Windfoiling (or foil windsurfing) is a
surface water sport that is the hydrofoiling evolution of
windsurfing
Windsurfing is a wind-propelled water sport that is a combination of sailing and surfing. It is also referred to as "sailboarding" and "boardsailing", and emerged in the late 1960s from the Californian aerospace and surf culture. Windsurfing gain ...
, as well as typical sailing boats and
sailing hydrofoil
A sailing hydrofoil, hydrofoil sailboat, or hydrosail is a sailboat with wing-like hydrofoil, foils mounted under the hull (watercraft), hull. As the craft increases its speed the hydrofoils Lift (force), lift the hull up and out of the water, gr ...
s. It uses similar equipment to windsurfing with a normal or slightly evolved rig on a normal or specialist
foil board.
Mechanics
The board has a hydrofoil mounted in the fin box. The hydrofoil lifts the board off the water and enables the rider to achieve improved speeds in light winds due to the reduced drag.
The foil transmits a hydrodynamic lift force to the board, capable of lifting it out of the water. The goal is to reduce drag and increase performance.
Olympic event debut
Windfoiling debuted as an Olympic event in 2024.
They used the Starboard
IQFoil
iQFoil is a windsurfing class selected by World Sailing to replace the RS:X for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The discipline has similarities to Formula Windsurfing, however a notable difference is that sailors only use one sail. The sail size was o ...
gear.
Events involving foiling
See also
*
Land windsurfing — on large skateboard, propelled by sail
*
Hydrofoil board — surfboard with a hydrofoil
*
Wing foiling
Wing foiling or wing surfing or winging is a wind propelled water sport that developed from kitesurfing, windsurfing and surfing. The sailor, standing on a board, holds directly onto a wing. It generates both upward force and horizontal force whi ...
- a lightweight wing on a surfboard with a hydrofoil
References
{{Reflist
Windsurfing
Dinghies
Hydrofoil catamarans
Keelboats