GWA Youth Wingfoil World Championships in La Palma

1 year ago

Photos: Samuel Cárdenas

Words: Ian MacKinnon

Last week, the GWA Wingfoil World Tour hosted an exciting event – the Youth Wingfoil World Championships. This thrilling competition took place over four days on the stunning island of La Palma in the Canary Islands.

Young stars from nine different countries came together, hoping to claim victory in the Surf-Freestyle and FreeFly-Slalom divisions. The age groups included U14, U16, and U19.

The competition kicked off with the FreeFly-Slalom battles on the first day. Despite lighter winds, the athletes skillfully maneuvered through the challenging course, which had been moved slightly further offshore.

On the second day, the roles were reversed as the Boys’ U14, U16, and Men’s U19 Surf-Freestyle divisions took center stage alongside the women’s U19 contest. The athletes showcased their skills in winds of about 20 knots.

The fourth and final day presented a different set of challenges with a slalom course. Each course featured a demanding pump track where athletes had to rely solely on their skills, without the assistance of the wing’s power. The presence of a harmless hammerhead shark swimming alongside the track added an extra element of excitement and a touch of nervousness among the young competitors.

Overall, it was an incredible four days of action in both disciplines. We are thrilled to witness the growth of this new sport and the emergence of a new generation of professional wingfoilers. A big thank you goes out to the media, crew, and the Spain Wingfoiling League for making this event possible. Until next year!