A downwinder is a session where the rider travels continuously downwind from a starting point to a separate predetermined destination. Because it eliminates the need to tacking upwind to return to the original launch spot, riders can conserve energy while focusing entirely on riding waves or practicing tricks.
In recent years, the dramatic evolution of hydrofoil equipment (such as SUP foils and wing foils) has caused an explosive surge in the popularity of downwinders, allowing riders to glide endlessly over the water using only minimal wind and ocean swells.
World-famous spots include northern Brazil, where riders can travel hundreds of kilometers down the coastline over several days. Also highly renowned are Hood River in the US, where strong winds allow riders to travel downwind against the actual river current, and Maui, Hawaii, known as the mecca of open-ocean foil downwinders.
Search Aliases: Downwinder