It wasn't big superyachts or powerful engines that took centre stage at the start of boot Düsseldorf 2025, but surfing. The XXL pool was literally the stage for the official opening of the world's largest water sports trade fair. After the obligatory speeches, the official boot song "We love Water" was performed live, while Balz Müller did his laps with wing and foil in the background - the atmosphere was great, only the singers' hairstyles were somewhat deranged by the 84 wind rotors.
Bruch Boards with new design, new waveboard - and wave sails
The Bruch Boards stand immediately caught the eye on a tour of the hall. Dany Bruch is going full throttle with his brand and has just brought a range of sails to Düsseldorf. "We'd been thinking about making sails for a while, but now it happened relatively quickly." Initially, there will only be a wave range, which will be developed in collaboration with Flight Sails and manufactured in the Ezzy factory. "The sail is very neutral, you forget that you have something in your hand and can concentrate 100% on the wave," promises Dany.
The shapes of his boards have been revised in the rocker and some other details, but have largely remained the same in terms of orientation - only the Pure wave board is completely new and comes as a quad from 74 to 120 litres. "The concept of the board goes a bit in the direction of the Happy, because that was very popular, but it's not quite as short and wide, it's a bit more normal," says Dany. "A very playful board for quad lovers!" After six years, Dany also gave his boards updated graphics for a fresh look!
You can read a detailed interview with Dany Bruch in the next few days!
F2 launches iSUP with integrated pump
F2 is also flying the windsurfing flag, the former market leader has once again brought along the Barracuda, Rebel and Rave waveboards, as well as the Vegas and Sunset freeriders. There are also four sail lines in the programme, including a wave sail in HD quality. Juan Martinez explains that the shapes have been optimised in small details and that F2 wants to further expand the windsurfing sector. However, the focus at F2 is on the iSUP sector, and the Axxis Smart with integrated pump is particularly exciting: the electric battery pump sits in a compartment at the tail, can inflate up to three boards with one charge and stops automatically at the right pressure. It can be removed for charging and the compartment can also be used as a waterproof compartment for mobile phones or keys. F2 also has wing boards in all sizes from 20 to 220 litres, from downwind to inflatables, as well as two wings: the performance model made of Dyneema is "one of the lightest and stiffest wings on the market, weighing just 2.2 kg in 5.0", says "F" boss Bernd Flügel. F2 also has an affordable entry-level wing, a para-wing is already advertised on a flyer, but is not due to arrive in Düsseldorf until the end of the week at the earliest.
New Life and Air from Freewing, entry-level model from Starboard
Starboard will also have a small selection of its windsurfing range on show at the trade fair, including the original Olympic sail from Theresa Steinlein. The only new product on show is the new entry-level model Start2. At the main stand, the completely new wing range from Freewing - including a fresh logo - is one of the main innovations. "Svein Rasmussen brought them along himself, they're not even on the market yet!" says Elias Ouahmid. The new Wing Life replaces the Go and comes with an aluminium boom with a slightly V-shaped base for a better grip. The performance-oriented Air model has also been completely redesigned, and the colours of both are now coordinated. In addition to the Compact board, AK has the Phazer model in a new size, while the Nomad comes in two new designs, for wingfoil and downwind. The eye-catcher is Starboard's hollow downwind board in "Zero Construction" without a core, with a stiffened outer shell. The Velocity paddle is a new addition to the Starboard SUP range, with three degrees more bend and bevelled edges for longer and more effective paddling. The Foil Blade is also new. The shapes of the iSUPs have remained the same, plus a new 10 SUP Surf Longboard and the Wingboard 4in1 in a new size. The iSUPs are now only available in deluxe design. The Raceboard GenR will also be launched in the middle of the year, while the Allstar has been slightly revised in the 20.5 size.
Ensis in parawing fever
Ensis will be focussing on the Para-Wing Roger, which will also be demonstrated in detail by Balz Müller on the pool. The performance wing Topspin comes in the ACE version with Dyneema edge and new carbon boom, while the Score will be getting a freestyle offshoot in the course of the year. In the foil sector, the Swiss have new beginner wings in their programme, as well as revised race wings. The hardboards will continue unchanged into the 2025 season, with an inflatable downwinder being added to the range in spring. There is also a new lightweight helmet for beginners.
At Indiana, the Sweet Stick, a classic downwind board, and the Earlybird light wind early glider are new. "The most important new board is the mid-length Super Fly model, which is a little wider and not quite as long, also ideal for parawing," describes shaper Andy Widmann. Otherwise, the wingboards have remained unchanged, while the Le Doight Pro models have been slightly revised. Indiana now builds the front wings of the foils as a monocoque and there are two fuselage lengths. There are two positions for the backwings, which should fit perfectly: "No need to trim, no need to try things out, the angles have been tested so that it's plug and play for the customer," promises Andy.
New wingfoil brand Silence Foiling
There is also a completely new brand at boot Düsseldorf: Silence Foiling was launched by former sail designer Teiva Cantiran (Patrik, Nautix). To kick things off, there will be wing boards in the freeride, performance and inflatable segments, as well as a foil range. The Wing Ghost is exciting: the front tube consists of a single piece, so there are no cross seams, which should improve stiffness and control. "This is a big plus for performance and durability," says Teiva.
Armstrong will also be there in Düsseldorf from the foil sector, with a new surf foil board from 20 to 148 litres in its range, plus a range of downwind, mid-length and wing boards, as well as various foil components, of course. Axis Foils has supplemented its fire boards with larger versions, new front wings and very small back wings. "If you compare them with other backwings, you get the feeling that you can ride much more freely," enthused the Axis representative.
Pumping and wingfoiling on the pool, stars in the hall
After the stage was dismantled for the opening ceremony, Winger and Pumper took over the pool. Qualification for both contests took place during the course of the day, with the finals following on Sunday. The atmosphere was great, the spectator areas around the pool were packed, the presenters fired up the riders and the audience. Despite the challenging conditions - even the 84 rotors unfortunately cannot conjure up a completely even wind on the water - GWA Tour Manager Tom Hartmann was satisfied with the day. As always, one of the top stars was Balz Müller, who flitted back and forth between the pool, interviews and skateboard. He signed at least as many autographs as legend Björn Dunkerbeck, who can still be seen in Hall 17 throughout the weekend!
