LabRat Foiler Podcast

We’re back from Hood River, and this legend inspired me to restart recording the podcast. Coming home from summer in the Gorge to winter in Australia left me feeling flat, and I was struggling to find the motivation to record again. But as soon as this ripper agreed to come on, the spark returned instantly.

On the trip, I had the chance to meet the Armstrong crew in the Gorge and watched Cash throw down some wild tricks on the parawing. Here is the Armstrong Team strike mission video at The Gorge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ8yt9gtiVg

Cash’s natural ability to get inverted was unreal to watch—by his third or fourth session, he was already pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on a parawing. In this episode, we break down some of those tricks, dive into wave riding with the parawing—a discipline that’s only just beginning to be explored and is yet to be pushed to the limit—and there’s truly no better person to talk about this topic than Cash.

We also touch on Armstrong’s plans of developing a parawing and his vision for the future of power and progression of this sport. Cash, thank you for your energy, stoke, and for putting me back on track.

It was a pleasure having this conversation with you Cash. At such a young age you’ve already cemented your place as one of the true innovators of our sport. Let me know who you'd like to hear from next! Don’t forget to subscribe for more foiling tutorials, down winding tips, and parawing techniques to elevate your water sports skills.

@foilrat on Instagram

#Parawinging #Parawing #Foiling #DownWinding

In this episode we talk with Greg Falck from Omen Foils (omenfoils.com). Greg has been loving riding the Parawing lately and has come up with some interesting ideas on topics like: harness connections, the use of leashes and how we can improve our stowing techniques with additional accessories.

Greg’s background as a mechanical engeneer, work experience as a Designer at Ocean Rodeo and material scientist at Aluula Composites generated many talking points about the future of Parawinging materials, what is possible, and how these product can evolve.

Greg shares great riding tips on stowing and popping up on small boards and we explore Vancouver Island's unique riding conditions. He shares his opinion on why the Parawing replaced his favorite wing and an unsusual story about Parawing safety.

Finally Greg shares more information on Omen Foil boards and detailed information on understanding swell and wave dynamics for downwinding. This episode is loaded with tons of information to help you progress your Parawing riding! It was a pleasure to talk with this data driven, analytical, creative dude! We could have continued talking for hours I think!

Michael Shephard belt clip link: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/ShepherdWatersports

How to Foil Swell and Waves Better: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thcqEYQ7LHA&t=3s

In this episode, we dive into Parawinging through the lens of Bowen Dwelle, a seasoned sailor and San Francisco native with decades of experience across various wind-based sports, including windsurfing, kitesurfing, kitefoiling, and wingfoiling. His deep-rooted connection to the bay serves as a backdrop for our discussion, where we explore the foiling scene in San Francisco and the unique riding styles that Parawing is opening up.

Bowen shares his insights on the evolution of Parawing riding styles, highlighting how the sport continues to innovate and adapt, with new techniques and approaches emerging. We also cover essential gear setups, offering practical tips for those interested in exploring Parawinging coming from a winging backgorund.

As the author of the first article on Parawinging for Foiling Magazine, Bowen's expertise is further underscored by his ongoing work on a comprehensive buying guide that details various Parawing models and their distinct riding characteristics.

It was a pleasure to learn more about him and looking forward to more of these chats in person in Hood River!

In this episode featuring Dave West, we dive deep into the advantages of parawinging compared to SUP downwinding. Dave is a professional, multidisciplinary foiler who recently released a series of three videos documenting his experiences learning how to parawing, which sparked considerable controversy online. His polarizing views have generated engaging discussions that we explore in this lively debate.

In addition to our banter, we discuss skateboarding drills to improve your parawing handling skills, Dave’s pro model, The Cypher, which is an excellent choice for parawinging, and the current state of the major downwinding racing scene in Hawaii.

It was a pleasure hosting this amusing, charismatic, and talented rider. I can't wait for our next banter session!

Elliot has played a significant role in my development in boardsports. When I first began watching early kiteboarding films, I never imagined I would find myself participating in a podcast with the man behind the camera. Elliot has witnessed and experienced so much throughout his professional boardsport career, both in front of and behind the lens. Hearing his excitement about Parawinging serves as a true validation for me that I’m on the right path.

In this podcast, we cover a wide range of topics, including the beginnings of kiteboarding and how he and his roommate, Lou Wainman, helped propel the sport forward. We also delve into the inception of foiling and discuss his early experiences on the airchair with notable figures like Pete Cabrinha, Robby Naish, and Dave Kalama. Additionally, we explore Parawinging in great detail, including board shapes, riding styles, a LOT of chatter, and what the future holds for this exciting discipline.

This episode is truly packed with great stories and insights. I hope you enjoy it! Elliot is an absolute legend!

In this episode we speak with The Man, Greg Drexler. Greg change the world of foiling in August, 2024 when he launched the very first parawing. What happened after that was absolutely incredible. Never have we seen such uptake of a new foiling discipline, where from one day to the other the entire foiling industry had to recalibrate and reconsider their R&D plans for the upcoming year. And so the race was on to catch up…

Greg will give you an amazing insight into everything that led to his first launch, his thinking, his successes, his failures and all the ‘aha moments’ along the way. He shares some information about his new V2s, some cool tinkering hacks and his views on what he still wants to improve in the gear.

Thank you Greg for accepting this invitation for a chat. It was an honor to meet you and I can say that what you’ve created has changed my life forever. Thank you!

In this episode we speak with Gwen Le Tutour, who is a filmaker, YouTuber, and an incredible foiling coach. Gwen’s story started from his love of the ocean and sea life concervation. After working on the Sea Shepherd, Gwen took a punt and started an extremely popular YouTube Channel with Damian Leroy. His foiling journey is not only inspiring but one filled with perseverance, passion and knowledge.

Gwen shares his Parawing techniques to get on foil, how to find the sweet spot when stowing, and shares an amazing perspective into learning how to downwind. His professional approach and his coaching knowledge will definately help you become a better Parawinger.

 know I learned heaps from this guy! I hope you do as well!

In this episode we speak with Ken Adgate an Ozone ambassador and Mikeslab foils team rider. Wow, this episode is packed with so much information and sits at the top shelf for those seeking to learn new moves, riding tips, parawing mods… this list is long. Ken shares step by step brake-downs of fundamental moves like jibes, land drills and stowing, and keeps the good stuff coming with more advanced techniques like tacking, downloops, sinker starts.

I learned so much from Ken and I’m stoked he will be in Hood River during the same time I’ll be there! Looking to soak up as much as I can from his many years of riding and all his experience in wind sports. Looking forward to some epic session together!

Keith Teboul is a legendary shaper from Maui who has seen it all and experienced it all. Now parawinging has arrived and the froth levels are high in Maui for this new discipline. “This has been everyone’s dream, to ride an endless wave in the open ocean. What is next?” His thirst for innovation has created a magnetism for riders like Kai Lenny, Kane de Wilde, Elliot Leboe, Ian Walsh, Annie Reickert, Cody & Levi Young, Marcilio Browne, Levi Siver, and many more, to support his vision and help drive this evolution forward. His passion for water sports drives Keith to constantly develop his skills and push the limits of technology in ways never thought possible. Thanks for the chat mate, what an honour to have you on the Podcast!

Gavin Blake is foiler with a mission. The sole purpose of his YouTube channel is to raise money for Bear Cottage, the Children's Hospice based in Sydney. Gav has gone a step further and launched an online auction to raise money in a creative way. Gav is auctioning a complete Code setup (980S, 142AR tail, medium fuse and 85cm mast) through his YouTube channel from the 10th - 17th of May, check out the link to bid on this incredible setup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J2ynvVDu2Y

Gav is also one of the most reputable product reviewer in the parawinging space and in this episode Gav goes through all the parawings he’s tried so far, sharing the pros and cons of each model, in order to help you make the right choice. We discuss his passion for parawinging, why it beats every other foiling disciple and other practical advice for people getting into the sport.

Thank you Gav for your positive energy, purposeful pursuit, and overall froth on Parawinging!