In our Up & Coming feature this issue we’ve got not just one, but three of Cabrinha’s talented groms. The level of young wing foilers is going through the roof and these lads are no exception.

Henry

Hi! How old are you?

I am 14 years old

Years foiling?

I have been foiling for 2 years

Best foiling experience?

My best foiling experience so far would be competing in the first GWA Youth World Cup in Oliva, Spain this summer. I also love slalom racing at Crissy Field in San Francisco and riding waves with my friends at Ft Point under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Best trick you’ve done at a GWA event?

My best trick so far in heat at a GWA event is a 540. 

Favourite professional foiler & why?

My favourite pro foiler is Theo Demanez because the level of tricks he does is insane! Also, he has amazing amplitude.

Where are you going to be in 10 years?

In 10 years, I see myself representing the US in the Olympics for Wing Foiling. I will also be at the top of a GWA podium holding a trophy!

Your favourite gear to ride?

My favourite gear is the Cabrinha Mantis V2 2.5m because it spins in the air really well which allows me to do great tricks. The Cabrinha Autopilot 36 litre board is compact and super strong. The Autopilot allows me to send bigger airs without worrying about snapping my board. Lastly, the H Series 650 foil is amazing and so easy to pump.

What’s it like competing at the GWA events at such a young age?

Competing at GWA events is fantastic! I love the competition and connecting with other kids from around the world.  

Top 3 tracks on your playlist?

I love mash-ups and DJ Sets. Currently, I’m playing Collison Course by Jay-Z/Lincoln Park. The combination of the two sounds is amazing. Second is Krafty Kuts and A.Skillz – two British musicians with great beats. Third is DJ Girl Talk – All Day

3 things to take, stranded on a desert island?

Foil gear, friends, and great tunes. We would foil all the time, and chill on the beach afterward.

How many hours do you practice a week?

I foil for 10 to 12 hours a week. During school, I ride 3 to 4 afternoons after school and both Saturday and Sunday. During the summer, I ride every day.

Your favourite spot?

My favorite wing spot is my home launch, Crissy Field, in San Francisco, USA. Crissy Field gets great consistent breeze almost year round. I love riding the waves under the Golden Gate Bridge, surfing ferry wakes, and chasing tanker swells as they enter San Francisco Bay.

What are you working on for the next competition?

I am working on getting cleaner landings on my current tricks like 360’s. I am also working on landing back and front flips.

Where do you see wing foiling going in the future?

Wing foiling has grown tremendously since I started two years ago. As the sport continues to grow, I see winging in the Olympics. It would be great to see it added to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Ancor

Hi! How old are you?

Hii!! I was born on 19 July 2007 and I'm 15 years old.

Years foiling?

I started kitefoiling 4 years ago, but I was introduced to the sport of wingfoiling two years ago and since then I have loved the feeling of the sport.

Best foiling experience?

My best experiences of Wing foiling have been discovering new places by competing, but what I like the most is the adrenaline you get when you learn new tricks.

Best trick you’ve done at a GWA event?

The best tricks have been the backflip and the 720 but I hope in the future I can also introduce the front flip which I have been training lately.

Favourite professional foiler & why?

My favourite rider foiling in waves is Keahi as he has a lot of style, but doing Wingfoil is Balz Müller as he has innovated a lot in the sport.

Where are you going to be in 10 years?

In 10 years time I hope to be travelling the world and trying new spots where I can go Winging, but I really like where I live (Fuertaventura) as there are very good wind conditions and you can have spots with waves and spots with flat water.

Your favourite gear to ride?

My favourite equipment for freestyle sailing in strong wind conditions is the Mantis 3.5 with the combination of an Autopilot 4.10 board and the fusion high aspect foil of 650cm².

What’s it like competing at the GWA events at such a young age?

It's amazing to be able to sail with the best in the world and learn from them, but discovering new places to sail is what I'm most passionate about.

3 things to take, stranded on a desert island?

If I end up on a desert island I would take: 1- wing equipment 2- kite equipment 3-food and water

How many hours do you practice a week?

Right now it's summer, and I'm at the beach every day, in fact, I'm writing this from the beach! However, during the school season I go to the school from 8:30am to 3:00pm and then I go directly to the beach, the good thing is that it doesn't take me long from my house to the beach, and after my wing or kite session I go back home and do my school homework.

Your favourite spot?

My favourite spot is Matas Bay in Fuerteventura as it has completely flat water and a lot of wind, but I also like the spots with waves.

What are you working on for the next competition?

I'm working on the front flip and perfecting my other tricks.

Where do you see wingfoiling going in the future?

I believe that in the future wingfoil will evolve and the equipment will progress for different disciplines.

Benji

Hi! How old are you?       

Hi, I turned 11 years old one month ago. 

Years foiling?           

I learned to foil 2 years ago. Been riding foils nearly every day since. Wing / Surf or kite foil. I love them all. It's my passion.

Best foiling experience?    

The most exciting experience for me is learning new tricks. The progression is addicting and fires me up to ride every day.

Best trick you’ve done at a GWA event?  

I recently attended my first ever GWA in Olivia, Spain. I managed to land a Radiculo 720 which I was stoked about. Hopefully, many more in the near future!

Favourite professional foiler & why?   

There are so many amazing foilers out there. My favourite would likely be Theo Demanez. I had the pleasure of meeting him this winter at the Cabrinha dealer meeting in Columbia. His smooth effortless style makes it look so easy. Incredibly talented in all aspects of hydrofoiling. I aspire to make my riding look like his in the future. 

Where are you going to be in 10 years? 

Difficult to imagine as I’m only 11 years old. I hope I’m still on the water as much as I am now and ripping with the best in the world.

Your favourite gear to ride? 

By far my favourite wing is the Mantis V2 3M. The rigid handles and stiff wing makes it amazing for freestyle and a huge variety of conditions. I’m not very heavy, so 3m can also cover my light wind days. For the hydrofoils, I use mostly the Cabrinha High-aspect series 650cm front wing. This is a great balance of speed and lift. It allows me to progress quickly and push my limit with confidence. Lastly, my go-to board is the Autopilot 36L, a fun board for freestyle tricks.

What’s it like competing at the GWA events at such a young age?  

For the most part, it’s quite difficult as most athletes are much older and bigger than me. However, it’s a great experience to learn from. I can see how the other kids do it and grow from that. I’m happy to be a part of it. 

Top 3 tracks on your playlist?     

I spend too much time on the water!! I don't have much spare time for music yet. If I’m not riding, I’m doing home school. Every day is busy!

3 things to take, stranded on a desert island?     

A Wing, foil, and board 😉 

How many hours do you practice a week?      

As much as my body can handle. Usually, I get around 30 hours a week on the water. 

Your favourite spot?     

I spend my winters in La Ventana, Baja California. By far my favourite spot for the world-class wing conditions. We can ride almost every day of the winter!

What are you working on for the next competition?    

Currently working on inverted rotations. Such as Backflips and Front loops. This should help my variety and hopefully improve my competition results.

Where do you see wingfoiling going in the future?      

The sport is growing so fast, it’s very accessible to many people around the world. I hope to see it anywhere with wind and water. Because if it’s windy, I’ll be out there!!

By Jack Galloway

Comments