Foil Life Podcast by SFT

On this episode, we chat with Tom Hartmann, tour manager for the GWA Wing Foil World Tour and Surf Foil World Tour (SFT). Fresh from the windy Mondial du Vent in Leucate, France, Tom breaks down the action, from wing foiling in 40-knot gusts to e-foiling and pump foiling in tough conditions. He shares what went down, who stood out, and how these sports are growing fast.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:
  • Leucate’s Crazy Weather: Nonstop winds switching from Tramontane to onshore, hitting 20-40 knots, making this one of the wildest Mondial du Vents in Tom’s 20 years there.
  • GWA Standouts: Young gun Benjamin Castenskiold, 14, hitting the surf freestyle final, Nia chasing wins in all four disciplines, and Francesco Capuzzo taking free fly slalom.
  • SFT Action: E-foiling in 40 knots, with a one-armed e-foiler competing and a jet ski downwind format for pump foil when waves got rough.
  • New Faces & Moves: Clean front-to-backflip combos in surf freestyle, plus a record 18-19 women in wing foiling.
  • Judging Shift: Ex-pro Max Robinson joining the judges, bringing his rider’s perspective to the tour.
  • Next Stop: The SFT heading to Sicily’s Water Festival for pump foil, e-foil, and a big beach party vibe.
Check out the action on Instagram at @surffoilworldtour, follow on Facebook or YouTube, or head to surffoilworldtour.com for event info.

Watch the full episode on YouTube

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.