I'm surprised there's barely any discussion here about the GWA Wave Championship in Cabo Verde

The level of riding was absolutely insane-crazy pumping in marginal wind, deep bottom turns on a shallow reef, and next-level wave selection.

If we, as forum members, are supposed to be the wingfoil fanatics, why is no one talking about this event?

Where is this industry heading if even the most hardcore riders aren't hyped about one of the most technical comps we've seen?

Are competitions just not resonating, or is the sport show and sponsorship evolving in a different direction?

Curious to hear your thoughts!

I think the majority of punters on this forum are just happy being able to gybe and ride lumps. The stuff on the GWA is so far removed from what most of us do it's hard to relate. That said I watched it all and loved it, motivates you to push a bit harder.

I saw it , it was epic.

I find these events, as well as the downwind events like the channel crossings, to be meaningless distractions. At best it is just marketing for the brands associated.

I'd really love to participate in some
kind of foiling event. Something fun, that's a good use of my limited time and money. None of these events seem like they are working towards that. I feel like someone looked at the americas cup or the WSL and said "this is the pinnacle of this sport let's make an event like that" but ignored the fact that both those sports have a MASSIVE network of grassroots events that regular idiots can participate in.

I think like any highly produced media production this mostly attracts people who are interested in WATCHING. I don't really watch anything - I spent time and energy doing the thing. I mean looking at other professional sports what percent of fans actually do the thing - almost none.

I agree, very impressive riding but only doable if you're sponsored in my opinion. I've been there several times and the wind close to the shore is super gusty so when you wipe out, you're f..
and on a wing trip, ripping you're wing on one of the first days is no option for me. so not really interested because I can't afford to do the same.

I agree, very impressive riding but only doable if you're sponsored in my opinion. I've been there several times and the wind close to the shore is super gusty so when you wipe out, you're f..
and on a wing trip, ripping you're wing on one of the first days is no option for me. so not really interested because I can't afford to do the same.

Not bothered really, 20yr olds doing stuff that my 60yr old body could never do. Appreciate the skill, but rather watch stuff I can do.

there are so many videos of guys doing things most of us never will in conditions most of us never see. this is just another.

Wow, I'm surprised at the negativity. I'm an old fart with limited skills too, but so what. It's awesome to watch the skills of these young guys ripping it up. It's great viewing and it still inspires me to get out and practice my basic moves

Impressive drone footage throughout the comp deserves a great thanks to organizers and sponsors !! Hopefully IWSA overtakes this standard for the upcoming races in Maroc rather than providing links to tracking apps.

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Stretchy said..
Wow, I'm surprised at the negativity. I'm an old fart with limited skills too, but so what. It's awesome to watch the skills of these young guys ripping it up. It's great viewing and it still inspires me to get out and practice my basic moves

Fully agree !! What's the point saying GWA riders has all gear they want, are sponsored, bla bla ? Just seeing how they pump to go on foil, how they ride in ultra low wind with small gear, or how they crash like humans is really amazing showwww.instagram.com/reel/DHTN_JjoKNt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Stretchy said..
Wow, I'm surprised at the negativity. I'm an old fart with limited skills too, but so what. It's awesome to watch the skills of these young guys ripping it up. It's great viewing and it still inspires me to get out and practice my basic moves

Fully agree !! What's the point saying GWA riders has all gear they want, are sponsored, bla bla ?

Just seeing how they pump to go on foil, how they ride in ultra low wind with small gear, or how they crash like humans is really amazing show

www.instagram.com/reel/DHTN_JjoKNt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Loved watching it as well! Especially seeing the style some riders have developed. The technical level is super impressive but when a rider ads a poke or a grab to a huge air it makes such a difference! Not to mention the carves some puts out. Definitely makes me stoked to go out and ride myself. Although, I have to admit some of the crashes and torn up gear made me anxious thinking of my own gear. Happy sponsors enable riders to push the limits though. Just like any other action sport!

I love watching, despite the total level of removal from my abilities, but really struggle with the commentary (same with professional surfing). At one point the commentator referred to a contestant's wing as their kite, and another said that the contestant would struggle to win the race after a fall - guessing they have been plucked from other sports/ disciplines but if you're hired to commentate a sporting event, knowing the the basics should be pre-requisite. It's the fear of 'dead air' that leads to mindless waffle!I love the idea of more grass-root competition where you can take part for fun without the expectation that the pro riders would just trounce everyone :)

I was mesmerized watching it. As a life-long surfer, I've been trying to make my wing-foiling like my surfing. More fluid and harder bottom turns and off the tops. The windsurfer in me says airs going down the wave..Why Not? Watching Cash and Spencer was a pure joy. Of course, most of us will never come close to those young rippers, but I fully embrace what they're doing. At 65, I still love jumping my foil. Landings are so much softer compared to windsurfing. But.. I stopped trying rotations as I quickly realized that could be a game ender for me, that's a young bucks game. I'll leave that to the 55 and below club. ;)
Agreed. It was hilarious they brought in a kite commentator for part of the event. He def sounded like a fish out of water.
In the end, of course this is an upper echelon arena for the elite, I think I'd only wing that place in the friendliest of days but for an Everyday-Joe I'd say Morocco is more my jam.

This is the one i am watching. Amazing what is possible on foil in these waves and great drone coverage. Unfortunately the only wave one this year. The freestyle is already a spin to win competition and i find it boring.
Slalom is also not my cup of tea.

I'll just leave these screen shots here:

I love judo. Did it for 10 years as a young man. Got both shoulders dislocated, ribs broken, meniscus operated on, fingers broken and I consider myself lucky as in my 50s I am still very physically active and in almost no pain. I haven't done judo for over 20 years but I still watch judo competitions.

Now I truly love wingfoiling with all my heart, but for above reasons, I would not do it for anyone but for my good old frail self. I did not pick any injuries from wingfoiling and am grateful for the sport to emerge before I hit my 70s. I now recommend it to all my friends - young and old. I do not recommend watching it, but I give away my old boards to help them get started.

Why am I not into GWA? Quite frankly, I find it boring to watch. It just not as exciting as judo championships, or NHL, or MMA. Watching GWA races gets dull after 10 minutes, freestyle is not elegant and wingsurfing lacks the energy of surfing.

Practicing wingfoiling is quite different. Happy to wingfoil anywhere anytime. It is almost a personal experience - being one on one with the ocean, far away from the shore...

Well I would rather watch Cash & Finn pushing boundaries in pumping waves than 2 guys in white robes rolling around on a mat

I'd be more interested in watching a strapless wave wing foiling competition, it takes way more skill to ride a foil strapless IMO, keep the spinny flippy stuff for freestyle events. Also very jealous as at my local any wave will have 6-50 surfers sitting all through the lineup - and they are not even surfing just getting in the way!

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noepoxy said..
I'd be more interested in watching a strapless wave wing foiling competition, it takes way more skill to ride a foil strapless IMO, keep the spinny flippy stuff for freestyle events. Also very jealous as at my local any wave will have 6-50 surfers sitting all through the lineup - and they are not even surfing just getting in the way!

Why does it take more skill to ride strapless? Airs yes turns no. At ponta Preta on a normal day like in the comp there would be 10 or so surfers, 20+ kites, few windsurfs all fighting for the 3 wave set every 5 mins. Then when you get one you prob get dropped n by a German surfer. it's not a place for winging normally unlesss you like rock hopping

Watch it every year and the coverage is getting better and better. The drone shots this year were superb.

I did feel a bit like Malo got robbed, I think he deserved the place in the final over Finn. Opinions will vary but I felt like Malo had better waves in the semi final, Finn won by 0.06 points so it was close, I just felt one of Malo's waves was rather under scored.

Big fan of formula 1 and a big fan of the GWA. Cutting edge skills with cutting edge gear. Pushing boundaries. Love it all.

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leepasty said..
Well I would rather watch Cash & Finn pushing boundaries in pumping waves than 2 guys in white robes rolling around on a mat

Yep, if you do not understand it, a judo match can be hard to read. Still, with 40 mln practitioners, a judo world championship is quite an event. I hope wingfoiling gets to the same level of popularity. And it has time plenty of time. After all, it took judo 143 years to get here.

i watched the GWA Wave Championship in Cabo Verde, it was great. The video footage top level and the wing foiling next level.

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beached57 said..
there are so many videos of guys doing things most of us never will in conditions most of us never see. this is just another.

doesn't mean you can't be stoked on it, and pay some attention

Agreed, I found it entertaining and an amazing spectacle

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JohnnyDepp said..
Why am I not into GWA? Quite frankly, I find it boring to watch. It just not as exciting as judo championships, or NHL, or MMA. Watching GWA races gets dull after 10 minutes, freestyle is not elegant and wingsurfing lacks the energy of surfing.

Fun to do, but crap to watch... Jeez, that sounds just like pickleball. (OTOH, maybe this is why the sport will survive long-term.)

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FranP said..
If we, as forum members, are supposed to be the wingfoil fanatics, why is no one talking about this event?

My guess:
- forum reader ==> old (youngsters do not use forums)
- older ==> less "fanboy" mentality, the need to engage in online discussions defending one "champion"

So I'd say people watch but do not discuss it here.

Personally, I was blown away by the level vs 2024, also helped by eliminating the silly rule of not using the wing to boost huge aerials - definitely inspires me to get out more in the waves on my wing gear - that's what athletes and contests are the best for - inspiration/showing the full potential of a sport - getting there as a regular punter is a different story, but that is besides the point.

I thought the drone footage showing the extreme risk the riders were taking so close to the rocks was awesome, as well as seeing their incredible timing/landing airs back on the wave face, wow! More of that needed, just adds to the allround nature of the sport, from flat water puddles to some of the best waves out there! Plus mixing up airs/carves, in probably 8-10knots, making those very average conditions look amazing. Winging is roughly 5-6 years old, imagine in another 5!

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My favorite video