What the pump foiling world record holder loves about the new sport

Switzerland’s Nicolas Iten holds the current world record in pump foiling, a new sport where athletes float over the water on a small board with a wing – the hydrofoil or foil. There’s no engine – you’re propelled only by your own muscle power and coordinated up and down movements (pumping).

The movements are strenuous, and riding on the small board requires a lot of balance and physical fitness. That’s why many pump foilers consider a time of one minute to be the magic number. Ten minutes means almost hero status for foilers.

Nicolas has clearly surpassed that. With more than four hours of foiling over the water, he holds the current world record – his Guinness Book of Records entry is currently being assessed. In this interview, he shares what fascinates and motivates him about the new sport.

Nicolas, you broke the pump foiling world record on Lake Sempach a few weeks ago. Tell us about it.

Nicolas: I set the long distance record, with 54.8 kilometres in four hours and two minutes.

How did the world record come about?

It was completely spontaneous actually. I used to be very active in inline skating. And the evening before the world record, I did an inline race. The next morning, I wanted to get out on the water and enjoy nature. And try out a new drinks system.

That sounds very relaxed.

Yes, it was at first. After a lap around Lake Sempach, my legs felt good and the conditions were ideal, with little wind and flat water. So, I spontaneously did another lap. I’d already done around 33 kilometres and thought that if I did another lap, I’d have already reached the previous world record of 44 kilometres.

But then it got tougher?

Exactly. It was really hard at the end. I finished the lap, but my legs were getting tired. Then I was able to do a few more short laps, so I managed to cover 54.8 kilometres. Afterwards, I was pretty exhausted because I hadn’t eaten enough for such a long distance. But I hadn’t planned it as a world record attempt.

Even better that you managed it then. Congratulations! But this isn’t your first pump foiling world record, is it?

No, I’d held the record before, but it was broken. The first time I attempted it, the world record was two hours and five minutes, set by a teammate who also uses equipment by Swiss manufacturer Indiana. I’d planned to do a full marathon, 42 kilometres. A TV crew was there too. It started well, but I was pretty nervous. And after 36 kilometres and a time of two hours and 39 minutes, I fell into the water. It was my fault – I was trying to get something to drink from my wife. And when you fall in, the record attempt is obviously over. I didn’t quite reach my goal of 42 kilometres, but I still broke the world record.

What is it about record attempts that appeals to you?

I come from an endurance sports background – inline skating – and I’m always keen to find out what’s possible and push the boundaries. A lot of people think that one or two minutes is the limit, but I want to show that much more is possible. The boards and the foils – the carbon wings – are improving all the time. And as the sport is still so young, I see a lot of potential. Perhaps it’ll appeal to a few endurance athletes who already have a lot of stamina. Then they could beat my record.

Do you train specifically for such long-distance sessions?

Pump foiling itself is very important. By doing it, I learn what it’s like in different wind conditions and waves. And my balance improves. I also cycle a lot, go running and stand-up paddling, balance on a slackline or go inline skating. Inline skating is my foundation, and it’s what gives me the stamina in my legs and my balance. In terms of movement, it’s very similar. I also go on the pump track with my skateboard. That’s very good training in terms of movement too.

In the video, Nicolas Iten shows how he moves across the water on the foil using coordinated footwork – pumping.

Pump foiling is still a young sport. How did you find out about it, and what motivated you to try it yourself?

About two years ago, I saw a photo in the newspaper and thought it looked so cool. Then I read that it was about loading and unloading the legs and balance and endurance. That’s exactly what I like about it. It’s also a bit like flying, which I found fascinating. But it took another year before I actually started, and I was hooked straight away.

What fascinates you about the sport?

I enjoy the freedom on the water and the silence. The foil makes almost no noise apart from a slight splashing sound – it really does feel a bit like flying. The perspective on the lake is great and I go faster than with a kayak or stand-up paddle board. And it’s a completely new sport where I can explore the limits.

What’s your advice for beginners?

You should definitely wear a helmet and a life jacket or impact protection vest – that’s a must. The foils aren’t entirely safe with their sharp edges. And you should definitely wear a long wetsuit and neoprene shoes to protect yourself from injury. The sport isn’t easy to learn, and falls are part of the learning process. It’s very important to respect nature conservation zones and bird protection zones and to be considerate of swimmers and other lake users. The best way to learn is with other people who also know the protection zones and rules for water sports enthusiasts. There are now courses in some places that teach this.

How hard is it? I’ve heard it takes about 100 attempts for each metre you want to move forward.

Laughs. Maybe it’s not quite as bad as that. People learn at different speeds, and if you can already do wing foiling or other water sports, it might be easier for you. But it usually takes several hundred attempts before you can jump on the board and start pumping. Children learn faster.

Your son’s learning from you.

Exactly. Children should be a certain age – definitely ten to eleven years old – before they start. But they get the hang of the movement pretty quickly. And maybe in the future there’ll be smaller boards that are better suited to children. It’s also more exciting for children to try a few tricks and turns instead of covering long distances on the lake.

Well, you’re certainly well placed to get that across in your day job as a sports teacher. What else do you need to learn how to pump foil? Especially for adults.

It’s best if you’re not afraid of the water and have a good sense of balance. Starting off – jumping from a jetty onto the board – isn’t easy. It’s best to approach the sport without too many expectations. Otherwise, it might quickly become frustrating. Just try it out and keep at it. It’s a matter of practice and also mindset.

Switzerland’s a pump foiling hotspot. When I listen to podcasts, people often talk about the «crazy pump foilers in Switzerland». Why do you think that is?

I think in Switzerland we’re privileged to have so many lakes in beautiful surroundings. There are some really great spots, and that makes it attractive. Perhaps it also has something to do with the Swiss mentality that we like to do outdoor sports and enjoy being out in nature.

What’s been your best experience on the water so far?

That was last week, when I went around Lake Zug. It was 42 kilometres. It was a really beautiful morning with sunshine and calm water. Being on a big lake on a day like that is really special. I also grew up on Lake Zug, so it was a particularly nice experience for me.

Thank you, Nicolas, for the interesting chat and your insights into the world of pump foiling.