The Fastest Wing Foiler in the World

Who is the fastest foiler in the world? What does he do differently?
Video from wing foil races at Crissy Field in San Francisco.
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Learn to wing foil video course. These videos are designed to show you how to foil. To give you the information I wish I had when I was learning to foil. The videos show and explain each skill and maneuver needed to successfully foil.
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[@THe_goat2012]

Etymology for 'competition' is; 'to strive for'. To go forth together, we lift our abilities and discover another level. It's not about winning, that's the modern day version of competition, to defeat the 'others'. The true sense of competition is to reach your potential via your peers...to grow and strive for what's possible. If you go run as fast as you can on the track by yourself, it will fall well short of a lap on the track with appropriate competition. If we teach competition as a 'go forth together to reach potential' we have a much healthier relationship with 'performance'. Appreciate your words and video...

[@garyguett]

Definitely love his radical style !! Hope Johnny could come to France next year, for the DEFIWING 2024 in Gruissan ! Biggest race in the world : During 3 days, crazy winds from 35 to 45+kns this year. Legs with 20km to achieve, 5 or 10 km tacks… We were 277 wingfoilers this year; Windsurfers/foilers were 1400+ 😳 For sure he will meet some crazy and damn fast riders there 🎉 May 2024 guys !! Come at us 😉

[@speedintraffic]

Sending you a big hug Clay for those days where you need one. Remember your Ocean Beach video where you said you were stoked to see someone at that level, inspired to work on your own progression? Some days we get inspired by beauty, others we feel jealous or desirous. It's natural and as you say we can't all have what we want.. because if we did we'd just want something else anyway. Life is long, love is to be shared, passion is a gift. Keep smiling Clay xx

[@DavidFoxDotCom]

And the most stylish to boot. Poetry in motion.

[@markpopich130]

How can you have a long face racing against Johnny? Just stand back and marvel at the skill. It's amazing to watch. Be happy you live in this time and can witness it. And enjoy your own glide.

[@martinomovies]

If these are just local races with plastic trophies, I don't see the harm. There's always someone better than you, except if you're Johnny. I do agree that professional sports have been polluted by money. Great footage by the way.

[@wildhogget69]

Johnny has such a wide stance, I think this is key so he can put more weight through to the foil. The guy is awesome to watch, and you Clay awesome to listen to.

[@maartendeleeuw8930]

Thanks Clay for the cool words. Johnny's skill level is unreal - just fantastic to watch. Thank you!

[@a1osborne]

Maui guy here... What equipment is he riding? Beautiful to watch!

[@hotchesh]

I wish I sail in SF. Being the worst at a spot is something that motivates me personally. When I started windsurfing the people that were at my local spot seemed like gods to me. Shortly after I became “ok”, I moved to an advanced spot and those people looked like gods. Now looking at the people from the first spot I see how mediocre they are. You are lucky to share the ocean with the best in the world. That means you will become really really good. Cheers to that.

[@michaelrichter7734]

Everyone already won by being alive. Johnny knows wind and speed- Tack on the headers and pinch up on the lifts to crush upwind. Fantastic footage thank you!!!

[@TheFlyboy541]

Very thoughtful stuff you’re laying down, Clay.

[@raymondwitvoet]

Love your comments, way out of the ordinary... the original concept of competition was only to help each other to become better together.. And so true about the absurdity and the craziness of the systems and the way they are created..

[@bradphelan8869]

Love the format! Something to think about and great footage! I'm motivated to get up at 4am and catch the early wind on the lake now!!

[@christopherorr2951]

Too much Marxist economic theory in a video about a fast wing surfer.

[@clayisland]

I tried to read Marxs book 2-3 decades ago, so much nonsensical sounding jargon and I don't think I made it past the first chapter. Calling this marxist is like saying Johnny is slow.

[@fredmellon7327]

If Marx , Lenin and Engels were alive today they would be deeply embeded in the capitalistic economy and hopefully busy wing foiling,, and working on technique and sharing the stoke!@@clayisland

[@billtaylor2050]

This is nonsense. The exceptional and gifted can coexist with the average and the amateurs. In fact it’s better if they do. When it starts doing damage is when too much value is put on it. It’s like being a billionaire, after the first billion it’s just a p***ing contest with other psychopaths( most are- look it up) That isn’t Marxist- it’s what you been led to believe, mostly by those billionaires. How about being the very best you can be- at anything? Oh, and not being a greedy dimwit.

[@Burps6]

Kinda a stretch don’t ya think?

[@fafaruman]

Thanks Clay! Always cool and heartwarming to watch your videos and share the passion on the water!

[@clayisland]

Thanks, I appreciate the good words and support.

[@SimcoeAce]

This reminds me of Bjorn Dunkerbeck back in the day. He gained a hundred metres on the next nearest pro rider on every leg of a slalom race.

[@ThanosSofroniou]

I don't think these guys know who Dunkerbeck is

[@rayerscarpensael2300]

@@ThanosSofroniou every windsurfer or foiler should know naish and dunkerbeck for all they did for the sport

[@Wightkitesurfer]

Didn’t listen to a word, but he has a nice voice, and it was good to watch the foiling!

[@Lanceisoutside]

Johnny’s Many years of kitefoiling and kiting makes alot of difference. Use to going very fast on kite.

[@Andyman66]

Great perspective! I’ll have a slice of that pie. Let’s hope more people come over to this way of thinking. Thank you 🙏👏👍

[@clavapa1_old]

Wow dude. I came in to watch a wing foil video, I came out a better, happier man. Thank you for your words!

[@OSheaGlobalAlliances]

Always stoked when Ken or Mike or Vlad or Johnny shows up. I always secretly follow them upwind to see how well I can hang. Not that well. I’m glad we have the freaks to give us something to aspire to and keep us humble when we see ourselves in the same video frame as them and realize how far we have to go with our own form. By the way Berkeley was great again today and would have been cool to trade a hoot with you.

[@8ABC8]

Everyone wins in a watersports race/competition/gathering, that's the beauty of it. You should really participate, you can end up last and feel great. Ultimately it is loneliest at the top!

[@sebastiangeschonke9756]

Wow, that was an unexpected turn! Great work!

[@rayswarts8737]

nice one Clay - taking a more holistic approach to life, a bit of physical and mental stimulation, I can relate. Man that guy can foil! - smooth as .. cheers from Margaret River Western Australia

[@edwaingortin]

Great video. What speeds do they reach in MPH or knots?

[@ricopo3522]

I don't feel "less", or at all a loser if Johnny does his thing and is glaringly better at it. On the contrary- I am nothing but inspired by what is possible and awed at his unique expression of himself through this medium. As well, I don't think pursuing excellence needs to be an exercise in conquest nor winner takes all. As with so many things, outcome is tied to level of extremes, mindset and motivation entering into any endeavor. It's counter to the ingrained mindset and language of our culture, but the break down of so many of our structures, longterm sustainability and viability of our way of life points to the need for a major transformation in mindset. A shift from extraction, commodification- a parasitic approach to that of symbiosis, being of service. A guiding principle of cooperation rather than competition. We each have a unique gift pleading to be expressed. The universe is a creative engine that is limitless. There's no inherent reason any of us thriving, our talents being realized needs to be a threat or at the expense of others rather than inspiration and a gift to the world.

[@boardmeetingusa9405]

Great video Clay. Man is Johnny good. Some people were born to rip like that. Naturals. I am sure that he has put in his time on the water as well. Others like me work to be functional at certain things such as wing foiling. Not worried at all though. Johnny would need to give me a 1 day head start on the course, even then it looks like we would still beat me by 30 mins. I think we all see the joy in learning new foiling sports and sharing the stoke along the journey. We love your videos. Stay stoked.

[@boardmeetingusa9405]

Update - just saw Johnny win the Hood River wing downwind event this past weekend. So fast and super impressive with his command of wing foiling. Congrats to Johnny for the big win.

[@JoeDartV1]

Zero sum win game format!!! Let’s goooooo!!! Amen to riding alone vs. stoking it up in the lot! Perhaps our victory here is watching a new community build and evolve. The versatility alone is a win. The endless stoke of constant forward power, forward motion(billy hamilton), coming from a surfing world where wind withers hopes and dreams blind take offs for towering one hit windswell. Perhaps the victory here is losing the surf fomo, choosing the better days and charging on a wing foil like it is the most ultimate aquatic training /fun/ speed device modernly available. Everyone wins when everyone is on foil!!!! We’re on Sharky Cape Cod and 2nd year in on this wingfoiling, it seems I was alone for a while but very quickly, there was another and then four and then 8 , exponentially increasing like a wave of bliss that cannot be stopped. I surf when I want to now, not when I have to. And there’s wind here to the point that we beg for a day off some days but we still go 😂😂 hooked. Line and “sinker”. Your narratives are great. 🤙

[@edunegrao]

The best part is not even to see the fastest foiler, is to hear you speak, congrats, we are in similar boats

[@tettok8431]

Always awesome material……thanks..

[@mmnnmt]

Good on you. Ive felt your feelings for 40 years. There is something wrong with the human condition where perceived success or achievement has to be built on dominating. Refreshing to hear you articulate it without anger.

[@basilikumnation]

Mike Tyson, Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Jordan, in one Person.

[@danyak101]

Hell yeah man. Sharing the stoke. Even the birds know who's fastest😂

[@wiepkejan]

Let's get together amd share the stoke! Totally agreed!

[@jonathanreinke9392]

Great footage and I appreciate the deep thoughts. On the same race course with the same start, any thoughts on how Johny or other top local Wingfoilers would do as far as placing vs. similar skilled Windfoilers? Would a different course " triangle or upwind downwind buoys" be faster on a Wing vs Windsurf sail foil setup? Would a different wind "like 10 / 20 / 30 mph of wind" favor a Wingfoil or a Windfoil setup for a high level rider? I had the midset that if I was in the mood for fun I would go Wingfoil. If I wanted to go fast, log lots of miles or be efficient on an upwind downwind course "still lots of fun" I would Windfoil or Long Board Raceboard Windsurf. I wonder if Wingfoiling is now smarter for specific performance focused goals? Thanks for any feadback or advice! 😊

[@irf888]

Hi. Interesting commentary and thoughts. I would say his years of kite foiling helped (clearly abundance of natural talent anyway) and I noticed in this footage he doesn't use a rear foot strap, this probably gives him more freedom and doesn't have to do that little balance check before moving rear foot out and then back in. And lastly because he always switches feet, he's in the optimal position to minimise any lack of power. Does he always not use a rear strap for your observation? Best.

[@zenam83]

very unsual to hear your comments as they are both so true and never questioned concepts. I am on the very same page. much love

[@pedromarcos1472]

@clayisland do you know the specs of jhonny board?

[@ArcadioJacobino]

People have competed since the dawn of time - excellence and furtherance of the field is built that way, as is oneself. Corruption and exploitation are, as you say, the problem. I hear more and more people voicing your philosophy so I think the species is on the up. Cheers mate.

[@Gonewinging]

Great technique footage, clay so stony!

[@user-th4nf6py1n]

I love this. also, did your Maui fire and accountability vid get blocked? I can't seem to find it.

[@clayisland]

Thanks. Seemed like it wasn't being seen so I changed the name to see if that made any difference: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWSsk35qn8ScfJY

[@user-th4nf6py1n]

thanks!@@clayisland

[@user-zi7rf5oy1i]

What foil Jhon use ? ML540 or 600 ? Tks

[@WhiteSliceMedia]

Insane tacks and gybes, what a unique style! not sure what the narrator is talking about, I was hoping for a gear discussion?

[@jessicawheelahan]

I’ve been an old soul surfer since I was 16. Competition is ok only when it’s fun. Wing foiling has opened up tremendous possibilities for all of us. A new sport should carry a new mentality. Keep sharing The Stoke! - Lu (Jessica’s husband) Fairhope, Alabama

[@axelgoeskite]

which foil-componets he ride?

[@aussieluke2858]

Love the footage… not the commentary 😂

[@Gonewinging]

Even the birds know whose the fastest 😂

[@travismcgarry]

Your looking at it as only winner and loosers… but success has many forms. Yes Johnny won the event, but how many guys/gals are racing him but getting closer. The racing allows them to see their progress and to have a goal to achieve… try and beat Johnny. They may never reach that goal but the journey is the success

[@dipl.-ing.kaikaufmann3868]

Its more fun to watch this than the current running worldcup in Pozo....plus the guy is definetly faster :-)

[@alyoon6590]

Thanks for sharing the good words especially the colonialism, sharing the stokes in the parking lots, kids in Fiji, etc.

[@aseuvella6102]

Wheres that?

[@Chaba75]

race is for horses not for artists....love your thoughts

[@coloradojim2724]

Is there a mute button?

[@alancadizwingfoilinginstru2926]

Great action video Clay. But jump cuts make it hard to watch.

[@macbarb12]

You sound like Michael pollan!

[@joeblow1942]

No one forces me at gunpoint to attend a baseball or football game so their hierarchy is harmless to me. However, the institution with a monopoly on the initiation of violence known as The State is definitely one we should be concerned about.

[@dengordo]

That's a lot of overthinking. Let's rather talk gear, technique, tips and tricks to help with progression and maybe win a race one day.

[@cyberanswer]

It's annoying hear ppl talk who have no clue about how shadow government structure work thus don't understand how the world works. I get your point about hierarchical structures though

[@mk3driftmotion]

Its a race for 2nd place.

[@powis-tv8ln]

Take their kids hahaha. Humans generally seem to be/or enjoy being competitive. Listening to Oskar on 'generic podcast' recount the recent downwind races 'M2M' & 'M2O' they are all having a blast amongst mates but they are all fiercely competitive and that drives them to go harder and get better everyday. Is sport competition a healthier outlet for human competitiveness, than something like corporate / career competitiveness? It sounds like your friends enjoy racing but you don't. Where we are riding in AUS it is open riding 99% of the time, all the usuals showing up at the usual spots, and racing happens rarely and typically has poor attendance.

[@rolandjacques649]

@clayisland Such a interesting commentary. It kind of sounds like you are finally realizing the obvious... But I'm sure you are just taking a closer look at the things and reevaluating, which we all need to do from time to time. Yes Equality does not exists, and never will. The part we tend to miss, is that we are ALL better off, because we are NOT equal! I tend to think inequality what root of civilization, and what makes life most interesting, entertaining, and enjoyable. Image all wingers had equal skills... If they all sucked like me I wouldn't have anything to aspire too. As a matter of fact,' if everyone was equal to me, I doubt that I would even want to get out of bed in the morning, LOL. NO SERIOUSLY! We all try to do what we are good at, or best at. This automatically advances us forward to a common good. What may be harder to grasp is Good and Evil trends to be confused with equality issues, and they are completely different things. Equality is just simple NOT good, and never to be confused with the equal opportunity, and equal justice, which are extremely good.

[@erikwellerweller8623]

How fast is fast? I wanted to watch the whole vid in case you mentioned it but blahblahblah. How many knots do wing foilers go? Windsurfers without foils do 60 or so.

[@jmueller8081]

Not sure all parts of economic systems are zero sum.

[@christophemeletiou9078]

Not the fastest in the world, there was a GWA even a few weeks ago (can't remember where) Johnny Heineken took part, don't know what was his result but definitely was not in the top 5...

[@mcplaayer]

he came 4th - and it was his first race in GWA

[@incernas]

@@mcplaayerin light wind…

[@jurgenhinz6320]

@@mcplaayer he missed GWA Gran Canaria / Pozo last week unfortunately with steady +/- 30 kts kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqLWhp2Iac2rj7s

[@hugovdz]

Pffff

[@christostu]

blabla blabla

[@stefanmargraf7878]

Look like that sport is bad for your back.

[@mwesb1994]

mute

[@FEV369]

Yes, "everyone" wins under capitalism. Capitalism is the understanding of natural markets. Does the shark win if it eats everything? No... but ironically the process of the shark feeding creates a "competition" where everything else get's stronger, including the shark, and thus we all "win." The fastest simply drives innovation, the average drives efficiency. It's the 80/20 rule where 20% is "try something new" with mostly failure (liberal/progressive thinking) VS the 80% of "tried and true" with mostly success (conservative thinking) Mix the two and you have Capitalism or "Nature." Too liberal and your failures cost too much and you die as a person or company. Too conservative and you suffocate, unable to adapt to the ever changing environment and you fail. A speed racer with a foil and kite is the 20%, more actually the 1-5%... Almost no one needs or really wants to go so fast or jump so high, thus it's a waste for the vast majority, yet it is that 1-5% pushing for innovation for products or through animals with "evolution." Without widespread adoption for the masses (tried and true/conservative) innovation stalls due to higher costs because it's overall value, money or animal evolution is simply too high because the benefits are of no actual value. The sports team owner is not bad... viewing them as bad is ignorance because without them you stall innovation AND efficiency. The players are far less valuable as there are more of them, this is an absolute based on real world measurements. 5,000 pro level competitors VS the 100 or so engineers VS the 5 or so investors. Ironically it is the team owners, the company owners that are by definition the "liberal" bunch, trying new things... The players adopt the innovations after they have been mostly created. Get rid of the investors and you literally suffocate from a ultra conservative position.

[@dustinl5813]

I’m sorry to say man you sound like a cool dude but geez. I’m not sure how bill gates gets brought into a wing foiling video . Better to keep talking about good vibes. A little too deep man. Sorry dude. One love

[@jamiemarion8296]

stop talking........

[@johnentermann1355]

You need to learn more about Fijians. Romancing them was not a good look as some kind of remedy for your knocking the civilization that you seems ungrateful for.

[@rayerscarpensael2300]

What a non sense. Goes to Fiji in a jet and.complains about neocolonialism something. Chrissy Fields sure changed since 1989 when I sailed my Hi Tech 6.8 every day there with dunkerbeck angulo naish often present when the worldcup passed.

[@kerry9125]

Jeez, tuned in for foiling and you just rant about your personal struggles with competition and economics. I only made it half way through the video. It's pretty sad that you use this sport/venue to lay your trip on suckers like me that just happen to tune in.

[@mtiproperties]

How about stick to the sport instead of your philosophical musings? sheesh.