Rider Portrait: Martial
Introduction
Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your background?
I’m a father of two boys and I work in marketing. I have always been into water sports. I started with water skiing, wakeboarding and wakeskating. Until a shoulder accident made me more careful.
2018/19 came SUP where I started paddling. Unfortunately it was too slow for me until I discovered a surfer on the internet who was riding a foil.
How did you first get introduced to pumpfoiling?
That was the starting point for learning the sport. In 2021 I bought my first foil from Slingshot with a homemade board and started in my parents’ pool.
Journey into Pumpfoiling
What attracted you to pumpfoiling in the first place?
Efficiency, technique, getting further than anything else by sheer muscle power without a boat or other aids.
Can you describe your first experience with pumpfoiling?
Why does it not work with attempt no. 25?
How long did it take you to become proficient?
In 2021 there weren’t many videos, tricks, instructions or colleagues to help me. Attempt 200 was counted, then I stopped counting and got about 8 metres.
Challenges
What was the biggest challenge you faced when learning to pumpfoil?
Getting on a board and keeping the balance.
Have you ever had any accidents or close calls?
No
What advice would you give to beginners?
Patience, a lot of patience
Passion and Motivation
What keeps you going in the sport?
It’s like the old days in the skate park, you have better riders, you have riders with better equipment, but nobody is jealous or competitive. You share with each other so that the whole group can progress. That’s the idea behind Pumpfoil Pensier.
Do you have any specific goals or milestones you’re aiming for?
SUP Paddle Flat Water Start (board will arrive this week) Superman Start
Cross-Training and Other Interests
Are you involved in any other water sports or activities?
All types of foil sports to come.
How do other sports or activities complement your pumpfoiling?
I love riding on pump tracks with a surf skate.
Gear and Equipment
Can you talk about your gear? What do you recommend for beginners?
Helmet, protective vest, suit should be a must. I already had a few injuries at the beginning
How important is the role of technology in pumpfoiling?
Second hand, you can also be successful with used material.
Community and Lifestyle
How has pumpfoiling impacted your lifestyle?
Quite large, with the club in Pensier and our own clubhouse directly on the lake, we are unique in Switzerland.
Are you part of a community or group that shares your passion?
www.pumpfoil-pensier.ch, at the moment we are 16 members who are enjoying this unique sport.
Closing
What’s next for you in the world of pumpfoiling?
We are expanding our community, continuing to build our clubhouse and keep finding new dock launch opportunities
Any shoutouts or people you’d like to thank?
We would like to thank our club members. We will implement and share our ideas.
Responses