This episode is brought to you by Armstrong Foils. Armstrong Foils are a founding member and proud supporter of the all new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) To learn more visit: www.gfafoilworld.com / www.armstrongfoils.com

Welcome to Episode #2 of the Foil Life Travel Show. On this episode we’re heading to the wind-swept shores of La Ventana, Baja California Sur, Mexico — the legendary kiteboarding and foiling mecca in the Sea of Cortez, famous for its warm turquoise waters, super-consistent thermal winds, sandy beaches, and that pure Baja desert-meets-ocean lifestyle. In this episode, dive deep with Marty from Strong Kiteboarding (originally founded by Dwayne Strong)

What we cover:

- How Marty (former mechanical engineer and journeyman welder) and his wife Jill took over the school, now in their 15th season running it in La Ventana — building it into a family-operated business with permanent roots, two kids, and a tight-knit, multilingual instructor team
- Why La Ventana is a foil & wing paradise: warm 29°C (83–84°F) water, early-season thermals that can start as soon as mid-October, flat-to-rolling sandy conditions perfect for beginners, and bigger Nortes swells that draw advanced wave riders — all with minimal crowds on northern semi-private beaches
- The standout teaching system: private 1-on-1 watercraft-assisted lessons (jet ski support right beside you for instant, real-time feedback, maximum safety, and way more time actually riding — no endless beach walking!), morning tow-foiling in glassy flats to get beginners feeling the foil fast (knees in minutes, standing often under an hour!), ground wing training, and new options like para-winging
- Lessons covering kiteboarding, wing foiling (massive growth area), tow foiling, kite foiling specialties, and para-winging — catering to every level from total beginners to advanced (including strapless freestyle with pros like head instructor Logan)
- Full-service perks: all gear provided (helmets, PFDs, harnesses, bars, boards, kites, wings, foils in every size from Ozone and Core), rentals available, flexible multi-day packages, group/family sessions (up to 10+ people), pick-up/drop-off options, and expert local knowledge on accommodations, whale watching, fishing, mountain biking, diving, and the incredible Sea of Cortez wildlife

If you’re looking for rapid foiling progress, warm water, uncrowded northern launch spots like Ventana Bay Resort or Fig Tree, a welcoming community, and full Baja adventure vibes — this is the spot.

Book your La Ventana kite/foil adventure at: https://strongkiteboarding.com/ 
WhatsApp: +1 (250) 813-0035 | Email: [email protected]

Read our article: https://foillifepodcast.com/blog/discovering-la-ventanas-foiling-magic-inside-strong-kiteboarding-with-marty-and-jill

Next stop… who knows? Drop your dream foil destination in the comments ⬇️

This episode is brought to you by Armstrong Foils. Armstrong Foils are a founding member and proud supporter of the all new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) To learn more visit: www.gfafoilworld.com / www.armstrongfoils.com

In this episode which is brought to you by Armstrong Foils, we sit down with Dr. Jørgen Vogt—Secretary General of the GKA, GWA, and the brand-new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA), plus co-founder of the rapidly growing Surf Foil World Tour (SFT). Fresh into 2026, Jørgen shares the exciting vision behind forming the GFA and what it means for the future of non-wind-powered foiling disciplines.

Episode Overview:

• Why a dedicated association like the GFA was needed → to give emerging brands (like Foil Drive) and passionate individuals a unified voice separate from wind-powered sports
• Protecting the sport from misguided bans and regulations → real-world examples from kiting and wing foiling, the power of one strong international body when facing politicians or environmental concerns, and educating authorities on why foiling belongs on our waters
• Representation at high levels, including potential IOC discussions → ensuring the community—not outsiders—shapes the sport if it ever reaches Olympic consideration
• Unifying disciplines under one umbrella → consistent rules, clear world champions, better sponsorship opportunities for young pros, and support for recreational riders at local spots
• How the GFA benefits everyday foilers → from gear innovation and community strength to fighting access restrictions and promoting safety/environmental harmony
• The inclusive board structure → bringing together diverse voices from surf foiling, e-foiling, foil assist, and more for balanced governance
• Jørgen's unique background as a lawyer (LLM/PhD) turned full-time watersports advocate → why legal expertise matters for building legitimate, respected associations
• Looking ahead to SFT Season 2 → a welcoming, fun-focused tour where amateurs and pros mix, no one should fear entering, and the spirit is all about community, gear talk, and pure enjoyment

From preventing future bans to empowering small brands and grassroots riders, this conversation reveals why unified governance is the key to keeping non-wind foiling free, growing, and true to its roots. If you're passionate about pump, prone, downwind, e-foil, wake foil, or any foil discipline—and want to protect access while watching the sport explode—this episode explains the big-picture moves happening behind the scenes.

To learn more about the Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) visit → www.gfafoilworld.com
To learn more about Armstrong Foils visit → www.armstrongfoils.com

This episode is brought to you by Armstrong Foils. Armstrong Foils are a founding member and proud supporter of the all new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) To learn more visit: www.gfafoilworld.com / www.armstrongfoils.com

In this episode we connect with fellow Canadian waterman Michael Pisarczyk—a dedicated foiler based in Sarnia, Ontario, right on the shores of Lake Huron. Recorded as fall conditions ramp up on the Great Lakes, these two passionate riders share stories from the water, celebrating the world-class (yet underrated) foiling potential hidden in these massive inland seas.

Episode Overview:

• Michael's backyard access to Lake Huron—convenient home sessions, epic downwind runs (30-50K along the coast or on the mini-Hood River-like St. Clair River), and why almost any wind direction works here
• His multi-discipline journey: from youth sailing and windsurfing, to high-school kiting obsession, strapless surfboarding, and how foiling (wing, prone, pump, downwind) reignited the stoke with lower-wind windows and endless glide
• Pair winging progression: starting rough, unlocking upwind tacks against river current, and the unique freedom (and challenges) of no lines or booms—just pure hand-held power on small sinker boards
• That unforgettable first committed prone downwind run: full-send on the industrial-lined river, no falls allowed, pure focus on older square boards with paddle starts
• Building the "Great Lakes Waterman" channels to showcase lake potential—inspiring more locals (and globals) with stunning drone footage, while growing a small but frothing community
• Family foiling fun: gently introducing his 9- and 7-year-old kids to e-foils (knees-first mastery turning to stand-up runs) and side-by-side cruising sessions
• E-foiling's role in scratching the itch on flat days, keeping skills sharp with endless turns, and the exciting growth of competitive tours like the Surf Foil Tour (SFT)
• Why the Great Lakes are tailor-made for modern foiling—long fetch for rolling swell in lighter winds, massive playgrounds, and those rare but magical "world-class" bangers that make the chase worthwhile

From cold-water commitment to uniting disciplines and dreaming of Canadian SFT events, this chat is a love letter to Great Lakes foiling—and a call to get more people out experiencing the magic.

If you've ever chased lake swell, battled commitment points in downwinders, or wondered why these massive freshwater oceans deserve way more foiling love… this is it.

Follow Michael Pisarczyk → @great.lakes.waterman (YouTube/Instagram) | https://www.greatlakeswaterman.com

This episode is brought to you by Armstrong Foils. Armstrong Foils are a founding member and proud supporter of the all new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) To learn more visit: www.gfafoilworld.com / www.armstrongfoils.com

In this special Christmas episode, we catch up with Maui-based Emmy-winning filmmaker and passionate waterman Stephan Boeker—recorded remotely from opposite sides of the world (Canada and Japan)

The old friends reminisce about their first meeting at the 2013 ALOHA Classic windsurfing event on Maui, where they teamed up to run the live stream (Stephan's first non-wedding webcast and Luc's intense introduction to pro windsurfing behind the camera).

We go deep on:

• Stephan's unlikely path: from teenage windsurf obsession on Long Island Sound, to ditching a "serious" post-college career for a one-way ticket to Maui 25 years ago
• Hustling early days—busboy to resort manager, moonlighting wedding gigs, restaurant photo sales, and creative side projects (including touring Europe with Olympic skier Julia Mancuso)
• Pioneering wedding webcasts in the dial-up era with car batteries and duplexed broadband, evolving into cinematic storytelling that captures raw love and emotion
• Showing up "zen" on wedding days—leaving baggage behind to truly see and preserve those fleeting signs of love
• The surprise Emmy win for his documentary "Trilogy: It’s in the Heart" (a 50th anniversary film for Maui's iconic sailing family), rejections turned validation, and the profound life lessons that followed
• Windsurfing as a lifelong passion: starting at 12, Ho'okipa shorebreak humility, mythic mystique of the spot, and that memorable pep talk helping Luc battle through pounding sets to finally ride waves
• Parallels between presence on the water (reading chop, feeling equipment) and presence in life/filmmaking—letting go, respect, and embracing conflict as the story's engine
• Future stoke: wing foil lessons at Kanaha harbor, summer uppers sessions, and why foiling's low-impact glide could be the perfect addition for wave-snobs

From raw beginnings in windsurfing and weddings to Emmy stages and near-misses, this heartfelt holiday chat celebrates love, presence, perseverance, and the unbreakable pull of the ocean.

If you've ever chased windy dreams, battled shorebreak, or wondered what goes into crafting timeless stories of love and adventure… this is it.

Follow Stephan Boeker → https://stephanboekerfilms.com/

This episode is brought to you by Armstrong Foils. Armstrong Foils are a founding member and proud supporter of the all new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) To learn more visit: www.gfafoilworld.com / www.armstrongfoils.com

In this episode we catch up with Slingshot's wind division powerhouse duo: Elliott Tauscher (brand manager and Hood River local) and pro rider/engineer Trent Carter (fresh from endless downwind sessions in Oahu).

Recorded remotely as the seasons shift—fall hibernation in the Gorge and peak downwind season in Hawaii—the guys kick things off with life updates, snowboarding war stories, and how their roots in skiing, snowboarding, and lake waterman antics shaped their paths into foiling pros.

We go deep on:

• Trent's journey from ditching high school classes for secret Tahoe downwind runs on an Infinity 84 to pitching epic film projects and joining the Slingshot team
• How Slingshot pairs elite athletes like Trent with designers to push boundaries, from early kite innovations to the game-changing One-Lock screwless foil system
• Drag as the ultimate enemy: why eliminating screws, optimizing masts/fuselages, and quick-swapping wings/tails unlocks efficiency, stiffness, and endless setup tweaks
• The evolution of downwind foils: insane glide with consistent range, high-aspect designs that now carve like surf foils, anhedral/dihedral for maneuverability, and profile tweaks for lift distribution
• Real-world testing in ocean swell vs. Gorge swell, gear optimization for every condition, and why no single setup rules everywhere
• Wild future ideas: self-adjusting stabilizers, adaptive foils, and how innovations like One-Lock make swapping (and progressing) effortless for everyone
• Foiling's magic in connecting disciplines—kite, wing, prone, pump, downwind—and bringing the whole watersports community together

From raw athlete feedback driving R&D to the sheer joy of making foils faster, smoother, and more fun, this is an unfiltered look inside one of foiling's most innovative brands—and why the best is still yet to come.

If you've ever wondered what goes into building the foils dominating downwind runs and beyond … this is it.

Follow Slingshot → https://slingshotsports.com/pages/foil
Trent Carter → @trent.carter
Elliott Tauscher: @elliott_stays

This episode is brought to you by Armstrong Foils. Armstrong Foils are a founding member and proud supporter of the all new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) To learn more visit: www.gfafoilworld.com / www.armstrongfoils.com

Welcome to the very first episode of the Foil Life Travel Show! Your go to series series dedicated to the world’s best foil destinations, schools, accommodations and hidden gems.

We’re kicking off the journey in style with Carl from The Launch Pad Windsurf & Foil Academy on his private island in Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada — hands-down one of the most stunning and unique teaching spots on the planet.

In this premiere episode you’ll discover:

- Why a 45-year windsurfing veteran bought his own island and turned it into a full-time foil & windsurf academy
- How Georgian Bay delivers Caribbean-looking water and surprisingly consistent summer breeze (thanks to Canadian Shield thermals + the biggest wind farm in Ontario nearby)
- Carl’s insanely effective (and fun) teaching system: the world’s wobbliest land simulator, BB Talkin’ headsets, tow-foiling, dry-land drills, and post-session island beers
- Lessons in windsurfing, wind-foiling, and wing-foiling — with wing-foiling now ~50% of bookings
- Crazy traveler-friendly pricing: only CAD $175 for a 2-hour private lesson (everything above costs gets donated to Toronto Windsurfing Club)
- Water-access-only adventure: boat rentals, water taxis, nearby lodges & campsites all linked
- Duotone & North-supported gear fleet including the magical iRig for kids and beginners

If you’ve ever wanted to learn to foil (or level up) surrounded by crystal-clear Canadian wilderness that feels like the BVI but with zero crowds… this is your spot.

Book your island foil adventure at: https://www.launchpadwindsurfacademy.ca/

View Listing: https://foillifepodcast.com/the-launch-pad-windsurf-foil-academy

Next stop… who knows? Drop your dream foil destination in the comments ⬇️

#FoilTravelShow #001 #WingFoil #WindFoil #Windsurf #GeorgianBay #CanadaFoiling #LearnToFoil #PrivateIslandVibes #TheLaunchPad

This episode is brought to you by Armstrong Foils. Armstrong Foils are a founding member and proud supporter of the all new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) To learn more visit: www.gfafoilworld.com / www.armstrongfoils.com

In this episode, we sit down with the newly crowned 2025 E-Foil Surf Foil World Tour (SFT) World Champion – the undefeated e-foil racer who took the title in the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Fresh off dominating the inaugural SFT season, the Florida-based ripper (and Flightboard early adopter) joins us to break down what it actually feels like to turn a five-year hunch into a world championship, how e-foil racing went from “nice idea” to a full-blown global tour in record time, and why this sport is exploding faster than anyone predicted.

We go deep on:
- From kite-smash accidents to building one of the first e-foil schools in South Florida 
- The wild Atlanta Foil Fest Enduro with Brian Grubb, Nick Leeson, and 20 riders dodging submerged trees at full throttle 
- Unsanctioned full-send dawn patrols through Amsterdam’s canals (don’t try this at home) 
- Gear geek-out: custom shims, chopped tails, 900 Flow vs 707 Flux wings, aftermarket race props, and why everything is still basically stock… for now 
- Why full-face helmets and downhill MTB armor are becoming mandatory at 33–35 mph 
- Mental warfare on the beach, prop-wash tactics, hot launches, and pulling 3+G turns 
- Traveling the world with boards but no batteries (and how the Flightboard rental network saves the day) 
- The massive progression from the first dealer races in 2022 to riders now training full-time and closing the gap second by second 
- Where e-foil racing is headed: open-ocean courses, city canal sprints, Everglades gator-chasing, and boards that will eventually hit 50 mph 

Year one of the Surf Foil World Tour is in the books, prize money is real, brands are paying attention, and the level is skyrocketing. The champ gives us the unfiltered look at what it took to stay on top — and why 2026 is about to get even crazier.

If you’ve ever wondered what the cutting edge of foiling actually looks, sounds, and feels like… this is it.

Follow the Surf Foil Tour → https://www.surffoilworldtour.com
Justin Chait → https://www.instagram.com/_justinchait_/

This episode is brought to you by Armstrong Foils. Armstrong Foils are a founding member and proud supporter of the all new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) To learn more visit: www.gfafoilworld.com / www.armstrongfoils.com

In this episode, we catch up with Tom Hartmann – tour manager of the GKA Kite World Tour, Wingfoil World Tour, and founder of the brand-new Surf Foil World Tour (SFT) – fresh from the biggest water sports spectacle the Middle East has ever seen in Abu Dhabi and now chasing the final Kite World Tour stops in Brazil.

Tom takes us behind the scenes of the massive nine-day Abu Dhabi event on the soon-to-be “Miami Beach of the Gulf” (Fahid Island), where kite big air, wingfoil racing, e-foil, and wakefoil all shared the spotlight, 2,500+ spectators showed up on weekends, and the whole thing was broadcast live on TV across the region. With €10,000 prize money per SFT discipline, perfect glassy morning conditions, and a level of organization that left athletes speechless, this was the perfect season finale for the inaugural Surf Foil World Tour.

- Abu Dhabi deep dive – why foiling (e-foil, wakefoil, wing, kite, surf, pump) is exploding in the Gulf and how the event showcased every flavor of the sport.
- E-foil racing at the highest level yet – Justin Chait remains undefeated in 2025, Agnes takes the women’s division, and we talk 3G corners, wingtip-out carving, and why technical skill still beats raw speed.
- Wakefoil’s breakout moment – first fully independent SFT wakefoil comp, drone + boat broadcasting magic, and why wakefoiling could be the most spectator-friendly foiling discipline out there.
- The massive growth nobody saw coming – from a hopeful start to nine events worldwide in year one, with a 2026 calendar dropping in the next couple weeks.
- What’s next for SFT in 2026 – more surf foil, downwind, wakefoil, the return of the epic indoor Düsseldorf pump & wing event, and a brand-new Foil Assist discipline that mixes propulsion take-offs with pure pumping sections.
- Plus Tom’s love for açaí bowls at Brazilian sunset and maybe sneaking in some surf trips to Nicaragua or Costa Rica before heading home.

Year one of the Surf Foil World Tour is officially in the books and it’s safe to say foiling just went global – big budgets, big crowds, and bigger stoke. Here’s to 2026 being even wilder.

Follow the Surf Foil Tour → https://www.surffoiltour.com 

This episode is brought to you by Armstrong Foils. Armstrong Foils are a founding member and proud supporter of the all new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) To learn more visit: www.gfafoilworld.com / www.armstrongfoils.com

In this episode, we sit down with Sascha Lange, the 41-year-old German windsurf coach, personal trainer, and author of the brand-new wind bible called "Never Not Windsurfing – Defeat Age & Keep the Stoke Alive". Fresh off a one-year writing marathon (and still hand-packing and shipping every single copy himself), Sascha joins us to talk about why he poured his soul into the ultimate fitness and longevity guide for windsurfers over 40 – and why even the youngest PWA pros are already using it.

From his beginnings as a passionate windsurfer in 1997 to becoming one of the most sought-after coaches in the sport, Sascha explains how analyzing YouTube clips of his clients at midnight led to hyper-specific training programs that fix exactly what’s holding riders back on the water. With contributions from over 50 of the biggest names in windsurfing – Björn Dunkerbeck, Sarah-Quita Offringa, Marcilio Browne, Ricardo Campello, Victor Fernandez, Gollito Estredo, and an epic foreword from Captain Paul Watson, plus extra-long contribution from the godfather himself, Balz Müller – this isn’t just another fitness book.

• Why “Never Not Windsurfing”? Turning 40 sparked the idea: Sascha is fitter now than ever and wanted to prove age is just a number if you train smart.
• Book Structure & Philosophy: From decade-specific body changes to mobility, functional strength, balance & coordination, breathing techniques, biohacking (sleep, sunlight, cold plunging), and a full chapter on designing your own success plan – pick what you need, when you need it.
• Who It’s For: Primarily the 40+ crew (weekend warriors, parents, people with real jobs and no trade winds), but young pros are already stealing the advanced stability, endurance, and mental-game tools. Works for wing foiling too.
• Real-Life Impact: How 10–15 minute targeted sessions beat three-hour gym marathons, why your core is the “transmission” between sail and board, and how small consistent wins stop you starting every season from scratch.
• Cold Plunging, Breathing & Biohacking: Sascha’s daily reset rituals, why nasal breathing through an ice bath is the new meditation, and how to use cold exposure without freaking out.
• The Captain Paul Watson Foundation: €1 from every book goes straight to ocean protection – plus Paul Watson himself wrote the foreword because the oceans are our playground and the animals’ living room.
• Behind-the-Scenes Madness: Self-publishing both English and German editions, hand-writing dedications, midnight post-office runs, and why the book is stitched (not just glued) so it literally lasts forever.
• What’s Next: Online “Fit for Surfing” programs, windsurf retreats (Vancouver Island anyone?), and maybe… a wing-foiling version one day.

  Whether you’re chasing your first solid gybe, still ripping at 60, or a pro looking for that extra edge, *Never Not Windsurfing* is built to keep you on the water longer, stronger, and stoked for life.
  
  Follow Sascha → https://www.instagram.com/langepersonaltraining/
  Captain Paul Watson Foundation → https://www.paulwatsonfoundation.org/ 

This episode is brought to you by Armstrong Foils. Armstrong Foils are a founding member and proud supporter of the all new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) To learn more visit: www.gfafoilworld.com / www.armstrongfoils.com

In this episode, we sit down with Björn Dunkerbeck, the 56-year-old windsurfing legend with 42 PWA World Titles (more than any athlete in any sport), 32+ years with Red Bull, and a personal best of 103.68 km/h over 500 m. Fresh off double-hip surgery and pain-free for the first time in years, Björn joins Luc from Lüderitz, Namibia, where he’s chasing the outright windsurf speed world record during the month-long November window at the infamous Lüderitz Speed Channel. From the early days of 16-knot records in Weymouth to breaking 50 knots in a hand-dug Namibian trench, Björn walks us through the 50-year evolution of speed sailing, the physics of wind angle, water flatness, and why 8–10 m wide is now “as good as it gets” for a channel you can’t fall out of at 100 km/h.

• Channel Evolution & Record Progression: How speed sailing jumped from 30 knots in the South of France to 40 in Saint-Marie-la-Mer, 45 by Thierry Bielak, then exploded in Walvis Bay and finally Lüderitz—where a kitesurfer named Sebastien Cattelan dug the first trench, and six riders broke 50 knots in one week (2012–13).

• Lüderitz 2025 Setup: Björn’s first sessions in “perfect south-easter” conditions, why 45–50 knots of wind is the sweet spot before chop kills speed, and how a scratched fin or lack of starting-area depth can end your run before it begins.

• Post-Surgery Comeback: At 115 kg and 56 years young, how titanium hips have restored confidence, why Severne sails (5.2–5.7 m²), 40 cm Starboard speed boards, and custom fins are dialed, and the mental edge of knowing “I can still do this.”

• Gear & Technique for 100 km/h: Why boards are only 227 cm long / 35–45 L, how you rail the upwind third of the channel, and the art of body-position micro-adjustments to keep a 40 cm board from catapulting in full-power 5.2 conditions.

• Wipeouts & Safety: “Your day is over after a big one.” Helmet + impact vest = minimum; grit + not crashing = the real safety plan.

• Getting Into Speed Sailing: Download the WaterSpeed app (free), track your 100 m / 250 m / 500 m times anywhere, then upload to GPS-SpeedSurfing.com and join the Dunkerbeck Speed Challenge (50+ countries, 10th year running). Start on whatever gear you have—25 knots becomes 30, then 40…
  
  
• Family Legacy: Four kids, two girls, two boys. Son Liam (17)—triple U21 wave world champ, former U18 Lüderitz record holder (80+ km/h)—currently training on Maui. Youngest Daniel (13 next week) already ripping waves and speed. How Björn transitioned from pro dominance to proud dad without losing the fire.

• Bonaire & Dunkerbeck Pro Center: 10 years strong at Sorobon’s turquoise lagoon—Defi Wind Bonaire returns June 16–21, 2026 (111 spots only). From 5-year-olds in harnesses to 90-year-olds still planing, it’s the world’s safest speed playground.

• Foiling vs Fin: Björn’s light-wind foil arsenal (6.0–10.0 m² + Phantom 960/1950/910 wings) as low-wind speed training, why foils won’t touch Lüderitz (not enough depth, too much drag), and whether sub-40 cm masts could ever push foils past 100 km/h.

• The Limit? Björn’s take: 100 km/h average on 500 m is very possible; top speed >103.68 km/h likely. Beyond 105 km/h, cavitation theories split the experts—we’ll know when we get there.

• Red Bull Family: 32 years, 800+ athletes, from windsurfing’s early days to F1 and America’s Cup. Plus Björn’s long involvement with Wings for Life spinal cord research.

Follow Björn - https://www.instagram.com/bjorndunkerbeck
Dunkerbeck Speed Challenge - https://www.GPS-SpeedSurfing.com
WaterSpeed App - Free download
Lüderitz Speed Channel live updates all November!