It’s my first time competing in a wing foiling championship. I barely had time to train for the GWA Wingfoil World Tour 2021 in Leucate due to the lockdown in Mauritius. Oh no, Oh no, Oh no no no…😱
I flew from Mauritius to France on the 20th of April to participate in my first ever GWA Wing Foil World Championship at Mondial du Vent in Leucate, France. After almost 6 months in Mauritius, it was nearly time for me to return to Montpellier, and I thought it was a good idea to register for the GWA, which was taking place from the 28th of April to the 2nd of May 2021. Leucate, on the Mediterranean coast of France, was welcoming the first event of the GWA for the 2021 season. I love challenging myself, plus meeting new people and the GWA Wingfoil World Tour in Leucate was the perfect place for both.
Let’s rewind back to Mauritius!
With the lockdown since March 2021, I was not able to train and went to the GWA with only some practice that I had at the very start of my holidays. Earlier before the lockdown and curfew order, I was riding on the beautiful spot of Manawa, near Le Morne Mauritius. This place is out of imagination and feels like riding in paradise. [Check out my blog article on my experience Wing Foiling on Manawa, Mauritius]
I never went out on the waters in Mauritius with a training mindset and with the thought that I might have to compete in the upcoming months. The competitive side of me had to get back on track.
When I arrived in Leucate, I met with so many new people, and the spirit surrounding the event was Lit. We had time to discuss with other professionals about wing foiling and share our views and this mutual passion that we have. Indeed, wing foiling is the fastest-growing waterport at the moment, and the community is constantly expanding.
GWA 2021 Season
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic far from being over, riders came from around the globe, with 15 nationalities present. With such a bunch of personalities and diversity, you do not have time to get bored. It was a very safe event, I must say, and we had daily temperature checks.
Riders came from various disciplines and backgrounds, from windsurfing to kiteboarding, foiling and freestyle or just wingers. It shaped up to be an exciting event with more than 50 riders registered for this year’s event. The event was quite private with no supporters; only the GWA crew and riders were allowed.
Above all, the competition had 2 main disciplines, the surf race, which was basically a race, and the surf freestyle, which was freestyle tricks – with 6 minutes heat, 15 attempts, and the 4 best tricks counting. The famous wind of Leucate, the cold Tramontana, known for its strong and offshore wind, blowing from the mountain was present, with gusts around 35 knots, rain, and 10 degrees.
Stoked for the next event
Unfortunately, I did not get any results at my first wing foiling championship. However, I’ve learned more than I thought at the start. It was the best feeling to be back on the water. I look forward to training more in this new discipline.
I cannot wait for the next GWA Wingfoil World Tour!
More on the GWA Wingfoil World Tour on:
