Wingfoiling

My first encounter with wing foiling was here on Maui in 2018. I noticed someone cruising on a surfboard that seemed to be hovering above the water, powered by some sort of sail. It was probably Kai Lenny and looked very futuristic!

I started wing foiling in early summer 2020 when school was shut due to the pandemic and hanging out with friends was off the table. My dad suggested we go to Kahului harbor to learn to wing! Right from the start I was smiling and laughing, even if I was mostly flopping around in the water. I really liked pushing myself on the water because it was difficult and I’m competitive. I also realized this sport was so much fun!!! I also love winging because on the water nobody can force me to do anything, I am completely free. Wing foiling exciting and gives me free space to clear my head, and gives me even more opportunity to take advantage of living on Maui!

Another reason I love winging is the community. I have always been surrounded by a community of watermen and women where life basically revolves around the ocean and its conditions on a daily basis. I consider myself a water kid because the ocean is where I find happiness, accomplishments and peace. I want to be involved with innovative developments of the sport, while pushing my comfort zone and abilities as an athlete. For example I've been engineering my own foils with the help of a mentor with the goal of going faster.

Winging has also given me the opportunity to give back to the community. Maui’s unemployment rates have significantly increased during the pandemic which means more people are unable to buy and afford their own food. To date I have been able to raise over $3000 which correlates into over 6000 meals. I raised this money by giving wing lessons and donating all the money I made to the Maui Food Bank.