Foil Life Podcast

• Wing Foil World Tour & Surf Foil World Tour Show Episode #12 - Recap of Leucate 2025

  On this episode, we chat with Tom Hartmann, tour manager for the GWA Wing Foil World Tour and Surf Foil World Tour (SFT). Fresh from the windy Mondial du Vent in Leucate, France, Tom breaks down the action, from wing foiling in 40-knot gusts to e-foiling and pump foiling in tough conditions. He shares what went down, who stood out, and how these sports are growing fast.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Leucate’s Crazy Weather: Nonstop winds switching from Tramontane to onshore, hitting 20-40 knots, making this one of the wildest Mondial du Vents in Tom’s 20 years there.GWA Standouts: Young gun Benjamin Castenskiold, 14, hitting the surf freestyle final, Nia chasing wins in all four disciplines, and Francesco Capuzzo taking free fly slalom.SFT Action: E-foiling in 40 knots, with a one-armed e-foiler competing and a jet ski downwind format for pump foil when waves got rough.New Faces & Moves: Clean front-to-backflip combos in surf freestyle, plus a record 18-19 women in wing foiling.Judging Shift: Ex-pro Max Robinson joining the judges, bringing his rider’s perspective to the tour.Next Stop: The SFT heading to Sicily’s Water Festival for pump foil, e-foil, and a big beach party vibe.Check out the action on Instagram at @surffoilworldtour, follow on Facebook or YouTube, or head to surffoilworldtour.com for event info.Watch the full episode on YouTube

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• Episode #95 - Ancor Sosa Kather

  On this episode, we sit down with 17-year-old wing foiling sensation Ancor Sosa from Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, whose infectious passion for wind sports has taken him from windsurfing at age seven to competing on the global stage of the GWA Wing Foil World Tour. Ancor shares his journey through windsurfing, kiting, and wing foiling, revealing the grit, family support, and island lifestyle that fuel his rise. From landing double flaccas to recovering from a meniscus injury, this episode dives into the highs and lows of chasing tricks, waves, and podiums in one of the world’s fastest-evolving water sports.In this episode, you’ll discover:Island Roots: How growing up in Fuerteventura with parents running a windsurfing school gave Ancor a head start, learning to windsurf on wooden masts and braving side-onshore winds as a kid.Sport Evolution: Ancor’s transition from freestyle windsurfing on the European tour to kiting’s big air thrills and wing foiling’s explosive growth, blending the best of both worlds.Trick Progression: Insights into mastering funnels, forward loops, and pushing for 1440s, plus Ancor’s secret trick he’s been dialing in for months.Injury Comeback: The mental and physical challenges of recovering from a knee injury in time for a GWA event in Brazil, and how it taught him to train smarter with gym work and physio.Global Tour Life: Stories from competing in New Zealand’s inaugural GWA event, surviving Cape Verde’s gnarly Ponta Preta waves, and racing indoors in Germany’s first-ever wing foiling pool event.Family and Sponsors: The pivotal role of Ancor’s sister Zoe, who films his viral Instagram reels, and the support from Cabrinha, Dakine, and the Canary Islands community.Future Goals: Ancor’s plans to dominate the GWA tour, chase new wave and freestyle disciplines, and enjoy some cheese while competing in France.Follow Ancor’s journey on Instagram at @ancor_sosa, check out his sister’s videography at @soka_photos, and see her kiting adventures at @zoesosakite.Watch the full episode on YouTube

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• Episode #94 - Kevin Collins / Maui Foil House

  On this episode we sit down with Kevin Collins, a seasoned waterman who’s spent the last 24 years mastering kite surfing, and foiling on Maui’s world-class waves. From his early days chasing thunderstorms in Florida to building a foiling hub in Paia, Kevin shares his journey, hard-earned lessons, and the stoke of riding alongside many of Maui's legends. This episode is a deep dive into the evolution of foiling, the vibrant Maui community, and the passion that keeps Kevin charging at 64.In this episode, you’ll discover:From Florida to Maui: How Kevin’s kite surfing passion led him to Maui in 2001, trading a sedentary tech life for a waterman’s lifestyle fueled by consistent trade winds. Maui Foil House Origins: The story of transforming a rundown windsurfing rental into a foiling base, offering lessons, rentals, and guided experiences for visitors.Foiling’s Early Days: Kevin’s journey from risky aluminum foils to riding cutting-edge Armstrong gear, reinvigorating his love for wind sports with the “unicycle on water” vibe.Mentoring Young Talent: Riding with rising stars like Cash Berzolla, Kevin reflects on the calculated risks and cat-like reflexes driving the next generation at spots like Pier 1.Maui’s Foiling Paradise: Why Ka’a and other breaks make Maui a global foiling mecca, with insights on the upcoming downwind season and Triple Crown races.Visit www.mauifoilhouse.com and follow the action on Instagram at @foil.house or @mauifoilhouseWatch full episode on Youtube

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• Episode #93 - Cash Berzolla

  In this exciting episode, Cash Berzolla joins us to dive into the vibrant world of wing foiling and big wave surfing on Maui.We recap his thrilling win at the GWA Wave World Cup in Cabo Verde, where he outshined friend Finn Spencer in a hard-fought final, and discuss how new rules on wing-powered airs are reshaping the sport.Cash shares insights on his custom Keith-shaped guns, his first wing foiling session at Pier 1, and the buzz around Kai Lenny’s multi-sport parawing adventure at Jaws.We explore Maui’s unique wind sports community, from Kanaha’s playground vibes to chance encounters with legends like Steven Tyler.Looking ahead, Cash teases his plans for the Triple Crown and a potential Molokai to Oahu paddle, plus a lively backgammon showdown with Oscar.Visit: https://www.instagram.com/cash_berzolla

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• Wing Foil World Tour & Surf Foil World Tour Show Episode #11 - Recap of Cabo Verde 2025

  In this exciting episode, Tom Hartmann joins us to dive into the latest from the wing foiling and surf foiling world. We recap the recent GWA Wave World Cup in Cabo Verde, where stellar conditions at Ponta Preta showcased top-tier performances, including Nia Suardiaz’s well-deserved women’s wave title and Cash Berzolla’s standout riding. Tom shares behind-the-scenes insights, from equipment challenges to the new rule allowing wing-powered airs that elevated the show. We reflect on Foiling Week in Pensacola, Florida—a vibrant, community-driven event connecting U.S. foilers across disciplines like wing foiling, pump foiling, and e-foiling. Tom highlights the social aspect’s role in building the foil community, Pensacola’s potential as a water sports hub, and Cocoa Beach’s rise as a key spot, despite tricky swell at the Foil Surf Race League. Looking ahead, the future of surf foiling shines bright with plans for new events and formats. Plus, Tom shares a lively detour to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, soaking in its wild, cultural energy. Visit https://www.surffoilworldtour.com/ and https://www.wingfoilworldtour.com/ for more!

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