This summer, a completely new technique dominates the water sports and the waters of Garda Trentino: The Foil (hydrofoil and propeller).
Hydrofoil has been used for several years in sailing. Shortly thereafter the kite-sport was able to enjoy this great technique and now the Foil has finally found its way into the windsurfing world!
But what is a Foil? A Foil is a carrier and a propeller. The actual meaning is "Hydrofoil". With this technique, not only surfboards, also whole boats or ships can be lifted from the water at a certain speed. The supporting surface at the end of the long fin, which is similar in shape to an airplane wing, develops a strong buoyancy force due to the water flowing in and over it, pushing the entire trunk out of the water. Since only a small part of the vehicle (wing and propeller) is under the water, displacement and friction resistance are significantly reduced. These forces, which usually counteract the drive, are almost completely eliminated. Not only the speed of the object is significantly higher, also the required driving force (for example, the wind force) is also reduced.
The special thing is that the board is able to glide over the water with a very low wind (under 10 knots) and with a sail around 6 meters, and it can be used in the truest sense of the word Water surface to "float".
Lightness, harmony, peace and silence. These pronounced feelings of windsurfing can finally be fully utilized thanks to the Foil.
It gets later and later in the day. It is already at the end of the afternoon – This is your time! It is the best part of the day to test the Foil and feel its fabulous effect. Now the mythical Ora, the thermal wind from the south of the Garda Trentino, loses the intensity and almost all water sportsmen return to the beach. Now the waves are falling. Grab the Foil and off you go! Now you can hear the foam crowns break under your board! When you are done with your unique Foil-Session, simply return to the beach and enjoy the shimmering colors of the sunset on the water surface with a delicious aperitif!
Renowned brands like RRD, Naish and NeilPryde have chosen Torbole and its grand wind for an ideal location. Here they develop and present their new products. The wind and kite surfers can hardly wait to try out this new way of surfing, and even water sports enthusiasts from all over the world come to "fly over the water". You can go to Conca d'Oro, the Shaka Surfing Center and if you are lucky you can have a sneak peek at "Robert Stroj", the sailing designer of the brand "Neil Pryde" or "Michi Schweiger", the right hand of the legendary American surfer and many-time world champion in windsurfing "Robby Naish" and look over their shoulders while they are working on the new prototypes of Foil boards and Foil sails.
We met Michi Schweiger at the "Hotel Santoni Freelosophy". During a “Wonderbreakfast”, he tells us some information about a new prototype, a new "Naish-Foil". This Foil is said to have the special feature that it can be adapted to the three sports: Windsurf, SUP and Kite.
MS: "More than a year ago, we began developing Malolo Surfing Foil with Kai Lenny, and soon after we worked on the program for windsurfing and kite surfing, we have a 3" Naish Thrust "complete Foil Thrust Windsurf-Foil and Thrust Kite-Foil. We have also created a series of specific "hover" boards: Hover Surf Foilboard, Hover Sup-Foilboard and Hover Windsurf Foilboard, and we have developed a "do it all" table, a Crossover Foil that allows Kite Foil, Sup-Foil and Windsurf Foil to be used.
All of Torbole is already talking about the coming year 2018. On the schedule are some windsurf racing regattas and other events following the "RRD One Hour Classic". For this reason, local athletes are increasingly starting to improve their Foil technique and train daily.
Also, the various water sports schools in the area have already thundered the upcoming water sports trend and are offering more and more activities related to this discipline. The Shaka Surf Center in Conca d'Oro has been involved in the Foil boom since the beginning of summer. Here you can watch the different Foil techniques of the Shaka-Team and the various training professionals, like Freestyle World Champion "Steven Van Broeckhoven" on the water. Even the legend "Antoine Albeau" itself can not escape the new hype.
You want to try the Foil? Visit the surf center "PierWindsurf". The PierWindsurf is located 4 km from Riva del Garda and is one of the first windsurfing centers in the Trentino area, which allows ascending surfers to "float" with the brand-new Hydrofoil-full-carbon RRD over the water and during a private -Session learning the perfect use and technique of the Foil. You are at the PierWindsurf? This is where you can often meet the Fanatic team! Here you can check out some tricks!
But as already mentioned: The Foil is not only popular in the Windsurf world. For a couple of years, kite sports have become an integral part of the sport. In this case, the kiteboarding school "Kite Segnana", with the competent and professional staff of Mirco Genco, gives you the opportunity to try the kiteboard in combination with the Foil technique!
I can windsurf, can I try the Foil?
Someone who knows how to slide and have a bit more experience in windsurfing can undoubtedly try the Foil technique. In the Surf-Center PierWindsurf a short theoretical lesson is definitely required for the first time. This is followed by a professional demonstration in the water before you try to "fly" over the water on your own. It takes a bit more time than traditional windsurfing, but once in the air and you discover a new fascinating world!
I can kiten, can I try the Foil?
The same rules apply as for windsurfing. Keeping control of your kite is the essence. The experienced team at the Kite Segnana school goes through every step as often as you want and until you feel safe. It supports you 100% on your first Foil experience. Have fun! You will not forget this experience!
