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 (@foil_encounters), Gavin Blake (@hydrogav), Daniel Paronetto (@foilrat), and Matt Kauffman (@mattonfoil) join us for a raw, no-BS roundtable on parawinging — one of the fastest-growing and most exciting disciplines in foiling.
From total beginners to world-class riders, the crew shares hard-earned lessons on how to actually get into parawinging, what gear really works, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that kill progression and motivation. They discuss everything from first-session advice to building a practical quiver, board & foil choices, stashing techniques, physical demands, and the future of parawing-specific equipment.
Episode Highlights:
- The best advice they’d give their beginner selves: start big, don’t overthink gear, and get on foil fast.
- Ideal beginner setups — board volume, foil size, parawing sizes, and why being overpowered early is actually smart.
- Building a real-world quiver: how many parawings you actually need, wind range realities, and the “Frankenstein” dream setup (best bits from Ozone, North, POW, etc.).
- Board evolution — why mid-lengths and new stubby shapes are changing the game for 2026/2027.
- Technique talk: pumping synchronization, harness use, foot switches, and why stashing properly saves sessions (and your gear).
- Background matters — how wingers, kiters, surfers, and total newcomers progress differently.
- The physical side, downwind strategy, redeployment tips, and staying safe in real conditions.
- Honest talk on accessibility vs. elite racing and keeping the sport fun and approachable.
This is the ultimate “everything you wanted to know about parawinging but didn’t know who to ask” episode — packed with practical, experience-based advice from riders who have put in serious hours across the globe.
Whether you’re thinking about your first session or already hooked and refining your quiver, this conversation will save you time, money, and frustration.
Tune in for the straight talk every aspiring parawinger needs to hear.
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

In this inspiring episode of the Waterspeed Podcast, Luc Moore catches up with French foiling standout Jean Le Gall(currently topping the DEFI Wind 20 km Water Speed Challenge leaderboard) straight from the beach. Fresh off setting a blistering 37.20 knots top speed and a 23:54.99 time on the iconic Gruissan course, Jean shares what it feels like to lead the pack for the first time in a major competition — and his hopes of wearing the coveted Golden Jersey at DeFi Wind.
Jean opens up about his setup: the 4.9 Nell Pride 2024 sail, a prototype 350 cm² front wing, and his GP board that helped him hit 37+ knots in the legendary Tramontana winds. He explains how foiling makes maintaining high average speeds over distance easier than traditional fin sailing, why Gruissan’s flat water and consistent conditions are perfect for long runs, and his simple race mindset: “Go as fast as you can and check the app after.”
The conversation dives deeper into Jean’s legendary 24-hour challenge — 561.6 km in just 15 hours of sailing (with a nighttime pause due to fires). He reveals how he managed fuel (energy bars + 3L water backpack), handled physical pain in his hands and grip, battled mental fatigue, and even MacGyvered broken boom + flashlights for a future 800 km night attempt. Jean also shares why live tracking via Waterspeed gives him confidence when pushing limits, especially at night or in offshore winds.
Episode Highlights:
- Leading the DEFI 20 km Water Speed Challenge and chasing the Golden Jersey
- Gear breakdown: sail, prototype wing, and board choices for speed + endurance
- Balancing top speed vs. sustainable average speed over distance
- The insane 561.6 km / 24h challenge — logistics, pain, mental game, and the 800 km goal
- Night foiling creativity (broken boom + flashlights), safety, and community tracking
- Why Waterspeed’s live tracking, leaderboards, and performance analytics are perfect for DeFi prep
Whether you’re training for DeFi Wind, dreaming of ultra-distance foiling missions, or just love hearing from riders who push the limits, this episode is packed with real talk, motivation, and practical insights from one of the most dedicated watermen in the game.
🎧 Tune in for stories of speed, endurance, and the pure joy of foiling in Gruissan’s perfect conditions.
Brought to you by Waterspeed — the ultimate app for tracking, analyzing, and competing in wind, wing, kite, and foiling.
Download now and join the next DeFi Challenge! 🌊⚡
Visit: https://defiwind.fr/en/

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

In this exciting episode, Luc Moore sits down with Paul Bru (DeFi Organizer), Paula Acebo, and Floris Dielen (Waterspeed) to dive deep into the world’s biggest watersports gathering — DeFi Wind, DeFi Wing & DeFi Kite — and how the Waterspeed app is transforming how riders prepare, track, and compete.
From its origins as a simple Apple Watch recording tool born from founder Max’s frustration, Waterspeed has evolved into the ultimate analytics platform for sailors, windsurfers, wing foilers, and kiters. Matt Sproson and Floris break down what makes it stand out from Strava and Garmin — including foiling efficiency, tack/jibe analysis, VMG, polar charts, live tracking, heart rate insights, and powerful debrief tools.
They explore the game-changing Waterspeed x DeFi partnership, featuring special Challenges (20 km long-distance format) where anyone in the world can compete against top riders — no matter where you sail. Discover how riders are using countdown timers, gear tracking, session comparisons, and performance data to get race-ready for Gruissan’s legendary Tramontana winds.
Episode Highlights:
What makes DeFi so special: 2,200+ riders, pros and amateurs on the same start line, massive brand village, and an incredible party atmosphere
Practical prep advice for first-timers and veterans — gear selection, stamina, mark rounding, and handling 40+ knot winds
Golden Jersey prizes, free entry tickets, and on-site rewards for Waterspeed users
How the app builds community through Challenges, leaderboards, and future multiplayer features
Real rider stories and the coolest sessions from Namibia downwind records to SailGP speeds
Whether you’re a weekend warrior chasing personal bests, a serious racer prepping for DeFi, or just love geeking out on watersports data, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you ride better, stay safer, and connect with the global community.
Visit: https://defiwind.fr/en/
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, Luc Moore sits down with Matt Sproson (Head of Marketing) and Floris Dielen (Business Development) from Waterspeed to explore the leading water sports tracking app built specifically for sailors, windsurfers, wing foilers, and kiters.
Matt and Floris share the origin story of Waterspeed — born seven years ago from founder Max’s frustration of having no dedicated sailing app for his new Apple Watch — and how user feedback turned a simple recording tool into the most comprehensive water sports analytics platform available. They break down what sets Waterspeed apart from Strava and Garmin, the science behind key metrics like foiling efficiency, tack/jibe analysis, VMG, and polar charts, plus the new multiplayer features including Challenges and Groups that are building real community in the app.
Episode Highlights:
- How Waterspeed started and evolved into a one-stop shop for tracking, analyzing, and reliving every session on the water.
- Beginner-to-pro features: foiling time & efficiency, best speeds (20 intervals), safety live tracking, heart rate insights, and ultra-level racing analytics.
- The shift from “single player” to “multiplayer” mode — Challenges, leaderboards, and future community feed plans.
- Team riders & ambassadors (Ben Proffitt, Kylie, Bowie, Erwin, Geoffroy, etc.) and how they help shape the app.
- Exciting partnerships for 2026: Northstar SailGP, Magenta Project (female athlete research), Defi, and PWA.
- Coolest tracked sessions of the year — from world record downwind runs in Namibia to 100+ km/h SailGP boats.
- Future roadmap: better session planning tools, local spot insights, and connecting the global watersports community.
This is an essential listen for anyone who wants to understand their time on the water better, track real progress, or simply geek out on data after sessions. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, speed chaser, or competitive racer, Matt and Floris reveal exactly how Waterspeed helps riders improve, stay safe, and connect with the global community.
Tune in to hear the full story behind one of the most loved tools in modern watersports.
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 Foil Life Travel Show episode, Jelle Stoop — owner of Foil School Nederland — returns to catch up with Luc Moore about building and running a successful foil school in the Netherlands, the explosion of new foiling disciplines, and how to create a thriving watersports business with purpose.
Jelle shares the story behind Foil School Nederland at the iconic Brouwersdam, the unique conditions that make it a favorite spot for wing foilers and kiters, and how the school has evolved with the rapid development of para-winging, foil assist, and e-foiling. He dives into teaching methodology, gear choices, why para-winging is taking off so quickly for experienced wing foilers, and how they’re adapting lesson programs for the new season. The conversation also covers his popular foiling camps across Europe and the meaningful foundation work the school does with organizations like the BBL Mentel Foundation and Kite for Life.
Episode Highlights:
- Why “Foil School Nederland” remains a perfect, searchable name and how they split the local school from the international Foiling Camps brand.
- Brouwersdam conditions: flat water options, chop, small waves, wind patterns, and the best months for visiting riders.
- The rise of para-winging — how quickly experienced wing foilers progress, ideal conditions, gear recommendations, and why it feels so addictive.
- Foil assist and e-foiling in the school program: what’s working, what’s growing, and how they fit into the bigger picture.
- Building a purpose-driven school — working with Make-A-Wish, cancer survivors, and people with disabilities, and why giving back strengthens the business.
- Camp destinations for 2026: Tenerife downwind camps, Denmark wave camps, Ireland, and more.
- Advice for riders visiting the Netherlands and what the future holds for foiling in Europe.
This is a practical, inspiring conversation for anyone interested in wing foiling, starting a school, traveling for foiling, or simply improving their sessions in variable conditions. Jelle’s grounded approach and long-term vision make this a must-listen for the foiling community.
Tune in to hear how one of Europe’s busiest foil schools stays ahead of the curve while keeping the stoke and community at the center of everything they do.
This episode is brought to you by Waterspeed. Download the app — live tracking, deep analytics, and community vibes for every watersport adventure. 🌊⚡🏄‍♂️