Rhode Island
Wings of change: A new foiling era in ocean sports is already underway in Rhode Island
Have you seen a foilboard in Rhode Island yet? You will
Here, the 54-year-old demonstrates how a hydrofoil makes it possible to ride slop in Taylor Swift’s backyard in Watch Hill, RI.
More than 10 years ago in Newport, the foiling and levitating catamarans of the America’s Cup World Series heralded a hydrofoil revolution.
A decade later, after lots of testing and refinement, that revolution has given birth to an entirely new era in ocean watersports.
Call it the foil era.
And it’s already here in Rhode Island, in full foiling force, just in time for the summer of 2024.
“We are at an unbelievable stage in the evolution of foiling,” says Denton Chase, an accomplished foilboarder whose surfing nickname is “Beasho.”
Chase rides his foil in waves off Matunuck each summer before he returns home to Half Moon Bay, California, for another nine months of ocean play, frequently on the mammoth world-famous waves at a reef off Mavericks Beach, and sometimes with big-wave master Jeff Clark and other legends of surf.
Most of Rhode Island’s foilboarders, or “foilers,” remain in love with the traditional sensations of conventional surfing or paddle-surfing or wind sports such as kiteboarding or sailboarding.
But the magic of a hydrofoil can help a rider enjoy such “disciplines” far more frequently, according to Chase and other local foilers.
Plus, the foiling itself, which is yet another distinct water-sport sensation, is quite fun, too, they say, like “floating on a cloud” or snowboarding in the lightest of powder, Chase says.
“It’s never too flat, too windy, too big or too perfect to foil,” the 54-year-old says. “It’s all great.”
The number of people who ride foils are multiplying: If you didn’t see one last summer, prepare for a first sighting this summer.
On a Sunday in early June, Chase is prowling through the outer reefs off Napatree Beach.
His eyes twinkle as he surveys the tops of messy ocean swells heaped by an incoming current.
He’s riding in a boat. But he can’t wait to get on his foilboard.
Just about everywhere he looks, Chase sees a free ride he can hitch.
Foilboards combine power of water and wings
A hydrofoil is basically a set of wings that interacts with water, providing lift and support like the wings of an airplane.
The physics of hydrofoiling allow a foil of much smaller size by comparison.
Modern foilboards are so efficient that some riders can generate enough lift and power to propel themselves with nothing but their own body movements.
A highly skilled pumping action generates lift and forward movement. Old-fashioned paddle-power can help, too.
Some foilers practice this type of foiling in place of a gym workout. But this typically isn’t what motivated them to learn foiling in the first place.
Harnessing nature’s gifts for fun in all conditions
The main objective for many foilers involves the energy that Mother Nature gifts to them in various combinations, especially in the Ocean State.
They’ve always harnessed these forces for the fun of it. But thanks to their new-fangled foils, they aren’t as needy for one-of-a-kind weather events these days.
Foils offer fun in the lamest of surfing conditions, traditionally speaking, or in the lightest of breezes. It’s possible for some people to ride a foil on the current.
“You can create a lot of energy out of nothing quickly,” says Christian Schlebach, a foiler and oceaneering Newport businessman whose company, Hooley, sells foiling equipment.
“There’s so many more places you can do this,” Schlebach says.
“There’s no days off,” he adds.
Have you seen a foilboard in Rhode Island yet? You will.
Denton Chase, a California resident who frequently rides the famous waves at the reef off Mavericks Beach, adores foil riding in RI.
Provided by Casey Barlow
Foil surfers, unlike traditional surfers, can catch and ride an ocean swell long before it breaks. In fact, some can ride a swell that doesn’t break at all.
A foil surfer with a standup paddleboard might venture way out beyond the break at First Beach in Newport to capture and ride a shorebound swell long before it curls near the sandbar.
Another foil rider, averse to that much paddling, might choose a shorter board and stay in the breaking waves and whitewater.
In this discipline, the paddling part is on the tummy, or “prone,” as they call it. But the most enthusiastic practitioners of prone foil surfing usually aren’t prone for long.
They can ride a wave toward shore, exit with enough energy to carve a turn, and coast offshore – going against the surf – for another ride and a fresh burst of energy. With the pumping-type body movements and no paddle, some can keep their surfing stances from one wave ride to the next.
Have you seen a foilboard in Rhode Island yet? You will.
Denton Chase, an accomplished foilboarder, rides with a wing in Watch Hill just outside Taylor Swift’s house and in the bay behind Napatree Beach.
Winging it in Rhode Island on a foilboard
Other foilboarders – or quite possibly the very same people on some other day – might choose a “wing” for extra power generation.
It’s a wing – not a sail – in the lingo.
Foilboarding wings are hand-held.
The leading edge of the canopy has an internal air-inflated bladder that provides structure and shape.
A central strut, somewhat akin to the boom of a sailboard, is inflated, too, with a simple air pump.
Such wings can capture wind, flying stably in the breeze held by just one hand. Wingboarders call it “flagging the wing.”
A new era in water sport means new sporting feats
In Rhode Island, such foils and wings have opened up vast new riding territory, depending on the conditions and the desired type of riding.
One popular combination involves an incoming tide and a north wind blustering down Narragansett Bay in the opposite direction.
The wind adds some extra shape to an incoming current-driven swell.
Wing-wielding foilers target such swells, launching from points along the southern passages and reaching out into the Bay on the north wind.
Then they catch the incoming swell and release the wing.
Wing foilers launching in Saunderstown near the Jamestown Bridge, or at Fort Getty in Jamestown, will ride a north wind south to Beavertail. Then, they’ll catch the incoming swells and ride them back.
Trailing behind them, their leashed wings glide gently in the breeze like pet seagulls as the swell propels them northbound on the foil. When that gets boring, it’s an easy downwind sail back to where they came from.
At the moment, some of the sports pioneers are testing their abilities in extreme ways. In April, says Chase, a Californian named Kyle Pemberton rode a foil 55 miles from Mavericks to Santa Cruz on a wind-driven swell.
The skill and confidence that’s necessary for adventures of such magnitude don’t come easily. Also, foils have lots of hard edges, which raises the stakes of wipeouts in crowded surfing breaks.
But as Chase points out, foiling is possible in lots of different places. That includes some pretty safe environments for learners.
What’s it like learning to foil?
Many foilers start out water-ski style, behind a boat with a tow rope, before they move on to riding foils with help from waves, swells, current or wind.
Schlebach strongly recommends learning the balancing of riding a foil on an electrically powered foil board, or eFoil, which he rents.
“It’s like an airplane running down a runway,” he said. “When the foil hits a certain speed, it lifts.”
At about 5 miles per hour of speed, the foil begins to lift, Schlebach said. At 8 miles per hour, it’s “fully loaded.”
Handling the lift, which is instantaneous, is a big part of the early learning curve.
Novice foilboarders learn to keep their body steady and forward to leverage their own weight against the lift of the foil, which wants to lift right out of the water. Without proper correction and balance, the outcome is a wipeout.
Once a foil is underway, it moves through the water with far less drag than a paddleboard, kayak or sailboard.
A rider can coast through a lull if the wind cuts out briefly or a swell fades for a moment.
“You can literally glide through the lulls,” Schlebach said.
How does foiling in Matunuck compare with California’s Mavericks Beach?
To date, only a few people have ever foilsurfed anywhere near the most forceful “Outer Bowl” section of the reef at Mavericks, according to Chase.
Citing evidence that includes a 2018 video, Chase claims he was the first foilsurfer to catch and ride waves on the reef on a standup foil board and under his own paddle power without any tow-in.
He estimates that he rides Mavericks and other nearby terrain in the Pillar Point area 200 times a year.
Chase, whose middle name is “Summers,” also summers with his family each year on Groton Long Point in eastern Connecticut.
And these days, the Mavericks surfer says his fun flows right through his annual East Coast sojourn, thanks to “exhilarating” local foiling opportunities.
He talks with a sense of fulfillment about stalking the most paltry movements of saltwater on Long Island Sound near Groton Long Point.
He figures he foiled off Matunuck 100 times last year. Compared with his hometown turf, he says, the Rhode Island conditions are glassier and less messy with greater frequency.
“I’m out when no one else is,” he says, “because it’s too flat or too bumpy or imperfect. But these are dreamy welcome conditions compared to Northern California.”
Foiling near a Rhode Island house owned by Taylor Swift
Indeed, no one else is at play in the heaving swells just east of Watch Hill’s lighthouse, and just south of “Holiday House” – Taylor Swift’s vacation home up on the bluff.
The small center console boat bobs dramatically in the chop. Nothing about the conditions looks very promising for boarding. But Chase raves.
He pulls out a hand tool. Then, he bolts a sharp-edged foil to his experts-only board, which he built himself.
His hair is wet from rain and spray. In a metaphorical way, Chase says he intends to keep it dry. In other words, no wipeouts or even light falls. From the boat, he carefully sits himself on the floating foil board.
A short distance away, he paddles furiously. His foil takes off. The ride lasts more than a minute and whisks him a distance of almost three football fields. The course zigs extensively and then it zags just off the pop-singer’s beach. Soon, Chase will joke that he’s seen her boyfriend, Travis Kelce.
But first, he paddles out again for another magic carpet ride.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing
37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from May 8 drawing
Midday: 9-8-9-7
Evening: 7-9-8-9
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 8 drawing
10-13-15-16-30, Extra: 09
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing
14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The tectonic plates of Rhode Island politics keep shifting, but does the state really change? Thanks for stopping by. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. Here we go.
*** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Sign up right here ***
Listen up: Ocean State Media now has a single powerful statewide radio frequency at 103.7
1. STORY OF THE WEEK
Fifteen years after starting his first term in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, Chris Blazejewski has ascended to the pinnacle of power, winning an overwhelming 65-10 vote Thursday to become the new House speaker. Blazejewski’s path was paved when he teamed up with Joe Shekarchi on the leadership team after Nicholas Mattiello lost his state rep seat in 2020. Over time, a few things stand out about the 46-year-old lawyer variously known as Chris, Blaz, and Blaze. He has impressive academic credentials, including two degrees from Harvard. Blazejewski is known for his devotion to his wife, Ami Gada, and their two young children, Aria and Liam. Blazejewski represents a safely Democratic seat based in Fox Point. He was a loyal ally to Shekarchi, patiently biding his time. At his essence, Blazejewski has an appreciation for progressive politics, but he’s also an institutionalist steeped in the culture of the House of Representatives and grounded by the fiscal challenges of Rhode Island’s budgetary outlook. A fanciful skit for the bygone Providence Newspaper Guild Follies could feature Blazejewski pursuing a utopian scheme – perhaps nationalizing Rhode Island’s strategic reserve of coffee milk. Back in the real world, though, a number of factors – including the array of Democratic views in the House and the state’s structural deficit – seem likely to temper the new speaker’s progressive impulse. In the first question he took after his win, Blazejewski told me his core values as a Democrat include helping working people, improving healthcare and public education, protecting the environment and guarding against federal overreach. The devil is in the details, of course, and the proof of how Blazejewski influences state policy will be in the pudding. He’ll have his initial test next month when the House rolls out its version of the budget, with a big potential impact from President Trump’s spending bill.
2. WINDS OF CHANGE
Speaker Blazejewski is 17 years younger than his predecessor and he’s one of just six state representatives left from the incoming class of 2010. (The others are Reps. David Bennett of Warwick, Teresa Tanzi of South Kingstown, Ray Hull of Providence, Robert Phillips of Woonsocket and GOP House Leader Michael Chippendale of Foster). His ascent reflects generational change and how progressives have nudged the House in a more progressive direction over the last 15 years. Blazejewski’s predecessor in District 2, David Segal – once dubbed the hippest guy in state government – was among those who came to the House chamber to congratulate him. Segal was part of an early boomlet of progressive wins in the House, along with Chris Fierro and the late Ray Sullivan. But none of them stayed long. Instead, the growing proportion of women lawmakers over time has fueled a move away from the socially conservative/pro-2A Democratic center of gravity that formerly typified the House. That also explains how former House Majority Whip Katherine Kazarian of East Providence made history this week, beaming in her new role as the first female majority leader in the House. “I have a feeling, Katie,” Blazejewski said in his speech from the rostrum, “that this is not the last of your firsts.”
3. REALITY CHECK
The passing of the torch from Joe Shekarchi to Chris Blazejewski mixed celebration and bittersweetness in the House chamber. For Blazejewski, it’s the culmination of a long journey. It’s also the end of an era for Shekarchi, whose voice broke with emotion as he gave a parting speech reflecting on more than five years in what is sometimes called Rhode Island’s most powerful political post. He took credit for changing the House culture “into a more positive member-driven body where all perspectives are heard, respected and valued.” Speaking to what he sees as his legacy, Shekarchi cited progress on housing, healthcare, education funding, pay equity and other issues. There was a buzz of goodwill in the House chamber for the departing speaker and the new team rising in power. But Rhode Island’s thorniest challenges – the housing crisis, insufficient drivers of economic growth, under-performing public schools, and lower insurance reimbursement than in neighboring states – never remain far away.
4. NEXT STEP
Roger Williams University School of Law professor Michael J. Yelnosky is the most outspoken critic of former Speaker Joe Shekarchi’s application to move directly to the Rhode Island Supreme Court from the General Assembly. Shekarchi said he has studied the revolving door law and is convinced it doesn’t apply to the Supreme Court. A complaint filed by Yelnosky with the state Ethics Commission may be taken up during the commission’s next meeting, on June 2. A number of prominent people, including Gov. Dan McKee and candidate Helena Foulkes, have said they don’t see a problem with Shekarchi’s application. Speaking from the rostrum Thursday, Speaker Blazejewski said he believes Shekarchi will make a great justice.
5. THE MILITARY
The Pentagon’s recent $25 billion estimate for the cost of the war in Iran doesn’t come close to resembling the true amount, according to Stephanie Savell, director of the Costs of War Project at Brown University. “That is just the very smallest tip of the iceberg,” Savell said during a One on One interview with me this week. The bigger point is the huge amount of economic cost being accumulated by the U.S., she said, with no end in sight. Savell said the U.S. now owes $31 trillion in debt, largely from post-9/11 wars and a series of tax cuts, and she said 15% of the federal budget goes for that each year. “I have to get in front of my college students and tell them ‘Our leaders have made a decision to saddle you with a tremendous amount of debt that’s gonna affect all of the things that you care about,’” Savell said. We also talked about drones, Rhode Island’s defense sector, whether other forms of spending are more efficient and more.
U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo joined CNN to talk about the cost of gas.
Stephanie Savell, director of the Costs of War project at Brown University, says much of the United States’ massive defense budget could be better spent on education, health care and green energy
6. CITY HAUL
Providence City Councilor Ana Vargas pulled in the biggest campaign fundraising of her career – more than $16,000 – as the council was approaching a vote on rent stabilization. Landlords flooded her campaign account, as my colleague Ben Berke reports, and she took their side in two votes. As Ben reports, “Prior to the rent control debate, Vargas had been one of the city council’s least prolific fundraisers, raising an average of $873 per quarter. She began 2026 with just $426 in her campaign account, and received only two campaign contributions all of last year.” Vargas declined an interview request and she did not respond to additional requests for comment.
Providence City Councilor Ana Vargas supported rent control during her election campaign. As she prepared to vote on it, she received the largest political donations of her career
7. BARGAIN HUNT
Democrat Wil Gregersen got in touch after going unmentioned in last week’s column in an item on first-quarter fundraising by candidates for governor. As Gregersen noted, he has more in his campaign account ($473.60) than some of those who were mentioned. “I’m serious about my candidacy,” he wrote. “Money is corrupting, and I’m purposely staying off the usual path candidates take to get elected.” Gregersen, a librarian in Warwick, proposes single-payer healthcare, a publicly owned energy utility and more – without explaining how he would pay to do this. Candidates like Gregersen and independent candidate for governor Paul Rianna Jr. run in every statewide election cycle, attracting a small amount of votes. Like it or not, campaign fundraising is a big part of our politics – a situation intensified by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision in 2010. The only counter-example in recent Rhode Island history is the late Robert “Cool Moose” Healey, who won 21% of the vote for governor in 2014 while barely spending any money. But that was after a half-dozen or so runs for statewide office and Healey understood how to use schtick to gain wider recognition. Something he told me in 2002 about the challenge facing third-party candidates seems apt for those hoping to run a statewide campaign without significant fundraising: “It’s about being outside the mainstream, being able to challenge the status quo. As one person said to me, `You can’t beat City Hall, but you can piss on the steps.’”
8. THE KIDS ARE NOT ALRIGHT
The latest data from Rhode Island KIDS COUNT shows that more Rhode Island children (16.3%) live in poverty than the national average. The rate in Newport, a city known more for tourism and Gilded Age mansions, is 32%. “We see kids with mental health challenges, challenges in school, difficulty in school, mental behavioral health,” KIDS COUNT Executive Director Paige Parks told Luis Hernandez in an interview. “It all stems from poverty.” She urges state lawmakers to continue to invest in early childhood programs and Rhode Island Works, a workforce development program for low-income families.
9. RI POLI-MEDIA PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
State Rep. Julie Casimiro (D-North Kingstown) is not seeking re-election, and former Sen. James Sheehan – motivated by the controversial sludge proposal – may run for the seat. Casimiro had been considered a top target for the League of Rhode Island Businesses …. Nick Fede, who spoke with me for a previous story about the challenge facing small brewers in RI, has won election as president of American Beverage Licensees, a leading national trade association …. Haley Gervino is the new executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence. A graduate of Providence College and Brandeis University, she serves as VP of operations for Sisters in Public Health …. Will this be the year when Drinking Liberally seeds new statewide leaders? Speaker Blazejewski hosted the bygone beer-and-chat series at the Wild Colonial back in the day. Another host was Kim Ahern, one of four Democrats running for AG …. Danica Iacoi, who served as chief legal counsel for former Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, is back in that role with Blazejewski.
10. OLD SCHOOL
Eighty percent of Americans think there should be age caps on serving in Congress, according to a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll. As NPR’s Elena Moore reports, “The current Congress is now the third-oldest in U.S. history, and has seen five members die since last March. Each was 65 or older. For some voters, the widening age difference between them and members of Congress is contributing to an already growing disconnect that they feel with leaders.”
11. KICKER
Betting has become inextricably intertwined with professional sports, with predictable results. Now, as NPR’s Luke Garrett reports, campaign staffers are getting in on the action, making thousands by betting on their own candidates. What could possibly go wrong, eh? U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner said his office has implemented a prohibition on participating in prediction markets or wagering on political, legislative, regulatory, geopolitical or other outcomes.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 7, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Numbers numbers from May 7 drawing
Midday: 9-3-7-1
Evening: 1-8-1-8
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 7 drawing
12-13-19-22-29, Extra: 02
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 7 drawing
05-08-21-44-48, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
-
Sports3 minutes agoPrep talk: Southern Section Division 1 semifinals features matchup of boys’ volleyball powers
-
World15 minutes agoEurope Day: 40 years of ties between Spain and the European Union
-
News45 minutes agoFrontier Airlines plane hits person on runway during takeoff at Denver airport
-
New York2 hours agoMan Dies in Subway Attack; Mamdani Orders Inquiry Into Suspect’s Release From Bellevue
-
Detroit, MI3 hours agoPatchy dense fog turns to stronger thunderstorms for Metro Detroit to start the weekend
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours agoWhere to watch Pittsburgh Pirates vs San Francisco Giants: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 9
-
Dallas, TX3 hours agoFC Dallas vs Real Salt Lake Preview: Lineups, Storylines & What to Watch
-
Miami, FL3 hours agoMiami Area Gets First New Manufactured Home Community in Decades