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A record-breaking crossing in total autonomy
At the age of 32, Tom Constant has just achieved an outstanding performance in the world of foiling. Setting off at dawn from Palavas-les-Flots, he reached the Almanarre beach in Hyères after 7 hours 37 minutes of continuous effort, carried solely by the swell and the power of his legs.
In doing so, he set a new world record for the distance covered in foils alone, with no accompanying boat, logistical assistance or support at sea. "I set off in complete autonomy, with a backpack containing water, food and a GPS watch to ensure my position. It was free sailing, where you had to manage everything yourself", he explains.
A waterman's challenge
Tom Constant is no stranger to the world of surfing. An all-round athlete, he practices surfing, stand-up paddle, wingfoil and downwind. This time, he wanted to test the limits of solo endurance and concentration. While this athlete's level of skill is well established, it's worth remembering that not everyone can achieve such a feat, and that safety equipment (VHF, cyalum, flash light and pero beacon) is essential for this type of performance.
Equipped with a 750 cm² foil and an 8'0 x 17.5'' (108-liter) board, it maintained an impressive average speed of 26.1 km/h, relying solely on the movement of the swell to generate its propulsion.
"The last forty kilometers were terrible. I was exhausted, totally dehydrated, but I knew I was going to the end "he confided on his arrival in Hyères.
Offshore sailing, alone in the Mediterranean
During the crossing, the athlete drifted up to 15 km from the coast, without visual reference or external support. Only his connected watch provided real-time GPS tracking.
This record is in line with the great foil crossings of recent years, but with one notable difference: no support boat. In June 2025, sportsman Erwan Jauffroy sailed from Toulon to Calvi (244 km) in 12 hours 19 minutes, with a support team at sea, and then broke the solo distance record by sailing from Toulon to Cavalaire along the shore, covering 156.5 km in 6 hours 35 minutes.
