Edoardo Tanas: From Windsurfing Prodigy to Foiling World Champion

Get to know Edoardo Tanas, a rising star in the world of watersports and the reigning Downwind Foiling World Champion. From his early days windsurfing in Italy to transitioning into the cutting-edge sport of foiling, Tanas shares his inspiring journey and insights into the future of this fast-evolving discipline. He opens up about how foiling has reshaped his life, the exhilarating moments shared with friends on open ocean swells, and offers practical advice for those eager to dive into the world of foiling. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting out, Tanas' passion and expertise shine through as he reflects on his foiling experiences and where the sport is headed. Check it out:

How did you get into foiling?

My watersports journey began with windsurfing at age 9 in Italy, and by age 11, I earned my first National Title. At age 12, I moved to Hong Kong with my family and continued windsurfing competitively. I often traveled internationally to compete where I collected numerous titles along the way, until the windsurfing olympic class announced its changes from fin to foil in November 2019 for the Paris Olympic games. I found that the new class and equipment was not for me, only favoring heavier athletes around 192 and 100kg, while I am 5'10 and 80kg. Looking at this year's olympic games I was right, “The top 3 at the 2024 olympics were: Tom Reuveny 189cm (96 kg), Grae Morris 193cm (100kg), Luuc van Opzeeland 201cm (100kg).” So I started wing foiling for fun on windy days.

Concurrently, as the pandemic canceled most windsurfing events, I shifted my focus to my studies and moved to Oahu to study at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, where I also competed on the university's sailing team. It was there that I discovered the emerging sport of downwind foiling, which was rapidly gaining momentum on Oahu’s south shores. I quickly adapted my athletic skills to this new challenge, and four years later, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Entrepreneurship, while also claiming the title of Downwind Foiling World Champion.

Edoardo Tanas. | Photo: Chase Viken

How has foiling impacted your life?

Foiling has been a life changer, now everyday can be fun on the water. In any condition, foiling has been a tool to get into the water. In Strong winds i can downwind, in any swell conditions i can surf waves. In places where there are no wind or waves, I can chase and surf boat wakes, or explore the coastlines on a just by pumping around big foil.

As for the racing scene, foiling has awakened my competitiveness since my young windsurfing days. I love training up for events and preparing myself mentally and physically to succeed.

Beyond racing, I love being involved in the sport’s development through R&D for new prototypes, podcasts, coaching, and community events. Foiling is far more than just a sport for me—it's my way of connecting with the ocean. As I ride open ocean swells, I find a sense of freedom, far removed from the noise and distractions of society. It’s where I can truly let go, embrace the ocean’s raw power and beauty, and lose myself completely in the moment. This balance between discipline and escape fuels my passion, both in sports and in life.

Edo in his happy place. | Photo: Dane Wilson 

What are the best moments in downwind foiling?

I think the most glorious moments I’ve experienced are downwinding with a big group of friends, crossing and intertwining each others lines connecting 10ft ocean swells as we scream and celebrate gazing at the sunset right in front of us. Feeling completely free away from society's chaos. As I ride open ocean swells, I find a sense of freedom, far removed from the noise and distractions of society. It’s where I can truly let go, embrace the ocean’s raw power and beauty, and lose myself completely in the moment. This balance between discipline and escape fuels my passion, both in sports and in life.

What are some if your top tips to start foiling?

Commitment, Training, Equipment and Time I have seen many people try foiling for months and never make it, only to learn later on that buying a cheap foil from the used marketplace, got them a broken foil that doesn't work. Save yourself the time and get a good foil that you can keep forever.

• Step 1: Start by getting towed, or if you come from wind sports, learn to wing foil.
  
• Step 2: Once you are comfortable flying on the foil learn how to generate speed and maintain speed through pumping.
  
• Step 3: Get towed into wind swell and try to let go of the rope to get a feel for the energy spots. (You can do the same with a wing by flagging it behind you.)
  
• Step 4: Get a SUP foil board, a paddle, and learn how to stand on it and paddle around.
  
• Step 5: Try in the right conditions, 20+ knt of wind and you should be able to start popping up in the bumps and having short flights downwind.
  
• Step 6: Practice.

Photos: Chase Viken / Matty Leong

What tips do you have for those who want to take their foiling to the next level?

Your level of downwind foiling is due to a combination of skill, fitness and the right equipment. Keep your eyes on those around you, if someone is better than you at any of those categories, you can learn from them.

• Learn how to pop up and get flying as quickly as possible in all conditions.
  
• Learn how to accelerate up and over bumps faster.
  
• Learn how to ride a smaller foil.
  
• Learn how to pump more efficiently and for longer.
  
• Workout, build up your fitness through strength and cardio training.
  
• Learn how to paddle and pump your foil at the same time to exert as much force as possible.
  
• Tune your equipment with the right size: front wing, mast, fuse, tail, board and paddle.
  
• Sand your equipment. Each water density prefers a different grit finish on your foils surface to glide in the water better.

Photo: Dane Wilson 

Where do you see the sport going in the future?

I have been noticing on both a local and international level that the sport is growing very quickly. It will continue gaining popularity and be seen in all bodies of water. Stand up foiling will keep taking over more of the watersports market. All of the high performance/speed watersports like sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing have already adopted foiling, as the standard for highest speed over the water. SUP foiling is the evolution from a combination of stand-up paddling (SUP) and surfing merging these elements. The ability to catch open ocean swells using only a paddle and a foil, without needing waves or wind, opened up a new frontier in the world of watersports. I see the future being all watermen using foiling as a tool to get in the water in any conditions. You can foil behind big boat’s wake in any body of water, downwind or ride waves. As for racing, I believe it will be an Olympic category one day. Look at the race participation statistics throughout the years for the 2 major internationally recognized race Maui to Molokai and Molokai to Oahu:

Edoardo Tanas' story, from windsurfing champ to downwind foiling world champion, really shows how passion and adaptability can take you far. Foiling has become more than just a sport for him—it's his way to escape, connect with the ocean, and find joy in every condition. As foiling keeps growing, Tanas' journey is a reminder that with the right attitude, there's always something new to explore on the water.