No One Talking About GWA contest ??

I think the majority of punters on this forum are just happy being able to gybe and ride lumps. The stuff on the GWA is so far removed from what most of us do it's hard to relate. That said I watched it all and loved it, motivates you to push a bit harder.

I find these events, as well as the downwind events like the channel crossings, to be meaningless distractions. At best it is just marketing for the brands associated.

I'd really love to participate in some
kind of foiling event. Something fun, that's a good use of my limited time and money. None of these events seem like they are working towards that. I feel like someone looked at the americas cup or the WSL and said "this is the pinnacle of this sport let's make an event like that" but ignored the fact that both those sports have a MASSIVE network of grassroots events that regular idiots can participate in.

I think like any highly produced media production this mostly attracts people who are interested in WATCHING. I don't really watch anything - I spent time and energy doing the thing. I mean looking at other professional sports what percent of fans actually do the thing - almost none.

I agree, very impressive riding but only doable if you're sponsored in my opinion. I've been there several times and the wind close to the shore is super gusty so when you wipe out, you're f..
and on a wing trip, ripping you're wing on one of the first days is no option for me. so not really interested because I can't afford to do the same.

there are so many videos of guys doing things most of us never will in conditions most of us never see. this is just another.

Impressive drone footage throughout the comp deserves a great thanks to organizers and sponsors !! Hopefully IWSA overtakes this standard for the upcoming races in Maroc rather than providing links to tracking apps.

I love watching, despite the total level of removal from my abilities, but really struggle with the commentary (same with professional surfing). At one point the commentator referred to a contestant's wing as their kite, and another said that the contestant would struggle to win the race after a fall - guessing they have been plucked from other sports/ disciplines but if you're hired to commentate a sporting event, knowing the the basics should be pre-requisite. It's the fear of 'dead air' that leads to mindless waffle!I love the idea of more grass-root competition where you can take part for fun without the expectation that the pro riders would just trounce everyone :)

This is the one i am watching. Amazing what is possible on foil in these waves and great drone coverage. Unfortunately the only wave one this year. The freestyle is already a spin to win competition and i find it boring.
Slalom is also not my cup of tea.

I love judo. Did it for 10 years as a young man. Got both shoulders dislocated, ribs broken, meniscus operated on, fingers broken and I consider myself lucky as in my 50s I am still very physically active and in almost no pain. I haven't done judo for over 20 years but I still watch judo competitions.

Now I truly love wingfoiling with all my heart, but for above reasons, I would not do it for anyone but for my good old frail self. I did not pick any injuries from wingfoiling and am grateful for the sport to emerge before I hit my 70s. I now recommend it to all my friends - young and old. I do not recommend watching it, but I give away my old boards to help them get started.

Why am I not into GWA? Quite frankly, I find it boring to watch. It just not as exciting as judo championships, or NHL, or MMA. Watching GWA races gets dull after 10 minutes, freestyle is not elegant and wingsurfing lacks the energy of surfing.

Practicing wingfoiling is quite different. Happy to wingfoil anywhere anytime. It is almost a personal experience - being one on one with the ocean, far away from the shore...

I'd be more interested in watching a strapless wave wing foiling competition, it takes way more skill to ride a foil strapless IMO, keep the spinny flippy stuff for freestyle events. Also very jealous as at my local any wave will have 6-50 surfers sitting all through the lineup - and they are not even surfing just getting in the way!

Watch it every year and the coverage is getting better and better. The drone shots this year were superb.

I did feel a bit like Malo got robbed, I think he deserved the place in the final over Finn. Opinions will vary but I felt like Malo had better waves in the semi final, Finn won by 0.06 points so it was close, I just felt one of Malo's waves was rather under scored.

Personally, I was blown away by the level vs 2024, also helped by eliminating the silly rule of not using the wing to boost huge aerials - definitely inspires me to get out more in the waves on my wing gear - that's what athletes and contests are the best for - inspiration/showing the full potential of a sport - getting there as a regular punter is a different story, but that is besides the point.

I thought the drone footage showing the extreme risk the riders were taking so close to the rocks was awesome, as well as seeing their incredible timing/landing airs back on the wave face, wow! More of that needed, just adds to the allround nature of the sport, from flat water puddles to some of the best waves out there! Plus mixing up airs/carves, in probably 8-10knots, making those very average conditions look amazing. Winging is roughly 5-6 years old, imagine in another 5!