Elias Ouahmid Interview
Join Elias Ouahmid as he explores the world of foiling, diving into its diverse disciplines, emerging trends, and his vision for the future of this exhilarating sport.
For those that don’t know, what’s your story so far?
My name is Elias Ouahmid, I started kitesurfing in 2008 when I was nine years old. Early on in my career, I competed in various events. In 2016, I joined the AIRUSH and AK Durable Supply Co. team, which I’m still a part of today. While I don’t compete as much anymore, I’ve built a reputation for being versatile in watersports. Whether it’s kiting, winging, a bit of windsurfing, or foiling, I genuinely enjoy it all.
Since 2020, I’ve worked for APM, the importer for Airush, AK, Freewing, Starboard, and Severne. However, my main focus is Airush, AK, and Freewing, combining my passion for watersports with my professional career.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My typical day depends on where I am and the time of year. I usually check the weather forecast the day before to see if I can get on the water in the morning. After that, I get to work no matter where I am. Ideally, I manage to squeeze in another session in the afternoon or evening.
How did you get into kiteboarding, specifically kitefoiling?
I competed mainly in racing events, where I had the most success. At some point, everyone switched to foils because they’re much more efficient. That’s how I got into foiling quite early on.
Being both a kitefoiler and wingfoiler, what is your favorite foiling discipline?
It really depends on the conditions and who I’m riding with. I love progressing and enjoy being pushed by other riders, so I’m always open to different disciplines that challenge me and keep the fun alive.
Foiling has been evolving rapidly. What trends or innovations in equipment, technique, or style excite you most about the future of the sport?
I love it when gear allows you to reach your maximum potential with ease. Nowadays, I’m happy to sacrifice a bit of top-end performance for more user-friendliness. I see this trend across the entire foiling market as the sport grows from a niche activity to something that’s much more accessible.
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?
I firmly believe foiling will become even easier, with gear becoming more versatile, allowing riders to cover more disciplines with a single product. At AK, we’re already one of the pioneers in this area! Specifically with wings, I’m excited for more durable products that become even lighter thanks to new technologies.
How do you think the sport will evolve in terms of accessibility to newcomers and overall growth in the global community?
Currently, the foiling market is growing rapidly, and I believe this trend will continue. Clinton, AK’s Brand Manager, told me years ago that he sees foiling as its own sport rather than just a single discipline in another sport — and I think he was absolutely right.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in foiling?
In the beginning, foiling can seem incredibly challenging, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a lot of fun. So never give up and you’ll eventually get the hang of it. The best part is that you can easily transfer your foiling skills to other foil sports.
Find Elias Online Here: Elias Ouahmid