SFT Returns to BOOT Düsseldorf to Launch Year Two

The champagne barely had time to dry from celebrating a breakthrough inaugural season before the Surf Foil World Tour fires up for 2026. And we’re not easing into it — we’re diving straight back into the deep end. Literally.

From January 16–18, the SFT Pump Foil World Cup returns to the iconic indoor pool at BOOT Düsseldorf, the world’s largest watersports trade show. If you caught last year’s debut, you already know this isn’t your typical competition venue. Picture this: more than 500 spectators per day packed around a custom-built pool course, watching the world’s best pump foilers navigate tight buoy turns in an environment that’s part elite athletic showcase, part live theater.

Why Düsseldorf Matters

Starting the season at BOOT Düsseldorf isn’t just convenient — it’s strategic.

With more than 250,000 visitors from across the global watersports industry converging in one place, the Surf Foil World Tour puts foiling front and center where it matters most. Brands, retailers, media, and everyday enthusiasts get to experience firsthand why foiling represents the future of board sports.

The indoor pool format also delivers something rare in action watersports: predictability.
No waiting for wind.
No weather windows.
Just pure competition, on schedule.

Athletes push technical limits in a controlled environment that rewards skill over luck — and makes every race count.

And let’s be honest: there’s something electric about watching world-class athletes compete just feet from the crowd. Every pump, every carve, every tactical decision is visible. The energy is different. The access is unprecedented. The stoke is contagious.

A Proven Format, A Deeper Field

On the water, the level was unmistakable.

Benjamin May claimed the men’s inaugural BOOT Düsseldorf title in a gripping match-up against Titouan Galea, while eventual SFT Pump Foil World Champion Edan Fiander and rising talents Jurij Scheibler and Robert von Roll announced themselves as serious contenders on the global stage.

On the women’s side, Sarah Spalinger, winner of last year’s division, and runner-up Viola Lippitsch return to lead a deep and competitive field in another battle for the title.

Last year, the format worked. The crowds showed up. And the industry took notice. Now, expectations are higher — and so is the level.

Building on Breakthrough Momentum

The numbers tell the story: nine events across four continents, five distinct disciplines, thousands of spectators, and a level of competition that elevated foiling from niche sport to legitimate tour. From the legendary waves of Cape Verde to the flat-water precision of Abu Dhabi, the 2025 season proved -that foiling's time has arrived.

The tour is growing quickly, and with each discipline event, momentum continues to build — delivering moments that stay with fans long after the sun goes down. But momentum in action sports is fragile. You either build on it — or you lose it.

The SFT isn’t slowing down.

What’s New for 2026

Year two brings expansion, innovation, and a discipline that’s been generating serious buzz across the foiling community: parawing foiling.

The Surf Foil World Tour will debut parawing competition in Leucate, France, the same venue that hosted explosive pump foil and e-foil action in 2025. Compact, packable, and highly efficient, parawing technology has already reshaped downwind foiling — and now it steps onto the competitive stage.

Parawinging combines the hands-free flow of downwind foiling with the accessibility of assisted launches, opening new possibilities for athletes and spectators alike. It's pure, it's connected, and it's exactly the kind of forward-thinking addition that defines the SFT approach.

The full 2026 event schedule lives on the SFT website, with additional tour stops currently being finalized as organizers around the world recognize the opportunity to host world-class foiling competition.

The Road Ahead

The Surf Foil World Tour isn’t just organizing events — it’s building an ecosystem. Prize money is real. Media coverage is expanding. And the Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) is providing structure and legitimacy as the sport continues to professionalize.

This is what progress looks like in action sports. Not overnight — but through consistent execution, smart innovation, and an unwavering commitment to showcasing the best riders on the planet doing things most people didn’t think possible five years ago.

So whether you’re an athlete eyeing the Düsseldorf pool, a brand evaluating partnership opportunities, or a fan wondering where foiling goes next — the answer starts January 16.

Year two. Bigger stages. New disciplines. Same mission: pushing watersports beyond the surface.

Follow @surffoilworldtour on Instagram for updates