Foil Life Podcast by SFT

Foil Life Podcast Team
  • 5.0 (6)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Foil Life Podcast by SFT

Welcome to the Foil Life Podcast by SFT, the official podcast of the Surf Foil World Tour! Join us as we dive into the exhilarating world of foiling, covering five core disciplines—pump foiling, surf foiling, e-foiling, wake foiling, and downwind SUP foiling—plus the dynamic art of wing foiling. From expert tips, exclusive updates from the Surf Foil World Tour, and inspiring stories of athletes, innovators, and passionate riders to gear release and review episodes where we talk with top brands about the latest innovations hitting the market, we’re your ultimate source for all things foil. Whether you’re honing your skills, planning epic foil adventures, or geeking out on cutting-edge gear, tune in for unmatched stoke and insights.

  1. Episode #99 - Jack Ho aka Jackfromtown

    4D AGO

    Episode #99 - Jack Ho aka Jackfromtown

    On this episode, we sit down with Jack Ho, a Waikiki-raised waterman and professional foiler, to explore his journey from surfing small waves at age five to becoming a sponsored athlete with F-One Foils and Patagonia Surf. From his roots in a historic family home to chasing perfect swells in Hood River and New Zealand, Jack shares how foiling bridges ocean sports and his passion for storytelling through YouTube. This episode dives into the aloha spirit, sustainability, and his dream of becoming a Waterman Hall of Fame inductee. In this episode, you’ll discover:  Origin Story: Jack learned to surf at five in Waikiki, driven by a family legacy and the ideal coastal setting. Foiling Journey: A $500 used foil ignited his love for “foiling,” leading to sponsorships with Lift and F-One Foils. Hood River Appeal: The river’s consistent swells and lively community make it a top surf trip destination. Sustainability Efforts: Jack’s role with Twinfin Hotel and Parley for the Oceans promotes eco-friendly practices in Waikiki. YouTube Passion: Collaborating with friend Kainoa to create videos as a digital legacy for his future kids. Waterman Aspiration: Inspired by Duke Kahanamoku and Kai Lenny, Jack strives to live the Hawaiian waterman values of respect and versatility. Cultural Mindset: Adopting a Hawaiian approach of honor and respect to connect deeply with his community.Follow Jack’s journey at youtube.com/@JackfromTown or on Instagram @JackfromTown

    1h 6m
  2. Episode #98 - Alex Mertens

    JUN 11

    Episode #98 - Alex Mertens

    On this episode, we sit down with Alex Mertens, a windsurfing and wing foiling enthusiast from the San Francisco Bay Area, to dive into his journey from elite soccer to mastering wind sports. From his early days hating windsurfing to competing on the European Freestyle Pro Tour and creating the YouTube series Secrets of the Send, Alex shares his passion for foiling, safety tips, and the vibrant Bay Area wind scene. This episode uncovers the grit, creativity, and community fueling his water sports evolution. In this episode, you’ll discover:  Origin Story: A soccer injury led Alex to windsurfing as physical therapy, sparking a lifelong passion. Learning Process: How video analysis and gymnastics training helped Alex master freestyle moves like Spocks and backflips. Safety Tips: The critical omega-shaped foot strap setup to prevent injuries like Lisfranc fractures while foiling or windsurfing. Bay Area Scene: Why Sherman Island’s tidal river and Chrissy Field’s boat wakes make the Bay a wind sports mecca. European Edge: The accessibility of windsurfing centers in Europe compared to North America’s smaller scene. Creative Ventures: Alex’s custom Duotone board design and plans for a video exploring the artist-athlete connection. Dream Project: A wild idea for a wing foil “Escape from Alcatraz” film, Clint Eastwood style.Check out Alex’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/@AlexMerts.

    58 min
  3. NORTH Ranger Parawing - Gear Talk Episode #2

    JUN 5

    NORTH Ranger Parawing - Gear Talk Episode #2

    On this episode we sit down with Mike and Steff from North Actionsports in New Zealand, diving into the rise of parawinging and their game-changing Ranger parawing. From a daring Cook Strait crossing to decades of kiteboarding roots with pioneer Peter Lynn, they share how the Ranger was born for downwind foiling with safety and ease in mind. This episode uncovers the passion and innovation driving North’s foiling revolution. In this episode, you’ll discover: Origin Story: A 2022 Cook Strait foil sparked a single-skin wing for self-rescue, inspired by Mike’s kiteboarding past.Ranger’s Design: Easy to use, durable, and powerful (2.2m to 5.2m), perfect for beginners to advanced downwinders.Key Features: D-Rib tech for less drag, a depower tab for strong winds, and a harness line for upwind ease.Safety Backpack: Stores multiple wings, straps on for offshore trips, and doubles as a safety device.Material Choice: Ripstop nylon with a strong coating for longevity in harsh conditions.Downwind Edge: Grunt to get on foil without paddling, plus board and foil tips.Community Drive: A passion project with North’s team, fueled by New Zealand’s wild swells.Check out the Ranger at https://northactionsports.com. Join the foiling community and ride the next wave!

    1h 7m
  4. Surf Foil World Tour (SFT) Show #1 - Introduction to SFT

    MAY 28

    Surf Foil World Tour (SFT) Show #1 - Introduction to SFT

    We’re thrilled to kick off our new role as the official podcast of the Surf Foil World Tour (SFT)! In this episode, we sit down with Jørgen Vogt and Tom Hartmann, the masterminds behind the SFT, a groundbreaking world tour for non-wind-powered foiling disciplines. From its roots in the GKA (Kite World Tour) and GWA (Wing Foil World Tour) to embracing pump foiling, surf foiling, and more, Jørgen and Tom share how the SFT is uniting passionate amateurs and pros alike, fostering a vibrant foiling community. This chat dives into the tour’s grassroots vibe and big ambitions. In this episode, you’ll discover: SFT’s Origin Story: How a 2019 Cape Town car chat sparked a new tour, building on Jørgen’s GKA success and Tom’s windsurf tour experience.Five Core Disciplines: Pump foiling, surf foiling, downwind foiling, e-foiling, and wake foiling—accessible sports for lake lovers, yacht owners, and wave chasers.Grassroots Appeal: Why the SFT’s Pro-Am approach welcomes enthusiasts, not just pros, fostering friendships and community at events like Pensacola and Sicily.Global Growth: From Düsseldorf’s indoor World Cup to North America’s rising demand, with the Atlanta Foil Fast World Cup (June 13-15, 2025) on the horizon.Event Challenges: Navigating financial hurdles and explaining niche foiling to sponsors, unlike the established GKA and GWA tours.Jørgen & Tom’s Partnership: A chance meeting at a Mauritius Kite World Cup party led to a dynamic duo driving foiling’s future.Community Impact: How SFT events, like Sicily’s Water Experience, invite newcomers to try foiling, sparking passion across generations.Check out the SFT at https://www.surffoilworldtour.com/ for event schedules and details. Join the foiling community and catch the Atlanta Foil Fest World Cup vibe!

    43 min
  5. Episode #97 - Lukas Lam

    MAY 22

    Episode #97 - Lukas Lam

    In this episode, we chat with Lukas Lam, a rising wing foiling star from Austria, whose meteoric rise with Duotone has taken him to the GWA Wingfoil World Tour. From learning to wing foil to impress his girlfriend to landing backflips in months, Lukas shares his journey of passion and perseverance alongside his pro wing foiler partner. Hear about his freestyle tricks, coaching kids in Greece, and chasing big air dreams. In this episode, you’ll discover: Unlikely Start: How a former ice hockey player from Hong Kong dove into wing foiling in 2022 via his girlfriend’s windsurfing family.Fast Progress: Mastering tricks like frontside 360s and backflips with a gymnastics edge and relentless drive.Duotone Deal: Landing a sponsorship through a chance meeting with a kitesurfer in Austria.World Tour Path: Qualifying for Leucate, France, with video submissions for the GWA tour.Malta Training: Thriving on a rocky island with 20-knot winds and gnarly waves, training with his girlfriend.Coaching Kids: Teaching at the Duotone Pro Center and Board Academy’s 10-day camps in Limnos, Greece.Big Air Goals: Aiming for 14-15 meter jumps in the Canary Islands’ Big Air event, with safe landing tips.Life Off-Water: Juggling international relations studies, weight training, and Malta’s nightlife.Follow Lukas on Instagram at @_lukaslam and explore the Duotone Pro Center and Board Academy at boardacademy.bg for wing foiling camps in Greece. Watch the full episode on YouTube

    42 min
  6. Episode #96 - Tom Court

    MAY 14

    Episode #96 - Tom Court

    In this episode, we catch up with kiteboarding legend Tom Court, a UK-based pioneer whose 20-year career has shaped the sport from its wild early days to its modern mainstream appeal. From riding two-line kites in Maui to producing viral vlogs and representing Duotone, Tom shares his journey of chasing wind, creativity, and freedom across the globe. With stories of competing on the world tour, kiting with sharks in Honduras, and advocating for sustainability, this episode dives into the heart of kiteboarding’s transformative power. In this episode, you’ll discover: Early Days in Maui: How Tom’s childhood trip to Maui in 1998 sparked his love for kiteboarding, watching pioneers like Robbie Naish and Flash Austin experiment with the first inflatable kites.Sport Evolution: The rapid progression of kiteboarding from dangerous two-line setups to a dynamic sport with freestyle, big air, and foiling disciplines, driven by a community of innovators.Vlogging Journey: Tom’s shift from cinematic films like The Freeride Project to his weekly Caught in the Act vlog series, balancing spontaneous storytelling with action-packed adventures.Global Adventures: Highlights from kiting in Honduras with nurse sharks, tow-foiling through crocodile-filled mangroves, and downwinding 500km across the Western Sahara with his 67-year-old dad.Mainstream Moments: The thrill of introducing kiteboarding to UK audiences on Good Morning Britain and pushing for its recognition as a lifestyle that boosts mental and physical health.Sustainability Push: Insights into Duotone’s Concept Blue initiative, using eco-friendly materials like bio-based bladders and recycled plastics to reduce kiteboarding’s environmental impact.Wing Foiling Transition: Tom’s love-hate journey learning wing foiling, rediscovering the joy of progression, and his thoughts on the sport’s untapped potential and the rise of “para-wings.”Advice for Young Riders: Tom’s wisdom for aspiring water sports athletes—embrace the learning process, prioritize fun over pressure, and stay true to what fuels your passion for longevity in the sport.Follow Tom’s adventures on Instagram at @courtintheact and catch his weekly vlogs on YouTube at Tom Court Kite.  Watch the full episode on YouTube

    46 min
  7. Wing Foil World Tour & Surf Foil World Tour Show Episode #12 - Recap of Leucate 2025

    MAY 7

    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

    39 min
  8. Episode #95 - Ancor Sosa Kather

    APR 30

    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

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Foil Life Podcast by SFT, the official podcast of the Surf Foil World Tour! Join us as we dive into the exhilarating world of foiling, covering five core disciplines—pump foiling, surf foiling, e-foiling, wake foiling, and downwind SUP foiling—plus the dynamic art of wing foiling. From expert tips, exclusive updates from the Surf Foil World Tour, and inspiring stories of athletes, innovators, and passionate riders to gear release and review episodes where we talk with top brands about the latest innovations hitting the market, we’re your ultimate source for all things foil. Whether you’re honing your skills, planning epic foil adventures, or geeking out on cutting-edge gear, tune in for unmatched stoke and insights.

Information

  • Creator
    Foil Life Podcast Team
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    123
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights Reserved - Foil Life Podcast 2025
  • Show Website
    Foil Life Podcast by SFT

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