Rider of the Week: Melody Ambroziny Fernandez

Name: Melody Ambroziny Fernandez
Age: 26
Nationality: French from New Caledonia
Sponsors: –
Home spot: Anse Vata New Caledonia

What made you decide to start Wing Foiling? 
I was so excited by trying the foil and also wanted to start a new sport.  Not a lot of people practicing wing foiling yet so i am excited to see all the development of the sport.  

What is your background?
I did a lot of free dive when I was young and after I started surfing and kite surfing a lot until I discover wing foil. In New Caledonia it’s perfect to do surfing in winter season and wing foiling in summer.

Where and when did you make your first experiences? 
I tried wing foiling at a lake for the first time. Lake of Yaté in New Caledonia. It was a perfect place to start! Then I started foiling in Tenia, a small island in New Caledonia with seafoam waters.

What are your goals in 2020 with Wing Foiling? 
I have a few goals for this year with wing foiling. I definitely want to progress a lot, especially in downwinds and jumps. I also want to start to compete, I tried this year in February at the first competitions including wings in New Caledonia. But sadly the wind stopped blowing during the competition. There will be other competitions and hopefully the conditions will be better and i can compete. 

Can you describe the feeling of being on a foil? What makes this sport so unique for you?
On a foil, compare to the other water sports, I really appreciate the silence. It is not like in windsurf, kite or any sport, it is really relaxing. You even can talk with your friends which are wing foiling next to you. When we are racing, we can say “Adieu” or others jokes, it is very fun.

The view is also way better because you’re higher, especially because marine activities are dangerous for marine animals and because you’re higher you can see better and avoid them.

This sport is so new and developing very fast – what are your wishes to the industry? Where is potential to develop the wing foiling gear?
The developing of wing foil is very new and fast, I hope that with the technology, they will develop soon some easier boards which will be able to make girls doing sail without the oar. I really hope it’s gonna be more accessible to girls. I know that Takuma is working on it, and I can’t wait to see their new girls collection!

Your favorite move?
My favorite move with the foil are the jibes, the jumps and the downing. I saw the 360 and I really love it too.

Your wing foil spot?
My favorite wing foil spot is the Anse Vata in New Caledonia. The spot is very easy,  but the people are amazing. We all learned together this new sport and progress together and everybody is so nice and friendly. It is making this spot special to me!

I can’t wait to go travelling with the wing and discover new spots!

What’s your most used gear set?
The set I use for now is the F-One wing (3.5), the F-One board (5.10, 90L) and the Takuma Foil (1600). Just waiting for a new Takuma set and a Wingride, I can’t wait to have a 1300 foil or less!

Best memory of wing foiling? 
My best memories with wing foiling are definitely the down wind rides. I try to do a longer distance every time. 

Follow Melody Ambroziny Fernandes on Instagram!

Thank you for the great interview with wingfoildaily Melody! Enjoy your time wing foiling in the paradise New Caledonia – we are jealous! Keep riding and get more girls on the foil.