The X-Foils Podcast

Paul Cooper is in the house! In Case 65, we catch up with Paul during his trip to Puerto Rico, chatting about our latest foil adventures and what a few days on the island really feels like when the conditions line up.We throw Paul straight into the mix—epic surf sessions, a killer downwind run with the crew, and plenty of time on the water to see if we could break him.The final verdict from Paul?“Hurt… but not broken.”Just a fun recap of great sessions, plenty of laughs, some new foils for Paul to try, and a full dose of Puerto Rico conditions. Check out our Instagram feed to see some of the sessions we edited together from the week.Off to the FSRL — see you there!🎙️ Sponsored by Kite Puerto Rico + the N1 Surf ShopSupport the podcast by subscribing, dropping a 5⭐ review, and grabbing your gear from someone you trust:👉 www.KitePuertoRico.comIf you can’t get gear from us but still want to support the podcast:☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/xfoils📲 Follow along: @TheXFoils

We’re announcing our unsponsored surf foil test series that we’ll be running over the next couple of months. The goal? To see what the brands are really doing and find the best feels we can across the board.No bias. No contracts. No filtering.Just honest feedback and real sessions.Brands that have already answered the call and are sending their best:Lift, F-One, Slingshot, AFS, Cabrinha, North, Code, FliteLab, Naish and F4.We’ll also be reaching out to Armstrong, Unifoil, Axis, and Hydrocraft to round things out. If we missed anyone… let us know.This isn’t about a winner. It’s about understanding feel, construction, design philosophy, and what actually translates into performance in the water.We’re fired up. This should get interesting.🎙️ Sponsored by Kite Puerto Rico + the N1 Surf ShopSupport the podcast by subscribing, dropping a 5⭐ review, and grabbing your gear from someone you trust:👉 www.KitePuertoRico.comIf you can’t get gear from us but still want to support the podcast:☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/xfoils📲 Follow along: @TheXFoils

In Case 63, Paul Cooper, a dedicated FoilDrive rider who isn’t tied to any single foil brand. That neutral perspective makes for a great conversation as Paul shares insight on the latest Fusion system, integrated masts, new pods, and how to optimize setups for the best ride possible.This one’s all about those small percentage gains—the little tweaks that add up to smoother, more efficient sessions. Do all the upgrades, do none of them, and you’ll still have fun on a FoilDrive—but for the gear nerds chasing performance, this chat is full of useful takeaways.Paul’s also heading to Puerto Rico next week to get some sessions in with us before we all roll into the FSRL in Cocoa Beach on March 6th. Should be a good run.🎙️ Sponsored by Kite Puerto Rico + the N1 Surf ShopSupport the podcast by subscribing, dropping a 5⭐ review, and grabbing your gear from someone you trust:👉 www.KitePuertoRico.comIf you can’t get gear from us but still want to support the podcast:☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/xfoils📲 Follow along: @TheXFoils

So good to be back in the studio with Walt, now officially the co-host. In this episode we catch up on a few things: my South Africa kite-foil trip where I (sadly) did not hit 30m — apparently the right gear really does matter. We’re getting fired up for the upcoming FSRL on March 6th in Cocoa Beach with Billy and the Good Breeze crew. Walt will be joining us for the first time! We will have a smash burger XFoils style get together, stay tuned for the day/ time and location. Im stoked to be participating with the North crew this event again this year. We also get to pull the curtain back a bit on an F4 foil designed specifically for the Gorge. Walt gets to catch Chris up on what the design feels should be for this new, yet-to-be-named Gorge foil we’re really excited to bring to life. Oh, and yeah… we’ve got a new X-Foils logo and branding to show off.Its all THERE!Just a fun studio catch-up with plenty of froth.🎙️ Sponsored by Kite Puerto Rico + the N1 Surf ShopSupport the podcast by subscribing, dropping a 5⭐ review, and grabbing your gear from someone you trust:👉 www.KitePuertoRico.comIf you can’t get gear from us but still want to support the podcast:☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/xfoils📲 Follow along: @TheXFoils

In Case 61, We get to chat with Doc, Charles, and Julien from F-One for a conversation centered around feel, construction, and change. As most of the community already knows, F-One is transitioning from their long-standing Titan 1 connection to a new interface, which has definitely raised eyebrows among their loyal following. Julien sums it up well: “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” This new connection isn’t about trend-hopping — it’s about stiffness, better feedback, and a more modern response as foiling continues to push into higher loads and higher speeds.We talk about why the change, the engineering challenges behind it, and how important it is to listen to the community during a shift this big. For F-One, the new connection had to be a net positive for all users — stronger, stiffer, and with better feel than the Titan interface — to stay relevant in an ever-evolving foil landscape.A refreshingly honest chat about feel, performance, and what it takes to future-proof a system while keeping customers onboard.🎙️ Sponsored by Kite Puerto Rico + the N1 Surf ShopSupport the podcast by subscribing, dropping a 5⭐ review, and grabbing your gear from someone you trust:👉 www.KitePuertoRico.comIf you can’t get gear from us but still want to support the podcast:☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/xfoils📲 Follow along: @TheXFoils

Case 60 is just Walt and I, catching up and talking about the feels of the new foils we’ve been testing lately. Not a spec dump—more about how they actually ride, how they translate into progression, and what’s getting us fired up at the moment.On the FoilDrive side, we just do a quick Fusion recap and share how it’s been fitting into sessions lately.Classic X-Foils van chat energy.🎙️ Sponsored by Kite Puerto Rico + the N1 Surf ShopSupport the podcast by subscribing, dropping a 5⭐ review, and grabbing your gear from someone you trust:👉 www.KitePuertoRico.comIf you can’t get gear from us but still want to support the podcast:☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/xfoils📲 Follow along: @TheXFoils

In Case 59, Walt and I sit down with Kai Calder. Kai has deep roots in foiling, and honestly, there’s so much we could have covered with him. This episode is more about bringing Kai into the conversation—getting some background, hearing his perspective, and setting the stage for more to come.We touch on parts of his journey, how he found his way into foiling, and what shapes his approach today. It’s not a full deep dive (yet), but an introduction to someone with a lot of experience and insight in the sport.Consider this one the start of the conversation, not the end of it.🎙️ Sponsored by Kite Puerto Rico + the N1 Surf ShopSupport the podcast by subscribing, dropping a 5⭐ review, and grabbing your gear from someone you trust:👉 www.KitePuertoRico.comIf you can’t get gear from us but still want to support the podcast:☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/xfoils📲 Follow along: @TheXFoils

Walt and I, wrapping up the year the only way we know how—talking sh*t about tech, recapping what went down, and dreaming about what we want to see in the future.From gear overload to real progression, we reflect on the year of tech, what actually mattered, or we think matters? what didn’t, and where we hope foiling is headed next. No agenda, no guests—just end-of-year vibes, laughs, and honest takes.This is our Christmas / end-of-the-year special, and most importantly, a big thank you. We genuinely love this community and appreciate everyone who listens, supports, and keeps the stoke alive.🎄❤️ See you next year.🎙️ Sponsored by Kite Puerto Rico + the N1 Surf ShopSupport the podcast by subscribing, dropping a 5⭐ review, and grabbing your gear from someone you trust:👉 www.KitePuertoRico.comIf you cannot support us with buying merch or gear and want to support us: here is out buy me a coffee link. Think of it as investing in the future of foiling with us! Love you guys!buymeacoffee.com/Xfoils📲 Follow along: @TheXFoils

It’s just Walt and I — a long-overdue catch-up and a high-demand review on the new F4 foils. We dive into first impressions, and how these foils fit into the evolving landscape. We also chat about Foildrive, and what ever else pops into our head! Nothing fancy, just classic energy and some gear talk everyone’s been asking for. Always a good time catching up with Walt.🎙️ 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: @TheXFoils

In Case 56, Walt and I sit down with Mike Raper, North’s Brand Director — and yes, I give him a hard time for being too good at promoting the North lineup. The man is proudly dialed into every product, every update, and every detail… and honestly, rightfully so.We run through a quick overview of what North has been up to, some of the standouts in the current range, and how the brand continues to push design and performance forward. Mike’s schedule during AWSI is chaos, so we’re stoked we managed to sneak him in for a van chat between meetings and demos.Short, fun, and full of North energy.🎙️ 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.comBoost Trench and FD masts with us. 📲 Follow along: @TheXFoils#XFoils #Case56 #MikeRaper #NorthFoils #NorthKiteboarding #FoilTalk #AWSI #FoilDesign #Wingfoil #Kitefoil #N1SurfShop

In Case 55, Walt and I sit down with Keith Teboul for a super insightful chat about the current KT lineup and what’s on the horizon. Keith needs no intro, but this time we skip the history lesson and get right into what’s relevant now—from refinements across the range to the new shapes and design philosophies driving KT forward.We talk about how performance goals, materials, and feel all come together in the shaping bay, and how Keith keeps evolving his boards to match the fast-moving foiling and surf scenes. Keith also shares how important worldwide feedback is to the process—while Maui is an incubator for some of the best designs in the world, the KT crew stays tuned in globally to avoid making boards that feel “Maui-specific.”With an amazing team of riders and testers providing constant, honest feedback, Keith continues to fine-tune the balance between art, innovation, and performance.It’s a refreshing look at what’s coming, how it rides, and what makes KT’s gear stand out in today’s lineup.🎙️ 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: @TheXFoils

In Case 54, Walt and I were lucky enough to steal a bit of time from Nicolas Caillou, the designer of the F-One Frigate Parawing. Nicolas has a seriously deep background — he’s the founder of ZEEKO, a PhD in mathematical modeling, and a rider who actually pushes the limits of the products he designs. Where most brands need both a test pilot and an engineer, Nicolas is both.We focus this chat on the F-One Frigate, its development, and what makes it stand out in the growing parawing world. But honestly, we wish we had hours just to talk to Nicolas the person, because there are so many layers to what he does — from R&D to marketing, innovation, and his constant drive to make products that are high-performance, reliable, and fun.It’s a rare glimpse into the mind of one of foiling’s most technical yet passionate designers — and how science and feel come together to make flight possible.🎙️ 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: @Thexfoils#XFoils #Case55 #Fone #FrigateParawing #NicolasCaillou #Zeeko #FoilDesign #FoilTalk #FoilingInnovation #Parawing

In Case 53, Walt and I sit down with Magnito from the Gorge to talk about a major change in the Downwind foiling scene — the shutdown of Tunnel 4 parking, the iconic access point for one of the most beloved shuttle runs in the area.For years, Tunnel 4 has been a gateway for countless downwinders visiting the Gorge, but with this closure, we ask the big questions:💭 Will this change how visitors experience the Gorge?💭 Could it spark a stronger community push to preserve access and establish more common-sense rules for the future?We talk about the impact this could have on the local scene, what riders should know if they’re planning to visit, and how important it is to protect access to this beautiful and iconic spot and spots around the world for the next generation of foilers.This should spark some conversation. 🎙️ 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 #Case53 #TheGorge #DownwindFoiling #AccessMatters #Tunnel4 #FoilTalk #FoilCommunity #PreserveTheStoke

Walt catches up with Frank Foilboards right in the shaping bay for a chat about his latest creations — the Mini Dart and the Dart. These new designs are the result of a collaboration with Axis, aimed at building a Parawing-friendly mid-length that also crosses over beautifully into wing and prone foiling.Walt was one of the main testers on this project, helping refine the board before it went straight into full production for the lineup. They get deep into the design process — how the mid-length evolved, how it feels under the Parawing, and why it works as such an all-rounder.Frank also shares insights on the new SUP surf board The Dart — maybe inspired for a shorter, surf-style downwind foiling sessions that keep things fun and surfy. 🎯 It’s safe to say… they hit the bullseye on this one.🎙️ 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.comhttps://www.kitepuertorico.com/products/frank-mini-dart-axis-foilboards-pre-order?_pos=1&_sid=398f796b3&_ss=r📲 Follow along: @xfoils#XFoils #Case52 #FrankFoilboards #FoilDesign #Parawing #AxisFoils #MiniDart #TheDart #SUPFoiling #FoilTalk

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