Ambassador Portrait – Alex, Takoon rider passionate about wingfoil
In this series of interviews, we highlight the ambassadors who bring the Takoon community to life through their sessions, their advice, and their passion for foiling. Today, Alex, a rider based in Nantes, shares with us his journey, his gear, and his vision of wingfoiling.
A passion born from surfing… and the desire to sail more often
Alex lives in Nantes and sails both on inland waterways, including a local river, and on the Atlantic coast, in the Loire-Atlantique and Vendée regions. Coming from a surfing background, wingfoiling allows him to continue practicing even when he's far from the ocean.
"The wing seemed to me to be a good compromise to continue sailing," he explains.
He has now been gliding across the water with a Takoon foil under his feet for almost three years.
Ultra-complete equipment to cover all disciplines
Alex doesn't do things by halves. With five boards in his quiver (including the Glide 70L, the Trix 55L, the Escape Air 110L, and the Pump 90), he's ready for any terrain, with a particular preference for the Trix, which he says is ideal for freestyle.
On the foil side, he uses the Flare 850 as a versatile setup, the Flash 530 for speed, and the 1700 for pump foiling. On the wings side, he mainly sails on VX Pro , attracted by their speed and excellent lift.
Wingfoil first and foremost
His favorite discipline? Without hesitation: wingfoil.
"Pump foiling allows me to train on windless days and do a bit of surf foiling on occasion, but it's more complicated when you're not close to the coast."
He has unforgettable memories of his first times: the first flight, the first jibe, the first landed jump with a repop. Symbolic milestones that thrill every rider.
But not everything is always perfect: he particularly remembers a crash into an invisible fishing net, in the middle of a speed run. The result: a foil in his head (fortunately protected by a helmet) and a struggle to get out. More of a scare than anything, but a good memory to share!
Tips for beginners and upcoming tricks
Alex insists on one point: safety.
“Don’t forget the essential protective gear (vest, helmet), don’t neglect the choice of equipment – it’s a lot at the beginning – and above all, have fun!”
His current goal: to succeed in 360s and Palaus , demanding tricks that require commitment... and a bit of flat water!
Fuerteventura, the Takoon spirit and a good beer after the session
Of all the spots he's tested, Alex has a real soft spot for Fuerteventura : frequent wind, swell for surfing, and flat for freestyle.
He also particularly appreciates the spirit of the foil community:
"The riders talk about the spots and test the gear together. It's great."
But he also warns against competitions for notoriety between brands or ambassadors:
"We must avoid falling into the war of egos. That is not the spirit."
When he's not on the water, Alex works as a technical leader in web and software development. He's also passionate about motorsport and enjoys spending time on the track.
And after a good session? A beer and some oysters to recover.
Follow Alex
Want to discover his tricks and live sessions?
Find him on Instagram: @alex.wing_surf