He is only three years old but has all the attributes of a very big one. A new discipline of sliding sports on water, wingfoil is attracting more and more practitioners than windsurfing and kitesurfing.
His advantages ? Its maneuverability which allows spectacular figures, its foil which gives the impression of flying above the water, its minimal size with inflatable sails which do not require the purchase of a van to transport it (!) and t-his unregulated ascent where practiced the kitesurfing only in demarcated areas.
For those who want to try, free initiations at wingfoil are planned for three days. Practitioners can come fix their equipment, buy or discuss with shapers.
To experience a new kind of competition
Drawing on her experience in an environment where gender equality is a dream, the organizer Flora Artzner created a “fun, egalitarian and eco-committed” event, the 1st Roca Cup aims to break the codes.
The winners of the competition, men and women, will share €4,000 in prizes donated by local companies committed to an ecological approach.
For the three new events being tested
So far, the trials of wingfoil well-known ones involved races from buoy to buoy and tricks performed in eight minutes between four buoys. During the Roca Cup, three new types of events will be launched: boardercross (speed, show jumping and figures), the mixed relay in teams of three (one man, one woman and one young person) and synchronized freestyle. “It will be the first in the world. The French Merchant Navy Federation is very curious to see what it will give,” rejoices Flora Artzner.
To see the stars of the discipline
About forty registered pilots and the world’s best responded to the invitation. First of all, the Caledonian Titouan Galea, 2021 freestyle world champion who will engage in a great duel with the Swiss Balz Muller, living legend of the wingfoil, to whom we owe most of the known figures.
Her teammate Eva Wyss will also be there but the Hyérois will have Chimène’s eyes for Olivia Piana, the 2021 world racing champion and vice-world freestyle champion. Other Varois are in the running like the navigator Pierre Quiroga and the Fréjusiens Alan and Loukas Fedit.
To have fun without soiling the environment
Concerning the environmental issue, a waste collection will be organized on Saturday morning (9am) with the association Hyeres Explore & preserve In the village, information stands and games will be dedicated to the fragility of marine environments, human impact and its protection. The Roca Cup aims to be a zero waste event. All visitors are therefore invited to come with their bottle and cutlery. On site, ecological cups and cutlery will be registered.
Catering will be provided by food trucks selected for the quality of their products, organic or from sustainable, local and seasonal agriculture, and their eco-biodegradable or compostable containers. Enjoy, yes, but in conscience!
The program
The program given by the organization depends on the wind conditions and may therefore be subject to change. The village is open every day from 10am. until 6 p.m.
- Boardercross in the afternoon until 6 p.m.
- Boardercross in the morning, mixed relay (men/women/youth team) in the afternoon
- Figures of freestyle synchronized all day
