Verena Gleichentheil

Questions & Answers

What other water sports do you do and how long?

My boyfriend Tom Hartmann got me into Windsurfing some years back. Since we live in Mauritius I got into surfing as well. I have been windsurfing for about 7 years and started surfing a few years later. Wakeboarding is what I did back home, living in a city it was easy to get some rides at the cable after work. This year we really got into wingfoiling and surf foiling.

What do you like about wing foiling?

The feeling is great, gentle and smooth. Gliding above the water. I like flying on a foil just with the energy of the wave, you can really feel the movement of the ocean. I enjoy being able to share the stokein the same conditions together with all my friends that started their new wingfoil journey recently. Wingfoiling feels elegant and I think it's a great sport for the ladies out there.

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

First times I tried it, I used a huge board and a huge foil of a friend in the lagoon in Mauritius. Didn't like it at all. I had the feeling the gear is riding me not the other way around. Once I got used to it a bit after a couple of days, I tried smaller boards and I started to have fun. Smaller set up is easier to control.... I have been riding for about 4 months now, a lot!!!

What is your favorite gear combination and why?

MFC Hydros - foil, cause it is very light and has a surfy feeling. KT Drifter surffoil board, cause i like to ride the same board that i use for surffoiling, it feels compact and reacts very direct. Haven't decided about the wing yet, they have different characteristics for which i like the one and the other.

What was your favorite wing surfing session?

Wingfoiling with friends is always great. So many guys started recently and all of us have a more or less similar level. Going out for a session together is always the best. We had a couple of exciting bigger wave sessions in Manawa, the outer reef in Mauritius recently and also a downwind experience along the south coast.

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

I am testing many different wings at the moment. Did not decide so far which one's my favourite. I like a light feeling but stability which is great for jibes and tacks. Thinking about wave riding I like the foil to be fast. Using a board with the volume I like, helps me to feel whats going on underneath my feet. I would love to see improvements on more userfriendly safety systems. Maybe we will be able to ride without leashes like commonly used to secure wings and boards at the moment. My dream is to enjoy wingfoiling without any strings attached ;-) I think that the use of different materials will significantly enhance the performance of wings in the future. I guess we are just at the beginning of wingfoiling and there is much more to come, exciting times.

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

Give it a try, cause your progression in learning this sport is super fast. You will love this unique feeling of flying above the water! Wingfoiling is the easiest way to learn riding on a foil.