Best Downwind Podcasts (2025)

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Foil Life Travel Show #1 - The Launchpad Windsurf & Foil Academy in Ontario, Canada 33:53

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2h ago33:53

33:53

This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. Welcome to the very first episode of the Foil Life Travel Show! Your go to series series dedicated to the world’s best foil destinations, schools, accommodations and hidden gems. We’re kicking off the journey in style with Carl from The Launch Pad Windsurf & Foil Academ…

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An unsexy product category - very important though! 50:39

5h ago50:39

50:39

Check out my Instagram (@mattonfoil) for a giveaway! First of all - This is not an add! I am genuinely interested: My brother in law had to have surgery because he suffered from surfer's ear. If you've never heard of it - lucky you. If you have cold ears (water and/or wind), the ear canal can close off and you can have very bad ear infections. Ther…

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Episode #117 - Justin Chait 38:23

7d ago38:23

38:23

This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. In this episode, we sit down with the newly crowned 2025 E-Foil Surf Foil World Tour (SFT) World Champion – the undefeated e-foil racer who took the title in the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Fresh off dominating the inaugural SFT season, the Florida-based ripper (and Fli…

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Dominating the wing foil scene - a chat with Nia Suardiaz 50:53

8d ago50:53

50:53

She has won everything there is to win in Wing Foiling - and she is only 18 years old. Nia Suardiaz @niasuardiaz has been on the water ever since she was able to walk. A couple of years ago, she fell in love with wing foiling and started competing and is dominating the scene. Summary In this episode of Uponfoil Nia shares her journey in wing foilin…

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Surf Foil World Tour (SFT) Show #5: Recap of Abu Dhabi 27:21

14d ago27:21

27:21

This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. In this episode, we catch up with Tom Hartmann – tour manager of the GKA Kite World Tour, Wingfoil World Tour, and founder of the brand-new Surf Foil World Tour (SFT) – fresh from the biggest water sports spectacle the Middle East has ever seen in Abu Dhabi and now chas…

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Case 57: Just the Boys: Reviews + Catch-Up 1:08:01

10d ago1:08:01

1:08:01

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 ca…

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028_Nicolas Caillou: F-One Frigate Designer | The Parawing has the Right DNA for Success 1:37:42

14d ago1:37:42

1:37:42

In this conversation, Nicolas Calais, the designer of the F1 frigate, shares his extensive journey through the world of water sports, from his early days of surfing to becoming a leading designer in the kite and hydrofoil industry. He discusses the evolution of water sports, the challenges faced in designing the F-One Frigate parawing, and the impo…

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Foilbrained - From a feeling to a brand. 40:06

11d ago40:06

40:06

You've probably seen Foilbrained-branded shirts and caps. Either live or on Instagram. Corey and his team are going full throttle and spreading the stoke with awesome clothes all about foiling. There is something for every foiling discipline: Surf foiling, Wing foiling, pump foiling, parawinging, even the tow boogie. Go check out their store on: ht…

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Episode #116 - Sascha Lange 36:49

21d ago36:49

36:49

This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. In this episode, we sit down with Sascha Lange, the 41-year-old German windsurf coach, personal trainer, and author of the brand-new wind bible called "Never Not Windsurfing – Defeat Age & Keep the Stoke Alive". Fresh off a one-year writing marathon (and still hand-pack…

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Case #56 - Unapologetically North: Mike Raper in the Van 38:09

17d ago38:09

38:09

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 t…

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Eco-friendly foil boards - A chat with Katha and Raul 50:18

18d ago50:18

50:18

What started as a Covid-experiment turned into something amazing. Katha and Raul are building eco-friendly Foilboards out of Agave stems which would be thrown away otherwise. This is an awesome project and I highly recommend that you check them out: https://karaboards.com Thanks to Jens of the Foilsessions App for supporting the show. Get your Foil…

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027_Francesco Maffei: Designing the Ultimate Parawing Board Quiver for Parawinging with Frank Boards 1:51:11

19d ago1:51:11

1:51:11

In this episode, I sit down with Francesco Maffei to chat about his journey—from growing up as a young surfer in Italy to becoming one of the go-to shapers for custom parawing boards. We talk about how board sports have evolved, why custom parawing boards are blowing up right now, and all the little details that actually make a board feel good unde…

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Episode #115 - Bjorn Dunkerbeck 31:33

28d ago31:33

31:33

This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. In this episode, we sit down with Björn Dunkerbeck, the 56-year-old windsurfing legend with 42 PWA World Titles (more than any athlete in any sport), 32+ years with Red Bull, and a personal best of 103.68 km/h over 500 m. Fresh off double-hip surgery and pain-free for t…

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Another foiling discipline - a chat with Todd Reichert 1:06:50

26d ago1:06:50

1:06:50

Todd has so many stories to tell - but we tried to talk about foiling as much as possible. But two nuggets: He was the first du stay up in the air (3 meters) for 1 Minute in a human powered flying device, he got the world record in speed on a bicycle (in the flat). He is so focused on human powered devices and brought it to the water. In this episo…

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Case 55 - Ever Evolving: KT Lineup with Keith Teboul 25:21

1M ago25:21

25:21

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 p…

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Episode #114 - Dane Wilson & Josh Ku 50:33

1M ago50:33

50:33

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…

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What an honor - A chat with James Casey 58:41

1M ago58:41

58:41

James Casey is prominent figure in the world of foiling and water sports. In this episode, we discussed James's journey from surfing to stand-up paddleboarding and eventually to foiling. James shares insights into his coaching career, the challenges of managing a professional life in water sports, and his experiences in Fiji. The conversation also …

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026_Aliaj Valic: How Triple Seven Is Redefining Parawing Technology 1:27:57

1M ago1:27:57

1:27:57

In this conversation, Aljaz Valik shares his journey from a childhood immersed in aviation to becoming a prominent figure in the parawing design industry. He discusses his competitive background in paragliding, the transition to kite design, and the evolution of foiling. Aljaz highlights the innovations in parawing design, particularly the differen…

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Gorgier vs. The Gorge - a spot talk with Andi 1:03:15

1M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Andi said that he forgot to mention that people at the Gorge were super helpful and very welcoming. That said - always ask locals when going to a new spot. Summary In this conversation, Matt and Andi discuss their foiling experiences at Lake Neuchâtel and Andi's trip to Hood River, comparing the unique conditions and challenges of each location. Th…

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Episode #113 - Jake Kelsick 46:19

1M ago46:19

46:19

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 r…

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Case 54: The Frigate Formula -Test Pilot and Designer Nicolas Caillou 46:39

1M ago46:39

46:39

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 …

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Foiling App wanted - a chat with Jens Utbult 52:23

1M ago52:23

52:23

Back when Jens started winging, there was no specific app available. So after a couple of days he started writing the Foilsessions App: https://foilsessions.app In this episode of www.uponfoil.com, Jens talks about his foiling story and also how he created his app. He even quit his well-paying job and went all in into this foiling adventure. There …

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Episode #112 - Kiran Verma 41:37

2M ago41:37

41:37

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 high…

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Event Recap from Crozon, LAST, GlisseVanParis 57:59

2M ago57:59

57:59

Martin was part of the organizing committee for the races at Glisse and van Paris Show Les Ailes de Saint Tropez and Crozon Foil Festival that wrapped up three days ago. Thinking about joining Nico and me for a day of FoilDriving? Clinic, coaching, testing, fun! November 15th in Mainz, Germany. @mattonfoil on Instagram or Facebook Martin talks abou…

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025_Patrick Rebstock: Exploring the World of Downwinding with the Parawing 1:28:05

2M ago1:28:05

1:28:05

In this conversation, Patrick Rebstock shares his journey from traditional board sports to downwinding and now into parawinging. He discusses the importance of safety, understanding local geography, and the differences between groundswell and windswell. Patrick emphasises the need for preparation and knowledge of conditions to ensure a successful a…

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Case #53 – Access Denied: The Tunnel 4 Shutdown 56:30

1M ago56:30

56:30

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 th…

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A Hawaiian story - Rebecca Hart cares! 56:33

2M ago56:33

56:33

Summary In this episode, Rebecca Hart shares her journey from Minnesota to Hawaii, her passion for foiling, and her commitment to environmentalism through surf camps. She discusses the differences between the foiling and surfing communities, her experiences as a DJ and single parent, and the importance of safety in water sports. Rebecca also highli…

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Case #52: Hitting the Bullseye: Frank Foilboards’ Axis Dart Series 1:07:37

2M ago1:07:37

1:07:37

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 pro…

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Gear Review Show #1 with Matt Kaufmann - Parawings 33:08

2M ago33:08

33:08

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 ins…

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Les Ailes de St. Tropez debrief with Dom Hoskyns (FoilDrive) 43:23

2M ago43:23

43:23

Dom was on his way back from Les Ailes de St. Tropez where there was a lot of foiling going on. He specifically talked about the FoilDrive Division where there were more than 30 Foilers on the starting line. Personally, I really think there is a lot of future in this area, because I know from a very good SUP-Foiler, that he had trouble in the Race.…

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Bringing people (foilers) together - a chat with Chris Burke 54:16

2M ago54:16

54:16

There is a lot going on on the Island and Chris is the one organizing it. His goal: Bringing people (foiler) together. And it seems to work. In this episode you hear him talk about the event, his life in watersports and professional life with his surf school and his shop Poseidon Watersports. Thanks for supporting: patreon.com/UpOnFoil Links: www.u…

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Case #51 – Josh Who? Josh Ku! From Uluwatu to G-Land 33:45

2M ago33:45

33:45

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 form…

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Surf Foil World Tour (SFT) Show #4: Recap of the Pump Foil World Cup Traunsee 2025 37:34

2M ago37:34

37:34

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 v…

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Wake Board World Champion goes up on Foil 52:59

2M ago52:59

52:59

Thank you for helping me out: patreon.com/UpOnFoil You'll find 15 Minutes extra (in Swiss German) on Patreon as well... Check out our Website: www.uponfoil.com Summary In this episode of Up on Foil, host Matt On Foil interviews Andy Meyenberg, a five-time world champion and owner of Foilever.ch. They discuss Andy's journey into foiling, the challen…

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024_Jon McCabe: Inside the Parawing Revolution: Gear, Flow, and Ultimate Freedom on the Water 1:57:05

2M ago1:57:05

1:57:05

In this episode, I talk with Jon McCabe, one of Maui’s most experienced multi-sport foilers, to unpack his evolution in Parawinging — from his roots in kiting to the cutting-edge gear shaping where the sport is heading. Jon and I dive deep into advanced Parawing techniques, gear setup, and the fine-tuning that helps you get the most out of your foi…

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Case #50: Small Brand, Big Spray: Hydrocraft with Matt Elsasser 1:04:31

2M ago1:04:31

1:04:31

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 …

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Wing Foil World Tour (GWA) Show Episode #13 - Gran Canaria with World Champ Benjamin Castenskiold 29:08

2M ago29:08

29:08

This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. In this exciting episode, we sit down with Benji, the newly crowned wing foiling world champion, and Tom Hartmann, to discuss Benji’s incredible rise in the sport. Broadcasting from different corners of the world, we dive into Benji’s journey, the evolution of wing foil…

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Case #49: Powered Up: Mr. Bennetts Brings the Flux* 35:25

2M ago35:25

35:25

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…

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World Champion at 17 years old - a chat with Viola Lippitsch 49:00

2M ago49:00

49:00

Viola juggles her professional career and her school to stay on top of both. And she's doing very well. Apart from being very good at the GWA Wingfoil races and freestyle, she just won the SFT World Championship in Pump foiling. Thank you for helping me out: patreon.com/UpOnFoil Check out our Website: www.uponfoil.com In this episode, Matt intervie…

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Episode #111 - Jon Mann 53:40

3M ago53:40

53:40

This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. In this episode, we catch up with Jon, a passionate downwind foiler from the Netherlands, whose methodical approach to mastering the sport has taken him from kite foiling to SUP downwinding. Broadcasting from opposite sides of the globe, we dive into Jon’s journey, his …

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023_James Casey: What is The Easiest Way to Start Downwinding? Parawinging vs Winging vs SUP vs FoilDrive 1:38:53

3M ago1:38:53

1:38:53

In this episode, I sit down with James Casey to explore the exciting world of downwinding and parawinging. James shares his journey from different water sports into foiling, we dive into the emergence of the parawing, its advantages for downwinders, and the unique dynamics of light wind sessions. We also cover important safety considerations and ta…

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Case #48: The F4 Orca Story:Carbon Addicts Anonymous with Chris Radkowski 1:07:44

2M ago1:07:44

1:07:44

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.…

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Doing ALL foil sports - a chat with Nico Hopp AKA Hoppline 1:06:27

3M ago1:06:27

1:06:27

Nico is a surfer and wants to make a living within the foiling industry. With that in mind he is going all in and stays unbiased and independent by not taking money for reviews. He is not only a very talented foiler, but also a very creative and media-savvy content creator making videos that blow everyone's mind. Join the patreon: patreon.com/UpOnF…

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Episode #110 - Annelous Lammerts & Maurits Haantjens 49:58

3M ago49:58

49:58

This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. In this episode, we sit down with Annelous and Maurits, a dynamic couple whose love for wind, waves, and adventure has shaped their lives both on and off the water. Broadcasting from Maui, we dive into their inspiring journey, from meeting at Natural High Surfshop in th…

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Pump Foil high flyer - from 0 to 100 in a couple of weeks 59:56

3M ago59:56

59:56

He let's us follow his pump foil progression since start one - and he's all in. It looks like he's pumpfoiling every single day. So as someone who started a few months ago, he remembers very well how it was as a beginner and shares his tipps and tricks of dock starting on the podcast. check him out @prof.d.eps_ on instagram. Thanks to @pfederi for …

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PPP Episode 47: Crossing Lake Michigan with Rob Hartman 1:39:24

3M ago1:39:24

1:39:24

Rob joins the Peak Paddle Performance podcast for the second time. But this time, it’s all about an epic 80 mile adventure crossing Lake Michigan this past August. Now in his mid fifties, Rob continues to paddle and race at a very high level. I’m not sure he has ever been beat in the Great Lakes region. In the last two years he held the lead at Cha…

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Case #47 – Codependency Issues: Falling for Code Foils with Ben Tardrew 34:05

3M ago34:05

34:05

The X-Foils Podcast: Case #47 – Codependency Issues: Falling for Code Foils with Ben Tardrew Walt (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 …

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Episode #109 - Sam Pilgrim & Tom Court 1:01:44

3M ago1:01:44

1:01:44

This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. In this episode, we sit down with Sam Pilgrim and Tom Court, two athletes pushing the boundaries of action sports, as they share their journey from mountain biking to wing foiling. Broadcasting from the UK, Sam, a renowned mountain biker and YouTube sensation, and Tom, …

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Case #46: Double the Podcasts, Double the Nonsense (AWSI Collab) 1:34:59

3M ago1:34:59

1:34:59

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 …

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022_Kyle Maligro: Creativity and fun on the Parawing 1:43:08

3M ago1:43:08

1:43:08

In this episode of the Lab Rat Foiler Podcast, we sit down with ex-pro bodyboarder, lifelong ocean frother, and now dedicated parawinger Kyle Maligro. From growing up in Hawaii chasing waves on a boogie board, to a long career on the professional bodyboarding scene, Kyle has lived his life in the water. These days, he’s channeling that same passion…