Up On Foil

by Matthias Kaufmann & Gael Daniele

Join Matt & Gael - 2 fellow foilers - as they chat about foiling with more or less famous foilers about being on foil. Did I mention that we talk about foiling?

If you like our show and want to help us out: patreon.com/UpOnFoil

Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • He monetized his passion - a chat with THE Dave West

    He monetized his passion - a chat with THE Dave West

    He managed to dock start on his first try and did the 1 Minute Wakethief challenge in his second try...! But he's not invincible, he's struggling with the parawing... at least that... Summary In this episode of the Up on Foil podcast, hosts Gaël and Matt welcome Dave West, an accomplished foiler from Australia. The conversation explores their personal journeys in foiling, the evolution of techniques, and the balance between family life and pursuing a passion for water sports. They discuss the challenges of monetizing hobbies, the impact of YouTube on their foiling experiences, and the intricacies of learning to read waves and energy while foiling. Dave shares insights on power winging and offers advice for aspiring foilers, emphasizing the importance of understanding the dynamics of waves and foiling equipment. In this conversation, Dave West shares insights on foiling dynamics, the importance of mass height management, and the challenges of racing. He discusses the significance of foil design and breachability, as well as the balance between family, work, and foiling. The conversation also touches on the evolution of content creation in the foiling community, the risks associated with spearfishing, and the importance of training and setting goals for improvement in performance. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Backgrounds 03:00 Foiling Journeys and Experiences 06:02 The Evolution of Foiling Techniques 08:57 Balancing Foiling and Family Life 11:54 Monetizing Foiling Passion 14:54 YouTube Journey and Content Creation 18:00 Challenges in Power Winging 20:50 Learning to Read Waves and Energy 23:59 Final Thoughts and Advice 32:59 Understanding Foil Dynamics 34:52 The Importance of Mass Height Management 36:39 Foil Design and Breachability 38:35 Choosing the Right Foil for Conditions 40:12 The Challenges of Racing and Mistakes 42:44 Balancing Family, Work, and Foiling 45:10 Navigating the Business Side of Foiling 46:50 The Evolution of Content Creation 47:41 Life in Australia and Travel Challenges 49:09 The Risks of Spearfishing 50:45 Finding Joy in Foiling 53:00 Training and Fitness for Foiling 55:44 Cross Training and Improving Performance 58:50 Setting Goals and Competing 01:00:15 Connecting with the Community

  • Watersports and Content Creation #vanlife since 2013: A Journey with Ben Beholz

    Watersports and Content Creation #vanlife since 2013: A Journey with Ben Beholz

    In this episode, professional kite surfer and content creator Ben Beholz shares his journey from a passionate athlete to a successful influencer in the kite surfing and foiling community. He discusses the evolution of content creation, the importance of sponsorships, and the balance between creativity and brand expectations. Ben also delves into his experiences with van life, the challenges of pump foiling, and his future plans for 2025, all while emphasizing the joy of being on the water and the freedom of living an adventurous lifestyle. In this engaging conversation, Ben Beholz shares his experiences in the world of foiling and kite surfing, discussing everything from board sizes to innovative techniques and unique filming experiences. The discussion also delves into the business side of content creation, coaching, and the importance of viewer engagement in maintaining relevance in the industry. Ben reflects on his journey, the luxury experiences he's had, and the future of his career in foiling and content creation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ben Beholz and His Journey 02:31 The Evolution of Content Creation in Kite Surfing 05:03 Understanding Sponsorships and Contracts 10:05 The Impact of Gear on Performance 14:03 Exploring Van Life and Its Benefits 34:38 The Dynamics of Collaboration 35:00 Planning for the Future: Balancing Work and Passion 37:42 Traveling and Shooting: A Glimpse into the Schedule 40:06 Life Choices: Van Life vs. Stability 41:44 The Joys and Challenges of Van Life 44:09 Creative Video Ideas: From Kite Surfboards to Unique Locations 51:34 Exploring New Techniques: Power Wings and Pump Foiling 54:11 Innovative Filming: Kite Surfing on Snow 01:01:24 Luxury and Adventure: Filming in High-End Locations 01:04:00 The Process Behind Creating Engaging Content 01:05:19 Coaching and Sharing Knowledge Find the last 20 Minutes on our Patreon! www.uponfoil.com

  • 300 days a year on the water, 2 to 6 hours per session - A chat with Yvon Labarthe

    300 days a year on the water, 2 to 6 hours per session - A chat with Yvon Labarthe

    Thank you for helping us out: patreon.com/UpOnFoil Check out our Website: www.uponfoil.com In this episode, Yvon Labarthe, a Swiss extreme sports athlete, shares his journey into the world of pump foiling, discussing his experiences, challenges, and the joy of the sport. He elaborates on his video creation process, the importance of safety, and the unique qualities of Fireball foils. Yvon also emphasizes the significance of getting out of one's comfort zone and the potential for women to excel in foiling. The conversation wraps up with insights into Yvon's YouTube journey and his upcoming plans in the sport. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Yvon Labarthe 02:54 Yvon's Journey into Pump Foiling 05:48 The Evolution of Foiling Techniques 08:47 Video Creation and Content Planning 11:34 Safety and Equipment Essentials 14:41 The Magic of Fireball Foils 17:39 The Importance of Comfort Zones in Progress 20:26 Innovations in Foiling Gear 23:28 Drop Starts and Advanced Techniques 31:08 The Art of Foiling Tricks 33:18 Common Mistakes in Foiling 35:44 Understanding Boat Waves 39:37 Pumping on Real Waves 42:23 Managing Speed and Control 48:27 Mindset and Overcoming Fear 49:47 The Influence of Past Sports 53:45 YouTube Journey and Monetization 55:22 Community and Collaboration in Foiling

  • The face (or voice) behind Board Tales - A chat with Itay from Board Tales

    The face (or voice) behind Board Tales - A chat with Itay from Board Tales

    Win an Indiana Balance Board!!! How to enter: listen to the podcast and find out! Thank you for helping us out: patreon.com/UpOnFoil Check out our Website: www.uponfoil.com In this episode, Matt and Gael discuss the world of foiling and the culture surrounding these sports with Itay, the creator of Board Tales. They explore Itays journey from Israel to Switzerland, his experiences in content creation, and the importance of storytelling in videography. The conversation delves into the challenges and growth of the foiling community, future projects, and initiatives aimed at engaging youth in the sport. The episode concludes with a giveaway announcement and reflections on the impact of foiling on individuals' lives.

  • Why foiling on a Scooter makes sense - A chat with Benji Friant

    Why foiling on a Scooter makes sense - A chat with Benji Friant

    Thank you for helping us out: patreon.com/UpOnFoil Check out our Website: www.uponfoil.com In this episode, Benji Friant, a Swiss professional freestyle scooter rider and video producer, shares his journey through the world of extreme sports, focusing on scootering and foiling. He discusses his early achievements in scootering, the challenges of creating engaging video content, and the development of his innovative product, the Foil Scoot. Benji also reflects on the rivalry between scooter riders and skateboarders, the importance of community engagement, and the safety regulations surrounding foiling. With a passion for creativity and adventure, he looks forward to future projects and collaborations.