My First Défi Wing ~ by Elena Moreno

As someone who loves waves, at first I would never have thought of going to an event like the Défi Wing… But then I received an invitation from the Cabrinha France team and I thought it was a great opportunity to step out of my comfort zone, meet the team in person, and experience an event I had only ever seen in videos.

The Défi Wing is one of the most important and well-known wingfoil events in the world, especially in Europe. It was born in France as a natural evolution of the famous Défi Wind, which has been bringing together thousands of windsurfers on the coast of Gruissan for decades.

The Défi Wing consists of long-distance group racing, managing wind and fatigue, choosing the right equipment, and experiencing the feeling of sailing alongside hundreds of wings (there were more than 700 of us). It is very similar to a “marathon on the water” rather than a technical regatta. It has a very strong community aspect, and the visual spectacle and the impression of seeing that start line is incredible!

There were many teams, groups of friends, and one of the things that impressed me the most was the wide age range of participants, from 13 to 65 years old! A real challenge for such a young sport.

The event was very well organized and structured. It was 3 full days of racing, and every morning there was a briefing where the course was explained and the next start was announced. Each race was around 35–40 kilometers. On the first day we did one race, and on the following two days we did two races per day.

It was very important to be as comfortable as possible to handle so many kilometers: good foot positioning (which was challenging for me, as I am used to riding with a single front strap, while for such long distances it is better to have two front straps and be comfortable on both sides). I used my usual Link 50L board and the Mantis 2026 wings, which felt very comfortable and stable. As an extra, the boom was a great advantage as it allows you to use a harness, which I consider essential for this event, otherwise your arms get completely destroyed ;) The wing I used the most was the 3.5m, as the wind was consistent and quite strong throughout the event.

Without a doubt, it has been an unforgettable experience. I would like to thank everyone who was part of this trip in one way or another, and I encourage everyone to take part or come and watch it, it is definitely worth it. See you next year, Défi Wing!