Wing Foiling Is the New Watersport I Can’t Wait to Try

Have you ever heard of wing foiling? [Tripsavvy Travel Today]( [Nathan Allen]( Outdoor Gear Editor Each summer, my partner’s family descends on a lake in Minnesota, northwest of the Twin Cities. For the past few summers, I’ve been joining them. As a born-and-raised Midwesterner, it’s a welcome return to humidity, mosquitos, and a slower, calmer flow of life compared to Southern California’s freeways and frenetic pace. It’s also two weeks of basically living on the water. Paddleboarding. [Sailing](. Fishing. Waterskiing. Wakeboarding. And more recently, foiling. This year, I’m excited to try wing foiling. First prototyped about a decade ago, wing foiling marries a foil board with kitesurfing and windsurfing. Essentially, you stand on a foil board and hold onto a wing to propel yourself through the water. While the origins of wing foiling date back to the 80s when Jim Drake and Uli Stanciu invented a handheld wing, Tony Logosz of Hood River-based [Slingshot Sports]( is credited with the first modern “slingshot” wing in 2011. It wasn’t until 2019 that the Logosz model began getting adopted mainly by other Columbia River Gorge-based companies. There are two main reasons I’m excited about the potential of the burgeoning sport. First, it’s reportedly easier to learn and less intimidating than kitesurfing and windsurfing. Second, the smallness of the foil board and wing needed to propel it make it easier to travel. Where traditional gear used to kitesurf and windsurf are large and cumbersome to move and store, wing foiling is more akin to [an inflatable paddleboard](. If you’re interested in checking out the sport, we suggest researching it first—and an excellent place to start is Slingshot Sports. It’s the founding company in the North American wind sports epicenter, [Hood River](. If you’re familiar and experienced with other wind sports, you can probably learn how to wing foil by watching YouTube videos and troubleshooting on your own. But if you’re totally new to wind sports, we suggest taking some instructions from a Global Wingsports Association instructor. Either way, it’s a slightly more approachable way to enjoy wind sports. And we’re down for it. On Our Radar [Don't Miss Your Chance to Win a Romantic Getaway in Miami for Two]( Three nights at the THEsis hotel? Yes, please. [Unlimited Caviar & Revamped Planes: Inside Emirates' Upgraded Experience]( The most luxurious airline is now even more luxe. [I Visited Thailand After It Dropped Entry Requirements—Here's What It Was Like]( After two years of phased policy changes, the country is ready for its comeback. Destination of the Day Phnom Penh, Cambodia [Phnom Penh]( Cambodia’s capital of 2.3 million people, feels a lot more manageable than the other big capitals in Southeast Asia. Although the roads are oftentimes chaotic, distances are short and the sites are walkable. Among [Phnom Penh’s top tourist attractions]( are the gruesome Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and “Killing Fields;" although somber, both are essential for trying to grasp what Cambodians suffered in the 1970s during the Khmer Rouge’s misrule. Meanwhile, [Wat Phnom]( first completed in 1373, isn’t as old as [Angkor Wat]( but it’s still quite impressive. For inexpensive souvenirs and a hodgepodge of goods, the Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tumpong) is a good choice, but get ready to hone your haggling skills. And, when you get hungry, you’ll certainly enjoy sampling the curries, noodle soups, and other staples of [Khmer cuisine]( in some of [the city's best restaurants](. Vacation Like a Pro Unfortunately, bag and smartphone snatching is a pervasive problem in Phnom Penh. The thieves, usually on motorbike, speed by to snatch smartphones from tables, pockets, or hands in broad daylight. Be careful with your bag while riding in tuk-tuks and sitting at outdoor tables and keep your smartphone off the table. [Greg Rodgers]( Contributing Writer Your Packing List Although tourism has caused local dress to lax somewhat, always dress conservatively when visiting temples. Pack clothing that covers your shoulders, as well as pants or a long skirt. You will see almost every tourist and local in Cambodia wearing [flip-flops]( on a daily basis, and that's because it's customary to slip your shoes off when entering a place. [Hari Mari's Meadows Sandals]( make for the perfect all-day pair. Made of Nubuck leather, the straps and footbed are incredibly soft, and the memory foam toe post, which Hari Mari patented, means you get a little cushion between your toes. The ultraviolet index is high in Cambodia, making the possibility of sunburn and resulting skin damage high. Be sure to bring plenty of [sunscreen]( Trending in Travel [11 Women's Fleece Jackets to Keep You Warm This Fall]( [These Are the Most Colorful Landscapes on Earth]( [Is Duty-Free Shopping Still a Bargain?]( Get Inspired Just 17 miles from Kauai, [Niihau, Hawaii]( is home to only 70 full-time residents and their families or to those who received a coveted invitation from the Robinson family, whose ancestors have owned the 69-square-mile island since 1864. There are no paved roads, hospitals, police stations, grocery stores, or indoor plumbing. Though the island is open to small tours, a visit won’t come without a hefty price tag and certainly more than a few restrictions. Got Any Tips? Have a travel tip or feedback on how we can improve? Send us a note at feedback@tripsavvy.com and you may just see it in a future newsletter! [Treehugger]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Linkedin]( [Unsubscribe]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} | Was this email forwarded to you? 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