Foil Life Podcast by SFT

• Episode #114 - Dane Wilson & Josh Ku

  This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. Note: Tech Glitch -- My Audio is not the cleanest, Sorry! Guests came out great. (Luckily I don't talk a lot!) In this episode, we catch up with Josh Ku and Dane Wilson, accomplished foilers, surfers, and creatives pushing the boundaries of ocean adventures. Joining Luc from their respective locations amid busy travel schedules, Josh and Dane recount their daring foil crossing from Uluwatu in Bali to the iconic G-Land in Java, the raw survival moments that unfolded, and the making of their film "The Strait Path." From near-disasters at sea to epic surf sessions on a vintage Jerry Lopez board, they dive into the spirit of exploration, the Waterman ethos, and the thrill of turning an uncharted journey into a captivating story.Episode Highlights:- Origins of the Idea: Josh and Dane discuss how the project sparked from shared creative vibes, Josh's inspiration from Dane's prior adventure film with Zane, and the goal to blend foiling with classic surfing in Indonesia's wild waters—pitching a high-stakes crossing that aligned perfectly with swell and wind forecasts.- Planning and Launch: The duo reflects on committing to the trip just a week out, Josh's background in downwinding and island traversals, and Dane's hands-off approach to filming, relying on a support boat for safety and shots in an unpredictable ocean playground.- The Crossing Drama: A deep dive into the 92km foil journey turning chaotic—getting off course, the boat snagging debris and vanishing, Josh navigating solo by wind, watch, and stars while battling dehydration, currents, and wildlife, and Dane's tense hour-plus search feeling utterly isolated without comms.- Survival and Reunion: Josh shares the mental shift to survival mode, ignoring ground swell to follow wind direction, spotting whales and debris, and the massive relief of reuniting; Dane recounts the crew's frantic scans, aligning rescue plans, and capturing the emotional finale with jungle backdrops.- Surfing Legacy at G-Land: Wrapping the adventure with perfect waves, Josh riding a single-fin Jerry Lopez Lightning Bolt board for a bucket-list tube session, paying homage to surf pioneers like Lopez and McCabe, and how it tied into the film's theme of exploration beyond crowded breaks.- Filmmaking Challenges: Dane opens up on the pressure to capture the trip's raw magic in editing—focusing on audio, story flow, and visuals without over-stylizing—while emphasizing the foil as a tool for adventure, not the sole focus, in a nod to historical ocean tales.- Reflections and Growth: Insights on embracing uncertainty, learning from mishaps like inadequate safety plans, the addictive "have a go" spirit of true adventure, and how the experience reinforced their Waterman perspectives without modern tech crutches.- Premieres and Next Horizons: Details on upcoming screenings in Sydney (November 7, 2025, at Collaroy Cinema) and potential LA showings, plus teases for future collaborations blending Josh's athletic pushes and Dane's filmmaking prowess.Follow Josh - https://www.instagram.com/joshku/Follow Dane - https://www.instagram.com/dane___wilson/

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• Episode #113 - Jake Kelsick

  This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. In this episode, we catch up with Jake Kelsick, a seasoned kitesurfer, wing foiler, and content creator from the beautiful island of Antigua. Joining Luc from his island paradise, Jake shares his lifelong passion for water sports, his journey from early kiting days to running a successful school, and the evolution of foiling in a tropical haven. From epic adventures in Bora Bora to dissecting ideal setups for beginners and pros, Jake offers an authentic glimpse into island life, the thrill of progression, and the joy of sharing the stoke with newcomers.- Island Roots and Early Days: Jake reflects on growing up in Antigua, getting hooked on kitesurfing since 2003, and how the island's warm waters, reefs, and consistent winds made it a dream spot. He discusses the shift from kiting to wing foiling, the local culture's relaxed vibe, and standout locations like Half Moon Bay for rolling waves.- Building a Water Sports School: Jake dives into starting Kelsick Kiteboarding (now expanding to water sports) in 2020 amid COVID, transitioning from pro freeriding to teaching 50/50 kiting and winging. He shares insights on demographics (mostly 30-50+ adventurers), the forgiving conditions for learning, and why Antigua strikes a balance between beginner-friendly and progression-focused—plus tips on affordability compared to spots like Bonaire.- Adventures and Pro Journey: From a wild birthday invite to Bora Bora's aquarium-like lagoons (saved by kite foiling in light winds) to competing in Russia and demo tours, Jake recounts standout trips that expanded his horizons. He talks about the realities of pro life—cool perks but tricky monetization—and how content creation bridged the gap, evolving from DVDs to YouTube gems like "Cruise Mode."- Gear Evolution and Teaching Tips: Jake breaks down his North gear loyalty, from beginner setups to high-performance foils (like the SF series), and how tech advancements made winging accessible. He emphasizes board sizing, foil progression behind boats, and why winging lowers barriers vs. kiting—allowing safer self-practice and quicker stoke moments, even for cold-water riders.- Community and Future Vibes: The conversation explores winging's explosive growth, its potential to rival windsurfing by attracting foil newcomers, and the addictive "rep game" of foiling. Jake highlights family life (with his wife and young daughter joining the fun), the transformative power of sessions for mental reset, and Antigua's long season (November-July) as a home base for camps and content.- Looking Ahead: Jake teases more island explorations like the Cook Islands, gear tweaks for evolving sports, and growing his school—while keeping the focus on fun, safe progression for all ages.Follow Jake - https://www.instagram.com/jakekelsick/  

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• Episode #112 - Kiran Verma

  This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. In this episode, we catch up with Kiran Verma, a passionate pro wing foiler and content creator from Australia's Sunshine Coast. Joining Luc from across the globe, Kiran shares his inspiring journey into the sport at age 37, his recent switch to North gear, and the highs of pushing limits in a rapidly evolving industry. From mastering foil slides to dissecting his favorite setups, Kiran offers an honest look at what it takes to progress, the joy of community connections, and the transformative power of foiling at any age.Journey into Foiling: Kiran reflects on starting wing foiling later in life, now at 41, and how it changed everything—from traveling to places like Cape Verde, Fiji, Mauritius, Brazil, and Chile, to embracing rejection and training harder. He emphasizes the mental freedom of pursuing passion without caring about judgments, and how foiling has brought happiness despite life's demands.Switching to North Gear: Kiran details his transition to North after positive experiences with their foils, highlighting the SF-530 for tight turns and the SF-680 for versatile light-wind performance. He praises the brand's receptiveness, community support (like backing Max Robinson and We Can Foil), and gear like the 55L Swell board, while sharing how video analysis helped refine his riding.Gear Breakdown and Tips: Diving into his go-to setup—a 680 front wing, 145 stabilizer, 60cm fuse, and 85cm mast—Kiran explains why he sticks to minimal changes for consistency. He discusses foil slides inspired by riders like Cash Berzolla, the appeal of short boards for prone foiling, and why foiling appeals to the 40-70 age group with its technical, accessible nature.Community and Growth: The duo explores the sport's potential to go mainstream, comparing it to golf for its niche appeal and inclusivity. Kiran stresses the need for more entry-level programs to grow foiling beyond the elite, the role of small brands in innovation, and how sessions clear the mind like nothing else.Future Plans: Kiran teases upcoming trips, possibly to Morocco for right-handers or Cape Town for King of the Air, plus content on learning new tricks like one-hand grabs. He hints at deeper involvement with North's R&D and a desire to see foiling explode in popularity.Follow Kiran - https://www.instagram.com/kv_foil/

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• Gear Review Show #1 with Matt Kaufmann - Parawings

  This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. In this episode, we dive into the world of parawings with Matt On Foil, a dedicated watersports enthusiast and content creator from Switzerland. Broadcasting from opposite sides of the globe, Matt joins us to share his meticulous testing process, honest reviews, and insights from the hyper-competitive watersports industry. From the F-One Frigate to the Gong Lowkite Plus, Matt walks us through his comprehensive para wing comparison, offering a candid look at what works, what doesn’t, and the challenges of staying unbiased.Parawing Rankings: Matt unveils his detailed infographic, ranking 18 parawings based on metrics like bar weight, bridle length, pre-flight behavior, pumpability, and upwind performance. The F-One Frigate takes the top spot, while the Gong Lowkite Plus impresses as a budget-friendly standout. Matt explains why some wings, like the FlySurfer Pow, shine in specific conditions but require skill to master.Testing Challenges: Matt shares the behind-the-scenes effort of measuring and testing parawings, from weighing canopies at a local shop to battling inconsistent wind at Lake Silvaplana. He discusses the difficulty of giving honest feedback, especially when brands provide free gear or personal support, and the importance of staying authentic for the community.Gear Evolution: From depowering innovations to material durability concerns, Matt and Luc explore how parawings are evolving. Matt questions whether ultra-light canopies are worth the trade-offs and highlights unique designs like the 777 PT Skin’s integrated harness system.Safety and Accessibility: The duo discusses the physical demands of parawinging, cautioning beginners about the learning curve and potential risks, especially for those with prior injuries. They look ahead to future innovations that could make pair wings more accessible and user-friendly.Follow Matt - https://www.instagram.com/mattonfoil/

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• Surf Foil World Tour (SFT) Show #4: Recap of the Pump Foil World Cup Traunsee 2025

  This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. In this episode, we sit down with Tom Hartmann and Nico Hopp of Hoppline to dive into the exhilarating world of pump foiling at Lake Traunsee, Upper Austria. Broadcasting from their respective homes, Tom and Nico share their passion for this rapidly growing sport, the vibrant community, and the unique vibe of the SFT.- Lake Traunsee Triumph: Tom and Nico recap the SFT event at Lake Traunsee, a stunning venue surrounded by mountains with a top-notch setup. With four starting docks and a professional organization running alongside the Austrian Wing Foil Championships, the event offered a perfect mix of competition and community, capped off with exciting wake foiling sessions behind a boat.- Pump Foiling’s Appeal: Tom and Nico discuss the sport’s accessibility, thriving in flatwater lakes and ideal for urban and inland locations. They highlight how pump foiling draws in everyone from pros to beginners. - Community-Driven Competition: Nico emphasizes the inclusive nature of the SFT, where pros like Eden Fiander and Robert von Roll race alongside amateurs, creating a social and competitive atmosphere. Tom explains the division structure—pro, open, masters, youth, and women’s categories—ensuring everyone, from seasoned athletes to first-timers, feels motivated to join. - Gear and Technique Evolution: The duo dives into the latest gear trends, with Nico noting the pros’ use of tiny, high-performance wings and unique dock-start techniques. From Eden’s strap-based approach to Rob’s hands-on style, the diversity in equipment and skills keeps the sport dynamic and exciting. - A Family Affair: Tom highlights the family-friendly vibe, with free dinners for competitors and their families, fostering a welcoming environment. Nico shares a heartwarming story of a young competitor and his mother camping out to participate, showcasing the sport’s appeal across generations.- The Future of SFT: Tom reveals plans for the final 2025 event in Abu Dhabi, featuring e-foiling and wake foiling, and a 2026 season kicking off in Düsseldorf. With ambitions to expand prize money and bring events to urban centers like Venice’s Grand Canal, the SFT aims to grow pump foiling’s global reach.Join us for a lively discussion packed with insights into pump foiling’s rise, the thrill of close-knit competition, and the community spirit driving this niche sport forward. From stunning venues to innovative gear, this episode captures the excitement of foiling without wind.Visit: https://www.instagram.com/supfoiltour & https://www.instagram.com/hoppline/

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