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Canary Islands · Downwind foil

Ride the downwind
with the trade winds.
Never alone.

We are a community of SUP foil, parawing and wing foil riders running open downwinds along the coast of Gran Canaria. We call it when the wind fills in, sort out cars between start and finish, and do the downwind together.

Join the next downwind Free, no fees

Iballa Ruano, Foil Only, Moritz Mauch and Miguel Chapuis have already done downwinds with the community. Follow along on @alisios.downwind

Alisios DW logo: a crested fish flying on a foil inside a blue and yellow burst
What a call looks like in the group

Trade winds kick in tomorrow. Meet at 10:30 in Pozo, drop the cars and drive up to El Burrero together. Intermediate level, 3 seats left.

SUP foil Parawing Wing foil Gran Canaria Open runs SUP foil Parawing Wing foil Gran Canaria Open runs SUP foil Parawing Wing foil Gran Canaria Open runs

Why ride as a group

Doing downwind alone has three problems. In a group, none.

  • Logistics

    On your own

    A downwind starts in one place and ends in another. Without a second car waiting at the finish, there is no run.

    As a group

    We sort out cars in the group: we leave some at the finish and drive up to the start together.

  • Safety

    On your own

    Breaking gear in the middle of a downwind can get tricky, especially if you are alone and far from the coast.

    As a group

    Having company always helps you get back to shore. We go out together, with a shared route and riders who know every way in and out of the water.

  • Progression

    On your own

    Learning to read the swell by trial and error takes whole seasons.

    As a group

    You ride next to people with more hours, see their line and copy what works.

In Gran Canaria there is plenty of wind. What was missing was someone to ride with.

Disciplines

Three ways to ride the same wind downwind

Every call says which disciplines the route suits. Many runs mix riders from all three.

  • SUP foil

    The purest form. You paddle up on the chop and link bumps with no power but the ocean's.

    What you need

    • Downwind board, foil and paddle
    • Paddling up in choppy water

  • Parawing

    A boomless wing that gives you the push to get up, then packs away so you can surf the swell.

    What you need

    • Board, foil and parawing
    • Comfortable riding a parawing

  • Wing foil

    Constant power to link swells and get back up if you fall halfway down the route.

    What you need

    • Board, foil and wing
    • Riding downwind with ease

Gallery

This is what a run looks like

This is what our downwind days with the community look like.

More photos on Instagram
  • Four riders by a van going over the plan, with boards and foils on the ground
    Briefing before the run
  • A rider walks to the water with a foil on his shoulder, followed by two more riders
    Heading to the water
  • Rider flying on the foil in open water, filmed with a handheld camera
    Mid-run
  • Three smiling riders next to a van with boards and foils after the run
    Van, boards and laughs
  • Several riders getting into the water with their foil boards from the shore
    Launching from the shore
  • Rider on the foil in open water with the paddle raised
    Flying with the trades
  • Two riders paddling out to sea; one points the way with his paddle
    Chasing the first bump

The community

It started with a few friends. Now even the pros show up.

Alisios was born so nobody has to do downwind alone. Today it is an open group of riders from all over the island, and we share every run on Instagram.

See @alisios.downwind

Who has ridden with us

  • Two SUP foil riders mid downwind on blue water, one in a pink vest paddling and the other waving
    On the water
  • Group selfie by the van with boards and foils ready before heading out
    Before the run
  • The group celebrating at the finish with a purple downwind board and beers in hand
    After the run

Behind the project

Four friends hooked on downwind

Alisios was started by four friends who could not stop doing downwinds. We wanted to have fun with more people and share that adrenaline rush of linking bumps with the trade wind pushing from behind.

The crew, on and off the water

Cars full of boards, post-run coffees and sunsets by the van. Just a regular Alisios day.

Satellite map of Gran Canaria's east coast with the GPS track of a 22.8 km downwind, top speed 16.4 knots and average 7.7 knots
GPS track · 12 May 2026 Downwind along the east coast
Distance
22.8 km
Top speed
16.4 knots
Avg speed
7.7 knots
  • Three smiling riders in the car on the way to the start of the downwind
    Heading to the start
  • Three riders with their boards, foils and parawings after a run
    Run done
  • Riders unloading foils and wings from vans in a car park with palm trees in Pozo
    Gearing up in Pozo
  • Two riders with SUP foil boards and paddles by the sea
    Ready to paddle
  • Two riders next to the van with a pink sunset behind them
    Sunset by the van
  • Two riders in wetsuits chatting on a pebble beach before getting in
    Before going out
  • Two riders looking at the camera footage after the run
    Checking the GoPro
  • The crew having a drink at a café after the downwind
    Post-run coffee
  • Two riders with their boards and parawings on the promenade after the run
    Back on land

Newsletter

El Pez Volador Report

No. 00 Every three weeks · Spanish and English Gran Canaria

Downwind from Gran Canaria and the world, in your inbox.

For people who ride downwind here and people who dream of coming. Runs, tips, what is happening on other coasts and what is new at Alisios.

  1. 01

    Featured run

    Where it was, the wind and who was on the water, with photos or video.

  2. 02

    One tip

    Technique, gear or safety you can use on your next session.

  3. 03

    Downwind around the world

    What is going on in Maui, Tarifa, Australia or the Baltic.

  4. 04

    Our news

    Upcoming runs, merch, courses and guest riders on the island.

Subscribe for free

Just your email. One issue every three weeks, no spam.

Free. Unsubscribe in one click. By subscribing you accept the privacy policy (in Spanish).

See all issues

Tell it in the Report

We make the Report together. Send us your story and we read every word: the best ones go in the next issue, with your name and your Instagram.

  • A run that blew your mind, here or on any coast
  • An experience: your first take-off, a scare, a lesson
  • Your take on gear, spots or how to make the community better
What are you sending

By sending it you accept the privacy policy (in Spanish).

2026 collection

Community merch

These are the first designs and they are not final yet. We will keep refining them with the community and show them first to El Pez Volador Report subscribers, before the pre-order opens.

Subscribe to see them first
  • Mockup of Este Water Cap

    Este Water Cap

    Surf cap with chin strap and fish patch, so it stays on mid-run

  • Mockup of Flying Fish Trucker

    Flying Fish Trucker

    Cream front, black mesh and logo patch

  • Mockup of Bump Hooded Lycra

    Bump Hooded Lycra

    Long sleeves, hood and neck cover for the sunny hours

  • Mockup of Alisios Tee

    Alisios Tee

    Big logo on the back, on navy blue

Provisional mockups. Final designs, colours and garments will be shared with newsletter subscribers first.

Coming up

Courses, pro runs and filming

We are setting it up as a club, with insurance and qualified instructors. Tick what interests you in the community form and you will hear before anyone else.

I want to be part of Alisios Downwind

Leave us your email and tell us what you are into. It helps us decide which courses to run and how much merch to make, and you hear about it first.

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What do you ride
What are you interested in
Which activities would you join?

Tick as many as you like. It helps us decide which ones to run first.

Which pieces are you interested in?

Tick the ones you would buy, so we know how many to make.

FAQ

What people ask us before their first downwind

How much does a downwind cost?

Community runs are free. Every rider brings their own gear and, if we share cars, fuel is split between the people in each car.

What level do I need?

For open runs you need to get up on foil without help and handle long sessions on the water. If you cannot get up in chop yet, sign up anyway: we will let you know when beginner sessions open.

What gear do I need?

Your board and foil, a buoyancy or impact vest, a leash and your phone in a waterproof case. We recommend a helmet. For parawing and wing foil, your wing.

Where are the runs?

We choose the route based on the direction and strength of the trade wind and the sea state. Route, meeting point and level are posted in the group before every session.

How do I hear about the next one?

Through the WhatsApp group and Instagram. We post as soon as the forecast confirms wind, usually one or two days ahead.

Can I join if I am just visiting the island?

Yes. Write to us a few days ahead and we will tell you which runs suit your level and whether there is a seat in a car.

Do you rent gear?

Not yet. If you need gear, we can point you to shops on the island we know.

Who is responsible on the water?

On open runs every rider goes out at their own risk and decides based on their level and the sea state. The courses and guided sessions we launch will have insurance and qualified instructors.

When do courses start?

We are working on them. Tick them in the community form and we will tell you before spots open.

What do you do with my data?

We only use it to tell you about runs and community news. We do not share it with anyone and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Join the next downwind runs in Gran Canaria

To join a run, all you need is our WhatsApp group. That is where we call it when the trade winds fill in, share start, finish and level, and sort out cars together.

  • Free, no fees
  • Messages only when there is wind
  • Leave the group whenever you like

How to join

  1. Join the WhatsApp group with the button below.

  2. When the forecast confirms wind, we post the run with time, start, finish and level.

  3. Reply in the group to sign up and we meet at the finish to sort out cars.

Join the WhatsApp group

WhatsApp opens. On a computer you can join from WhatsApp Web.

Join the group Free runs Never alone Northeast trades Join the group Free runs Never alone Northeast trades Join the group Free runs Never alone Northeast trades