Surf Foil World Tour to open 2026 season at BOOT Düsseldorf

The Surf Foil World Tour (SFT) is relaunching its 2026 season at BOOT Düsseldorf with the SFT Pump Foil World Cup staged in the event's indoor pool from January 16–18, 2026. The move positions foil disciplines front and center at one of Europe’s largest marine trade shows and gives athletes a weather‑proof contest platform designed for spectators and close-quarters judging.

BOOT Düsseldorf draws more than 250,000 visitors, and SFT is framing the pool event as a strategic season opener that maximizes industry and public exposure. An indoor pool eliminates swell and wind variables, which shifts the emphasis toward pump foil technique, board control, and the kind of tight, technical maneuvers that reward consistent training and precision. Last year’s debut inside the pool packed the stands and produced standout runs from Benjamin May, Titouan Galea, Edan Fiander and Sarah Spalinger—results that helped make the format a crowd-pleaser.

Beyond the BOOT stop, SFT is expanding disciplines for 2026. Parawing competition will debut in Leucate, France, adding a non-wind wingfoil-style category to the tour. Organizers say they are still finalizing additional calendar stops for 2026, but portray the season as part of a broader effort to build an ecosystem around non-wind foil sports—combining prize money, media coverage and governance from the Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) to create clearer structure and growth pathways for riders.

For competitors and clubs the BOOT pool offers predictable conditions for testing race and heat formats, showcasing technical riding to sponsors and spectators, and capturing media-friendly footage. For event organizers and local scenes, the draw of a large indoor crowd at a major trade show creates opportunities to run demos, recruit new riders, and present foiling as an accessible, high-skill discipline rather than an off-shore specialty.

Event details and the full 2026 schedule are available at surffoilworldtour.com/wake-foil/news/41. Expect tight heats, high-speed pump intervals, and easier viewing lines for coaches and video teams compared with open-water venues.

The takeaway? BOOT’s indoor pool is a smart season starter for a sport that thrives on technical flair and visual impact. If you’re competing, prioritize pump-foil drills and close-quarters maneuvering. If you’re organizing or promoting, plan to use the BOOT spotlight to show off foiling’s most accessible and spectator-friendly side—packed stands and tight racing make for the best recruitment tool. Our two cents? Pack your travel kit, tune your pump game, and get ready to ride where the crowds can actually see you shred.