Foil Life Podcast

In this episode, we chat with Nico Hopp from Hoppline, who joins us from Germany to share his surfing journey and the heartfelt passion fueling his creative channel.

• Growing up landlocked in the middle of Germany, Nico felt the passion for surfing all his life, but it was until he got his driver's license and his own car before he deep dive into the world of surfing.
• Traveled the world with his wife, funding a slow, low-impact adventure with minimal costs—hitchhiking, camper vans, and micro-social projects like boosting a Sumatran guide’s business.
• Sees foiling as a game-changer, turning tiny tanker waves in his German backyard into thrilling sessions, especially through pump foiling’s social vibe.
• Recalls his first barrel by accident at Australia’s National Park—a fleeting, surreal moment where time slowed and the ocean’s muffled roar locked in his love for surfing.
• Launched Hoppline to funnel his industrial design background and surfing passion into honest reviews and creative reels, not to chase influencer fame but to share joy.
• Values authenticity over paid promotion, buying gear himself or returning it, ensuring reviews reflect real experience—like advising a 90kg follower against his 65kg setup.
• Embraces a non-traditional life, from quitting a Frankfurt design agency to surfing daily on the Gold Coast, accepting career gaps for freedom and growth.
• Finds purpose in helping followers with technical tips—e.g., tweaking mast positions or stabilizers—saving them cash and earning trust through candid, unpaid advice.

Follow Hoppline on Instagram: instagram.com/hoppline / Check out Hoppline on YouTube: youtube.com/@hoppline

Watch entire episode on Youtube

On this episode, Dave West, the Foil Lord joins us from his home in Australia to talk about:

- His love of Wing Foiling
- Para Winging Overview (Ensis & Flow) Tips, Tricks and Insights
- Community dynamics, personal achievements, product innovations, and techniques for downwind foiling
- Upcoming Trips (AWSI 2025)
- An overview of dangerous creatures (Canada Vs Australia)
- The excitement of foiling events, the challenges of wildlife encounters, and the balance between personal responsibilities and passions
- Tow buggies
- And Much More

Visit: https://www.youtube.com/@davewestfoils

On this episode, Sensi Graves, entrepreneur, professional kiteboarder & wingfoiler, and motivational speaker joins us to talk about:

- Her decision to close down Sensi Swim
- Quitting can be a powerful tool for personal growth
- Motherhood and how it has changed her life
- Update on Brandon's recovery process
- You can't be what you can't see; representation matters
- Her next steps (Growing her Mentoring and Public Speaking)
- Empowerment comes from sharing experiences and mentoring others
- Her new role at Armstrong Foils
- Building a supportive community is crucial for success
- And Much More!

Visit: https://www.sensigraves.com / Watch full episode on Youtube

On our last of 3 episodes, Dave Westwood, Director of Sales and Marketing at ALUULA, Paula Novotna, Professional Kite and Wing Foiler and Klaas Voegt, Co-Division Manager PD & Marketing Duotone Wing & Foiling Duotone,  join us to talk about:

- How did the ALUULA Duotone relationship develop?
- Why did Duotone start using ALUULA
- Early insights into the use of the fabric (R&D, Testing)
- What are the performance benefits of ALUULA
- How has using this material impacted the way Duotone designs wings?
- Longevity of the wings versus dacron/stiffness. Are there other benefits?
- How does it feel to ride an ALUULA wing versus Dacron or other materials
- Is there a Target market group, or is the material for everyone? (heavy versus light riders)
- Can you feel the weight or performance differences
- And Much More!

Visit: https://aluula.com/ & https://www.duotonesports.com

Watch entire episode on Youtube

On our 2nd of 3 episodes, Tyler Cuthbert, Chief Scientific Officer at ALUULA, joins us to talk about: 

• What exactly is ALUULA fabric?
• How it's made?
• How has ALUULA impacted kite and wing design?
• Performance Specs of ALUULA
• Longevity of material 
• Does it come in different thicknesses?
• Can you get it in any colour or design?
• How does that diffexrentiate from other materials used in wind sports (Dacron, etc)?
• Why is it so light?
• What are the selling features compared to other materials?
• And much More!

Visit: https://aluula.com/

Watch full episode on Youtube

On our 1st of 3 episodes, Dave Westwood, Director of Sales and Marketing at ALUULA Composites, joins us to talk about:

- What is ALUULA?
- Where did the idea for ALUULA come from?
- Who were the original inventors?
- Where is the company based? Where is the factory?
- Was ALUULA specifically designed for windsports?
- What industries is ALUULA in? (Aerospace, windsports, Adventure Sports ie. squirrel suits, avalanche bags, inflatable surf vests, paragliders…etc)
- What is the line of materials that ALUULA offers
- How does it feel to be part of a revolution in the wind sports industry?
- Growth for 2025 and beyond
- And More!

Visit: https://aluula.com/ & Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aluulacomposites/

Watch the full episode on Youtube 

On our 10th episode of the GWA Show, tour manager Tom Hartmann joins us to talk about:

- The Boot Expo and the first official indoor wing foiling comp in history
- The Wind conditions at the Boot Expo with the wind machines
- Athletes felt like stars in a stadium setting during the event
- Pool depth and behind-the-scenes insights
- The SFT (Surf Foil World Tour) events that are coming up for 2025
- Pump foiling attracts athletes from diverse sports backgrounds
- Foiling sports are not weather-dependent, allowing for more events
- Youth engagement in foiling sports is crucial for the future
- And Much More

Visit: https://www.surffoilworldtour.com & https://www.wingfoilworldtour.com

On this episode, Brian Grubb, Reb Bull Athlete, two-time world champion and a pioneer of wakeskating joins us to talk about:

- His journey in water sports began at age 11
- His professional career and trips around the world with Red Bull
- The infamous Dubai base jump project that was a dream come true
- How he got into Foiling
- The FSRL was created to provide a competitive platform for foilers with inclusivity at its core.
- The FSRL offers various categories for different skill levels
- Prize money and gear are incentives for competitors in the FSRL
- And Much More.

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/briankgrubb/
Watch full episode on Youtube

On this episode, Benjamin Castenskiold, the youth world champ race U14, youth vice world champ freestyle U14 and
male grom athlete of the year joins us to talk about:

- The early days, when he found wind, when he started winging and how his progress went
- His family's lifestyle, spending 6 months in Tarifa and La Ventana, Mexico
- Dedication: His hours on the water. How much time does a top level athlete need to put in to be a successful
- Who he trains with and his family support
- His sponsors and how he loves being part of the Cabrinha and Dakine family
- His latest moves and goals for 2025
- Breaks down the double backflip, the 1440 and the equipment he uses to make it happen
- His participation in large events like the Defi Wing in France.
- The send-it mindset, shutting down the mind for a few seconds and the confidence required (not overthinking)
- And Much more.

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/freeliving8/

Watch full episode on Youtube

On this episode, Cash Berzolla joins us from his home in Maui to talk about:

- The making of his new movie "South Africa" brought to you by Armstrong
- 2024 GWA Wave World Title and what that felt like
- His major focus for 2025 which will be creating content (What would you like to see!)
- His hobbies
- Family life and pickball
- Community engagement is key for future projects.
- The 'Candy Kane' maneuver
- And Much More!

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/cash_berzolla/

Watch full episode on Youtube