In the beginning there is paddling. Up to the skillful jump into the right position to ride the wave, carried by the elements of nature, wind and water – and of course a board: That’s how surfing works, still the epitome of one of the coolest sports under the sun, with even cooler people , whose tousled mat no stylist in the world can replicate. A sport as a way of life. Gone are the days when residents of the foothills of the Alps often had to drive thousands of kilometers to the nearest sea. Because water sports are subject to rapid development. Some variants that once developed on the Polynesian islands or other coastal towns can now also be transferred to inland waters: windsurfing, kitesurfing, stand-up paddling, and now even wingfoiling.
This young sport has developed from the first three: With both hands you hold a small wing (“wing”) into the wind and stand on a small board on which a long fin (“hydrofoil”) is mounted. Experts seem to float above the water – and arouse curiosity: How difficult is something that looks so easy? Can anyone learn this, and most importantly, where? And how much beach boy or girl is there in yourself?
You stand on a small board on which a long fin (“hydrofoil”) is mounted.
(Photo: Harry Wolfsbauer)
The “where” is quickly answered, namely at the Walchensee. André Wacke, owner of the Sunnawind surfing school, teaches wingfoiling there. “Basically, wingfoiling combines the advantages of windsurfing and kitesurfing,” he says. “It’s the next evolutionary step, so to speak.”
André Wacke, owner of the event company Sunnawind, with a wingfoiling board.
(Photo: Harry Wolfsbauer)
But before you can go out on the water with your board and wing, the opposite of this is on the program for the beginner: dry exercises. Because if you don’t practice handling the board and wing on solid ground first, you will have difficulties later on the water. In addition, laypersons must first familiarize themselves with the right of way rules on the water and understand how the wind blows on the lake in order to be able to guarantee the highest possible level of safety.
On the water you should “always put out your feelers”
“On the water you are basically moving in a potentially life-threatening area,” says Wacke, regardless of whether you are on the water with a rowing boat, for swimming or for wingfoiling. That’s why you have to “always put out your feelers” and, for example, watch the weather very carefully.
In the beginning, the theory is on solid ground.
(Photo: Harry Wolfsbauer)
André Wacke shows how to hold the “Wing” correctly.
(Photo: Harry Wolfsbauer)
Basically, however, wingfoiling is no more dangerous than all other water sports, according to Wacke. “If everyone knows the right-of-way rules and keeps enough distance from each other, not much can actually happen.” Especially at the Walchensee, Wacke recommends that beginners only go on the water under supervision, as the risk of drifting off and not coming back is otherwise quite high.
André Wacke was initially a windsurfer.
(Photo: Harry Wolfsbauer)
Wacke has been practicing the trend sport for five years, but he has been on the water for much longer. He actually comes from windsurfing, says the 52-year-old, “and when it’s really windy, I still like to go windsurfing”. Wacke is tall, tanned and always has a smile on his face. You can tell he enjoys his job every second. Originally he didn’t even want to try wingfoiling, says Wacke, but after he made up his mind and tried it for the first time, he was immediately hooked. Since no one had given wingfoil courses in 2018, he had to work hard to teach himself, Wacke continues. That’s exactly why he “found out how to take people over certain hurdles in the learning process”.
A life jacket is part of the equipment.
(Photo: Harry Wolfsbauer)
As soon as Wacke has taught you the rules on the lake and you are familiar with the material, it’s off the meadow, across the road and down some stone steps towards the water. From a small wooden hut that stands on stilts over the water, Wacke now fetches the remaining material that is indispensable for any water sport: neoprene suit and life jacket. There are certainly more pleasant things than squeezing into a tight black neoprene suit at almost thirty degrees, but what has to be, has to be.
A wetsuit is also a must.
(Photo: Harry Wolfsbauer)
Inside the second skin and the matching vest, you just want to go into the water to cool off a little. But don’t be in a hurry. If you are sensitive, you should definitely use sunscreen beforehand. “We are here at Walchensee at 800 meters above sea level, if I were you I would rub myself in,” says Wacke. So quickly put the 50s on it and let’s go. But even when going into the water, you have to be careful. The large, flat stones at the water’s edge are slippery, Wacke warns.
A balancing act
The first time on the board is another balancing act. Newcomers start out on a regular stand up paddle board. It doesn’t take long for the sense of balance to reach its limits for the first time, it’s already so far with the second exercise. With the heat, which now prevails in a neoprene suit, the descent into the lake is a welcome cooling off.
The first time on the board is a balancing act.
(Photo: Harry Wolfsbauer)
When the balance on the board is secured after a few minutes, you can finally start with the wing. So both hands on the respective loops on the big hand kite and let’s go – at least that’s the hope. Because as a beginner you only make progress when the wind blows properly, so you have to wait for the right gust first. “Now it’s about to start, get ready,” calls Wacke. For the layman it is not clear what he is talking about. But when the expert looks at the water, he immediately sees that a gust of wind is approaching. The board picks up speed and before you know it, several meters have been covered. With the wind on your face and the water splashing on your legs as you drive, you forget about the sweat running down your back and face.
The first meters on the board are done. Now it is time to practice different maneuvers and scenarios.
(Photo: Harry Wolfsbauer)
But if you can only go in one direction and can’t turn, you have a problem: you have to paddle – and you have to paddle back every meter, as the wind and waves drive you further out onto the lake. That’s why tacking is the next thing to do: position the wing, wait for the wind and off you go again, but with a difference. After a few meters, the wing is brought to a neutral position to stop. But in order to go in the other direction again, a small feat has to be accomplished, a 180-degree turn on the board – at least now the balance exercises will pay off. With a small jump, the feet are brought into the correct position, the board wobbles, there is a brief risk of losing your balance and going for a swim – but it works. Now all you have to do is grab the wing, hold it into the wind and you’re ready to go.
Going with the wind is one thing. But turning also needs practice.
(Photo: Harry Wolfsbauer)
With a jolt, the wind suddenly blows harder into the sail, adrenaline rushes through your veins. The wing, which previously had to be held in position on land with a lot of effort and muscle power, is now carried by the wind alone, with a single finger per loop to hold it. Even if you are still with the board directly on the water at this learning stage, it already feels a bit like floating. At this moment there is no longer a trace of the heavy arms and the pain in the feet because the toes have clawed into the board from the tension.
However, until you actually experience the first “flights” over water with your board, Wacke explains that, depending on the person, another ten to fifteen more hours in the water are usually necessary. But even the start fuels feelings of happiness, and the view over the vastness of the water gives an idea that it was not the last ride on the board.
Those who are interested can try wingfoiling for themselves, for example at the Sunnawind surfing school on the grounds of the youth hostel at Walchensee. Anyone who is reasonably athletic and agile, can swim and is not afraid of deep water is suitable for this. You can start with the sport from about the age of 11 to 12 years. Sunnawind operates from May and, depending on the weather, until October or November. A private lesson costs 135 euros, a semi-private course with two people is 110 euros per hour per person. The intensive group course for beginners with a maximum of five participants costs 310 euros per person. This course consists of ten hours spread over two days. Interested parties can find more information at www.sunnawind.de/wingsurfen-wingfoilen.