SAILORS' WINDS OF CHANGE

Windsurfers raise funds to support participation of women in iQFoil

- Kimberly Kwek

When Angyal Chew's older sister broached the subject of her switching from sailing's laser class to windsurfing two years ago, she was apprehensive.

Making a change would entail moving away from her training base at Changi to East Coast Park and leaving a set-up she had grown accustomed to.

But she eventually decided to give it a go - her sister Angel, 20, made a similar move in 2021 - and has not looked back since.

The 16-year-old said: "Trying something new always makes me a bit nervous, but it's always good to have people to push me.

"Because I was pushed into windsurfing, I discovered that I actually really enjoyed the speed, the thrill and, once I got past the stage of the sail falling in and having to pick it up, it got really fun."

Once hesitant to move away from her Changi training base, the teenager, who began competing in the iQFoil class in 2023, has since travelled to countries such as the Philippines and Italy to advance her windsurfing career.

The iQFoil made its Olympic debut at the recent Paris Olympics, replacing the RS:X as the windsurfing class for the Games.

Compared to the RS:X, the iQFoil has a foil at the base of the board which reduces water resistance, thus allowing the sailor to travel at faster speeds.