Michi, you're from Austria, but you're usually travelling the world. Where are we catching you right now?
Since my children started school, travelling the world has also become a little less. We live in Tarifa during the winter and spend the summer holidays at Lake Garda. The weather here at the lake was a bit of a mess this year, but since wingsurfing has been around, there are hardly any unusable conditions.
Many years ago, you launched your first book on windsurfing moves, the "Tricktionary", followed by further editions. Now there will soon be a wing tricktionary too. What can we expect from this?
Before there were wings, I produced three editions of the Windsurf Tricktionary, which ended up being published in five languages and grew to bible format. When I started back then, I naturally thought "I know everything". Over time, you realise that you don't know everything (laughs). That's why I now get professional support from international coaches for my manoeuvre books. In wingsurfing, there aren't that many experienced coaches at the moment, as the sport is still very young. Fortunately, I was there from the beginning and try to give a good overview of all facets of the sport in the Wing-Tricktionary - from the basics to freestyle tricks and wingfoiling in the waves. There will be certain focus chapters that will be covered in great detail. I'm currently at 300 pages and counting (laughs).
The sport is developing at breakneck speed. The boys come up with new trick creations every day
Where do you get all the content for your Tricktionary? Do you do everything yourself?
I do almost everything myself and already have many manoeuvre sequences in the box. The problem at the moment is that it's quite difficult to keep up with the evolution of the sport. People like Balz Müller are churning out a new move almost every day. Initially, I wanted to launch wingsurfing as part of my SUP tricktionary. But the idea was barely conceptualised before it became clear that it would have to be an isolated project.
Doesn't the rapid development of wingfoiling automatically make a print product obsolete on the left?
I try to cover as many moves as possible, but of course a book like this can never be complete. On the other hand, there is a huge demand for information right now and I think that my tricktionary will cover most of the basic and expert moves and can therefore help many wingsurfers.
Do you have sponsors who support your project?
My sponsors, Fanatic and Duotone, have been behind all my projects for years, for which I am of course very grateful, and they also support the Wing Tricktionary. However, I always try to cover as wide a range of riders, manoeuvres and styles as possible in the book. I write the texts for most of the content myself, and I also produce most of the photos. Of course, I have help with graphics, layout and translations into other languages.
When will the Tricktionary be available to buy?
I hope it won't be too much longer. Now would be the perfect time, of course, but in the end the content has to be of good quality.
As someone who does all water sports - how has wingsurfing changed your everyday water sports life?
I'm lucky that I live by the water and can choose what I want to do. My job and my passion are one and the same. I generally do whatever the conditions allow. My car is always full of windsurfing stuff, kites, wings and surfboards. I simply choose the sport that promises me the most fun in the right conditions. For me, this freedom is the true luxury in life!
Thanks Michi for the interview! We'll let you know as soon as the Wing-Tricktionary is ready. You can also find more information on the Website .
Manuel Vogel
Editor surf
