Young Blood Meets Pro Team Camp Tarifa – 11. – 13.10.2024
The Duotone Invitational Camp “Young Blood Meets Pro Team” returned to Tarifa for the third time, bringing together the next generation of wing foilers. Talented athletes from eight countries—Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Great Britain—trained alongside Duotone’s rising stars, including Aleks & Tom Acherer, Charlie Loch, and Mar de Arce.
Over the course of three intense and action-packed days, professional coaches Jerome Cloetens, Henning Nockel, Jaime Herraiz, and Michi Rossmeier shared their decades of experience as professional athletes and competitors. The training went beyond just riding skills, with dedicated workshops offering valuable insights on race preparation, working with photographers and filmmakers, social media management, and even gear repair. These expert tips and tricks provided the next generation of Wing Foilers with everything they need to succeed on and off the water!
Equipped with the latest HERO 13 cameras from partner GoPro, we challenged the kids to work in teams of 3 or 4 Young Bloods, each paired with a Pro Rider. Their mission: to film their own footage and create unique “Young Blood Meets Pro Team Camp” clips for each training group. The creativity and teamwork were incredible. Watch the winning video HERE.
Attendees were thrilled to discover a brand-new WOO set in their goodie bags! The WOO #youngblood2024 high jump competition runs until November 11th. Stay tuned and see who can reach new heights!
First day
The first day of camp began with pouring rain, stormy weather, and an impromptu storm chase that took the entire team north to Playa Valdelagrana. Despite the hour-long drive through the rain, the effort was rewarded with fantastic wing foiling conditions and even a bit of sunshine. The kids put on an incredible display of skill, landing trick after trick for three hours straight. Their camaraderie in the water was evident, as they encouraged each other to try new tricks.
One of the highlights of the day was the landing of 13-year-old Kalle Dinant from the Netherlands, who landed his first backmobe, perhaps the youngest rider to ever achieve this feat.
Back in Tarifa, the crew returned hungry and tired, ending the day with a quick dinner and a warm welcome at the campsite. But the rest was short-lived: the teams immediately gathered to review the day’s GoPro footage, reliving the action-packed day.
“I’m so happy and excited. It’s a fantastic feeling to be here and ride with all these young people, who motivate me so much!” Kalle Dinant
Second day
The second day of the camp began with a physical training session led by legendary coach Kuky. In the morning, a series of workshops gave the boys a chance to rest their bodies and keep their minds engaged.
Henning Nockel shared valuable advice on preparing for competitions, reminding everyone that the road to success begins now. Jerome Cloetens offered insights on how to work effectively with the media and sponsors, while Paula Novotna inspired the young Bloods with a video recording, providing helpful tips on how to share the lifestyle of a professional athlete through social media.
Despite the challenging weather and wind, the Spanish Duotone team quickly organized two boats for tow-in foiling action on a southerly swell at Volare Beach. The guys were thrilled with the surf foiling session, tearing up the water with flying colors even without foils. Not even the unusually heavy rain in Tarifa could dampen their excitement!
“It’s impressive to see how each participant pushes forward. At the same time, the entire group supports each other!” Henning Nockel
Day 3
Another windless day brought more surfing and tow-in foiling action, along with valuable lessons for the kids. After another intense morning physical training session, Kuky shared his insights on how to prepare for the Wing Foiling competition season. Professional coaches Michi Rossmeier and Jerome Cloetens led freestyle technique workshops, reviewing the kids’ first-day moves using GoPro footage for personalized feedback on a big screen.
When the sun finally broke out, the camp concluded with another fun prone foiling session near the campsite. Although the group soon dispersed to their home countries, they quickly bonded as sports buddies and everyone agreed: the three days of camp were fantastic, and it seems everyone is eager to do more!
Statement by Jerome Cloetens on Camp Giovani Sangue:
“The Young Blood Camp is truly one of the most exciting projects to be a part of. It’s incredible to see the next generation of foil fencers with such passion, talent, and determination. Every year, these young athletes push themselves to the limits of what’s possible, and their progression is simply inspiring. Seeing them support each other as they hone their skills shows just how much potential there is for the future of our sport. It’s an honor to coach and mentor them, and I can’t wait to see where their journey takes them!”
