The XXL pool is the absolute crowd-puller in Hall 17, with pump foiling and wing foiling on the programme on the first weekend, before SUP and freestyle windsurfing take over in a week's time. Some world-class riders such as Nia Suardiaz, Balz Müller and Bowien van der Linden manage to convey the fascination even in the middle of January, far away from the sea. Bowien van der Linden was also the one to present pump foiling at the official opening of boot 2026, before presenter Dirk Steffens opened the trade fair with a laser show and countdown.
On the areas around the pool, however, the big names are becoming fewer and fewer. Only F2 is still flying the flag for windsurfing, but is only showing a selection of boards and sails that we have already seen in recent years. In addition to plenty of iSUPs, the former cult brand also has its retro collection on show.
The trend: Foils with drive - pioneer Foil Drive
The trend of the year, electric drives for foils, cannot be overlooked. The trendsetter here was the Foil Drive brand, which has been offering its electric motors at the trade fair for several years. Initially, the units were mounted on conventional masts, but established brands such as Armstrong and Axis now have special foil masts in their programme that accommodate and optimally integrate the Foil Drive drive. The battery sits in a cutout on the board, and Foil Drive also works with various manufacturers in this area. "We started with this and are still two to three steps ahead," says Dominic Hoskyns from Foil Drive. The current version should be even stronger but only slightly heavier, according to Dominic - you can read a detailed interview here in the next few days!
Other new additions to the Foil Drive range include rechargeable batteries that can be taken on aeroplanes in a case and a battery caddy, which is designed to make transporting and charging the batteries easier and also serves as a storage compartment for small items or a power bank.
Armstrong Foils with Ultra High Aspect Wing and accessories
Armstrong will also be showcasing its masts for foil drive installation at boot - one far down for continuous thrust, the other higher up for support when taking off. A European premiere is the Ultra High Aspect Wing, which can be seen in sizes between 1270 and 570. Armstrong has also launched a wide range of new accessories: from leashes and foot straps to lycra, caps and sun hats, which are also available with an integrated helmet shell.
Axis with surf wing
Axis Foils is also focussing on visually appealing helmet options, with caps with hard shells and a range of lycra. However, foils and a mast for the installation of a foil drive naturally take centre stage here too. There is also a race wing with a titanium fuselage and new wings for the shaft
Waydoo: E-drive for conventional foils
While the majority of foil drive systems require special masts and boards with a battery option, the Waydoo brand is presenting a drive that can be screwed onto any wing foil setup. A carrier for the battery is placed between the foil and the board, on which the propeller also sits a little lower. The system should provide up to 40 kg of thrust and be lighter and cheaper than a pure e-foil setup. The technology comes from Waydoo parent company DJI.
Mini wings and three-piece wing from Ketos
Ketos, which says it once developed the first European foil, is showing two extremes: there is the mini stabiliser measuring just 40 cm2, smaller than many breakfast knives and appropriately named "Knife" - at the other end of the range, Ketos has an ultra high aspect wing in its programme that can be split into three parts for better handling. The tips are interchangeable and available in three sizes. The French manufacturer also has boards in its range, including a pump foil board made of carbon that weighs just one kilo.
In the next few days you will find more reports from boot Düsseldorf 2026 here - stay tuned!
