Foil Life Podcast by SFT

This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. 

On this episode, we chat with Matt, host of the Up on Foil Podcast, sharing his passion for foiling from the breathtaking lakes of Silvaplana, Switzerland. Matt dives into his extensive testing of eight para-wings, offering practical insights for foilers of all levels, while reflecting on podcasting, local adventures, and the water sports community.
  • Para-Wing Testing Breakdown: Matt reviews eight para-wings, including Ensis Roger V2, North Ranger, and Fly Surfer Pow, analyzing performance, stability, and fit for different skill levels and conditions.
  • Hands-On Approach: From weighing wings to measuring leading edge thickness, Matt shares detailed findings on low-end power, upwind performance, and ease of handling.
  • Gear Recommendations: Learn which wings suit beginners (North Ranger, BRM Maliko) or intermediates for downwinders, factoring in wind range and budget.
  • Podcasting Across Time Zones: Matt discusses the challenges of scheduling recordings across a 12-hour time difference and the warm response from the foiling community.
  • Silvaplana Adventures: Broadcasting from 1800m in Switzerland, Matt describes the stunning lake scenery and his commitment to eco-conscious local exploration.
  • Community Connections: Hear about encounters with pros like Dave West and plans to return for the Swiss Optimist Championship, blending foiling with family time.
Explore Matt’s full para-wing comparison with detailed specs at www.uponfoil.com and follow his journey on YouTube at Matt on Foil.

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.