From pro kiter and multiple Triple S event winner to wing foil development, the transition was quick for Brandon, but like many of us, it wasn't love at first sight… Read all about the latest Wing Convert right here!

In our series of features with riders who’ve converted to the wing, Rou Chater chats to kiteboarding legend Brandon Scheid about his new found infatuation with the sport…

When did the wing first hit your radar and when did you first have a go?

Living in the Gorge I have been exposed to all sorts of wind sports creations, and I would say I saw Tony Logosz messing around with a wing maybe five years ago. However, I really didn't get an up-close and personal view until the 2019 AWSI event in Hood. That was the first time I got to interact with them in the real world. I was able to talk the reps into letting me take one for a spin, so that was also my first time winging.

Was it love at first sight?

No, not at all. Actually quite the opposite. I thought it seemed really stupid and was something I initially decided I wanted nothing to do with. I did my due diligence, as I am a firm believer in the "don't knock it until you try it" mentality. I, like everyone, started on a 140 L sup and super big slow speed foil. I was able to get going pretty quickly on the big gear, but it was so cumbersome I felt I couldn't really have the shreddable performance I wanted. So, after a few times, I wrote the whole sport off as a novelty and moved on. Or so I naively thought.

You've been hugely into kite foiling for a long time, where does the wing fit into that, what makes you decide what you are going to ride?

I was lucky to hop on the foil express in the very beginning and have been a huge preacher of the amazing sensation that foiling can allow for. I have always enjoyed the ease of use and the ability to make even the most marginal conditions exciting and fun. For me, there is little overlap in the conditions I look for in the two respective sports, so there is little conflict. My easy rule of thumb is if its averaging less than 20 mph I will kite foil. It's just way easier to make speed and power with a kite, and that's what makes foiling fun in the marginal conditions. For me, the winging really starts to shine on the small wings, with strong wind, and rolling swell. Really my happy wind speeds are 22-35 mph. The stronger conditions make water starting on low volume boards easier than cake.

You've recently joined the team at Slingshot, working on product development, what was it like seeing the focus the brand had towards the sport?

Joining Slingshot has been wonderful! There is a lot of moving pieces and parts, and it feels really good to be joining such a talented group of people with a long history of wind sports passion. That passion has allowed them to focus on a variety of projects, winging being a growing part of that. It is really rewarding and challenging to have so many different projects to work on, and it keeps it interesting to have to be changing hats daily. 

What products have you been working on, is there anything exciting that's going to hit us in the future?

Oh man! There is a lot of great things in the pipeline. We just released our new wing the Dart, which is taller made for the more powered upside of the sport. I think a lot of people are going to be surprised at how rigid and powerful that wing can be. We are also in the final stages of approval for Sling Wing V3, and I can personally assure you they are working really great. Finally, we just launched a complete line of wing specific boards, Wing Crafts, that are a joy to ride and come in a variety of sizes depending on your skill level and desired ride performance.

What makes the Slingshot wings different from the other brands out there?

Well, first of all, I think Slingshot may have more experience designing and developing wings than any other brand. Designer Tony Logosz has been dabbling in wings for almost a decade, which gives him a huge insight into what does and doesn't work. I also think that the brand as a whole stands firmly behind the sport. It's not just an offshoot of kiteboarding, to be neglected. It is a quickly growing sector in our program and one we are going to continue to delve into heavily.

What is your favourite set up, and why?

Thanks to the wonderful nature of my job, I get to have my hands on a lot of interesting things. That being said, I still love the ease of use and stability provided by the Sling Wing V2. Assuming that we are in my favourite conditions, 25-35 mph & pumping gorge swell. My go-to is the Sling wing V2 4.0, Flying Fish 5' / 40L and the PTM 730 Phantasm wing on a 92 mast.

How popular has the sport become in Hood River, that location always feels like a crucible for new things…

The sport of winging really went nuts in Hood River this past summer. On any given day you would see a plethora of wingers out shredding all over the river. Not only that, but there was also a never-ending stream of people learning at the learner beach. I was astounded at how many new people were getting in the water, best of all for lots of them winging was their first wind sport. The barrier to entry/intimidating factor seems to be way lower with winging, I think it could potentially bring more people into wind sports than kiting or windsurfing ever did.

You had a very successful career as a pro kiter, have you got any desire to compete on the wing?

Ha, I don't think I have the personal drive to compete on the wing. For me, the wing is a tool to help me foil surf. All I want to do is use it to whip me into a wave, then I just want to drop the wing and focus on surfing and long glides. Don't get me wrong the aerial progression has been insane to watch, and I will send a big jump here and there. But, for me, it is all about the glides.

What's your favourite aspect of the wing that you don't get from the kite?

Full freedom. With the kite, no matter what, you always have to do something with the kite or your bar to keep line tension. With the wing, it's no longer an issue, and you're free to fly around where ever you want. The second best thing is the launching or lack thereof. I can now go to way more spots, without worry about wind quality or access. Just pump up, jump in and get your shred on.

Where do you see the biggest changes happening in the development of wings?

Right now, everyone is still figuring out what makes for a good wing. There is a ton of wings on the market, but very few great wings. They are more complicated to build than everyone thinks, well a good one is at least. I see a ton of development happening in the shapes and materials, as well as the finish details. I still think we have a way to go before we see where the sport even goes, let alone design directions.

What would you say to someone thinking of having a go?

I would encourage them to get after it. I am a firm believer in the forever student mentality. Learning new things is good for your body and brain, and it is fun to challenge yourself and use new muscle groups. Just watch out, you may find yourself reaching for your wings more than your kites in the future.

Thanks, Brandon, for taking the time to chat with us.

Videos

Brandon Scheid | Why I Wing
Wing Surfing the Gorge with Brandon Scheid
By Rou Chater
Rou Chater has been kitesurfing for over twenty years, paddleboarding for the last six years, and was there testing the first wingsurfer from Naish in Tarifa when it arrived on the continent. He is passionate about riding waves and exploring new places. As the publishing editor, he oversees everything at Tonic but also our sister magazines IKSURFMAG and IMB. He's been on the water since he was born and has never looked back, in the winter you'll find him chasing swells in the Caribbean and during the summer he can be found all over Europe at various SUP, Kitesurf and Mountain Bike events getting features for the magazines.

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