Fabi was inspired by time spent earlier this year as an intern in New Zealand with North Director of Design and Engineering Hugh Pinfold and Foils Product Manager Uli Sommerlatt - both engineers passionate about ocean sports.
After visiting Hugh in Raglan, Fabi said - “You can see how passionate Hugh is about just getting all the gear, even the small things, to always crank up a level and be the best of the best. And then you see him riding and he's like sending it on the kite, on the foil surfing, pump foiling as well. Hugh and Uli are good guys. Super focused on the job and on getting the work done. But also know when it's time to be at the ocean and enjoy the conditions.”
”At the end of the day, let's be honest, everyone wants to be a surfer. Everyone wants to get that surf feeling, and foiling has already opened many doors for that. I think downwind foiling is the next thing - it's like surfing the endless wave.”
- Fabi Muhmentahler
Born to a Spanish mother and Swiss father (whose passion for windsurfing led him to Tarifa), the 23yo is grateful for what he calls the “miracle opportunity” of growing up in the European mecca of wind and water sports, and the chance to be part of the birth of wingfoiling. “I've always felt very, you know, related to the ocean. But the wingfoiling feels like a dream come true. I remember the first day I was able to ride on a wing foil with small gear and proper strong wind, I instantly felt like this is gonna be a thing - foiling was here to stay.”
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Fabi Muhmentahler WINGFOIL SETUP