Guillaume Colin lined up among 650 wingfoilers at this year's Defi Wing in Gruissan, southern France, and once again he was the only rider competing in a seated position. It was his third consecutive appearance at the event, and he finished every race.
Defi Wing runs alongside Defi Wind, the historic windsurfing event that attracted more than 1,300 competitors this year, and Defi Kite with around 400 riders. Together they form one of the biggest watersports gatherings in the world.
Colin became paraplegic after a glider accident in 2015. Rather than step away from board sports, he began adapting equipment to stay in them, and in recent years has developed a seated approach to wingfoiling.
Over three days, the fleet completed five long-distance races covering around 200 kilometres in total. "We had wind every day, but it was very unstable," Colin wrote. "At times there were complete lulls, followed by strong gusts exceeding 30 knots." On courses stretching over 10 kilometres, picking the right gear was a genuine puzzle.
The mass starts presented particular difficulties. "With 650 riders leaving together, the wind becomes extremely turbulent," he explained. "Managing the crowded start line while dealing with unstable airflow is probably one of the hardest parts of the event." Sitting lower also means his wing sits closer to the water surface, making crashes more likely than for a standing rider. Once the fleet spread out after a few kilometres, things settled.
For Colin, the competition itself is almost beside the point. "There is a unique mix of challenge, adventure, friendship and passion," he said of the atmosphere. "Completing these long-distance races is demanding for everyone, whatever their level, and there is a real sense of sharing a common experience."
His presence on the start line draws questions from fellow competitors. "Many come to ask questions, and some tell me they find it inspiring," he said. "I am always happy to share what I have learned because showing what is possible is one of the reasons I participate."
Three editions in, Colin is still the sole seated rider at the event, and he is clear-eyed about his motivation. "I do not participate to prove anything. I do it because I love being on the water, I enjoy the challenge, and I want to show that wingfoiling can be accessible to more people."
He hopes other athletes with disabilities will discover seated wingfoiling and eventually join him on that start line.
