Spread your wings and fly on the open waters

Wing foiler Pete Walmsley at the Foil Shop Port Beach race in Fremantle. Photo credit: Andrew Ritchie.

Extreme water sports are nothing new, with traditional wave surfing recorded in cave paintings in Polynesia as far back as the 12th century, but a new variation with Olympic potential has surfaced on the Western Australian coast in recent years.

Unlike its closely related cousin of kitesurfing, wing foiling utilises a foil and a hand-held wing to do anything from casual cruising to Tony Hawk-style tricks, rather than a kite that is attached to the board.

“It draws a whole range of different people because it can be seriously adrenaline-fuelled or it can be as calm and peaceful as you would like,” Stand Up Surf Shop manager David Sewell said.

“The sport is mesmerising, accessible to most and provides an incredible freedom of movement,” Seabreeze Kitesurf School manager and instructor Victoria Heaslop said.

“It is classed as an extreme sport because of the foil, which makes it possible to push the unexplored limits of windsurfing and kitesurfing.”

For those keen on dipping their toes in the sport, the biggest hurdle is getting accustomed to the foil itself, which is where instruction from experienced water sports enthusiasts and teachers comes in.

“It may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to learn to wing foil, depending on your background,” Ms Heaslop said, adding that it is advisable to first spend time on dry land with an instructor to learn how changes in hand and body position will affect the wing and how it responds to the wind.

“Next, you will hit the water on a stand-up paddleboard and spend some time cruising in low wind.

“The stable platform enables you to get a feel for transitioning to your feet, riding with the wing and the dynamics of changing position.”

The low-impact nature of the sport lends itself to various skill levels — from young beginners to hardcore water sport retirees and everyone in between.

Mr Sewell said he had seen people in their 60s, and even 70s, continue to enjoy the sport.

“Wing foiling is much easier to learn than windsurfing or kitesurfing, especially for younger people, but anyone can learn as long as they can swim,” Ms Heaslop said.

When it comes to gear, the number of items you will need are few but pricey, unless you come from a water sports background.

The basics will include the foil, wing and a wetsuit, according to Ms Heaslop, as the water can get a little fresh.

For added safety, it is also recommended to wear a helmet and impact vest due to the presence of the foil.

While summer is, obviously, ideal for the surf, wing foilers can have their moment year-round.

“Perth’s weather is perfect for wind sports and WA is renowned worldwide for it,” Mr Sewell said.

“Winter is probably the more extreme, and then summer it’s just a good sea breeze and strong easterlies on the river, so it’s perfect.”

“In Perth, a sea breeze known as the Fremantle Doctor blows most afternoons between October and March, which is the ideal time to hit the water,” Ms Heaslop said.

“We always recommend you start your lessons early in the season so that you can practice the whole summer long.”

As it appeared in the 2024 September 8 edition of The Sunday Times.