“I’ve been winging for about four years, and I absolutely love it,” said Bay of Plenty’s 69-year-old Simon McDonald.

“My family and I were in Fiji and saw some people in their late 50s and they were kiting, so I had some lessons and started doing that.

“My son really got into it. Then we saw wing foiling on YouTube and thought it looked awesome, so went out and bought some gear, and have regretted it ever since.”

But that regret statement was followed by fits of laughter – the regret is that he didn’t get into winging sooner.

“Back then no one could really teach you how to wing because it was so new, but I just persevered, and four years later I can finally tack! It’s so cool.

“I think I’ve done about a thousand failed tacks!”

Simon is laughing the whole time he explains this.

It’s evident that even though it took Simon years to master a tack, he absolutely fizzes on winging. Normally when someone struggles to master a move, frustration kicks in, and they quit, but Simon was having so much fun, that nothing was going to stop him – even failures.

“I’m quite good at tacking now! I love it! I’m better at tacking then gybing!

“I’m on the water winging at every opportunity!”

It’s clear that Simon is hooked – actually, he’s addicted.

The PredictWind Wingfoil Nationals is underway at Wakatere Boating Club, with today Sunday March 9 the final day, and it’s clear that winging doesn’t discriminate against age.

At 69 years young, Simon shares a racecourse with a 10-year-old. This could be the only sailing discipline with such a diverse age range, with everyone being able to equally compete against each other.

“Winging is for everyone – you don’t have to be the fittest, or the strongest – you just have to have good balance, this is why winging is a great option for us more mature sailors,” McDonald said.

“I’m going to be winging when I’m 80 – or even 90!”

Are you convinced to give winging a go?  With kids as young as 10, and those creeping towards their golden years enjoying this sport, it’s clear that winging is the future. You can blast around on your own, get your mates together for session, or join in a large-scale event like the PredictWind Wingfoil Nationals and be amongst fizzes who just love being on the water.

“Just get out there and do it! Your only regret will be that you didn’t try it sooner,” - wise words from McDonald.

Suellen Hurling / Live Sail Die for PredictWind.