THE CHALLENGING PROCESS OF BUILDING THE DUOTONE WING ACADEMY APP

The Duotone Academy App is an absolutely unique, cost-free tool, which provides over 70 individual wingfoiling videos featuring all the core techniques and tricks for beginners to experts and personal advice from the best wingfoilers in the world. You can start anytime, no matter which learning stage of wingfoiling you are in.

During learning how to wingfoil, there are many smaller and larger hurdles which make further development nearly impossible. Often it’s just about not having the right tip at the right time of training. Since wing foiling skills and disciplines are extremely different, it is very difficult to provide a general guideline for the learner.

The Duotone Kiteboarding App is an amazing proof of success, hundred thousands of kitesurfers are using the app day after day to progress and to learn new tricks, compete with their friends and have fun. For us at Duotone it was simply a logical next step to offer this amazing tool also to the Wing Foiling community - and also the Wing Academy App will be completely for free! Our aim is always to be a leader in innovation and to develop the sports we love, make them safer and more fun, Wing Foiling is such a young sport which we carefully want to help to develop with the Wing Academy and with it help everyone who’s getting into this incredible new sport!

“We know that our own insecurities sometimes can be the biggest challenge to overcome when learning something new, mostly only because of a lack of information. I’m really happy we can help to overcome this challenge with the new Wing Academy.” added Patrick Dudek (International Marketing Manager, Duotone Kiteboarding).

The difficulty was not only in the variety of disciplines and skill levels, but also in the variety of wingfoiling teaching techniques around the world and the different opinions about the right technique within the team at that early stage of the sport. “So we had lots of discussions (yes, and sometimes they felt endless). But in the end, I think this is what makes this project special: The app was created by a big team of experts – most of those experts leading in their discipline like Stefan Spiessberger and Olivia Jenkins.” says Christoph Zarfl (film maker).

The project manager Patrick agrees with Christoph: “It was very important for me that all development team members know their jobs, but it was equally important to have people working on the app, who feel the passion for the sports. So actually this app is made from wingfoilers for wingfoilers.”

During a very complex process Duotone started to develop this app with Philipp Rembold, iOS developer and water sports enthusiast and with knowledge from highly professional software projects at brands like Mercedes-Benz and Opel: “My personal goal was to meet the high requirements on appeal and quality in the final app product as I personally love it on Duotone equipment”. Until today, the developer team grew to a team of six dedicated professionals.

The App leads the user step by step to the next level – regardless of the preferred discipline and the already existing skills.

Therefore, key moments are explained in a simple, success guaranteeing way. For ease of understanding and clarification, slow motions, motion graphics and spoken explanations are used in all of the video lessons. In total Duotone has produced more than 70 How To’s and detailed video tutorials exclusively for the Wing Academy App.

“Following the shooting we had about 70 texts to write, 70 voiceovers to make, 70 videos to edit and about 250 animations to create for this project. The biggest and I hope also the highest quality wingfoiling media project worldwide.” Christoph added.

The Duotone Academy App is aimed at all wingfoilers. Whether you want to learn to water-start, trying your first jumps, spinning round a backroll or learning a smooth jibe, the Academy App has you covered.

Duotone assures you, that all videos are shot in 4k, the completely cost free app can also be used in offline mode. You have access to your personalized wing foiling library and to your downloaded clips at any time – even without phone connection.

The Duotone Academy app is designed to help and motivate you to improve your general wingfoiling level and reduce injuries by having the necessary information.

Whatever your level is, the app will know what’s next for you. A virtual trainer will recommend your next trick regarding your skill level.

This is possible by uploading your own videos and pictures. On this basis you will also get analysis and help by the Duotone Academy community – for example by more experienced wingfoilers, who have the exact right tip for you to improve. Furthermore, you will get to know other wingfoilers with similar struggles and you can help each other by sharing your tips and comments or you can even meet for a session through the lesson chat.

“My favourite feature is the Lesson Chat with the possibility to upload your current training in form of videos or pictures. By asking the community or team riders for help, we have created a unique offer for the community” said Philipp.

Also, our pro riders are part of this community, which makes it possible for you to get in touch with the world´s top wingfoilers and learn from the very best!

“I live for the progression of my kiteboarding and wingfoiling, with the Academy app the learning progress is way faster and with a minimized risk of injuries.” Stefan Spiessberger told us. 

On top of all this, the whole app became even more entertaining! You can now follow your friends, check the leader board to e.g. see your direct competition or the success of your friends. You can collect badges and stay motivated achieving them and probably most useful, search for users, special lessons and also spots - to learn about the spot or to meet up with likeminded people when the conditions are right!