Wingfoil freestyle: Interview with Sylt winner and German runner-up Jonte Boysen

Congratulations on winning on Sylt! Was that your first big event?

No, that Summer Opening Sylt 2026 was not my first event. I took part in my first competitions last year, including on Sylt. I realised straight away that I enjoyed battling it out with others and pushing each other on the water. It's also always great to meet the guys at the competitions.

Where are you from and where do you usually go on the water?

I come from Strande, which is in the north of Kiel and is my home spot. The spot is best in an easterly wind, when there are nice waves in the bay. With a north-westerly wind, it's good up at Bülk lighthouse. If the wind is blowing from the west, we go to the neighbouring spots such as Lindhöft or Grönwohld.

How long have you been wingfoiling, do you do any other sports?

I've been wingsurfing for about 3 years, before that I was windsurfing or surfing. When there's no wind, I often go pumping in the harbour at Strande or Schilksee, which I like because it's a good complement to waving. It's also good to be pulled by a boat, then I can ride the waves off the boat. If I can't do anything on the water, I go to the gym and meet up with friends.

Why freestyle in particular, what fascinates you about it?

I particularly like the freestyle discipline because it's the most spectacular. I love learning new tricks and pushing and supporting each other on the water with my friends. What's more, the feeling of flying over the water and spinning is just mega cool!

Do you also compete in other disciplines?

Yes, I'm also involved in the other disciplines such as race, slalom and wave. However, I enjoy freestyle the most.

What moves are you currently working on?

I'm currently working on a few new moves. One of them is the Palau 720, for example, which is a backwards rotation where the wing doesn't turn with you but pulls you upwards like a kite. You then rotate twice around your own axis. Another very new trick is the stalled backflip. You jump very high into the air and then do a backflip at the highest point and then sail back down like a feather. My favourite combo right now is the Palau Palau and the Palau Backloop. In my opinion, the most important thing is always to have fun and combine the jumps with each other to jump new combos.

Do you have specific role models?

No, I don't have a specific role model, in my opinion the sport is very young and the younger ones are constantly developing new tricks. Unlike surfing, where there are already a lot of legends.

My biggest goal is to take part in the GWA, the Wingfoil World Tour, next year."

What's next for you, which contests are still to come this season?

This year, the German Wave Championships will continue in the summer. Sylt is perfect for this, the waves build up with enough pressure. However, the spot is also challenging - the Shorebreak is sometimes very intense. In June, there's Kiel Week with the "Wingfoil German Open Racing" regattas. My main aim here is to gain experience and be on the water with the guys. If I can get round a buoy quickly, so much the better. The "Armstrong Foil Wave Contest" in Klitmøller, Denmark, will take place in September. My biggest goal is to take part in the GWA, the Wingfoil World Tour, next year.

Thank you very much and good luck!

Jonte's Instagram page: instagram.com/jonte_boysen