally, I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up in the Olympics and became even more popular than kiting in the long run.

Thank you, Tyler! It’s been great to catch up with you!

Thanks, Jen!