Katrin Kolo Choreographic Thinking - Mentoring - Pumpfoiling - Artistic Practice
What is pump foiling?
Pumpfoiling is movement that transforms you. You float seemingly weightlessly above the water – and at the same time, dive deep into yourself. What seems like "just" a sport quickly becomes a physical, mental, and emotional learning experience:
You train patience, self-confidence and perseverance.
You face your doubts, blockages, old patterns – and overcome them.
You learn as you learn – and grow through challenges.
You are in nature and learn to read water, wind and weather phenomena.
And you will become part of a curious, open and supportive community.
Anyone can learn pump foiling, regardless of age , height, or weight . Fitness levels increase with training , so it's not a prerequisite. All you need to bring is swimming skills, patience, and the will to stick with it. This makes pump foiling a joy both on and off the water from the very first moment.
How do I teach?
I'll help you activate your physical intelligence and find your individual approach to pump foiling. We'll work with your body 's biography, your posture, your movement patterns - and , above all, with joy.
Pump foiling is a complex movement - technically, physically, and mentally challenging. My own experience as a dancer and choreographer , as a coach, and my own, not entirely obstacle-free, foiling journey gave rise to my method, which I continue to develop further. Because the sport itself continues to evolve rapidly.
I'll give you targeted warm-ups and training exercises that you can also use outside of the water – for coordination, flexibility, and muscle activation. This way, you can prevent injuries, use your learning time in the water more efficiently, and prepare your body specifically.
I'll advise you on the right equipment – clear, brand-neutral, and tailored to your needs. Whether foil, board , or wetsuit: I'll explain what 's important, which setups make sense for your body type, your experience level, and your goals – and I'm happy to support you in your purchase. During the coaching session, you can borrow equipment from me if you wish.
I quickly recognize your physical strengths – and where movement sequences are blocked or compensated. I draw on my background in dance and movement training to help you develop your sense of rhythm, momentum, and balance.
You are the focus : I see every movement, every question, every challenge as part of a unique learning process. I listen, I observe – and I accompany you on your journey. The equipment is important, but not everything. What matters is you. Your safety too: That's why I completed the SLRG Pool+ and Marine Module certifications, as well as the official BLS-AED first aid course.
Learn to fly with nature : Pumpfoiling is an invitation to connect – with the water, the wind, your breath, your body. When everything comes together, magic happens: Then you take off. Not just physically, but also internally.
Where and how does it start and continue?
On Lake Zurich – year-round with individual coaching or small groups . We launch from the jetty, pontoon, rock, or ladder. Register or contact me for more details!
In the pool – starting in fall 2025, weekly evening training sessions in Zurich Register or get mor information!
Wherever you want —I'd love to travel and bring pump foiling to your area or help you find local coaches. Feel free to contact me!
Via video coaching : Have you already started but are stuck on your own? You can send me short video clips, and I'll give you feedback via voice message. Just write to me !
As part of camps and workations : Multi-day intensive group courses at specially selected locations, bookable for individuals or teams. Contact us for current opportunities!
You can subscribe to my mailing list or follow me on Instagram to get regular insights into what's new and what's going on.
What do you need?
Time: Learning pump foiling takes time. But that's part of the magic. You will fall a lot. As a child, you learned to walk this way; now you're learning to fly.
Equipment: You'll need a pump foil set (board + foil) . You can rent it , buy it secondhand, or buy it new. A wetsuit is ideal - even in summer. Also recommended are a helmet and impact vest, neoprene shoes, and gloves.
Costs: The costs may seem high at first, but practicing the sport is free worldwide, often practically on your doorstep. You can get started with 1-5 coaching sessions. From there, you can usually develop further on your own and with the help of the community.
Pumpfoil is a solo, team and a society sport
Pump foiling is more than just a trendy sport. Currently, significantly more men than women practice it. Switzerland probably has the largest community in the world . It's important to me to make this sport accessible to everyone and to develop it further with everyone. I'm convinced that if we succeed in doing this, we will make an important contribution to the positive development of our society.
Although pump foiling is an individual sport, it is ideal for groups of friends and even the whole family. This is because, especially at the beginning, you stay quite close to the shore and are therefore in constant contact with those who are not currently flying over the water.
Get involved: Exchange with pumpfoilers, when you meet them at the shore, try pump foiling yourself and encourage others to do the same, share photos and videos (taken with the consent of the person pictured ), support our research by participating in surveys, and become part of the Foilsisters & Their Brothers. Get in touch if you have questions, ideas, or suggestions that could make pump foiling possible for everyone.
How to make Pumpfoiling a more inclusive sport?
I am very grateful to have been invited to speak with Matthias Kaufmann in the first Live "up on foil" Podcast about this topic and many others.
I look forward to hearing from you via form , by email info@katrinkolo.com or phone +41 76 331 29 48
Katrin Kolo Choreographic Thinking - Mentoring - Pumpfoiling - Artistic Practice