Foil Life Podcast by SFT

This episode is brought to you by Armstrong Foils. Armstrong Foils are a founding member and proud supporter of the all new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) To learn more visit: www.gfafoilworld.com / www.armstrongfoils.com

Welcome to Episode #2 of the Foil Life Travel Show. On this episode we’re heading to the wind-swept shores of La Ventana, Baja California Sur, Mexico — the legendary kiteboarding and foiling mecca in the Sea of Cortez, famous for its warm turquoise waters, super-consistent thermal winds, sandy beaches, and that pure Baja desert-meets-ocean lifestyle. In this episode, dive deep with Marty from Strong Kiteboarding (originally founded by Dwayne Strong)
What we cover:
- How Marty (former mechanical engineer and journeyman welder) and his wife Jill took over the school, now in their 15th season running it in La Ventana — building it into a family-operated business with permanent roots, two kids, and a tight-knit, multilingual instructor team
- Why La Ventana is a foil & wing paradise: warm 29°C (83–84°F) water, early-season thermals that can start as soon as mid-October, flat-to-rolling sandy conditions perfect for beginners, and bigger Nortes swells that draw advanced wave riders — all with minimal crowds on northern semi-private beaches
- The standout teaching system: private 1-on-1 watercraft-assisted lessons (jet ski support right beside you for instant, real-time feedback, maximum safety, and way more time actually riding — no endless beach walking!), morning tow-foiling in glassy flats to get beginners feeling the foil fast (knees in minutes, standing often under an hour!), ground wing training, and new options like para-winging
- Lessons covering kiteboarding, wing foiling (massive growth area), tow foiling, kite foiling specialties, and para-winging — catering to every level from total beginners to advanced (including strapless freestyle with pros like head instructor Logan)
- Full-service perks: all gear provided (helmets, PFDs, harnesses, bars, boards, kites, wings, foils in every size from Ozone and Core), rentals available, flexible multi-day packages, group/family sessions (up to 10+ people), pick-up/drop-off options, and expert local knowledge on accommodations, whale watching, fishing, mountain biking, diving, and the incredible Sea of Cortez wildlife
If you’re looking for rapid foiling progress, warm water, uncrowded northern launch spots like Ventana Bay Resort or Fig Tree, a welcoming community, and full Baja adventure vibes — this is the spot.
Book your La Ventana kite/foil adventure at: https://strongkiteboarding.com/ 
WhatsApp: +1 (250) 813-0035 | Email: [email protected]
Read our article: https://foillifepodcast.com/blog/discovering-la-ventanas-foiling-magic-inside-strong-kiteboarding-with-marty-and-jill
Next stop… who knows? Drop your dream foil destination in the comments ⬇️

This episode is brought to you by Armstrong Foils. Armstrong Foils are a founding member and proud supporter of the all new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) To learn more visit: www.gfafoilworld.com / www.armstrongfoils.com

In this episode which is brought to you by Armstrong Foils, we sit down with Dr. Jørgen Vogt—Secretary General of the GKA, GWA, and the brand-new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA), plus co-founder of the rapidly growing Surf Foil World Tour (SFT). Fresh into 2026, Jørgen shares the exciting vision behind forming the GFA and what it means for the future of non-wind-powered foiling disciplines.

Episode Overview:
Why a dedicated association like the GFA was needed → to give emerging brands (like Foil Drive) and passionate individuals a unified voice separate from wind-powered sports
Protecting the sport from misguided bans and regulations → real-world examples from kiting and wing foiling, the power of one strong international body when facing politicians or environmental concerns, and educating authorities on why foiling belongs on our waters
Representation at high levels, including potential IOC discussions → ensuring the community—not outsiders—shapes the sport if it ever reaches Olympic consideration
Unifying disciplines under one umbrella → consistent rules, clear world champions, better sponsorship opportunities for young pros, and support for recreational riders at local spots
How the GFA benefits everyday foilers → from gear innovation and community strength to fighting access restrictions and promoting safety/environmental harmony
The inclusive board structure → bringing together diverse voices from surf foiling, e-foiling, foil assist, and more for balanced governance
Jørgen's unique background as a lawyer (LLM/PhD) turned full-time watersports advocate → why legal expertise matters for building legitimate, respected associations
Looking ahead to SFT Season 2 → a welcoming, fun-focused tour where amateurs and pros mix, no one should fear entering, and the spirit is all about community, gear talk, and pure enjoyment
From preventing future bans to empowering small brands and grassroots riders, this conversation reveals why unified governance is the key to keeping non-wind foiling free, growing, and true to its roots. If you're passionate about pump, prone, downwind, e-foil, wake foil, or any foil discipline—and want to protect access while watching the sport explode—this episode explains the big-picture moves happening behind the scenes.
To learn more about the Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) visit → www.gfafoilworld.com
To learn more about Armstrong Foils visit → www.armstrongfoils.com

This episode is brought to you by Armstrong Foils. Armstrong Foils are a founding member and proud supporter of the all new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) To learn more visit: www.gfafoilworld.com / www.armstrongfoils.com

In this episode we connect with fellow Canadian waterman Michael Pisarczyk—a dedicated foiler based in Sarnia, Ontario, right on the shores of Lake Huron. Recorded as fall conditions ramp up on the Great Lakes, these two passionate riders share stories from the water, celebrating the world-class (yet underrated) foiling potential hidden in these massive inland seas.
Episode Overview:
Michael's backyard access to Lake Huron—convenient home sessions, epic downwind runs (30-50K along the coast or on the mini-Hood River-like St. Clair River), and why almost any wind direction works here
His multi-discipline journey: from youth sailing and windsurfing, to high-school kiting obsession, strapless surfboarding, and how foiling (wing, prone, pump, downwind) reignited the stoke with lower-wind windows and endless glide
Pair winging progression: starting rough, unlocking upwind tacks against river current, and the unique freedom (and challenges) of no lines or booms—just pure hand-held power on small sinker boards
That unforgettable first committed prone downwind run: full-send on the industrial-lined river, no falls allowed, pure focus on older square boards with paddle starts
Building the "Great Lakes Waterman" channels to showcase lake potential—inspiring more locals (and globals) with stunning drone footage, while growing a small but frothing community
Family foiling fun: gently introducing his 9- and 7-year-old kids to e-foils (knees-first mastery turning to stand-up runs) and side-by-side cruising sessions
E-foiling's role in scratching the itch on flat days, keeping skills sharp with endless turns, and the exciting growth of competitive tours like the Surf Foil Tour (SFT)
Why the Great Lakes are tailor-made for modern foiling—long fetch for rolling swell in lighter winds, massive playgrounds, and those rare but magical "world-class" bangers that make the chase worthwhile
From cold-water commitment to uniting disciplines and dreaming of Canadian SFT events, this chat is a love letter to Great Lakes foiling—and a call to get more people out experiencing the magic.
If you've ever chased lake swell, battled commitment points in downwinders, or wondered why these massive freshwater oceans deserve way more foiling love… this is it.

Follow Michael Pisarczyk → @great.lakes.waterman (YouTube/Instagram) | https://www.greatlakeswaterman.com

This episode is brought to you by Armstrong Foils. Armstrong Foils are a founding member and proud supporter of the all new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) To learn more visit: www.gfafoilworld.com / www.armstrongfoils.com

In this special Christmas episode, we catch up with Maui-based Emmy-winning filmmaker and passionate waterman Stephan Boeker—recorded remotely from opposite sides of the world (Canada and Japan)
The old friends reminisce about their first meeting at the 2013 ALOHA Classic windsurfing event on Maui, where they teamed up to run the live stream (Stephan's first non-wedding webcast and Luc's intense introduction to pro windsurfing behind the camera).
We go deep on:
Stephan's unlikely path: from teenage windsurf obsession on Long Island Sound, to ditching a "serious" post-college career for a one-way ticket to Maui 25 years ago
Hustling early days—busboy to resort manager, moonlighting wedding gigs, restaurant photo sales, and creative side projects (including touring Europe with Olympic skier Julia Mancuso)
Pioneering wedding webcasts in the dial-up era with car batteries and duplexed broadband, evolving into cinematic storytelling that captures raw love and emotion
Showing up "zen" on wedding days—leaving baggage behind to truly see and preserve those fleeting signs of love
The surprise Emmy win for his documentary "Trilogy: It’s in the Heart" (a 50th anniversary film for Maui's iconic sailing family), rejections turned validation, and the profound life lessons that followed
Windsurfing as a lifelong passion: starting at 12, Ho'okipa shorebreak humility, mythic mystique of the spot, and that memorable pep talk helping Luc battle through pounding sets to finally ride waves
Parallels between presence on the water (reading chop, feeling equipment) and presence in life/filmmaking—letting go, respect, and embracing conflict as the story's engine
Future stoke: wing foil lessons at Kanaha harbor, summer uppers sessions, and why foiling's low-impact glide could be the perfect addition for wave-snobs
From raw beginnings in windsurfing and weddings to Emmy stages and near-misses, this heartfelt holiday chat celebrates love, presence, perseverance, and the unbreakable pull of the ocean.
If you've ever chased windy dreams, battled shorebreak, or wondered what goes into crafting timeless stories of love and adventure… this is it.
Follow Stephan Boeker → https://stephanboekerfilms.com/

This episode is brought to you by Armstrong Foils. Armstrong Foils are a founding member and proud supporter of the all new Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA) To learn more visit: www.gfafoilworld.com / www.armstrongfoils.com

In this episode we catch up with Slingshot's wind division powerhouse duo: Elliott Tauscher (brand manager and Hood River local) and pro rider/engineer Trent Carter (fresh from endless downwind sessions in Oahu).
Recorded remotely as the seasons shift—fall hibernation in the Gorge and peak downwind season in Hawaii—the guys kick things off with life updates, snowboarding war stories, and how their roots in skiing, snowboarding, and lake waterman antics shaped their paths into foiling pros.

We go deep on:
Trent's journey from ditching high school classes for secret Tahoe downwind runs on an Infinity 84 to pitching epic film projects and joining the Slingshot team
How Slingshot pairs elite athletes like Trent with designers to push boundaries, from early kite innovations to the game-changing One-Lock screwless foil system
Drag as the ultimate enemy: why eliminating screws, optimizing masts/fuselages, and quick-swapping wings/tails unlocks efficiency, stiffness, and endless setup tweaks
The evolution of downwind foils: insane glide with consistent range, high-aspect designs that now carve like surf foils, anhedral/dihedral for maneuverability, and profile tweaks for lift distribution
Real-world testing in ocean swell vs. Gorge swell, gear optimization for every condition, and why no single setup rules everywhere
Wild future ideas: self-adjusting stabilizers, adaptive foils, and how innovations like One-Lock make swapping (and progressing) effortless for everyone
Foiling's magic in connecting disciplines—kite, wing, prone, pump, downwind—and bringing the whole watersports community together
From raw athlete feedback driving R&D to the sheer joy of making foils faster, smoother, and more fun, this is an unfiltered look inside one of foiling's most innovative brands—and why the best is still yet to come.

If you've ever wondered what goes into building the foils dominating downwind runs and beyond … this is it.

Follow Slingshot → https://slingshotsports.com/pages/foil
Trent Carter → @trent.carter
Elliott Tauscher: @elliott_stays