Lewis Hall isn’t making waves; he’s gliding right across them after recently taking up the exhilarating sport of wing foiling.

“I’ve always loved water sports,” said the 25-year-old electrician, who’s lived in Tauranga for five years. “White water kayaking took over my life for a while, running rapids in Rotorua and in the Kaimai Range but it’s not something you can easily do for an hour after work. I wanted a sport that was close to home.”

Wing foiling combines a board fitted with a hydrofoil and a handheld wing. Hall was gifted lessons in November with Foil Sports NZ by his parents.

“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever learned. You’ve got to be precise because the foil and the wing move independently,” he explained. “It was my third lesson before I got up but when you’re flying across the water, it’s a strange, cool feeling with no noise, just the wind.”

More like sailing than traditional surfing, wing foiling allows Hall to get on the inner Tauranga Harbour even when the surf isn’t reliable.

“If there’s a little wind, I can head out after work off Kulim or Fergusson Park and get those endorphins.”

The sport is physically demanding, particularly on the shoulders and arms.

“Holding the wing up means your arms don’t get a break, and getting back on after falling can be tiring,” he said. “The gear is expensive, but it packs down small. The wing folds into a backpack and the rest lies flat in the boot of the car. I’m renting from Foil Sports NZ while I save my pennies for my own setup.”

Despite being a beginner, Lewis is already hooked.

“It’s fun, it’s different, and a little weird. If you’re into water sports, give it a crack.”

Foil Sports NZ instructor Seba Baruffaldi said in less than a decade, wing foiling has surged in popularity.

“We started teaching wing foiling as soon as the gear became available. Lessons ensure people learn basic techniques correctly and will have faster progression in the sport. A lot of wing foilers come from a kiteboarding or windsurfing background but just as many are people picking it up as their first water sport. The average age is fairly high because it’s easier on the body. Flying smoothly above the waves saves knees a great deal of work.”

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