YOUNG BLOOD TALENTS TO TEAM INTERNATIONAL

We’ve been following the Wing Foiling progress of Aleks and Tom for the last three years, ever since their careers took off at Lake Garda, initially as an addition to their professional freestyle skiing careers. It didn’t take long for them to join the Austrian Young Blood Team, and since then, they’ve consistently impressed us with their dedication, creativity, and fearless approach to pushing the boundaries of Freestyle Wing Foiling. Last year, they moved to Tarifa full-time to increase their water time, and their hard work has paid off—Tom is currently ranked in the Top 10 of the GWA Freestyle World Tour. Although Aleks had to sit out the first event in Leucate due to a leg injury from a skiing accident in December, he's coming back strong now as well - watch this space!

We first heard of Charlie Loch in spring this year through our UK agent Nik Baker and saw him live for the first time in July at the GWA event in Fuerteventura, where he finished 7th. From the start, it was clear that Charlie had the talent and skills to make a significant impact to our team. His performance and dedication deeply impressed us, and we knew right away that he had what it takes to join the Duotone International Team. We’re excited to see him continue growing and pushing the limits alongside the world’s best.

How does it feel to officially join the Duotone International Team?

Charlie: I’m thrilled to be joining the Duotone International Team and can’t wait for the adventures ahead! This opportunity means so much to me, as it allows me to grow, improve, and meet so many amazing people along the way.

Aleks: Joining the Duotone International Team is a dream come true! It’s an incredible boost for my career, giving me the opportunity to compete on the global stage and grow alongside the best in the sport.

Tom: I’m so stoked to join the Duotone International Team! I’m more motivated than ever and ready to ride!

What has been your journey so far with Duotone?

Charlie: When I first got into watersports in 2022, I started Windsurfing with Duotone sails and Fanatic boards, thanks to Nik Baker, who helped set me up with gear. When Wing Foiling came along, I kept working with Nik and my local Surf Shop, Funsport, which allowed me to use the latest Duotone gear. I’m so excited to see where this journey will take me!

Aleks & Tom: We started Wing Foiling at Lake Garda a few years ago and got my gear from a shop in Innsbruck. Pretty soon my brother and I were sponsored by Duotone Austria and now we finally are in the international team!

How do you see this move to the International Team helping you progress in Wing Foiling?

Charlie: I see this move as a huge advantage, giving me access to the latest gear, which will be a big help in progressing in the sport. I’m also super excited to see how the sport itself continues to evolve!

Aleks & Tom: It will give usaccess to the best gear and latest innovations/improvements. I am also excited to learn from and progress together with my teammates.

How do you guys stay motivated and keep pushing your limits in such a fast-evolving sport?

Charlie: It’s such a diverse sport—every session is fun! Whether I’m carving on waves or boosting jumps, there’s always something exciting to try. I also love the range of conditions you can ride in, and there’s always a new trick to learn. It’s hard to get bored with a sport like this!

Aleks: My motivation in Wing Foiling comes from mastering new tricks and skills in such a fast-evolving sport. There’s still so much that hasn’t been done, and that drives me to push the limits and see what’s possible.

Tom: I want to learn all the tricks and invent some new ones that haven’t been done before. Something that also keeps me motivated is to share sessions with my friends who push me on the water.

Charlie – you have successfully played professional football before. How does this compare with Wing Foiling? I love football—it’s a great sport! But compared to wing foiling, it just doesn’t give me the same adrenaline rush.

Aleks & Tom – you come from the Freeski circus where you competed already very young. How come you chose Wing Foiling over this as first sport?

Aleks: I think we chose Wing Foiling over Freeskiing because, from the very first sessions, the learning process was so fast—it got me hooked! I wanted to keep pushing myself on the water, and although I loved skiing, wing foiling just gave me a different level of excitement.

Tom: I love that the sport is evolving so fast, which keeps me always motivated to learn new tricks.

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

 Charlie: My goal for the upcoming season is to compete in all the freestyle and wave events in the GWA. I’d also love to compete in the UK if a tour gets underway.

Aleks: My goals for the upcoming season are to push my limits and podium at major events.

Tom: My main goal is to become World Champion, but I also want to travel, explore new places, and make new friends along the way.

What’s been your experience with the Duotone gear so far, and what are your favorite setups?

Charlie: Duotone gear helped me try tons of different tricks! My favorite wing in the range is the Unit with the Fusion boom, because its flex gives me better control for one-handed tricks. The new SLS Concept Blue and D/LAB wings are also incredible. My ideal foil setup is the D/LAB mast with a 37-tail piece, a 165P stabilizer, and the 650 Carve 2.0. This setup is super-fast, gives a lot of pop, and lets you land with speed, which makes it great for re-pop. It’s also super loose and perfect for carving in steep wave sections. As for boards, my go-to is the Sky Style SLS 4’5—it’s my all-rounder for light wind, strong wind, freestyle, and wave riding.

Aleks: I feel like it really suits my style. It has everything I need for freestyle: pop, speed, and a powerful wing. My favorite freestyle setup is the Carve 650 D/LAB with the recommended stabilizer, combined with the Aero Tail 37 D/LAB and the 84 D/LAB Slim 2.0 mast. My go-to board, no matter the wind conditions, is the Sky Style SLS 4’5.

Tom: The Duotone gear keeps t keeps getting better each year, which really helps me progress in the sport. My favorite freestyle setup is the 4’5 Sky Style SLS board with the 84 D/LAB mast, the 650 Carve 2.0, the 165 stabilizer, and the 37 fuselage. My top wing choice is the Unit D/LAB with Fusion boom.

How do you balance competition, training, and exploring new places for Wing Foiling?

Charlie: Every time I hit the water, whether it’s at my home spot or somewhere new, I focus on training and prepping for competitions. I love exploring different places and trying out new spots. Traveling to locations with various conditions really helps you improve because you never know what challenges a competition might bring!

Aleks: I am always staying flexible and using travel as a chance to explore new spots. Some of my favorite spots are Tarifa, Brazil, and Greece.

Tom: I am using new locations for training, and stay flexible to keep it both fun and challenging. My favorite place to ride would be in Brazil - I absoluteöy love the conditions there.

Wing Foiling is your first sport – are you also Pump Foiling, Prone Foiling, Pump Foiling or maybe also Downwind Foiling?

Charlie: I Surf Foil when there’s no wind, and it’s a blast! It lets you ride and carve on waves without needing the wing, giving you a real sense of freedom. With the Crush SLS and Whizz SLS, I’m enjoying it more than ever.

Aleks: Although Wing Foiling is my main sport, I also enjoy Pump Foiling and Downwind Foiling. But Prone Foiling is by far my favorite of them all!

Tom: I really love to Surf Foil and Pump Foil on no-wind days. I’ve also tried Downwind Foiling, which is super fun!

You’ve all been recognized as standout talents in the sport. What advice would you give to young Wing Foilers looking to reach the next level?

Charlie: Well, besides using Duotone gear (haha), it’s to practice every chance you get! Whether it’s light wind, strong wind, waves, or flat water, make the most of every condition. That’s the key to becoming a well-rounded Wing Foiler!

Aleks: My advice to young Wing Foilers is to stay consistent, always push your limits, focus on the basics, and most importantly, keep having fun!

Tom: Keep pushing but still have fun on the water and try to get better by each session.

As part of the International Team, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with some of the best athletes in the sport. What excites you about working with these elite riders?

Charlie: I’m excited to work with other riders because it really pushes your level. Encouraging each other to try new tricks and improve makes a big difference. Plus, seeing other people’s riding styles is inspiring and helps you shape your own!

Aleks & Tom:  We are excited to learn from top riders and improve our skills by working with them.

What can we expect from you as part of the Duotone International Team?

Charlie: I’m hoping for many amazing trips and unforgettable memories as part of the international team! I’d love to do a road trip around the UK and showcase everything it has to offer. Fingers crossed for lots of exciting projects and adventure videos. You’ll just have to wait and see what’s coming!

Aleks: You can expect me to push new boundaries in Wing Foiling, showcase innovative tricks, and inspire the next generation through my performances and community involvement.

Tom: You can expect me to keep pushing my wing foiling skills and to be helpful in any way I can.

What did you think of the Young Blood Invitational Camp in Tarifa?

Charlie: I thought the Young Blood Camp in Tarifa was amazing! You get to meet so many new people and make friends from all over the world. Plus, you learn valuable tips and tricks from experienced pros in the water sports scene. Riding with skilled athletes pushes you to improve, making it a fantastic experience all around.

Aleks: The Young Blood Camp in Tarifa was awesome! Everyone was ripping on the water, and we had so much fun. Even though the wind wasn’t at its best, I think everyone had a great time.

Tom: I loved the Young Blood Camp because I got to meet new riders, and it was so much fun to ride and train together! An amazing initiavitive by Duotone - I would definitely recommend every young rider to join the national camps and using their chances to get invited too!

Stay tuned for updates as Aleks, Tom, and Charlie represent Duotone on the world stage!