Rider of the Week: Carolina Dickenson

This is a interview with Rider of the Week: Carolina Dickenson. Also check out our other Rider of the Week Interviews.

Rider of the Week: Carolina Dickenson

Name: Carolina Dickenson
Age: 33
Nationality: Barbadian/ Venezuelan
Sponsors: KiteSirens
Home spot: Barbados

What made you decide to start Wing Foiling?
I travelled to Maui for a couple months last summer and saw some guys out at Kanaha. I thought that it looked like a lot of fun, and something new to bring to Barbados.
I started doing some downwinders, and here I am, sporting a new addiction! 

What is your background?
I started kitesurfing about 6 years ago, and since then my passion for water sports skyrocketed. 
A few years into kitesurfing I dropped the twintip and went on to surfboard. Since then I have dedicated most of my time to strapless wave riding.
Before wing foiling I didn’t have much experience with a foil. I learnt to kite foil mostly so that I could learn to balance the foil and progress quicker with the wing.

Where and when did you make your first experiences?
My first experience with the wing was last September, in Maui. 

What are your goals in 2020 with wing foiling?
I have many! Right now, I can say wave riding and 360 carves are top on the list.
My main goal is to get more comfortable with foil control and riding waves with the foil. 
360 carves would also be a fun way to continue progression.

Can you describe the feeling of being on a foil? What makes this sport so unique and special for you?
You reach a state of flow in a short period of time. You are fully present and feel as though time stops, it’s magical.
The sport is minimalistic and accessible, which to me makes it very unique and special. All you need to take with you are two pieces of gear- the foil board and the wing- and you’re good to go! You can launch from pretty much anywhere since you don’t have to think about setting lines or walking with bulky/ heavy gear. 
You also don’t need much wind to get going once you progress and become efficient with the foil. This makes for much more time on the water, even on light wind days.

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 development is astounding really! As a girl I tend to be smaller than the average guy, so it would be great to see the development of board specs to suit smaller builds. I would love to see shorter boards, maintaining enough volume.

Your favourite move?
I’m starting to learn upwind tacks. It’s a great feeling to transition without losing much ground.
I also LOVE the feeling of depowering the wing. I can see this being a big high once I learn to wave ride with the wing.

Your favourite wing foil spots?
I have my favourites between my home spots in Barbados, and then the upper part of Kanaha Beach in Maui.
Presently I am in Barbados where it’s a dream for wing foil spots! I move between flat water areas on the south coast and wave spots on the southeast. My favourite flat water spot is in an area known as Oistins Bay, and my preferred wave place is Silver Rock beach.
The east coast of Barbados is known for the best waves for surfing, so I’m sure my favourites will soon expand.

How popular is wing foiling at your home spot? Are you the only rider or is the community growing?
The popularity of the sport is growing. When I arrived back from Maui after the summer there were about two others who had started, we now have about four frequent wingers and a number of curious bystanders.
I have had many locals approach me for lessons, so I can see the number growing quite quickly by next winter season!

Where do you see wing foiling in 5 years from now?
The gear and therefore the sport is going to evolve very quickly. Gear will improve in ways that we can’t even consider right now. 
I can see wing foiling encompassing a great area of the board sport industry as the wings get more efficient, and foils and boards develop.

What´s your most used gear set?
My most used gear set is the Duotone wing and the Fanatic board and Aero foil. For the wings I range between the 4m and 5m, my board is the 5’11 Sky Surf Fanatic, and my foil is the Aero 2000 short fuselage. I have been switching out the 2000 Aero foil for the 1250 Duotone Spirit surf. The 1250 is a kite foil but works really well in waves and with stronger wind (from 18 knots and up).

Follow Carolina Dickenson on Instagram.

Thank you for the wingfoildaily Interview Caro. We hope that you get more girls to wing it. We want to see some more action of you from your paradise home spot Barbados! Keep on winging it.