The X-Foils Podcast

Set up in the van at AWSI, Walt and I sit down with Josh Ku to talk about his upcoming film documenting his Uluwatu-to-G-Land crossing in Bali—a bold mission that turns pretty dicey at one point, and trust us, you’ll want to hear the story. The project, filmed by Dane Wilson (not Dan!), aims to show where surfing has come from and how many new forms of surfing have emerged through today’s dynamic foil scene. Keep and Eye out for the release to watch it yourself. We accidentally get into foil and surf etiquette, the ongoing debate around local bans, and that frustration Josh is clearly passionate about, as he is continually pushing the sport forward. A true ambassador for foiling. 🎙️ Sponsored by Kite Puerto Rico + the N1 Surf Shop. Support the podcast by subscribing, dropping a 5⭐ review, and grabbing your gear from someone you trust: www.KitePuertoRico.com.📲 Follow along: @xfoils#XFoils #Case51 #JoshKu #FoilTalk #UluwatuToGLand #FoilFilm #AWSI2025 #FoilEtiquette #FoilAdventure #FoilCommunity

For our Half Hundredth episode, Walt and I sit down with Matt Elsasser, co-founder of Hydrocraft Systems, a new foil company stepping into the space. Matt needs no introduction to the foil world—his riding and design chops are well-known—but launching a brand in 2025? That’s a whole different challenge.Matt jokes, “I don’t think people are waking up in the morning saying, ‘aww man, I need a new foil company.’” He might be right, but he is wrong! Once Hydrocraft drops their first lineup, people will. The foils aren’t released yet, but with the fine-tuning of their first range underway, it’s clear there’s room for brands that’s small, nimble, and customer-focused—able to pivot faster than the larger players in the industry. That flexibility is exactly what gives Hydrocraft a shot to carve out their own space and make some spray.We dig into Hydrocraft’s approach to design, where Matt sees the gaps in the current market, and how staying agile as a small brand could be the key to pushing foiling forward.🎙️ Sponsored by Kite Puerto Rico + the N1 Surf Shop. Support the podcast by subscribing, dropping a 5⭐ review, and grabbing your gear from someone you trust: www.KitePuertoRico.com.📲 Follow along: @xfoils#XFoils #Case50 #HydrocraftSystems #MattElsasser #FoilTalk #FoilInnovation #FoilDesign #NimbleFoiling #CustomerFocused #FoilCommunity

In Case 49, Walt and I sit down with Adam Bennetts from FliteLab to dive into the highly anticipated Flux foil range. Bennetts’ unique and powerful surf style really shines through in this lineup—and you can feel it the moment you step on the foil.We chat about his design input, the development journey, and what makes Flux foils stand out in terms of pitch stability, performance, and feel in the surf. There’s plenty of geek-out talk here: power wings, gear preferences, the unique conditions of the Gorge, and how extensive prototyping/testing shaped the final product.We also loved hanging with the FliteLab crew, and Bennetts is full froth all the time—his energy is contagious both in the water and in conversation. The chat drifts into the future of foil design, the role of assistive tech in foiling, and the responsibility we all share to keep surf lineups positive and welcoming.This one’s equal parts foil nerding, surf philosophy, and product insight—straight from the source.🎙️ Sponsored by Kite Puerto Rico + the N1 Surf Shop. Support the podcast by subscribing, dropping a 5⭐ review, and grabbing your gear from someone you trust: www.KitePuertoRico.com.📲 Follow along: @xfoils#XFoils #Case49 #AdamBennetts #FliteLab #FluxFoils #FoilDesign #FoilTalk #DownwindFoiling #SurfFoils #FoilInnovation

In Case 48, Walt and I catch up with Chris Radkowski, the designer behind F4 Foils. While Walt was in Maui, he picked up a setup from Guido and could not stop raving about the new Orca line for downwind—so of course, I had to try it too. Spoiler: they did not disappoint.What makes F4 stand out is that they’re not afraid to throw carbon at an idea. Constantly reviewing designs, experimenting with different stiffness layups, and fine-tuning wing concepts, they landed on something special with the Orca—exactly what we’ve been looking for in a downwind foil.And they’re not stopping there. Expect Orca surf foils soon, along with expanded 11mm mast sizes. The foil world is looking brighter with F4, and we’re genuinely excited to be working with them.📲 Follow along: @xfoils🎙️ Sponsored by Kite Puerto Rico + the N1 Surf Shop in San Juan. Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a 5⭐ review, and getting your gear from someone you trust: www.KitePuertoRico.com#XFoils #Case48 #F4Foils #OrcaLine #ChrisRadkowski #FoilDesign #DownwindFoiling #OrcaSurf #FoilTalk #FoilingInnovation

The X-Foils Podcast: Case #47 – Codependency Issues: Falling for Code Foils with Ben TardrewWalt (the unofficial cohost) and I sit down with Ben Tardrew—one of the brains behind Code Foils and a serious ripper on the water. Fresh off testing some of the new Code range, we kick back for a relaxed chat about how these designs have evolved and where they’re headed.We reminisce about how Code has shaped our foiling game over the last two years and look ahead at the highly anticipated Code X Series foils. Ben also shares what’s cooking behind the scenes—race foils, FoilDrive-integrated masts, and race masts that push performance even further. And true to Code’s reputation, they only release gear when it’s truly done and ready—no hype, no half measures.A chill, gear-nerd session with one of the best in the business.🎙️ This episode is sponsored by Kite Puerto Rico and the N1 Surf Shop. Support us for free by subscribing and dropping a 5⭐ review. Or support us directly by buying your foil gear from someone you trust: www.KitePuertoRico.com.📲 Follow along: @xfoils#XFoils #Case47 #CodeFoils #BenTardrew #FoilDesign #CodeXSeries #RaceFoils #FoilDrive #FoilTalk #FoilingInnovation #Parawing #FoilPodcast

In Case 46, Liam and Freddy finally tricked us into joining them for a collab. Why? Because sometimes two podcasts are better than one… or at least twice as confusing.We sit down after AWSI to unpack the event, talk gear we drooled over, rides we may or may not have sent, and sprinkle in some top-tier foil nerding. Both of us have been talking to guests and putting out some (very little) content on the socials , so now you get the “director’s cut” chaos in one episode.Oh, and we even give you a sneak peak of the guests you can expect to hear coming up—so you can pretend you listen for the info, not just the banter.This was going to be filmed like always, but our producer ( DYLAN) totally messed that one up! so you just get the audio this time!EnjoyThis episode is sponsored by Kite Puerto Rico! If you are going to buy gear, why not from me! www.KitePuertoRico.com📲 Follow along: @xfoils | @genericfoilingpodcast

In this episode, Walt, Arland, and I take a quick breather after a wild weekend of non-stop sessions—Monday was lit, and our brains are still fried from all the stoke.We chat about some of the new foils we tried, a little bit about the scene, and honestly… this podcast is pure bonus content. Nobody needs this, but here you go!Oh, and heads up—we’re heading to the event site to make and hand out food. Swing by and say hi!This is sponsored by ME, Kite Puerto Rico and the N1 Surf Shop.Small frothy shop! Hit me up!📲 Follow along: @xfoils

In Case 44, Walt and I finally get back on the mic after a few weeks without our regular froth calls—and let’s just say, he had a lot to say. He breaks down his trip to Maui, including the new foils he unexpectedly fell in love with and the Frank Foilboards he’s been testing.Meanwhile, I’ve been putting in three solid sessions on the FLITELab AMP board, and I’m fired up to bring it to the Gorge and really put it through its paces. We also chat about the upcoming AWSI, which is shaping up to be one of the most fun events yet with plenty of new gear to geek out on.🎙️ This podcast is proudly sponsored by ME, Kite Puerto Rico and the N1 Surf Shop in beautiful San Juan, Puerto Rico. Support this podcast by grabbing your foil gear from us and keeping the stoke alive!https://www.kitepuertorico.com/pages/shop📲 Follow along: @thexfoils

In Case 43, Roy and Mickey are back—two names well-known not just on the podcast, but in the foiling scene, period. Fresh off a two-week trip to the Gorge, they join me to talk about linking up with the crew at The Basement, scoring some classic Rufus runs, and sharing their stoke.This one’s packed with stories, plenty of laughs, and more than a little trash talk—strictly for your entertainment.For Mickey, it’s been a while—he hasn’t been on the podcast since the Parawing craze took over. As Puerto Rico’s first SUP downwind foiler, he’s got a unique perspective, forged from suffering through the early days of heavy gear and no road map. I really wanted to hear how he sees things now that Parawing is part of the mix.Side note: we’re all looking forward to the legendary Roy vs. Ken “Golf-Off” that’s bound to go down. Good luck Keeeeny 📲 Follow along and Subscribe!Support this podcast by buying your foil gear from your favorite most reliable foil shop right out of Puerto Rico! https://www.kitepuertorico.com/pages/shop#XFoils #FoilTalk #Parawing #Loyaltothefoil # #GorgeFoiling #RufusRuns #Parawing

Greg from BRM is back on the mic to share the details behind his latest creation: the Paia, and his take on a double-skin Parawing designed for riders chasing higher performance. We dig into what this means in real use—how does a wing with more structure and material hold up when it comes to relaunch, packability, and real-world versatility?Greg breaks down the thinking behind this new design and where it fits into BRM’s growing Parawing lineup.And yes—he said this is his favorite podcast.Follow along: @xfoils | @boardridingmauiHelp support us with ordering your BRM here, get 5% off.https://boardridingmaui.com?invite_code=zT7NA5Z9&referrer_name=44796c616e2145#XFoilspodcast #Parawing #Loyaltothefoil #Downwindfoiling #BRMPaia #ParawingDesign #BoardRidingMaui #DoubleSkinWings #FoilTalks

In Case 41: Walt ( your favorite unofficial Co-Host) and I sit down with Bowen Dwelle, author of The Inertia’s Best Parawing of 2025. This episode is all about helping you make smart decisions if you’re thinking about getting into Parawing or upgrading your current setup.We talk about the wings Bowen tested, the gear he’s loving, and what makes a good Parawing for different kinds of riders. It's a fun, honest chat packed with useful insights—and a great listen if you're trying to figure out which wing to buy.📍 Check out Bowen’s article: Best Parawings – The Inertia📲 Follow along on Instagram: @xfoils & @bowendwelleSupport our Podcast with your next foil purchase:https://www.kitepuertorico.com/search?q=parawing&options%5Bprefix%5D=last&type=product#XFoils #Case41 #ParawingGuide #BowenDwelle #TheInertia #FoilTalk #BuyerGuide #Wingfoil #Parawing

In this short but important episode, we talk about basic water safety so you can be better prepared the next time you head out. From bringing a buddy, carrying a phone, packing a tourniquet, to wearing a vest or flotation and even a helmet—these are simple things that could make a huge difference if something goes wrong. And yes, I mean PFD not a PDF. Dont take a document with you as a safety measure that would be silly and dyslexic! We’re not trying to kill the vibe—just sharing a few things we have been thinking every foiler should consider to keep the good times surfing safely.🌊 Stay stoked, but stay relatively safeish!#XFoils #Case40 #WaterSafety #FoilSafe #SmartSessions #FoilingTips

The X-Foils Podcast: Case #39 – Hood Trips, Parawings & Foil Trends with Walt In this long-overdue episode, Walt and I finally carve out some time to feed our starving audience and catch up on all things foiling. We break down our latest Hood River adventures, geek out on Parawings, chat about stashbelts, boards, foils, and the trends we’re chasing to stay ahead of the curve.This is a classic, free-flowing foil talk you won’t want to miss—just two friends dissecting the gear, ideas, and stoke that keep the progression alive.🌊 Ready to nerd out with us? Tune in now!#XFoils #Case39 #FoilTalk #HoodRiver #Parawing #FoilGear #FoilTrends #FoilPodcast

In this episode, I sit down with Maxime from Shaka Vibes Cancun—a driving force in the Mexican foiling scene. We dive into his foil adventures, from long-distance missions to big air wins jumping over 25m, and share stories from both sides of the Caribbean.We talk about building schools and communities, giving solid advice to up-and-coming riders, and how we both juggle running shops while still chasing progression across all foil disciplines. Maxime and I live very parallel lives, and it shows in this easy, fun chat.One thing we didn’t even get to? He won Master of the Ocean in the DR 2024. No big deal…🌊 Tune in for good vibes, foil energy, and some real talk from two people trying to do it all.#XFoils #Case38 #ShakaVibes #FoilLife #FoilMexico #WatermanVibes #StayRelevent

In this episode, we reconnect with Audrey Meyer from Cabarete—an all-around waterwoman and host of the upcoming Cabarete Wing Fest, happening June 19th.Audrey shares her journey through the world of watersports, from teaching windsurfing, to getting hooked on kiting in the early days, and building a life around wind, waves, and community. We chat about what makes Cabarete so unique, and how events like Wing Fest are bringing the next generation of riders together. To highlight Cabarete's unique vibe and epic conditions, having a good time sharing the stoke and the ever changing advances in gear. Whether you’ve been to Cabarete or it’s on your bucket list, this conversation taps into the energy that makes it a global watersports hub.🎙️ Tune in for good vibes and wind-filled stories.#XFoils #AudreyMeyer #WingFest2025 #CabareteFoiling #wingfoil #foildownwind #loyaltothefoil #foiling #Cabarete #Vela

Everyhting you want to know about FLITELab* is here:In this exclusive episode, we sit down with Chris Reynolds, Founder and Senior Product Manager of FLITELab*, to dive deep into the making of the AMP board—Flite's new high-performance foil assist system that’s shaking up the scene.Chris walks us through the development journey, the engineering challenges, and the high standards the team held themselves to in order to deliver a product that’s not just innovative, but one that performs where it matters most: on the water.From prototype to production, we get the full scoop on how the AMP came to life—and why it's such a big step forward for surf-focused foil assist systems.⚡️ Get ready to geek out.You heard it first, right here on the X-Foils Podcast.#XFoils #FliteLAB #AMPBoard #FoilAssist #ElectricFoiling #InnovationInMotion #foiling #foildrive #pronefoiling #surfing #foilpodcast

Greg from Board Riding Maui (BRM) is back, and he’s brought some serious new heat with him—the BRM Parawing V2 is here, and not just one, but three different models tailored for various riders and disciplines. In this episode, we get a full download on the design intent behind each wing, from surf-focused minimalism to power and stability for different styles of foiling. We may or may not be selfishly trying to figure out which one we should be riding… If you're even remotely interested in foiling without a paddle, surfing waves freely, or just sailing around, this is the one to listen to. We dig into everything from Greg’s R&D process to what makes these new wings sail!Big innovations. Big fun. Same BRM magic🎧 Tune in and find your wing.Get 5% off you BRM order CLICK HERE: http://bit.ly/4jINpgN#XFoils #ParawingV2 #BRM #GregFromMaui #FoilInnovation #WingRevolution #NoPaddleNoProblem #parawing #boardridingmaui #foiling #loyaltothefoil #downwind #downwindfoiling

The X-Foils Podcast: Case #34 – Behind the Buoys with Billy BoschIn this episode, we catch up with Billy Bosch from Good Breeze in Cocoa Beach, fresh off the Foil Surf Race League event. Billy is the founder of the FSRL and this high-energy foiling showdown each year with Brian Grubb. We dive into Billy’s sports background, how he launched Good Breeze, and what goes into organizing one of the most exciting foil gatherings around. It was awesome to finally have a relaxed chat and get to know the man behind the madness—since he’s always running full throttle during the events!Big thanks to Billy and the FSRL crew for keeping the stoke alive and pushing the sport forward.🎧 Tap in and get the inside scoop on how FSRL came to life and where it’s headed next.Like and subscribe! Watch this on youtube: https://youtu.be/SrCC33W_h80?si=VTznAYBUbQhwMXwo#XFoils #FSRL #GoodBreeze #FoilCommunity #CocoaBeachFoiling #BillyBosh #FoilSurfRaceLeague #foiling #foilsurf #foilshop #surfevent #parawing #northfoils #armstrong

In this special collab episode, I sit down with Parawing guru Daniel for a full-on Parawing deep dive. We swap stories about our backgrounds, break down the evolution of Parawing foiling, and discuss the different Parawings hitting the market.This conversation could have gone on forever, but we had to cut it short—so expect more to come! If you're as obsessed with foiling without a paddle as we are, you won’t want to miss this one.🎙️ What are your thoughts on the Parawing movement? Drop a comment!🔹 Like & Subscribe for more cutting-edge foiling discussions.#XFoils #Parawing #FoilRevolution #NoPaddleNeeded #WingInnovation #FoilingEvolution

Foil Surf Race League Recap with Arland & Eric In this episode, we sit down for a quick chat about the Foil Surf Race League, breaking down how the event played out, the competition, and the epic battles on the water. Huge thanks to North & Mystic for the invite and a massive congrats to all the winners!Special shoutout to our boy Arland, who took 1st place in the Prone Race Open category this year—absolutely sending it! 🚀Tune in for some post-race banter, event highlights, and insights into the ever-evolving world of foil racing.Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/cR8sMK8f_zMPodium Winners!Strapless: 1st Mateo Ell - 2nd Ryan Arzi - 3rd Austin ToveyStrapped: 1st Mateo Ell - 2nd Jeff Spencer - 3rd John AkermanFoil Assist Strapless: 1st Ryan Arzy - 2nd Brian Grubb - 3rd Guenther OkaUnifoil Flow award - Ryan Arzy Prone Pro Race: 1st Edo Tanas - 2nd Sawyer Wood - 3rd Mateo EllProne Open Race: 1st ARLAND MILLER - 2nd Charles Freedman 3rd Kai CadlerSUP Race: 1st Finn Spencer - 2nd Jeffery Spencer - 3rd Gage Schoenherr🎙️ Were you at the event? Let us know your favorite moments!🔹 Like & Subscribe for more foiling content.#XFoils #FoilSurfRaceLeague #NorthFoils #Mystic #FoilRacing #ProneFoiling #FoilingEvolution #FirstPlace