How ENSIS is Championing Women in Foil Board Sports
Innovation in any field, from technology to sports equipment, thrives on diverse perspectives. Just as scientific breakthroughs are strengthened by the contributions of women, so too is the creation of high-performance sporting gear. However, a gender gap persists, particularly in the research and development side of sports. This is a systemic issue, reflected in fields like engineering where only around 20% of engineering undergraduates in the UK are women. This is certainly true in the world of foil board sports, where women are often underrepresented. At ENSIS, we’re not just riding waves; we’re reshaping them, both on the water and in the industry. And we’re doing it with the help of valuable team riders like Laura.
The Gender Gap in Foil Board Sports
Laura, a talented wing foiler on the ENSIS team, shared her insights on the challenges and opportunities for women in foil board sports, starting with her own early experiences. “I started wing foiling on my windsurf board and foil,” Laura explained. “It somehow worked, but it was not at all comfortable. The position of the foil and the length of the fuselage were not made for nice riding with the wing (too much pressure on the back foot).” She added, “Luckily, soon after, the first ENSIS gear came out, and wing foiling became way more fun. Having a well-shaped board, a mast where you can change the position on the board, and a shorter fuselage to make it more manoeuvrable were big game-changers. Luckily today, we also have women testing the gear, and I hope that the industry will focus even more on bringing equipment perfectly fitted for women.”
Wing foiling, that exhilarating blend of surfing, sailing, and flying, is rapidly gaining popularity. Yet, as in many technically oriented and design-focused areas, women are underrepresented, especially in the crucial stages of research, design, and development. This isn’t due to a lack of interest or ability; it stems from systemic issues, including a historically male-dominated culture in both sports and engineering. Traditionally, foiling gear has been designed with men in mind, often overlooking the specific needs of female athletes. This can result in ill-fitting equipment, hindering women’s progress and enjoyment of the sport.
Equipment Designed for Men: A Barrier to Entry
Laura’s experience highlights a common issue: “Most of the women start wing foil with equipment they got from a man (teacher, husband, friend). They’ll tell you that this setup is a perfect beginner setup – but it isn’t always the perfect setup for the woman who wants to start wing foiling.” She continued, “A lot of setups do not work perfectly for women. For example, the surface of the front wing is just too big and gives way too much lift, which needs a lot of front foot pressure to make it fly balanced. Or the position of the mast is just not well balanced for the weight and the position of the feet the rider has. They also often use larger foils which provide more lift, but it puts a lot of force on the back foot to get the speed going on the foil.” Laura points out the frustration this can cause: “The problem is that as a beginner you often don’t know what gear you need and how to set up the equipment best. So someone will do this for you (mostly men), and they just don’t know what the perfect setup is for a woman. When I talk to women, they often tell me that they learnt on the beginner gear they got from their husband, friend, etc., and they’re not able to fly with it or they don’t feel comfortable – so they often think that it can’t be the gear’s fault, but their own, and then the frustration sets in. The wrong equipment can also cause unpleasant experiences, and this makes you more afraid. That’s a shame, because with the right setup, many unpleasant crashes can be avoided.”
Laura’s advice to women starting out: “If you realise that you don’t feel comfortable with the gear, then don’t be afraid to change it. Ask other women for advice, choose a smaller front wing, or just experiment with the position of the mast – that can really make a big difference. It’s all about trying things out, and you’ll quickly get the feeling of what suits you and what doesn’t. Trust your own feelings, and not what men say. Women generally ride with more technique – men compensate with power. That’s why the right setup is so important for us.”
Unsure about what foil would work for you? Read our tips here.
ENSIS: Designing for Every Rider
At ENSIS, we understand this. We recognise that diverse viewpoints lead to better products. Just as scientific advancements are propelled by the contributions of women, the same principle applies to sports equipment design. Our commitment extends beyond simply making inclusive and accessible gear for everyone, regardless of gender or size; we actively involve women in the entire product development process. We believe that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is inadequate, particularly in a high-performance sport like wing foiling.
Laura shared how ENSIS is addressing these needs: “We have a lot of female riders in our ENSIS team, and luckily, we have foil designers who listen to our feedback. Michi and I have been testing a lot last year to have foils perfectly fitting for both men and women. ENSIS now has foils which are already well-balanced and women don’t necessarily need to first adjust the gear. That was important to me, it can’t be that women always have to customize the setup. They should be able to buy a setup that already works perfectly. To add to this, ENSIS now has foils with a linear lift which are perfectly balanced when flying. This makes learning a lot easier, but it’s also more fun for experienced riders.”
The Need for More Women in Foil Board Sports
Laura believes more women in design are crucial: “It’s good to have more women involved. At ENSIS, the designers listen to us and try to use our ideas. We talk a lot about the gear, and it gets better because of it. But if there were more women designing, it would be even easier to make sure everything is right for everyone. We have a lot of discussions during development, and as a woman, you have to justify your test feedback well (especially when all the men were happy with the gear and you weren’t quite there!).”
Regarding encouraging more women in the sport, Laura suggests: “Support women as team riders and make sure that there are women working for the brand – as it is with ENSIS. As a woman, it’s way easier to work with a brand not only represented by men. Unfortunately, the foil board sports industry is still dominated by men, and women need to fight hard so that they’re heard and respected. I really do hope that even more brands diversify and get more women involved with their company, be it in design, riding or operations. If the brand itself is not acting for inclusivity, it isn’t possible to support women team riders.”
On promoting female foilers, Laura said: “What we see from wing foiling in the media is mostly crazy tricks, wave riding, or speed races from men, and on the other side, there are women wing foiling in bikinis. But there is so much more to promote in the media. Wing foiling is a lot about creativity and elegance, not just the craziest tricks or bikini riding. I like to watch other women riding to get inspiration on what I can learn next. I think foil companies should focus on promoting content from female riders showing what is also possible in wing foiling. It’s all about fun, enjoying nature, and riding with style.”
Building a More Inclusive Foil Community
Laura sees the potential for women to excel in wing foiling: “Because it’s such a technical sport, and for me, the best wing foilers are the ones who can ride with technique and elegance and not only with force – this is what women do better than men. On top of this, wing foil gear is, compared to the other wind sports, much lighter, and you don’t need too much force or high winds to set up the gear. This makes it easier for women to go out on the water independently.”
Her advice for women wanting to work in the industry? “Be strong and never give up. It is worth it to fight for all the female wing foilers out there – and maybe one day, there will be more women than men in the sport.”
Our team reflects this philosophy. We are proud that our rider team comprises a near 50/50 split of male and female athletes – a significantly higher percentage of women than most of our competitors. These women are not merely sponsored athletes; they are integral to the development of our products. They provide invaluable feedback, rigorously test new foils and wings, and offer insights that directly influence the design and functionality of our gear. Their on-the-water experience translates into tangible improvements in our equipment, ensuring optimal performance for all riders.
