Foil Life Podcast

On this episode, Ladina Van Swoll and Charles Dasher join us to talk about: 

• How they met on the island of Bonaire, a windsurfing and a wing foiling paradise.
• ⁠How they found wind and their first foil flights
• ⁠What do they love about living on Bonaire, and what are the conditions like for wing foiling
• ⁠The launch of their new company, SeaZen
• What is included in their camps/retreats 
• ⁠How creating community is a key aspect of their camps and retreats and what is included
• ⁠Plans include expanding their camps to new destinations
• and much more. 

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/seazen.bonaire/
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On this episode Greg and Agustin join us from WeCANFoil to talk about: 

• Their origin story, their mission and goals for foiling in Canada
• Foiling offers a significantly different experience compared to traditional sailing, providing higher speeds and a unique sense of freedom.
• Their initiative aims to democratize access to foiling by partnering with local sailing clubs and organizations.
• Community engagement is crucial for the growth of foiling, with events designed to introduce the sport to the public.
• The program has successfully introduced hundreds of people to foiling, showcasing its potential to attract new enthusiasts.
• Foiling is rapidly evolving, with various disciplines being integrated into the WeCANFoil program.
• The partnership with manufacturers has allowed for a diverse range of equipment to be used in training and events.
• The future of foiling in Canada looks promising with ongoing support and interest from the community. 
• and much more. 

Visit: https://wecanfoil.org/
Watch full episode on Youtube

Tom, tour manager of the GWA, joins us to recap their recent wave event in Dakhla Morocco. We talked about: 

• The event site and Dakhla as a promising location for Wing Foiling
• The competition format & overview of the event
• New emerging talents that are making their mark in the sport
• The demand for competition spots is increasing significantly worldwide
• Rules regarding the use of wings during airs are under discussion for wave events
• Video applications - Unedited footage is essential for accurate judging & drone footage
• The future of wing foiling competitions looks promising. The selection process for events includes wild cards.
• Female participation in wing foiling is on the rise, especially on tour. 
• Events positively impact local tourism and community engagement.
• Cultural interactions enhance the experience for athletes.
• Emerging organizations are supporting grassroots foiling initiatives.

Visit: https://www.wingfoilworldtour.com/events/gwa-wingfoil-world-cup-morocco-2024/
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Yann Rifflet, PRO Windsurfer & Content Creator joins us to talk about, 

• His entry into water sports as a competitive windsurfer and wing foiling for the first time
• His lifestyle -- living in France and Brazil, enjoying the perfect conditions for windsurfing and wing foiling with his wife.
• His sponsorship with Duotone and the creation of this YouTube channel. 
• The evolution of equipment technology in wing foiling, including the development of high-modulus (HM) masts that offer better performance and lighter weight. 
• The Parawing is a new concept that combines elements of wing foiling and downwinders. We discuss the potentials of this new sport and how we think it will evolve. 
• Upcoming trips to Dakhla, South Morocco for the Kite and Connect event, and to Brazil for a GWA competition.
• The different equipment options from Duotone and the importance of making the sport accessible to riders of all levels.

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/yannriffletfreerider/
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Jelle Stoop, foil coach, athlete and founder of Foil School Nederland joins us to talk about:

• First and foremost Foiling! Our rapidly growing sport, with wing foiling gaining popularity
• Foil School Nederland which focuses primarily on wing foiling in Brauersdam, Netherlands and offers a variety of water sports for beginners and pro-level riders.
• The progression of foils and wings has led to smaller and more efficient setups
• Reading the ocean and understanding wave dynamics which is a crucial skill in wing foiling
• Teaching foiling requires expertise and a focus on safety
• Upcoming trips and camps in Denmark, Italy, Tenerife, and Brazil.
• The importance of keeping the sport of wing foiling accessible for everyone
• Wave formats for wave riding competitions and the continued growth of the sport in the next few years.

Visit: https://foilschoolnederland.nl/en/
Watch full episode on Youtube

Alessandro José Tomasi is an Italian pro wing foil racer. He joins us from his home on Lake Garda in Italy to talk about:

• His debut into wind and the early IQ foil racing days 
• His new passion for wing foil racing, early success and teaching on Lake Garda
• His sponsors 
• His hair care routine
• His future aspirations of studying engineering in order to be able to design wings, foils, and boards in the future.
• How living on Lake Garda allows him to enjoy both water sports and mountain activities.
• And Much More! 

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/ale__tomasi/
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On this episode, Josh joins us from his home in Fehmarn, Germany, to talk about: 

• His entry into water sports: Stand-up paddling and windsurfing
• His first foiling flights and his transition to Wing Foiling
• His big goal of becoming the German under-19 German champion in wing foiling and what it felt like to accomplish it. 
• His sponsorships with Elevate and A3D
• His local competitions and hopes to compete in the GWA next year
• Front flips, back flips, and 720s
• and Much More!

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/joshmry/
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On this episode, Max Robinson joins us from his home in Toronto to talk about: 

• The early days and his new journey with Gong
• Coaching clinics with CanSail and the Toronto Windsurfing Club
• His favourite spots for wing foiling around the world
• His future and hopes to leave his mark on the sport by inspiring and coaching others. Dedication, hard work, and support from the Toronto community have been crucial to his success in winging.
• Training and staying fit in order to perform better and avoid injuries as an older athlete.
• His partnership with Brown Girl Outdoor World to promote inclusivity in outdoor adventure sports.
• Upcoming competitions and aims to perform well and inspire others.
• And Much More. 

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/maxjrobinson/
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On this episode Steve Tobis joins us from his home in Maui to talk about: 

• The downwind race season in Hawaii - Including the Voyager race, Paddle Amoa, the Maui to Molokai and Molokai to Oahu races.
• The key to success in these races
• The physical conditioning and mental tenacity are crucial for endurance and focus during the races.
• Safety equipment such as PFDs, VHF radios, and EPIRBs are essential for emergencies.
• Self-sufficiency and preparedness are important in case of equipment failure or unexpected situations.
• Downwind foiling requires skill, experience, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. Learning to foil is challenging but rewarding, with incremental success driving motivation.
• Dry land training, including biking and weight training, is important for building physical strength and stamina in foiling.
• Recovery strategies, such as stretching and using ice baths, can enhance performance and reduce strain on the body.
• His favourite foods --- like chicken nuggets and french fries.
• The advancements in wing design and materials, particularly with the new flash wings from ON Kiteboarding.
• The new foiling disciplines like prone downwinding and his goals of riding bigger waves in the future.

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/steve_tobis/
Watch on Youtube

On this episode Brandon, TBI survivor, 5x Triple S Winner, 2018 KPL Champion, 2x AWSI Kiteboarder of the year and Naish Designer joins us to talk about:

• His recent accident and recovery process
• The power of community support in times of adversity
• The importance of mindset and belief in overcoming challenges
• Finding gratitude in difficult situations
• The transformative experience of becoming a parent
• Recovering from a brain injury requires physical and emotional strength, as well as the support of loved ones.
• Safety equipment, such as helmets and flotation devices, is crucial in water sports to prevent injuries and accidents.
• The development of the pocket wing is an exciting new category in wing foiling, but it raises questions about safety, value, and the need for clear guidelines and instructions.
• His role as a designer for Nash allows him to contribute to the evolution of wing foiling and explore new possibilities in the sport. Winging with a wing technology can enhance the experience of foiling and stand-up paddleboarding.
• The upcoming AWSI event is an exciting opportunity to see the latest advancements in the industry. (We will be there !!!) 
• And much more!

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/brandonscheid/
Watch on Youtube