BOOT Düsseldorf 2026

Indoor Foiling in the Middle of Winter

The BOOT Düsseldorf wrapped up last week, once again turning winter in Germany into a full-on watersports playground. Every January, the show brings riders, brands, and teams together from across the globe, and for foiling, it remains one of the most unique stops of the season.

Among the Swiss National Foiling Team were ENSIS riders Balz Müller and Michael Näf (Rawham), who made the trip north to race, connect, and kick off the competitive year in a very different kind of setting.

Swiss national team at the BOOT!

What makes BOOT so special for foiling

Michi getting reading to dockstart and race around the course!

BOOT Düsseldorf is one of the largest watersports shows in the world, covering everything from sailing and diving to surfing and foiling. What really sets it apart for wingfoiling and pumpfoiling is the indoor pool setup. Deep enough to foil and surrounded by grandstands, it puts the action right in front of spectators.

Large industrial fans generate wind across the pool, creating just enough airflow to get wings flying. The result is a format that rewards efficiency, balance, and clean technique rather than raw power. It looks a bit wild, but that is exactly what makes it fun to watch and ride.

GWA and SFT kick off the season indoors

Balz warming up for the wingfoil time trials! We're pretty sure he asked them to turn the fans up to a faster setting.

BOOT also hosted the first tour stops of the season for the Global Wingfoil Association and the Surf Foil Tour.

The GWA indoor wingfoiling event leaned heavily toward pumpfoiling. With limited wind available, riders used the wing more for balance and timing, while pumping hard around the course. The competition ran in head to head time trials with knockout rounds, where every mistake counted.

The Surf Foil Tour followed with a dedicated pumpfoiling event. Riders dock started and pumped their way around the course as fast as possible, battling it out in a similar elimination format. Short, intense heats kept the pressure high and the crowd engaged.

ENSIS riders on the podium hunt

GWA Wingfoiling Podium, Balz finished second overall!

Balz Müller and Rawham lined up for both pump disciplines and delivered solid performances throughout the weekend. In the indoor wingfoiling event, they fought their way through the rounds and Balz finished second overall. In the pumpfoiling competition, both riders made it through to the semifinals, showing strong form against a stacked field.

Indoor events like this are all about adaptability. Tight courses, short heats, and minimal wind leave no room for hesitation, and both ENSIS riders showed they were comfortable racing outside the usual open water environment.

Winter foiling done differently

Michi "Rawham" wingfoiling in the pool. All those days training in lightwind on Swiss lakes helped a lot in the pool!

BOOT Düsseldorf might be a little unconventional, but that is exactly why riders keep coming back. It is a winter get together for people who would rather be on the water than waiting for spring. Racing, catching up with friends, and foiling indoors while it is cold and dark outside never really gets old.

For the ENSIS riders and the Swiss team, it was a fun and motivating start to the season. A reminder that foiling does not stop in winter, it just finds new ways to keep flowing!