Tim Delhaes

Media

Questions & Answers

What other water sports do you do and how long?

I started windsurfing when I was 12, surfing with 16 and kiting with 25. Never professional, not sponsored. Hardly ride anything of 5 feet. Getting airs but not loops or any other fancy tricks.

What do you like about wing foiling?

Foiling has been a dream of mine since I saw Laird in his 2000 movie. I finally started foil surfing in 2018 in Bali after watching Kai paving the way. Wing foiling is for me a way to foil more time. Given that I'm not all the time at places with waves (or that the conditions are not right) wing foiling gives 5x time on the water. What I love about it compared to wind surfing and kite surfing is that I can start and land anywhere without help nor permissions, the simplicity of the gear and the wide wind range. And of obviously the sensation of freedom of not having lines or the wing tied to the board.

How did you learn and how long did it take you to wing foil?

I spent 30min on the beach getting a hang of the wing. Then about 1-2h with SUP (170l) learning the control wing and board together. Then jumped on the foil with a 130l inflatable SUP.

What is your favorite gear combination and why?

Currently I use a 136l F-one Rocket Air Sup, Duotone 5m wing and GoFoil with Kai front wing. I think my best choice now would be a 90-100l board with a slightly smaller wing for normal to good days.I love the fact that I can use a 7m wing and the maliko front wing on the same gear to glide at almost no wind.

What was your favorite wing surfing session?

July 2020 in Brandenburger Strand, Sylt, Germany. 5-6bft (xx mph), 4f wind swell and sunny. It was my third time in the waves and had the chance to ride waves on the outer sandbars of Sylt. Cant beat foil + waves. With or without wings :)

What do you want or believe will significantly improve the wing foiling gear?

I travel a lot and I think there is huge space for inflatable boards. While stiffness is an issue for surf and windsurf boards the wing makes it much more tolerant. The fact that manufacturers are making small inflatables really is a game changer. After seeing Kai with a prototype harness Im wondering if this will become standard.

What tips or recommendations do you have for anyone who wants to start?

If you already kite, or better windsurf you should be able to use a wing and start foiling within a day or 2-3 sessions at most. I have seen people foiling in the first session. In short: practice a few minutes on the beach, take a BIG Sup and do 3-5 solid runs including going upwind then try with a hydrofoil. Depending on your size and weight use 4-6m wing, a larger front wing for the foil and a board with +120% of your bodyweight in kg. So, if you weight 80kg use a 100l board on a day with 3-5 bft