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Wörthsee: Windless competition debut at the first Wingfoil Cup!
On September 29th, 2025, a pump foil event took place at Lake Wörth, where young people and adults could try out the trend sport of wingfoiling.
Wörthsee: Windless competition debut at the first Wingfoil Cup!
Wing foiling is on the rise in Munich and the surrounding area, and this is not least due to a very special event that recently took place at Lake Wörth. The Wörthsee Sailing Club (SVW) invited people to the first regatta in the district, but due to a lack of wind, the participants' colorful sails remained rolled up. Instead, the organizers created an alternative event: a pump foil event that does not depend on the whims of the wind. Weekly Gazette reports that this innovative sports format gave athletes the opportunity to glide over the surface of the water - without any wind.
This technique, called pumpfoiling, requires skill and endurance. The participants' sporting urge is exploited to lift the board using body movements. During the event, windsurfer Marco Tommasi impressively demonstrated that learning to foil takes a lot of practice; he reported 600 to 1,000 attempts before he mastered the art of foiling. The advantage? With pumpfoiling you don't have to rely on wind, waves or a towboat, which means the sport can be practiced on almost any body of water. Foilersworld explains that the driving force comes exclusively from the driver's movements.
A new hobby for young and old
Matthias Huber, the chairman of the SVW, got the idea for the regatta primarily from his children, who are themselves active in foiling. Wingfoiling is described as the perfect complement to sailing as it is not only hectic and exciting but also requires easily transportable equipment. Christine Grundler, who sells drinks and snacks at the sailing center, has also discovered wing foiling and sees it as a great alternative to stand-up paddling.
The event wasn't just for professionals: it offered both young people and older surfers the chance to try out foiling. Experts performed impressive turns and jumps with a winch, which was an absolute highlight for many spectators and participants. The SVW plans to host the Wingfoil Cup annually on Lake Wörth in the future, regardless of wind conditions.
Foiling as the future of shipping
The trend sport of wing foiling could be more than just a leisure activity. According to a report by SRF Foiling is an area of innovation that has the potential to revolutionize shipping. With a hydrofoil under the board or boat, the buoyancy can be noticeably increased above a certain speed. The water resistance is reduced by up to 50%, which increases efficiency. Research is already underway in laboratories on new technologies that could make hydrofoils usable for various types of ships.
Although it failed to gain traction for many years, interest in foiling is growing thanks to new materials and the development of electric motors. These advances cast the technology in a new light and could help reduce energy consumption in shipping.
Overall, the Pumpfoil event on Lake Wörth showed that foiling is not only an exciting trend sport, but also has the potential to shape the future of shipping as an innovative technology. With a fresh wind and lots of fun, the SVW will certainly attract many surfers and water sports enthusiasts to Lake Wörth and further establish foiling in the district.