Foil Life Podcast by SFT

Improve your foiling skills in paradise! Join us in Montanita Ecuador May 23-30, 2026 for a foil drive / tow / prone foil camp with Ecuador Foil, KT Foiling & Julia Castro. Learn More

On this episode, Carlos Saez joins Luc Moore on the first episode of their new tech series Flight Mode for an in-depth conversation on para-winging, foil assist, and the rapidly evolving world of foiling.
Carlos breaks down the current state of para-winging and how it compares to traditional winging. He covers why para-wings are making foiling more accessible by simplifying logistics—no big boards or paddling required—while allowing riders to get up on foil faster, stash the wing, and surf waves with freedom. The discussion explores equipment choices, wind ranges, pumping technique, and the trade-offs between para-wings and inflatable wings, including upwind performance, ease of use, and gear requirements for different conditions.
They dive deep into practical setup recommendations for average riders (75–85 kg), including ideal board volumes and dimensions (5’2”–6’2”, 20–23” wide, volume close to or slightly under rider weight), front wing sizes (800–1300 cm²), and para-wing sizes (4 m to 5.5 m) for different wind strengths. Carlos shares insights on board shapes (shorter, wider, flatter bottoms for pumping and progression), the balance of high vs. low aspect wings, line lengths, materials, and why a versatile “one-quiver” approach works best for most riders instead of owning many specialized pieces.
Episode Highlights:
- Para-winging vs. winging: wind range differences, starting in lighter conditions, pumping challenges, and why para-winging feels addictive once you’re up and stashing.
- Recommended gear for mid-weight riders: board volumes, lengths, widths, and foil choices that balance light-wind performance with control in stronger winds.
- The future of the sport: evolving board designs, wing development (V2/V3 models), simplicity vs. high-performance, and how para-winging bridges downwinding, surfing, and winging.
- Advice for newcomers: why you should start with winging first, the importance of progression, and why getting in early (even with current gear) accelerates learning.
- Market realities: rapid brand innovation, early adopter opportunities, and focusing on equipment that’s fun and forgiving rather than overly specialized.
This episode is packed with honest, experience-based advice for anyone interested in para-winging, foil assist, or expanding their foiling toolkit. Whether you’re an intermediate rider looking to simplify sessions or a seasoned foiler exploring new disciplines, Carlos delivers clear, practical guidance without the hype.
If you want to geek out on real-world setups, equipment decisions, and where foiling is heading next, this is the perfect starting point for the Flight Mode series.
Tune in for more deep dives with community experts, pros, and gear nerds in upcoming episodes.
This episode is brought to you by Waterspeed. Download the app—live tracking, deep analytics, and community vibes for every watersport adventure. 🌊⚡🏄‍♂️

Improve your foiling skills in paradise! Join us in Montanita Ecuador May 23-30, 2026 for a foil drive / tow / prone foil camp with Ecuador Foil, KT Foiling & Julia Castro. Learn More

On this episode, Robert Ross (owner of Ecuador Foil and the ME Hotel & Villas - Montañita Estates in Montañita, Ecuador) joins Luc Moore (host of the Foil Life Podcast) for a practical Q&A answering all the common questions about the upcoming Ecuador Foil Retreat.
Robert breaks down the world-class foiling setup in warm, consistent Pacific waters: the legendary “Laboratory” reef spot with its easy conveyor-belt rip, straight takeoffs on mushy crumbly waves, high wave count (50–70 waves per session), boat launches into point breaks, and options for prone, tow, and foil drive sessions. The retreats cater to all levels—from beginners chasing their first reps to experienced wingers and surfers looking to add tow foiling or get more volume in uncrowded conditions.
The conversation covers prevailing conditions (waist to double overhead, works on all swell sizes), ideal gear recommendations, no-wetsuit warm water (around 80°F), daily sessions adjusted for tides and wind, transfers to multiple breaks, and why this spot is exceptionally beginner- and intermediate-friendly thanks to the forgiving wave shape and current assistance.
They also dive into logistics: airport pickups from Guayaquil with driver Henry, boutique hotel accommodations (private rooms or shared villas with kitchens, pools, Jacuzzis, and on-site restaurant/bar), nearby seafood spots, family-friendly options for non-foilers, safety in the area, and a typical retreat day blending early morning sessions, downtime in hammocks, and group dinners.
Episode Highlights:
- The “Laboratory” and boat-access spots — easy launches, rip-assisted paddles, high repetition, and conveyor-belt wave access ideal for learning or racking up waves.
- Conditions & versatility — all swell sizes, warm water, prone/tow/foil drive options, tide- and swell-dependent spot rotations (beach breaks to reefs).
- Who it’s for — beginners to advanced, wingers transitioning to tow, lake/wake experienced riders, and groups; gear rentals available.
- Retreat practicalities — two-week window with flexible daily sessions, hotel details (pools, Jacuzzis, no mandatory shared rooms), food (fresh seafood, group dining options), sun protection, and family activities.
- Travel tips — Guayaquil arrivals, WhatsApp communication, safety notes, and why warm water + easy access makes everything more fun and less exhausting.
If you’re on the fence about a tropical foiling getaway with consistent warm-water waves, easy learning conditions, boat-assisted tow sessions, and a relaxed boutique hotel base in a vibrant surf town, this episode delivers the exact details you need—plus plenty of stoke for high-volume, uncrowded foiling in paradise.
Robert Ross / Ecuador Foil — https://www.ecuadorfoil.com 
ME Hotel & Villas (Montañita Estates) — https://www.montanitaestates.com 
Foil Life Podcast — https://foillifepodcast.com/camps 
Check https://foillifepodcast.com/camps or www.ecuadorfoil.com for retreat dates (including the May sessions), booking info, and to reach out directly. They’re ready to customize your Ecuador foil adventure. 🌊🏄‍♂️⚡
This episode is brought to you by Waterspeed. Download the app—live tracking, deep analytics, and community vibes for every watersport adventure. 🌊⚡🏄‍♂️

Improve your foiling skills in paradise! Join us in Montanita Ecuador May 23-30, 2026 for a foil drive / tow / prone foil camp with Ecuador Foil, KT Foiling & Julia Castro. Learn More

On this episode, Matt Lennert (operating partner and lead instructor at NC Foil School in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina) joins Luc Moore (host of the Foil Life Podcast) for a highly informative conversation about one of the most versatile foiling destinations on the East Coast.
Matt shares how NC Foil School was founded with partners Dale and Carolyn (fresh from 10+ years guiding tow-foiling and working with Lift eFoils in Puerto Rico). Based at the iconic Trailborn Surf & Sound resort in Riceville Beach—just 15 minutes from Wilmington airport—the school offers protected flat water for beginner e-foiling, ocean surf, thermal winds for winging, downwind runs, and inlet/beach breaks all in one spot.
The conversation dives into their proven teaching method: starting every rider on Lift eFoils with BB Talkin headsets for real-time coaching from an elevated dock. Most beginners are flying and standing in their first 60-minute session. Matt explains how they customize lessons to each person’s goals, schedule, and lifestyle—whether pure e-foiling fun or progressing into winging, SUP foiling, or wave riding.
They also cover the location’s advantages: warmer water than Hatteras (boardshorts by late May), a long season from April through early December, and family-friendly resort vibes perfect for mixed-ability groups and vacations.
Episode Highlights:
- Beginner-to-advanced progression — Why e-foiling is the fastest, safest gateway, then transitioning into other disciplines based on conditions and personal fit.
- Conditions & seasons — Flat sound water, thermal winging, ocean swell, beach/inlet surf—plus wetsuit guidance month by month.
- Lesson formats — Private or small-group sessions (60 or 90 min), multi-day Emerging Camps, and custom family adventures.
- Puerto Rico retreats — Upcoming tow-foiling + e-foil trips to uncrowded North Shore waves with all-inclusive options.
- Demo center & gear — Try the latest Lift eFoils and wings before you buy to make smart equipment choices.
- Coaching edge — BB headsets, tight real-time feedback, fatigue management, and why coached sessions accelerate progress dramatically.
If you’re looking to learn e-foiling the right way, add winging or wave foiling, or plan a fun family foiling getaway on the East Coast, this episode is packed with practical tips, location insights, and pure stoke.
Matt Lennert - https://www.instagram.com/matt_lennert
NC Foil School - https://www.instagram.com/ncfoilschool/
Visit https://www.ncfoilschool.com for lessons, camps, and Puerto Rico retreats. Reach out directly—they love creating custom adventures.
This episode is brought to you by Waterspeed. Download the app—live tracking, deep analytics, and community vibes for every watersport adventure. 🌊⚡🏄‍♂️

Improve your foiling skills in paradise! Join us in Montanita Ecuador May 23-30, 2026 for a foil drive / tow / prone foil camp with Ecuador Foil, KT Foiling & Julia Castro. Learn More

On this episode, Corey Marlatt (a standout eFoil racer from Pensacola, Florida, and passionate Fliteboard rider) joins Luc Moore (host of the Foil Life Podcast) for an energetic conversation about his journey from kiteboarding roots to dominating the high-speed world of eFoiling.

Corey opens up about his beach-centric upbringing split between Minnesota and the Gulf Coast (Gulf Shores, Alabama, near Pensacola), where he was homeschooled and spent endless days kiteboarding from age 14—thanks to living right across from the beach. With family support for that lifestyle, he built serious water skills early, ditching traditional school for powder-soft sand and wave time.

The chat shifts to his entry into eFoiling about five years ago, sparked by fatherhood reducing kiteboarding time (too weather-dependent and gear-fussy). A local Lift dealer hooked him up with a free lesson, and he was instantly addicted. He's since tested brands like Lift, Waydoo, Sci-Fly, and Fliteboard—settling firmly on Flite as his ride of choice for its superior handling, customizable setups (shims, tails, fuselages), and race-ready performance.
They geek out on gear details: Corey's favorite wings (Flow 900 conical for hard carving/high speed, 1000 Wave for surfing, Flux 707 for versatile wave riding), the game-changing folding prop (Foldy) for near-zero drag when unpowered in waves, and the Mercury-designed Jet 2 impeller boosting top speeds (up to 34-35 mph for some riders). He shares why jet drives cut prop fears (zero exposed risk) but add slight drag—ideal for beginners/safety-focused spots, while props/foldables shine in waves.
Episode Highlights:
Epic wave sessions: Recent Turks and Caicos trip with massive 15-25 ft faces from a US cold front—riding unpowered at 28.5 mph (nearly 46 km/h), getting hammered by whitewash (one 8-second underwater hold felt eternal), full-face MTB helmets, surf leashes, and high-adrenaline bailouts. Gear 20 max power for escaping sketchy spots, plus why falling in front of a heavier eFoil (42-60 lbs) demands respect and protection (chest plates coming soon?).
Safety & crashes: Real talk on impacts (mast/board hits like concrete at speed), helmet-saving backflip fails, and building confidence gradually. Prop vs. jet trade-offs in waves (jet can't breach as easily but still rideable unpowered most times).
Racing & events: From early races in Pensacola to podium wins (e.g., 1st Men's Open at Flite Dubai eFoil Festival), plus upcoming Turks and Caicos eFoil Retreat (Sept 27–Oct 4, hosted by Foil Turks and Caicos—open to all brands, coaching by Corey & Justin, prime canal/reef/flat-to-swell access).
Beyond racing: Family vibes, exploring spots, comparing eFoils to non-powered foiling, and the thrill of pushing limits in places like Dubai and Turks.
If you're into high-performance eFoiling, wave-riding on electric hydrofoils, race setups, big-swell stories, gear tweaks for speed/carving, or just stoke from a guy who's lived the progression (kite to elite eFoil racing)—this episode delivers insider insights, safety wisdom, wild wipeout tales, and pure water passion.

Follow Corey on Instagram at @mr.efly02 (or search Corey Marlatt for his eFoiling content), check his rides and race updates, and look out for the Turks and Caicos retreat via Foil Turks and Caicos. Whether you're chasing speed on flat water or charging waves, get out there—gear up, stay safe (helmet on, leash ready), and fly! 🌊⚡🏄‍♂️

This episode is brought to you by Waterspeed. Download the app—live tracking, deep analytics, and community vibes for every watersport adventure.

Improve your foiling skills in paradise! Join us in Montanita Ecuador May 23-30, 2026 for a foil drive / tow / prone foil camp with Ecuador Foil, KT Foiling & Julia Castro. Learn More

On this episode, Charlie Newlands (owner of SWS Muskoka, E-Foil Sports Muskoka, and a top Canadian water ski show performer) joins Luc Moore (host of the Foil Life Podcast) for a fun, wide-ranging chat about his lifelong passion for water sports, from professional show skiing to becoming one of Ontario's leading eFoil ambassadors.
Charlie shares his roots growing up on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka, Ontario—working at the local ski school as a kid, buying it in 2006 with his family, and expanding into marinas, ski shows, and eventually eFoiling. A fellow Canadian (with stints living in Australia for years, performing at SeaWorld, and traveling globally for shows), he recounts how sit-down hydrofoiling became his gateway to the foil world 20+ years ago, leading to Guinness World Records (including 28 hydrofoils behind one boat and 10 simultaneous backflips), and earning him the 2024 IWWF Male Show Skier of the Year award.
They dive into the explosion of eFoiling in Canada's cottage country—flat-water cruising on the Muskoka lakes (Lake Rosseau, Lake Joseph, Lake Muskoka), why jet-powered boards like Fliteboard are essential due to Canadian regulations prohibiting exposed propellers (with tips on staying legal, wearing life jackets, and riding respectfully), and how eFoils have become a game-changer for ski schools by keeping more people on the water longer.
Episode Highlights:
- First eFoil experiences: Discovering Lift/MSLR Electric during COVID, then partnering with Fliteboard in 2022 as a top Ontario dealer—selling nearly 100 boards, running three Flight School locations (including at JW Marriott Deerhurst), and offering lessons, rentals, and demos
- Safety focus: Why jet propulsion is safer (no exposed prop risk), Fliteboard's standout features (Light Rider mode for kids/teens, speed limits, geofenced fly zones via the app, kill switch on release), leash recommendations for bigger water/ocean vs. flat lakes, and real talk on freak falls (wings/mast usually hit first)
- Muskoka eFoiling life: Cruising islands/docks, pairing with wake surfing/skiing, family-friendly vibe, winter rides in drysuits through slushy rivers/ice chunks for epic content, and even cutting down Fliteboard foils to ride the indoor lake at the Toronto International Boat Show
- Show skiing world: Combining barefoot, jumps, pyramids, flips, and themed routines (Batman vibes!) in 45-minute spectacles—plus how sit-down foils powered global gigs in Australia, India, Dubai, and the US
- Beyond eFoiling: Love for wake foiling (pumping endless waves behind the boat), growing interest in downwind/prone/para foiling on Georgian Bay, Flite Scooter as a beginner-friendly stepping stone, and family involvement (his wife foils too!)
- Future dreams: Airplane-friendly batteries for travel (the ultimate game-changer), more downwinding adventures, potential events/pump foils at boat shows, and connecting the foil community across Canada
If you're into eFoils on beautiful Canadian lakes, navigating regs safely, blending tow/foil/wake sports, or just love water stoke from a guy who's lived it all (ski shows to jet-powered gliding)—this episode is packed with insider tips, safety insights, hilarious stories, and pure enthusiasm for getting more people on the water.
Check out Charlie on Instagram at @charlienewlands, E-Foil Sports Muskoka at @efoil.sports.muskoka, SWS Muskoka at @swsmuskoka, book lessons/rentals via swsmuskoka.com or efoilsportsmuskoka.com (authorized Fliteboard dealer/service), or hit him up for a session when you're in Ontario. Come ride Muskoka's lakes—flat water, endless summer vibes, and foil freedom await!
Listen now and get hyped for the short-but-sweet Canadian season. Stay safe, wear that PFD, and fly! ❄️🏄‍♂️⚡🌲
This episode is brought to you by Waterspeed. Download the app—live tracking, deep analytics, and community vibes for every watersport adventure.