Wingfoil brands are currently a dime a dozen, including many small manufacturers who are enriching the market, sometimes with their very own ideas. We always introduce you to the underdogs of the scene - this time the French brand Voga Foil Boards.
Anthony, when did you start with Voga Foil Boards and how did the idea of building wingfoil boards come about?
I founded Voga Marine at the end of 2020, but I had already been working on it for five years before that. Back then, I had started windsurfing again after years away from the water. I needed something to clear my head from the stresses of everyday life, and I haven't found a better way since then than surfing. In the south of France, we are lucky to have this spectacular playground on our doorstep, which we can enjoy almost all year round.
What is his personal background in shaping and building boards? Did you just start with wingfoil boards or do you have a specific shaping background?
One day I was visiting my family in Venice and took the opportunity to learn the "Voga", the Venetian art of rowing. The basic idea for some of my SUP boards comes from the traditional Venetian boats. I took the design of the hull from an original design I had found and was quite happy with it. We built a few SUPs from fine mahogany wood and stainless steel fittings and sold them to luxury yacht owners. When the pandemic hit, I set up the workshop with my colleague Fred. He was the only one willing to follow me on this crazy idea. He has more than 20 years of experience in shipbuilding and designing anything that floats or glides on water: SUPs, windsurfers, surfboards, sailing yachts, you name it. Today, his expertise in high-tech composites forms the DNA of all Voga Marine boards. While he was building the customised SUPs for the superyachts, I was literally building the workshop around him.
Ok, but how did you get into the wingfoil business?
When foiling became popular in early 2021, we worked with a local rider to develop the first specialised pump foil boards. Pump foiling (Here are all the basics, the ed.) was practically unknown here in France at the time and, as pioneers in this niche, we were able to build up the brand in a much less competitive environment than was the case with wingfoiling, where many large manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon right from the start. Wingfoiling was only the third step for us after SUPs and pumpfoil boards.
What makes your boards special on the market?
We see the board as an interface between the rider and the foil, which must be "forgotten" during the flight as if it were a natural extension of the rider. This is achieved, among other things, by optimising volume distribution and hull shape. Our customers are really surprised by the take-off and flight behaviour, even with the large-volume boards. I often hear: "This board feels like it has 20 litres less.". They are surprised because many of our shapes are a bit unusual compared to mainstream boards and the hidden part, what's inside, is not found on the vast majority of boards out there.
The board is the interface between rider and foil, which ideally can be "forgotten"
Every single material we use is carefully selected to contribute to a seamless glide in the launch phase and precise handling during flight. We use up to ten different types of carbon, glass and hybrid fabrics and up to four types of core materials in combination to achieve the highest possible technical standards.
Wingfoiling is developing rapidly, especially in freestyle. Nevertheless, some production boards seem to be built like surfboards - for cruising and surfing, but not for jumping. How do you build your freestyle wingfoil boards?
There are countless ways to build boards that fulfil the same purpose, maybe faster, maybe at a lower cost. The fact that we combine different materials depending on what mechanical properties we are looking for, the fact that we build our own foil boxes and integrate them directly into the internal structure of our boards, are some of the features that require many more steps than a "conventional" build. What makes our boards unique is what goes into them. The extra time, expertise in advanced composites and using the best possible materials to meet every performance expectation is the added value we provide. For example, most of our panels contain a honeycomb structure made of carbon and Nomex, which offers exceptional mechanical properties. Inside is an IPN support structure consisting of a carbon-PVC sandwich construction that integrates our proprietary box system. We have replaced the two rails of the box with a complete system made from recycled Airbus aircraft carbon and PVC.
How often do you revise your models?
We don't have a 2023 model that will become commercially obsolete with a 2024 model and so on. Every board we produce has a specific selection of materials and shape variants that best suit the rider, whether he or she is into speed, downwind, waves, jumps, freeride and so on. We also try to maintain a close relationship with all our customers. We share the building process with them as much as possible. Some even visit us several times during the construction process. In our digitalised world, we attach great importance to this direct interaction. We apply customised paintwork in our own paint booth to give the Voga Foil Boards a unique look.
Where do you sell your boards?
Our boards are published on our websitebut almost all orders result from a good old conversation either on the phone or in the workshop.
