Dylan Wichmann Interview
Join us as we catch up with Dylan Wichmann, a lifelong surfer, waterman, and pioneer in the world of foiling. From his early days growing up as a competitive surfer in South Africa to discovering the unique thrill of hydrofoiling, Dylan has built a career around pushing boundaries in the ocean. In this interview, he shares his journey, insights on the evolution of foiling, and what excites him most about the future of the sport.
For those that don’t know, what’s your story so far?
I am a lifelong surfer and waterman. I started surfing at the age of five, which sparked an unbreakable bond with the ocean and all water-related sports. Growing up, I was a competitive surfer, and after finishing high school, I ran a surf school for several years before continuing my studies for another three years. I pursued a degree in sustainable development, and the next stage of my journey was when my hydrofoil career began.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Currently, I wake up at 6 a.m. and go through my morning routine, which includes 20 minutes of meditation, 20 minutes of journaling, and 20 minutes of reading. After that, I make my morning coffee, take my supplements, and check the surf reports and webcams to see what ocean activities the day might bring.
How did you get into hydrofoiling?
I was running a surf school in Cape St. Francis, just around the corner from the world-class right-hand point break of Jeffreys Bay. During that time, I developed a close relationship with the father of one of my surf students. After a lesson one day, he mentioned that he had a board, a hydrofoil, and a jet ski. He invited my boss and I to join him and learn to hydrofoil. From that very first session, the moment I felt the unique sensation of gliding that foiling provides, I was immediately hooked.
What is your all time favorite foiling discipline?
I have been fortunate to spend time exploring all the different foiling disciplines, having had access to a wide range of equipment over the years. Still, surf foiling remains the discipline closest to my heart and the one I find the most joy in.
What is your greatest accomplishment so far?
Even though it happened early in my foiling career, my greatest accomplishment is still landing the cover of Foiling Magazine in one of its first few issues. That moment helped propel my name into the world of hydrofoiling and played a key role in bringing me to where I am in my career today.
Foiling has been evolving rapidly. What trends or innovations in equipment, technique, or style excite you most about the future of the sport?
As a surfer first and foremost, I am always searching for novelty and completely new experiences.
After spending the past eight to nine years in the foiling industry, I’m especially excited for this upcoming summer season to dedicate more time to the discipline of SUP foiling—mainly for downwinders—while also using the para wing to create a more free and open experience on these runs.
Where do you see the sport of foiling going in the next 5-10 years? Are there any emerging disciplines or technologies that you’re particularly excited about?
With foiling undergoing such revolutionary advances over the past few years, I believe hydrofoil designs themselves will only see limited improvements over the next five to ten years. Instead, the real progress will come from new tools that make it easier for people to get into foiling and progress more quickly. In the past, learning to hydrofoil required access to a boat, but now we have foil-assist tools—like the Foil Drive—that make the sport accessible to the general public. What was once limited to lifelong watermen or those with access to a watercraft is now opening up to a much wider audience.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in foiling?
There are now so many tools that make the process of learning to foil much easier. My biggest recommendation is to use a foil-assist device, as it can help you learn exponentially faster than when I first started.