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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 vibrant community, and the unique vibe of the SFT.
- Lake Traunsee Triumph: Tom and Nico recap the SFT event at Lake Traunsee, a stunning venue surrounded by mountains with a top-notch setup. With four starting docks and a professional organization running alongside the Austrian Wing Foil Championships, the event offered a perfect mix of competition and community, capped off with exciting wake foiling sessions behind a boat.
- Pump Foiling’s Appeal: Tom and Nico discuss the sport’s accessibility, thriving in flatwater lakes and ideal for urban and inland locations. They highlight how pump foiling draws in everyone from pros to beginners.
- Community-Driven Competition: Nico emphasizes the inclusive nature of the SFT, where pros like Eden Fiander and Robert von Roll race alongside amateurs, creating a social and competitive atmosphere. Tom explains the division structure—pro, open, masters, youth, and women’s categories—ensuring everyone, from seasoned athletes to first-timers, feels motivated to join.
- Gear and Technique Evolution: The duo dives into the latest gear trends, with Nico noting the pros’ use of tiny, high-performance wings and unique dock-start techniques. From Eden’s strap-based approach to Rob’s hands-on style, the diversity in equipment and skills keeps the sport dynamic and exciting.
- A Family Affair: Tom highlights the family-friendly vibe, with free dinners for competitors and their families, fostering a welcoming environment. Nico shares a heartwarming story of a young competitor and his mother camping out to participate, showcasing the sport’s appeal across generations.
- The Future of SFT: Tom reveals plans for the final 2025 event in Abu Dhabi, featuring e-foiling and wake foiling, and a 2026 season kicking off in Düsseldorf. With ambitions to expand prize money and bring events to urban centers like Venice’s Grand Canal, the SFT aims to grow pump foiling’s global reach.
- Lake Traunsee Triumph: Tom and Nico recap the SFT event at Lake Traunsee, a stunning venue surrounded by mountains with a top-notch setup. With four starting docks and a professional organization running alongside the Austrian Wing Foil Championships, the event offered a perfect mix of competition and community, capped off with exciting wake foiling sessions behind a boat.
- Pump Foiling’s Appeal: Tom and Nico discuss the sport’s accessibility, thriving in flatwater lakes and ideal for urban and inland locations. They highlight how pump foiling draws in everyone from pros to beginners.
- Community-Driven Competition: Nico emphasizes the inclusive nature of the SFT, where pros like Eden Fiander and Robert von Roll race alongside amateurs, creating a social and competitive atmosphere. Tom explains the division structure—pro, open, masters, youth, and women’s categories—ensuring everyone, from seasoned athletes to first-timers, feels motivated to join.
- Gear and Technique Evolution: The duo dives into the latest gear trends, with Nico noting the pros’ use of tiny, high-performance wings and unique dock-start techniques. From Eden’s strap-based approach to Rob’s hands-on style, the diversity in equipment and skills keeps the sport dynamic and exciting.
- A Family Affair: Tom highlights the family-friendly vibe, with free dinners for competitors and their families, fostering a welcoming environment. Nico shares a heartwarming story of a young competitor and his mother camping out to participate, showcasing the sport’s appeal across generations.
- The Future of SFT: Tom reveals plans for the final 2025 event in Abu Dhabi, featuring e-foiling and wake foiling, and a 2026 season kicking off in Düsseldorf. With ambitions to expand prize money and bring events to urban centers like Venice’s Grand Canal, the SFT aims to grow pump foiling’s global reach.
Join us for a lively discussion packed with insights into pump foiling’s rise, the thrill of close-knit competition, and the community spirit driving this niche sport forward. From stunning venues to innovative gear, this episode captures the excitement of foiling without wind.
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.