Episode #111 - Jon Mann

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 love for problem-solving on the water, and his efforts to build a thriving downwind community.

• From Kite to SUP: Jon shares his evolution from kite surfing to downwind foiling, sparked by a desire to ride waves with more freedom. After a knee injury sidelined him, he discovered kite foiling, then prone foiling, and finally SUP downwinding, finding his groove in Holland’s windy lakes and North Sea swells.
• The Downwind Addiction: Jon explains what fuels his passion for downwinding—the constant problem-solving, the dopamine rush of linking bumps, and the ability to foil in a wide range of conditions. With Holland’s 300+ windy days a year, he’s found a paradise for chasing “8 out of 10” sessions.
• Coaching with Casey: Jon recounts his time in the Coach Casey Club, where sharing wins and breaking down skills helped him progress. His analytical approach led to coaching opportunities, including assisting in the Maldives, where he now helps others unlock their downwind potential.
• Gear and Accessibility: From versatile foils with forgiving low ends to the debate over paddles versus pair wings, Jon discusses how modern gear is making downwinding more accessible. He emphasizes familiarity over gear-hopping, sharing insights from his experiments with different foil quivers.
• Community and Competition: Jon reflects on the tight-knit downwind community, from Maui’s Paddle Imua to races in France and Barcelona. He’s excited about his upcoming November event in Holland, blending racing with a fun, social run to grow the local scene.
• Downwind Leaderboard: Jon introduces the Downwind Leaderboard (race.downwind.app), a web-based platform for tracking runs and fostering community. With features like global leaderboards and course maps, it’s a fun way to connect foilers worldwide and discover new spots.
• The Big Picture: Jon’s passionate plea? Let’s focus on the joy of downwind foiling and ditch the noise about which tool—SUP, pair wing, or wing—is “better.” It’s all about riding from A to B, building friendships, and savoring the stoke.

Join us for an engaging conversation filled with insights, laughs, and a deep love for downwind foiling. Jon’s story is a reminder to embrace the journey, connect with the community, and keep chasing those endless bumps.

Creators and Guests

Host

Luc Moore

I started windsurfing in 2012, a year after my brother and I visited Kauai, Hawaii. In 2009 I was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident that required two intensive surgeries to stabilize my pelvis. Three years later, I was still heavily engaged in rehab, but I had been cleared to walk by my orthopedic surgeon, so we finally decided to visit the islands. My brother had just started windsurfing, so we started looking online for gear for him, and we came across a woman selling late her husband's equipment. She recounted to us that his life had been spent on the ocean. As a pro windsurfer, his love and passion for the sport were undeniable. At that point, I thought I could try this sport and carry on his legacy of love for the water and wind if I worked hard enough. Initially, I couldn't ride with my harness on without experiencing terrible low back pain. I was terrified of the water, knew nothing about wind, and if I got moving at any speed, scenes of my accidents would replay in my mind, which lasted for years. It took a lot of work to differentiate fact from fiction. To add to this mess of emotions, numerous specialists and acquaintances had repeatedly told me that I was now broken. I could never jog pain-free again, let alone enjoy pain-free sports. They told me to accept that as my truth and to move on. My mom and brother helped me keep going as our shared passions, and family support helped me overcome obstacles. The pure joy I felt with my continued progress on the water helped those wounds begin to heal. In time, windsurfing felt so good physically and psychologically that it would bring me to tears on the water. I would spend hours practicing the basics and quickly improve. This sport was one of the catalysts that helped accelerate my healing process. When my skills had reached the great lake level, I started sailing with my neighbour Danny. He is one of the best windsurfers in eastern Ontario and travels worldwide, pursuing his passion in his spare time. In 2018 when Wing Foiling first came out, I quickly felt like this sport would take my love for wind and water to the next level. Our Co-Host Tom helped me find gear and gave me my first intro lesson! I quickly picked up the sport and learnt the basics. I then contacted some kite schools on Vancouver Island (Elevation Kiteboarding & Windrider Kiteboarding) and started teaching for them! Shortly after, Tom and I created the Wing Life podcast to help share our stoke and knowledge of wind sports with others.

What is 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.