Drone’s-Eye on the Waves: Capturing the GWA Wingfoil World Cup Hvide Sande Through My Lens (and Propeller)
by Oddhunt Photography — oddhunt.com
It’s September 2023, I found myself at the rugged and wind-buffeted shores of Hvide Sande, Denmark, covering the GWA Wingfoil World Cup. But rather than stick to the beach-level shots everyone expects, I brought along my drone and made the sky my vantage point. What I witnessed from 50- metres up was something entirely different — the patterns, the geometry, the dance between wind, water and athlete looked transformed when viewed from above.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how I approached the event as a drone-photographer, what I learned, and five actionable tips & tricks you can use for your next aerial session — whether it’s sport, travel, or creative storytelling.
A unique playground: Hvide Sande from above
Thanks to its exposure to the North Sea, strong on-shore winds and unique canal geometry, Hvide Sande is now an established stop for the world tour. The GWA Wingfoil World Cup Hvide Sande marked the first time this venue hosted the tour’s Surf-Freestyle and FreeFly-Slalom disciplines — with riders battling for major world-title points. (SURF-Europas grösstes Windsurf-Magazin)
From above, you see more than just riders and waves. You see the entire contest arena: the triangular slalom course, the shimmering North Sea meeting the fjord, the angles of wind and spray, even the spectators and support boats forming a ring around the action. I was able to capture not just “someone in flight” but the full choreography of the event: frames of foil boards, trajectories, highlight turns, ripple trails in the water, and the human-scale context of competition.
What made it special:
The flat, reflective surface of the water early morning gave clean contrast for drone shots.
The wind direction (onshore westerlies) and swell meant foils popped clear and left distinctive tracks. (GWA Wingfoil World Tour)
The surrounding dunes and light were softly lit — perfect for wide-angle aerials capturing the whole site.
Why a bird’s-eye view changes everything
When you elevate the camera — literally — you shift the story. Here’s how:
Context becomes visual story: Instead of just the athlete, you show how they relate to the environment — the course layout, the wind lines, other competitors.
Patterns emerge: Foil tracks, spray arcs, pod-like groups of competitors, even wind-shadows on the sea. These patterns are often invisible from the shore.
Isolation of subject vs scale of event: A drone can zoom in for tight action, then pull back to show a tiny human racing against a vast sea.
Dynamic motion is visible: The foils lifting out of the water, the rider’s shadow on the sea, the wake behind the board — a difference in altitude makes all that pop.
Creative framing becomes possible: From directly overhead, you can create minimalist compositions. From oblique angles, you can dramatise height and motion.
My workflow at the GWA tour — what I did
Here’s how I structured my day-of-shoot:
Pre-event location scan: I arrived early (pre-sunrise). I used the drone to map my take-off/landing zone, check wind direction at altitude, and identify potential compositions (e.g., dune-edge, channel intersection, course triangle).
Permission & safety: The organisers of the GWA tour had location permissions and I registered my drone. Always check local aviation rules.
Gear check: I flew a DJI Mavic 3 (or similar) — reliable battery life, good dynamic range, 4K/5.2K video plus still RAWs. I carried extra batteries, ND filters, and memory cards.
Flight plans: I had two modes:
High-altitude wide shot (≈50-70 m) to capture the full scene and show scale.
Lower oblique pass (≈15-25 m) following athletes during a run, capturing wake spray and human detail.
Shot variety: I alternated between static hover for stills and smooth sweeping pans for video (for clients). I also used the drone to capture behind the scenes: athlete launch area, boats, course markers.
Light & timing: I scheduled sessions for early morning (soft light) and late afternoon (golden hour) when the wind was still active. The angle of light helped highlight spray and wake.
Post-processing: In Lightroom/Photoshop I emphasised contrast between sea and spray, and cropped to compositions that emphasised geometry (triangles, curves). For video I created short drone-motion reels to highlight the event from above.
Storytelling: Alongside the aesthetic shots I aimed to tell a story: wind meets human meet water; the athlete’s journey across the surface; the event’s scale; the competition vibe.
5 drone photography tips & tricks (event & action edition)
Here are the actionable take-aways that you can apply whether you’re covering a watersport, outdoor event or any dynamic scene with a drone.
1. Scout your altitude and perspective beforehand
Don’t just assume “higher is better”. At the GWA event in Hvide Sande I found that 50-70 metres offered the best wide-angle overview. But for tracking the athlete close-up I dropped to around 15-25 metres (respecting safety rules). The key: vary the altitude. Higher gives context and epic scale; lower gives detail and immersive motion. Pre-plan your height ranges and test them early in the day.
2. Use the wind & sun to your advantage
Wind-driven activities like wingfoil produce strong, visible trajectories and spray. At Hvide Sande the onshore westerlies helped the foils pop out of the water and left clean trails. I timed my flights so the sun was at my back or side-angle, to illuminate the spray and board path. Also check wind at altitude if your drone gets buffeted. Use “sport” mode or gentle settings to stabilise your shot.
3. Frame the action within the environment
One mistake many make is to just focus on the athlete and ignore the surroundings. The beauty of aerials is you can include the full venue: the shoreline, dune ridge, course markers, maybe the fjord-channel. At Hvide Sande I captured the triangular slalom course from above, the athlete’s path forming a clear line in the sand and sea. Use leading lines (rider trajectory, board wake) and context (crowd, boats, landforms) to elevate the narrative.
4. Shoot motion smoothly and vary your pace
Movement is what distinguishes great drone footage. I used smooth glides and gentle transitions: for example, I’d start high and far, then descend gradually while following the athlete, finishing with a slow orbit around them to show the motion. Combine slower frames (for stills) with faster “fly-through” sequences (for video). Also switch directions unexpectedly (maybe from behind the rider) for variation. Always monitor battery – motion tracking uses more.
5. Post-process with geometry in mind
When you’re back editing for clients or your portfolio, remember: aerial photography is often about shape, form and pattern. I cropped many images from the event to emphasise triangular course outlines, curving wake trails, and the contrast of foils against open water. Use radial or gradient filters to highlight the subject and darken distracting surroundings. For video, consider short drone-motion reels (10-20 seconds) that show the athlete in motion, with graphics or titles that set the scene (“GWA Hvide Sande – FreeFly Slalom – Bird’s-Eye View”).
Reflections & final thoughts
Covering the GWA Wingfoil World Cup at Hvide Sande from a drone’s perspective made me rethink how I approach event photography. It’s not just about being present: it’s about choosing a vantage point. From the sky, the event reveals new stories: the foils as streaks, the course as geometry, the sea as canvas. My clients at Oddhunt Photography (oddhunt.com) loved the freshness of the aerial shots — they offered “wow-factor” and a unique marketing asset for sponsors and athletes alike.
If you’re heading to an outdoor sporting event, or even a travel scene where motion, water, or wind play a part, I encourage you to bring your drone (with permissions in place) and consider the world above. The results will likely differ from the norm, and that’s exactly why they will stand out.
In summary
Choosing the bird’s-eye view gives context, scale and motion in one frame.
Hvide Sande’s unique site geometry and winds made it a perfect playground for aerials.
A structured workflow (pre-scout, vary altitude, smooth motion, story framing) makes all the difference.
Five key tips: Scout altitudes, use wind & sun, frame environment, vary motion, post-process geometry.
At Oddhunt Photography (oddhunt.com) I’m always exploring fresh vantage points — if you’re looking for unique aerials of sport or events, let’s talk.
Thanks for flying along with me this time — until the next session in the skies, keep elevating your perspective.