Tez Plavenieks - Wing Skating on Hayling Island

We caught up with Tez to ask him about his Wing Skating and background - here's what he had to say..

WSMag: What’s your background and current location?

Tez: I’m Tez Plavenieks, 44yrs old and I live on Hayling Island, south coast UK. I work in the watersports industry as a content creation/tech SEO expert as well as editing two watersports magazines (SUP Mag UK, Windsurfing UK). I also do quite a bit of R&D work around equipment (foiling heavy of late) and own a content led e-commerce website - foilshop.co.uk

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For those not aware Hayling is the birthplace of windsurfing and a centre of excellence for kitesurfing, sailing, stand up paddle boarding and of late winging. Watersports play a massive part in what this area means to many people. The maritime element is a huge part of daily lives. Even if just walking on the beach.

There's been a massive uptake with wing foiling since it exploded onto the scene a few years back on Hayling. The local wingsurfing scene is thriving. During summer we're now seeing wingsurfer numbers exceed those of other disciplines. And there are some good riders who regularly put on a show. From an industry point of view, a number of brands and businesses have popped up on the island which have a vested interest in the sport - my own Foilshop UK website being one.

Hayling has a solid skate scene that compliments the water side of things.

Last year (2022) saw a big upgrade to the local skatepark after residents and riders raised the necessary cash for a revamp. It's now a real focal point for kids, teens and adults who enjoy rolling on Terra Firma.

It'd be good to have a public watersports facility in a similar vein to be honest...

WSMag: Where do you wing skate and how long have you been doing it?

Tez: Hayling isn't always the easiest location for wing skating. Away from the water there are very few areas where you can find clean wind and room to roll. And the seafront gets very busy with parked cars and general visitors - especially in summer - making it difficult.

The orientation of smooth open ground vs general wind directions is the biggest factor.

Clean breeze comes off the sea but that isn't the best for concrete winging. Offshore winds are less appealing for wing foiling which is when I tend to wing skate. But this can be very gusty and fickle. So it can be frustrating sometimes. There are locations on the island that work, however, it's just a case of spotting them and making use when they show up.

I've been riding various types of skateboard for years (all my life in fact). It makes up a small part of what I do for work. There's synergy between some forms of skating and SUP (land paddling with longboards for instance) and of course wing foiling and skating. I used to street skate - or at least try - when I was younger. But wasn't very good. It was a way to scratch that surfing itch when I wasn't able to get in at the coast. These days I gravitate towards longboards, surf skates and hybrids, which makes sense with wing skating in mind.

I also favour electrically powered one wheel type 'skateboards' for winging on land. This gives a real foiling feeling off the water. The gyroscopic nature of one wheels, where riders control it's movement via subtle body weight shifts, is very similar. One wheel wing skating is great training for wing foiling when there's zero breeze. And it's a good training tool for beginner wingers as well. I’ve used it to help a mate on his way to wing foiling glory.

WSMag: What kind of weather and wind conditions work best for you?

Tez: Wing skating isn't my main focus, it's more complimentary. I'm on the water a lot more. But during certain times of year and/or with certain types of weather, getting wet doesn't appeal. If it’s Baltic cold for instance!

Wing skating is well suited to cold conditions. If it's chilly that usually means we have high pressure in control. The breeze can be light with lots of lulls. Winter months can be awesome for wing foiling on the sea. But we do get weeks when it's naff and icy. You can try and 'make' it work (foiling doesn't require a lot of blow) but it's easier to find another activity. You only need a small amount of puff for wing skating (less than foiling) so it's at this point I'll bust out the gear and get some wing skate fun in the bag. Winging on land keeps the muscle memory going and means I don't freeze! It also means I don't go bonkers waiting for the conditions I do want! I’m also a fan of mixing things up so it works from that point of view too.

WSMag: What type of equipment do you use – board and wing type?

Tez: I touched on this above but for boards I favour the oversized type. True longboards are ok but generally require a wider turning circle. As I've said space can be a premium in my backyard so a looser, carve sled is best.

A few years back I got to test a raft of land paddle specific boards - one of which was the Kahuna Creations fish. I loved it and now own one. It's very wide, has longboard style wheels and trucks, is super turny and allows practice of foot changes and switch transitions. The heavily rockered deck gives it a very surfy feel and it's pumpable. Its only downside is the weight.

Recently I've been testing a ChargerX surf skate. This is much more compact but still super manoeuvrable. The specially designed front truck makes it pumpable and it's great fun to ride with a wing or in the skate park bowl without. For riders wanting to learn downwind/upwind 360s or similar it's bang on. I love it and find the ChargerX more versatile than anything I've used before.

One wheels, as I said above, are great when it's super light or there's zero breeze. Riding one with a wing replicates foiling 100% in no wind scenarios. The forward momentum can induce wind in the wing and help with handling skills. I really can't recommend it enough for budding wingsurfers. But appreciate the cost of one wheels can be prohibitive. Although the two I use are from UK brand McConks. Known as a SUP company they also do a variety of other kit and are very affordable.

For wings, I tend to go small. Occasionally I use a 6m but find 4m or smaller to be best as you're less likely to catch the wing tips - tarmac is pretty abrasive and will destroy your wing if not careful. 5m is doable but I'm more about manoeuvrability than speed.

Throwing around a big wing in wing skate mode is effort. A smaller type gives more options for moves, even if you have to push with your feet to get some extra momentum at times.

I've tested in excess of 400 wings to date - across all styles. Also, as part of my work I'm involved with equipment R&D, which gives me unique insight into knowing what works and what's good. There's no question, for me, rigid wings that deliver direct rider feedback are best. I want utmost efficiency and don't care for soft and spongey designs that I find are ineffective. That's probably the result of being a bigger boned rider. It's the same in the water too. Booms and handles I like, unless the softer handles are particularly stiff. That's probably the windsurfer in me. Although, again, with wing design evolving rapidly the integrated elements of booms and handles can give designs a performance boost. Booms and rigid handles also give more hand hold options so, again, these are traits I like.

WSMag: What sort of camera and mounts do you use? What works best for you?

Tez: I'm able to call on the services of a few photographers and mates happy to stand with a camera when I'm on the water testing gear. That's important when showing off a wing or foil. GoPros are ok but the shots can often be less dynamic.

When using action cams I favour small and lightweight. GoPro is good. Although I've used a few less expensive action cams which have been ok. But GoPro guarantees the results. Which is important when trying to get magazine-quality shots. Even for web I want as good quality images as I can get. The most important thing with creating content is showing off the kit in its best light. It isn't always easy as the elements can sometimes conspire against me.

Flymount is an action mount brand I've worked with and used right through. UK designed and manufactured they offer a few different types. The manufacturing and tech is great. I wouldn't trust anything else - especially when on the water. I also use a K4 Fins windsurf harness mount sometimes. This is a pole which protrudes from behind and can be great for certain angles.

WSMag: Are there any manoeuvres, jumps or tricks you are currently working on?

Tez: I can, and have been known, to jump when wing skating.

But I'm more about carving and flowing transitions. Jumping is mainly left for the water these days as liquid is more forgiving should I stack it. I don't bounce well any more!

Moves wise I love a carving 3 or wing duck gybe. Spins are fun too.

WSMag: Have you any advice for someone wanting to get into the sport?

Tez: Wing skating is definitely something any winger should consider. There's a stigma attached to riding skateboards once you're passed a certain age. Yet as a training tool, it's hard to find anything else that replicates the wing foiling experience and aids progression quite so well. It's also super fun in its own right.

There's definitely a chance of decking it. So pads, a lid and protection is worth investing in. Also, consider what kit you want to use. Make life easy for yourself as much as you can. Don't head for sessions in too strong a wind and make sure you give yourself and others space. Take things easy at first and build your confidence.

WSMag: Would you like to see wing skating going more mainstream with global events and races/competitions possibly?

Tez: To be honest I'm not sure this'll ever happen. But I could be wrong. The industry put all their emphasis on wing foiling. Which from a financial point of view I understand. Wing skating will probably remain niche. Although winging's versatility is tangible, so let's see.

WSMag: If yes, how do you see that working and where would the 1st event be held?

Tez: Areas such as wide open, hard packed sandy beaches would probably be good venues for events. I appreciate this is coastal centric but finding inland locations is tricky. Being able to partner water and land action at the same venue would also be more appealing to any brand supporters. Them getting more bang for buck with double the exposure from both foiling and wheel riding.

I'm sure there are some great wing skating venues away from the coast though. I just don’t know where.

WSMag: Anything else you would like to add?

Tez: Winging in general continues to grow and evolve. Whilst it's the foiling, water element that pricks the most interest skate style wing riding is definitely appealing to some. If it makes you happy, and gives fulfilment then do it.

Don't be constrained by hype and hearsay. Make your own choices and enjoy whatever you do. Getting outdoors is great however you enjoy it.

WSMag: It's been great getting your insights and learning about what you do - thanks again Tez!

IG: tez_plavenieks