Advertise on podcast: The Foil Pod

Cash Berzolla is one of the most exciting riders in foiling right now, but despite growing up surfing on Maui, he wasn’t exactly convinced when he first tried wing foiling. In fact, he actively resisted getting his own setup before eventually becoming completely hooked. In this episode of The Foil Pod, Rou Chater catches up with Cash to talk about growing up on Maui, his journey from surfing into foiling and how the relationship between the two sports is beginning to change. They discuss why more professional surfers are quietly discovering foiling, Cash’s career with Armstrong, the films and trips that have helped his riding reach beyond the foil world, and the equipment he is currently using. They also get into the more serious side of Cash’s riding, from foiling Jaws and tackling big waves to crossing the Hawaiian channels by downwind foil, including one mission that left him alone in the middle of the Kaiwi Channel struggling to get back onto foil. Above all, Cash’s approach is refreshingly simple. Surf, wing, prone, downwind or whatever else gets you into the ocean, the important thing is to have fun. Hit play and enjoy the episode. Watch Cash In Action! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhycxL0H93A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtKs2JM1Mq8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37LDfUO52T4

Cabrinha owner Jon Modica is back on The Foil Pod, joining Rou Chater to talk about what’s next for the brand’s rapidly evolving foil programme. At the centre of the conversation is the new Domani, Cabrinha’s 10 aspect ratio foil designed to deliver more speed, control and manoeuvrability when there’s plenty of energy in the conditions. Rou has already been riding the 960 across wing foiling, parawinging and prone foiling, giving them plenty to discuss about how it compares with the hugely successful Prestige. Jon also takes us through the Tweaker tail system, reveals the new Winglet Monobloc stabiliser and gives us an early look at Cabrinha’s new parawing, developed with a focus on power, stability, upwind performance and ease of use. They also get into the wider direction of foil design, why bigger foils are becoming increasingly capable, Cabrinha’s strategy of keeping product ranges simple and focused, and Jon’s perspective on where the watersports industry is heading. Another fascinating conversation with one of the people helping shape the next generation of foiling equipment. https://www.cabrinha.com/

The Kernow Foil Classic is back for 2026, and this year it’s shaping up to be something very special. In this episode of The Foil Pod, Rou Chater catches up with longtime friend Chris Burke, founder and organiser of the Kernow Foil Classic, to talk about how a grassroots gathering at Daymer Bay has grown into one of the most exciting events on the UK foil calendar. Chris explains why keeping the KFC inclusive and accessible remains at the heart of everything he does. This isn’t an event just for elite competitors. Whether you want to race for a result, freeride with your mates, try some new equipment, watch the action from the beach or simply hang out with the foil community over a beer afterwards, you’re invited. And there should be plenty worth watching. Naumi Eychenne, Guy Bridge, Cash Berzolla, Finn Spencer, Jeffrey Spencer, Benoit Carpentier, Luke Atkinson, Tom Earl and Jack Ho are among the riders heading to Cornwall, giving UK foilers a rare opportunity to see some of the best riders in the world up close and riding the same conditions we do, rather than watching them on YouTube from the other side of the world. Rou and Chris also discuss the evolution of the event, wing and prone competition, parawing, the arrival of foil assist, freeriding, demo equipment, the challenges of running a weather-dependent event in the UK and the new Celtic Crown collaboration with France’s Crozon Foil Festival. Most importantly, they talk about why events like the KFC matter. Foiling is growing quickly, but Chris is determined that as the level rises, the community that built the sport doesn’t get left behind. The Kernow Foil Classic runs from 29th September to 4th October 2026 in Cornwall. Find out more, enter the competition or register as a freerider: https://www.kernowfoilclassic.com/ Sponsors for this event are: Armstrong Foils, lead sponsor of ProneF-ONE, lead sponsor of ParawingFoil Drive, sponsor of Foil AssistDuotone, sponsor of Wing FoilThe Mailing RoomSlingshotAFSVikingAppletreeBlundstoneCode FoilsAXISSurflogicSoöruzKāohiOzonePoseidon Watersports, event host  Read more foiling stories, reviews, interviews and features at: https://www.tonicmag.com/ The Foil Pod is brought to you by Tonic Mag, with support from our Diamond Sponsors Armstrong Foils, Cabrinha and Ozone.

In this episode of The Foil Pod, Rou Chater sits down with Matt Maxwell, Marketing Manager for Starboard Wing and Starboard Foil. Matt’s journey through the watersports industry is a fascinating one. Growing up in South Africa, he progressed from bodyboarding and SUP into strapless kitesurfing, eventually joining the F-ONE international team. But rather than putting everything into becoming a professional athlete, Matt recognised early on that education could open up a much longer career within the industry. He studied product design before adding marketing to his skillset, eventually working with Under Armour before an opportunity at Starboard brought him back into the watersports world. Rou and Matt chat about the realities of being a young sponsored rider, breaking into an international team, why education matters, what he learned from working for a huge global brand, and how relationships within the industry ultimately helped shape his career. They also dive into the evolution of FreeWing into Starboard Wing, the restructuring of Starboard’s foil business, the thinking behind the UCS foil connection system, product development, testing, and why greater standardisation could be good for the foiling industry. It’s a great conversation about watersports, careers, education, product design, marketing, and finding a way to turn a passion for the sport into something that can last a lifetime. If you enjoy the episode, please follow The Foil Pod, leave us a five-star rating, and share it with someone who might enjoy it. More from Tonic Magazine: tonicmag.com #Foiling #WingFoiling #Starboard #TheFoilPod #Hydrofoil #Wingfoil #StarboardFoils #Watersports #Podcast

In this episode of The Foil Pod, Rou Chater sits down with Starboard Foils designer and brand manager Tiesda You to talk about his journey from shaping windsurf boards as a teenager in Qatar to leading foil development for one of the sport’s most innovative brands. They discuss how design has evolved from hands-on shaping bays to computer-driven hydrodynamics, the challenges of stiffness, materials and connection systems, and the thinking behind Starboard’s new foil range. It is a fascinating insight into the process behind the equipment we ride and the future of foil design. Check out the new range here: https://starboardfoils.com

Join us for an in-depth conversation with wing foil racing legend Mathis Ghio as we explore his journey from windsurfing to high-speed wing foiling, the development of innovative equipment like the Ozone Fusion wings, and insights into the future of racing and speed records. Check out his Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mathisghio/

In this in-depth interview, Olympic water sports athlete Alina Kornelli shares her journey from kitesurfing to wing foiling, the challenges of Olympic training, and her innovative social media strategies. Discover insights into high-performance water sports, the importance of fun and perseverance, and how to build a personal brand in the digital age. Check out her YouTube Follow her on Instagram

In this conversation, Gary Siskar and Rou Chater discuss the latest developments in water sports safety, focusing on the new Ride Engine Charger helmet designed for safety in dynamic water sports like foiling and surfing. They explore the importance of helmet safety, the innovative features of the Charger helmet, and the evolving attitudes towards helmet use in the water sports community. Check out the Charger Helmet here!

In this engaging conversation, Rou Chater interviews Svein Rasmussen, the CEO and founder of Starboard, one of the world's largest water sports companies. They discuss Svein's early passion for windsurfing, the evolution of Starboard, and the innovations in windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, and foiling. The conversation also delves into the importance of sustainability in the water sports industry and Svein's vision for the future of the sport. Check out the Starboard website Check out the Starboard Foils Instagram

In this engaging conversation, Sensi Graves shares her journey from kiting to winging, discussing the innovations in gear that enhance the experience. She highlights the unique conditions of Hood River for winging, downwind and parawinging and the growing inclusivity of the sport, especially among women. Sensi reflects on the challenges of learning to wing, the influence of other extreme sports, and her experiences mentoring women to get involved in these sports we love. Balancing motherhood with an active lifestyle, she emphasises the importance of celebrating small victories and embracing the learning process in water sports. Follow Sensi on Insta Get coached by Sensi

The conversation explores the safety concerns in watersports, particularly the reluctance of riders to wear helmets despite the risks involved. It delves into cultural attitudes towards helmet use, the perception of style among kiteboarders, foilers and surfers, and the discomfort associated with wearing the more traditional helmets while doing these sports. https://www.mysticboarding.com/products/legacy-helmet

In this engaging conversation, Rou Chater speaks with water sports athlete Ben Beholz about his journey into water sports, the evolution of foiling, and the impact of new technologies on the sport. They discuss the challenges and rewards of dock starting, the importance of practice, and the latest products from Core, including the Drip board and Pulse foil. Ben shares insights on the design philosophy behind these products and how they cater to both beginners and experienced foilers, emphasising the accessibility and excitement of water sports. Check out Ben's YouTube Channel ⁠HERE⁠ Check out the new ⁠Drip⁠ and ⁠Pulse⁠ from ⁠CORE ⁠

In this conversation, Jon Modica, chairman of Cabrinha, discusses the evolution of the company and its new foil system. He highlights the challenges faced by the water sports industry post-COVID, the importance of collaboration with industry pioneers like Mike's Lab, and the focus on creating user-friendly, high-performance products. The discussion also covers the significance of stiffness in foil design, mast selection, and the versatility of Cabrinha's new Prestige foil. Jon emphasises the importance of supporting local retailers and providing demo opportunities for customers to enhance their experience on the water too. If you want to hear more about Jon's background, then check out the Intirguing Beings Podcast we did together a while back...

In this conversation, Connor Bainbridge shares his journey through the world of water sports, from his early days in windsurfing to becoming an Olympian in kite racing. He discusses the challenges he faced leading up to the Olympics, including injuries and mental resilience, and reflects on the experience of competing on such a prestigious stage. Connor also delves into his transition into the design world with Ozone, where he is now focused on wing design, and shares his passion for the sport of winging. The conversation highlights the evolution of water sports and the importance of adaptability and innovation in both competition and design.