Foil Life Podcast

On this episode, we’re joined by Rou Chater, the founder of IKSURFMAG and Tonic Magazine to talk about:
 
•⁠  ⁠His early start in windsurfing at the age of seven and how he transitioned to kitesurfing in 2000 and how he was one of the early adopters of wingfoiling in 2019; we discuss stories of his incredible adventures and the evolution of water sports.
•⁠  ⁠The importance of community in water sports and how it fosters cross-cultural friendships
•⁠  ⁠Pembrokeshire's hidden gems for water sports enthusiasts
•⁠  ⁠Rou’s obsession with learning new skills like dock starting and his experiences with kite foiling and wing foiling
•⁠  ⁠The core pillars of Tonic Magazine: tests, technique, and travel
•⁠  ⁠How Rou transitioned from a stable job to pursuing his passion for water sports, founding IK Surf Mag and then Tonic Magazine
•⁠  ⁠The focus on sustainability in his sunglasses venture and his dedication to honest gear testing
•⁠  ⁠We also touch on the future of the sport, including engaging younger generations, promoting inclusivity, and keeping the grassroots spirit alive.
•⁠  ⁠Rou’s commitment to enhancing the experience for everyday foilers and creating relevant, authentic content has made him a respected voice in the community.

📸 Follow Rou on Instagram: @rouchater
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On this New Years 2025 Special episode, Rawham and Patrick from Ensis join us to talk about:

- The Ensis ROGER Parawing
- The history of Parawinging / Parafoiling
- The development journey (early designs, extensive testing and many prototypes... in SUPER COLD WATER)
- The future of parawinging - potential racing and freestyle elements (unhooked backflips and much more)
- The target audience for parawinging
- How to learn? Ie. Ground handling is crucial before hitting the water
- Safety considerations
- Innovations in parawing technology that are paving the way for new experiences
- And Much More!

Visit: https://ensis.surf/product/roger/

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On this Christmas Day Special, Marley Franco joins us from Maui, Hawaii to talk about:

- The North Next Gen program
- How he learned a lot about ocean safety and skills from mentors at North
- Growing up in Maui was a unique ocean culture experience
- The North team feels like a family, providing support and encouragement
- Big plans for 2025, including big wave surfing and GWA events
- The surfing community fosters positivity and growth among athletes
- His Passions - Including Skiing and mountain biking
- Family plays a crucial role in introducing sports to children
- North Equipment is known for its quality and innovation
- Safety training is essential for big wave surfers

Visit: North Next Gen Program
Visit: https://www.instagram.com/gnarly.marley/

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On our 9th edition of the GWA Show, tour manager Tom Hartmann joins us to talk about:

- Their last tour stop of the season in Jericoacoara Brazil
- The event location, conditions and weather &  competition results
- Upcoming events in 2025 including - innovative formats and new locations.
- The Boot - First GWA Indoor competition
- And much more.
Visit: https://www.wingfoilworldtour.com/events/gwa-wingfoil-world-cup-brazil-2024/
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On this episode, Lukas joins us to talk about:

- How he started his Instagram channel - @foilonly
- How he found foiling and bungee foiling
- His life as a content creator, business owner & family man
- His favourite foiling destinations
- Creating community
- The future of foiling

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/foilonly/
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Jo Ciastula, commentator for the GWA Wingfoil World Tour & GKA Kite World Tour joins us to talk about:

- How he found wind, where he grew up & what being born into a wind family was like
- His GKA competition days
- How he got started with the GWA & GKA
- How he started his career of commentating/emceeing
- His insights behind the scenes at the GWA and what that means for the sport
- Favourite tour stops
- Safety considerations, younger competitors
- and much more.

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/jociastula/
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On this episode, Fabian Muhmenthaler, pro athlete, industrial design & product development engineer for watersports joins us from his home in Tarifa to talk about:

- His journey with North Foils as a PRO rider and his internship with both North & Mystic

- His schooling and recent completion of his engineering degree

- What growing up in Tarifa was like and how it provided him with a unique water sports upbringing

- How did his journey into wing foiling begin?

- Life as a pro athlete, including exciting travel and photo shoots with North Foils

- Content creation is a way to connect with nature and inspire others. -- Check out his latest movie --Mars 13

- The cinematic, longer content approach to content aims to encourage people to disconnect from their screens. The creative process involves collaboration and communication.

- Personal connection to gear enhances performance and enjoyment.

- The future of foiling includes more dedicated boards and foils.

- And more.

Watch Mars 13 on Youtube: https://youtu.be/btV_s-CwDrM?si=4xPTT4bBXnusL5T9

Visit Fabian IG: https://www.instagram.com/muhmenthaler/
Visit North Foils IG: https://www.instagram.com/northfoils/
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On our 8th edition of the GWA Show, Tom joins us from Brazil to talk about:

- Their recent wave world cup event in Ibiraquera, Brazil
- Elena and Cash's titles were well-deserved and celebrated. Congrats!!
- Touring around Brazil - Exploring new locations for potential new event sites
- Athletes are pushing the limits in wave riding competitions
- Big News ---- The GWA may allow the use of wings for aerial maneuvers in Wave events next season
- The importance of variety in competition formats is emphasized
- The Maui crew brings fresh energy to competitions.
- There is a high demand for entry into wave events.
- Local events can foster community and grassroots growth.
- Wing foiling is gaining popularity in Brazil, especially in Jericoacoara.
- and much more. 

Visit: https://www.wingfoilworldtour.com/events/gwa-wingfoil-world-cup-ibiraquera-2024/
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Chris Museler from the We Are Foiling Organization joins us from his home on Rhode Island to talk about:

- Foiling Week Pensacola 2025 (What is it, Where is it and When is it)
- How Foiling Week began and where it is today
- An overview of the We Are Foiling Organization
- An overview of the city of Pensacola and how it offers ideal conditions for foiling and community events (Great for families)
- The festival atmosphere at Foiling Week which encourages participation of all levels (Lots of Free Demos, Racing, Film Festival and more)
- Their Charitable initiatives are integrated into the event's framework.
- The importance of sharing knowledge and experiences in the foiling community.
- We introduce "The We Are Foiling podcast" which covers industry topics and discussions hosted by Chris himself.
- And Much More.

Visit: https://foilingweek.com/landing/pensacola-2025/
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On this episode, Benjamin May joins us to talk about: 

• Big Air Wing Foiling 
• The bar for high jumps has been set at 16-17 meters.
• Proper landing techniques are crucial for safety.
• Injuries are a risk, especially with high jumps.
• Mental preparation is as important as physical training.
• Winging allows for a more straightforward setup compared to kiting.
• The right wing design can impact performance significantly.
• Traveling to different locations enhances the winging experience.
• Fun should not be lost during competitions.
• Warm-up routines are essential before jumping.
• And Much More. 

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/benjaminmay04/
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