Hugh Mitchell | RIIFT, Appletree, CODE Foils and the future of foiling

CODE FOILS has launched a foil board range—and co-founder Ben Tardrew joins Pete to unpack the thinking behind it.Known for its hydrofoils, CODE is drawing on years of board development to introduce a full lineup covering downwind SUP, prone, winging, parawinging, foil assis, and dock starting.Ben takes us inside the shapes, construction, and on-water testing that brought the range to life. We explore what the team wanted to achieve with each design, what makes the boards tick, and how to choose the right model and size for your riding.It’s a big new chapter for CODE FOILS—and a chance to hear directly from one of the designers behind it all.Whether you’ve been eyeing the range since launch or are just discovering it, join us to hear why now was the right time for CODE to bring its boards to market, what sets them apart, and what they could bring to your next session.

Struggling to nail your dock starts or pump beyond 30 seconds? Gael Daniele knows the frustration—and shares what helped him break through.In this episode of FOILERS, Pete Walmsley chats with foiler, YouTuber and gear reviewer Gael Daniele about his journey from learning to foil on mountain lakes to making a living testing foiling equipment.Gael breaks down the foundations of dock starting, how to choose a setup that suits your size and ability, and why a bigger foil isn’t always easier. He also explains how hip movement and timing can help you move beyond short bursts of pumping and start building efficiency and distance.We also go behind the scenes of gear reviews to explore what makes a fair comparison and the challenges of sharing honest opinions. Along the way, we discuss the appeal of parawinging and SUP downwinding, and how foil assist can help riders build skills across disciplines.Whether you’re learning your first dock start or looking for your next challenge, this episode is packed with practical advice for making more of your time on the water.

What happens when a casual catch-up with a few foiling mates grows into a four-day festival?In this episode of the FOILERS Podcast, Pete chats with Marty, event director of the Great Southern Foil Fest and one of the people behind the new Western Australia Foil Association (WAFA).Returning to Denmark, Western Australia, from 15–18 October 2026, the festival brings together competition, gear demos, social foiling and a whole lot of froth—with more than $16,000 in prizes up for grabs.Marty shares his journey from surfing and kitesurfing to prone foiling, what he learnt from organising the inaugural festival last year and what’s planned for this year. We discuss prone, foil assist and tow foiling, opportunities for downwinding, and why you don’t need to compete to get plenty out of the weekend.We also explore how WAFA came together, why membership matters, and how local events can help riders progress, build friendships and grow the sport.Whether you’re an experienced foiler, finding your feet or simply curious, this is a great introduction to a great bunch of people who are bringing the foiling community together.Register for the festival and join WAFA: wafoil.org.au

Hugh Mitchell returns to the FOILERS Podcast with plenty happening behind the scenes.From emerging technology and testing new equipment concepts to racing, filmmaking and the growing Western Australian foiling scene, Hugh has found himself at the centre of some fascinating developments.He joins Pete to discuss what he's been testing, ideas that could shape where foiling goes next, his move to Appletree, the latest products from CODE Foils, and more.It’s an open and revealing conversation about innovation, change, risk, and how foiling continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace.

In this episode of the FOILERS Podcast, I sit down with Keith Teboul from KT Foiling, one of the most respected shapers and designers in watersports.From growing up around the ocean in Madagascar, discovering windsurfing in the Caribbean, shaping boards in Maui, and working with some of the best riders in the world, Keith has spent decades refining the connection between rider, board and ocean.We dive deep into the design philosophy behind KT Foiling and explore how Keith takes feedback from elite riders and turns it into boards that work for everyday foilers.Keith shares insights into:His journey from surfing and windsurfing into foilingThe early days of shaping and building high-performance boardsWorking with riders including Kane De Wilde and Kai LennyWhy Maui is the ultimate testing ground for foiling gearThe design evolution behind the KT Super K, Drifter and ARC boardsWhy longer and narrower boards are changing foilingDesigning boards for winging, prone, Foil Drive and parawingingWhy Keith believes parawinging is the future of downwindingHow foils are changing what is possible in board designThe importance of stance, subtle movements and techniqueKeith also explains why the future of foiling is so exciting — with gear becoming easier, more accessible and opening the sport up to more people than ever before.Whether you’re into wing foiling, prone foiling, downwinding, Foil Drive or just fascinated by the evolution of foil board design, this conversation provides a rare insight into the mind behind KT Foiling. Enjoy

In Part 2 of my conversation with Greg Falck from Omen Foils, we dive deep into the details that can completely change how your foil feels and performs.Greg also shares the thinking behind Omen’s Agent foil range and why they’ve focused on refining one aspect ratio rather than chasing endless options. We explore how designing for everyday passionate foilers — not just elite athletes — changes the approach to performance, glide, control, and connection. We also get into one of the most overlooked areas in foiling: tuning your setup. Greg explains how small changes like mast position, base plate shims, stabiliser shims and understanding front foot pressure can unlock performance you may already have — without constantly buying new gear. Greg also shares what foiling means to him — from problem-solving and creativity to those rare sessions where everything clicks and you’re simply connected with the ocean. If you’re interested in improving your foil setup, understanding your equipment better, or simply getting more enjoyment from your time on the water, this episode is packed with insights.Listen to Part 1 first if you haven’t already, and don't forget to subscribe to get the latest episodes when they go live.

Greg Falck from Omen Foils joins the FOILERS Podcast for an in-depth conversation about the thinking, engineering and testing that goes into creating high-performance foiling equipment.In Part 1 of this two-part episode, we explore Greg’s journey from mechanical engineering and working with advanced composite materials at Aluula through to launching Omen Foils, and why he felt there was an opportunity to create gear designed specifically for passionate everyday riders pushing their progression.We discuss:The origins of Omen Foils and the gap Greg saw in the marketWhy “performance” means different things for pro riders versus everyday foilersBalancing engineering, computer modelling and rider feelWhy Omen has chosen a focused product range rather than chasing every categoryThe design philosophy behind the Flux V2 and Emissary boardsBoard volume, width, hull efficiency and why bigger is not always betterHow board design changes for winging, prone, parawing and Foil DriveIn Part 2, we dive deeper into the Omen foil range, foil tuning, setup mistakes, baseplate and tail shimming, and Greg’s tips for getting the absolute best performance from your gear.A great conversation for anyone interested in not just what gear works — but why it works.

On this episode of the FOILERS Podcast, we chat with Pat McHale from F4 Foils Australia about his journey from chasing downwind runs in Maui to bringing F4 Foils to Australia.After struggling in lighter Maliko conditions, Pat jumped on the F4 Orca for the first time — and instantly knew something felt different. We dive into that experience and explore what makes the Orca range stand out, from its impressive glide and early lift to the feeling of flow and control on the water.Pat also shares insights into F4’s background in high-performance wind and wing foil racing, before talking us through their foil and mast ranges (i.e., including the new skinny AK Mast) and the conditions, disciplines, and riders they are best suited to.We also discuss the continued growth of downwind foiling, the emergence of parawinging, and why sometimes the best gear isn’t just about numbers and specs — it’s the gear that creates the biggest smile.Whether you’re into downwind, prone, SUP, winging, parawinging, or simply chasing endless ocean bumps, this is a great conversation about design, progression, innovation and the pure joy of foiling.

This is an inspiring conversation about resilience, adventure, fear, progression, and finding confidence in the ocean.How does someone who grew up in the remote outback of Western Australia — with no pool, no ocean, and a fear of water — become a King of the Cut winner and complete the legendary Maui to Molokai crossing?In this episode of the Foilers Podcast, Pete sits down with WA downwind foiler and Code Foils team rider Krystal Cotterill to unpack her incredible journey from Leonora to some of the wildest ocean runs in Australia and Hawaii.Krystal shares:Growing up in the desert with zero water sports background\Learning to foil during COVID while stranded on a sailboat in the CaribbeanThe brutal early days of foiling and why she almost wrote the sport offMassive downwind runs in WA’s southwest and NingalooScary moments offshore and the safety gear she relies onEntering foiling competitions in Australia and Hawaii Why more women aren’t getting into foiling — and what the industry can do about itWhether you’re into wing foiling, downwind SUP foiling, or just love stories of people pushing themselves outside their comfort zone, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. Enjoy

There’s a new player in the foil assist space—and it’s doing things very differently.In this episode, I sit down with the AMP Jetboard designer and developer, Chris Reynolds, to unpack the thinking behind this new take on foil assist systems. From a backyard prototype to a fully engineered product, this is a story of curiosity, persistence - and a completely different approach to getting up on foil.But here’s the thing - this isn’t just about technology.It’s about how we ride, where we ride, and who this kind of system is actually for and what is coming down the pipeline. We get into:Why this design took a totally different pathWhere it shines (and where it doesn’t)The reality vs expectation for everyday foilersWhat’s coming next—and why it mattersIf you’ve been watching the evolution of foil-assist systems or wondering where things are headed next, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear. Enjoy!