Inbound: Wingman Loop System

Wingman’s innovative Loop System has now been adopted by a gaggle of top-level pros. Ronny Kiaulehn, co-founder of the brand along with his son Pietro, provided us a little more insight into this growing range…

Hi Ronny. First up, I know your harness line range has grown recently, so could you please give us a brief overview of the range now, and what sets each harness line apart?

The Wingman Loop System has expanded from simple fixed-length lines to fully adjustable and spinning models, giving riders a full range of setup options. It started with the Loop – a simple, fixed-length solution for riders who want minimal setup and a direct connection to the wing. Then came the Spinner, developed with Balz Müller, featuring a spinning harness line that keeps riders hooked in during tacks and jibes. It makes transitions faster and smoother, and opens up new possibilities for creative hands-free maneuvers. Thanks to the Spinner, Balz landed his first no-handed backflip, which he named the “Wingman Flip.” The range then grew with the VarioLoop 60, an adjustable harness line offering 60mm of range through a 2:1 pulley system. It’s super smooth to pull and perfect for riders who tweak their harness line length often while riding, for example, to fine-tune it for different courses. The development was inspired and heavily tested together with top racer Alessandro Tomasi. The VarioLoop 120 provides 120mm of total range with a 1:1 setup, making it slightly stiffer to pull. It’s ideal for riders looking for double the adjustment range compared to the 60, and more flexibility to find the right trim across different setups, even if they adjust less often. Riccardo Zorzi played a big role in pushing and testing the VarioLoop 120 through intense race conditions. Finally, the VarioSpinner became reality – combining spinning function and full-length adjustability in one harness line. After realizing the Spinner, Balz Müller challenged Wingman to create this advanced setup, blending spin and length adjustment into one system. It was a real technical challenge, but it led to Balz’s dream harness line: the VarioSpinner.

Together, the range covers different riding styles depending on how much flexibility and movement a rider is looking for – with the Spinner and VarioSpinner also offering full compatibility for Parawing setups.

What would you say has been the overall design philosophy behind this range?

The Wingman Loop System came from the need for more sensitive, direct, and precise steering. Ale Tomasi was one of the first riders pushing for a better connection after feeling too locked-in with traditional two-point harness lines, and all of our riders quickly appreciated the advantages of switching to a mono-harness line setup. We wanted to rethink harness lines completely. Traditional systems hadn’t changed much in 30 years – staying fixed to the boom and making power point adjustments on the fly nearly impossible. With Wingman, we built a new system from scratch, creating a stable connection with the boom or hard handle so the harness line stays in position without swinging around, always ready to hook back in.

Later, we added the ability to adjust the power point on the fly by pairing the harness lines with our BoomCover, giving riders even more control. And with the VarioLoops, we made it possible to adjust not just the power point position, but also the harness line length itself.

Today, top wingfoil racers like Ale Tomasi, Ricky Zorzi, Nico Spanu, Luca Franchi, and Nia Suardiaz rely on the mono-harness line system.

And what about the BoomCover – this looks like something the racers out there are really going to benefit from…

The BoomCover started as a simple Velcro wrap designed to protect the boom or hard handle grip from the 3D-printed head parts of our harness lines.

But it quickly became a key part of the Wingman Loop System. With a grippy mesh material on the inside, the BoomCover locks the harness line firmly onto the boom or handle, preventing it from swinging around. The harness line stays exactly where you need it – always ready to hook back in without searching.

At the same time, the BoomCover unlocks something no other system can offer: smooth side-to-side adjustment of the harness line while riding. You can easily fine-tune your wing’s power point and sweet spot with just a thumb push, even when hooked in and under full load. For example, you can slide the harness line further back for upwind courses, or move it forward for downwind or half-wind legs – all without unhooking.

Racers can fine-tune their trim between courses, but it's just as valuable for everyday riders and newcomers getting into harness use.

Can you talk about how the materials and construction choices have contributed to the durability and feel of your harness systems?

We use premium materials throughout the Wingman harness line range: double PU tubes for durability, America’s Cup approved Dyneema rope for maximum strength, and high-end MJF 3D prints for all plastic parts. Each harness line is custom-built, one by one, in our workshop in Torbole, Lake Garda, which also allows us to offer custom lengths or adapt setups to match specific rider needs. Real sustainability isn't just about using recyclable materials – it’s about building gear that truly lasts. At Wingman, we focus on durable, modular products made to stay in use for years, not just a season.

How do these products integrate with each other – and with existing wing setups – for a seamless rigging and riding experience?

The Wingman modular system fits any wing setup with long hard handles or booms, across all brands and all diameters. If needed, we also offer “The Handle,” an extra handle that can be mounted between two hard handles to match the right power point. We usually recommend installing a BoomCover on each wing you use. Thanks to our Velcro attachment system, you can easily swap your harness line between wings in seconds – so one harness line is enough for your full quiver.

Looking ahead, where do you see wingfoil harness tech evolving?

When Wingman started, many thought harnesses wouldn't be needed in wingfoiling. But just like in windsurfing and kitesurfing, using a harness is becoming the standard – especially in freeriding, racing, and long-distance riding. We believe it will soon be a normal part of most riders' setups. Wings and booms are evolving too, with longer front hard handles, better boom designs, and modular solutions like our extra handles. Looking ahead, harness tech will become even more modular, long-lasting, and adaptable, and that's exactly the path we're following with Wingman.

Finally, we know you have something else in the works… Do you wanna tease it out to our readers?!

We’re working on something new that will take third-person view filming in water sports and action sports to the next level. It’s designed for content creators who want more stability, better control, and higher-quality footage – not only in wingfoiling, but across all foiling and action sports. We’re keeping it under wraps a little longer, but it’s getting close!