The Progression Project

Mike Pedigo comes on the show after an insane tow session to recap the last two weeks, Hood River, AWSI, the amazing foil community, foil design, and coming home to the Lee swell. Its been an epic run!

Central Florida frother and anesthesiologist Dr. Rob Novo comes on the podcast to discuss training and staying healthy for foiling. He's also tested tons of gear and goes through what he's currently liking, the solid CFL crew, and then we go deep into flow states from the perspective of his work and turning off the conscious mind in general anesthesia. Enjoy!

Dean Morrison is a legendary Australian surfer who is now frothing on the foil. In this conversation he explains why foiling is important in his surfing life, his journey and personal growth since leaving the tour and the role of mentors like Tom Carroll and Rabbit.

Zane Schweitzer is a Hawaiian Waterman. He excels at all surf sports and has been foiling longer than anyone but the strapped crew. In this episode Zane comes on to preview the upcoming Hawaiian foil race season. We get into gear, strategy, conditions and predictions....

Ryan Arzy (@lafoiler) is a foil obsessed coach from Los Angeles that works on Namotu Island teaching surf, wing, downwind, and tow foiling during the Summer and works with Foiling Magazine to write the Friday Pump Newsletter and as a gear tester. He comes on the show to share how he approaches sharing/introducing this sport with others and how this community has done so much to help him develop as a rider and coach.

Alex Hayes (@alexhayes) is an adventure sports athlete. He is going to be leading the charge in foil surfing pushing bigger and heavier surf. When he's not foiling he's jumping out of planes or off clips, sending over the ledge on some of the worlds heaviest waves or traveling the world. He's a breath of positivity on social media where he has over 400K followers on the gram.

Zane Westwood makes his 3rd appearance on the show and dives deep on all things foil. His new approach to shimming for downwind and prone, what he thinks Adam and I have wrong about plate shims, massive downwind sends, and the new lift line of foils.

Lewis Samuels, now foilbrained, is a surf journalist known for creating Surfline's Power Rankings and the PostSurf blog. Lewis shares his thoughts on surf culture, social media's influence on the sport, what he loves about foiling, and reflects on his career in surf journalism.

Cliffy comes back on the show to discuss the process of designing and testing the Progression Foils. The foil was a conceived on the podcast last year, so we thought it would be fun to recap the trials and tribulations of what it takes to produce a foil.

Noah Flegel and Austin Tovey are both multi-sport watermen with extensive accolades in their areas of focus. They are close friends, were college roommates, and are currently leading the charge in progressive foil surfing both in the ocean and on the wake. This show provides a glimpse into their passion and competition that is driving our sport forward.

Daniela Moroz might have more time on foil than any other podcast guest. She is the 6x Formula Kite World Champion, 4x US Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, a member of USA SailGP Team and an avid surf, tow and wing foiler. Daniela comes on the show to discuss her 2024 campaign for the Paris Olympics, her comfort with speed on foil, training regimen and much more...

Laird Hamilton is a world renowned waterman. He is a pioneer in big wave surfing, sup surfing, and foil surfing. In this episode he chronicles the early days of foiling, discusses training and flow states, risk assessment, staying true to his North Star and why his goal is to be the Old Wizard.

Sebastian Junger is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of THE PERFECT STORM, FIRE, A DEATH IN BELMONT, WAR, TRIBE and FREEDOM. As an award-winning journalist, a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and a special correspondent at ABC News. His documentary Restrepo was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Grand Prize at Sundance.

The Legend Dave Kalama returns to discuss innovation and creativity through the lens of designing the Barracuda. His work on the Cuda has changed our perception of what's possible in downwind and nonbreaking wave foiling.

Joel Pilgrim (@joelpilgrim) comes on the show to tell the story of how his foil saved a life. Joel is the founder of Waves of Wellness. WOW is a health charity pioneering surf therapy intervention for mental health, and breaking down the stigma and barriers to accessing traditional therapeutic support. This conversation gets a bit deeper than a normal foiling podcast with themes of mental heath, social media, and flow states.

Gabriella Bella is a foiler based in maui who has a kiting and competitive swimming background. She currently rides for GoFoil and placed second at the last Foil Competition on maui. Gabby is top-tier in prone, wing and downwind. Follow her @gabriella_da_bella on instagram

101 - Kai Lenny by Erik Antonson

Mike joins Erik to celebrate foiling on the 100th episode of the podcast.

Josh Ku is an Australian waterman best known in the surf world for charging some of the heaviest slabs in Oz. He's taken on foiling and is quickly becoming one of the best prone and downwind foilers. In the podcast Josh talks about going from foil-curious, to closet-foiler, to full blown Foilbrained. Why it's best to dive in head first in downwind. The risk and fear of riding massive surf. Why foiling is so addictive. And what's different about foiling in different oceans and energies.

Mike Raper is the head of North Foils and Kites and has an extensive, 30-year history in board sports. On the show he gives insights into the evolutionary parallels in kite surfing and foiling, and shares his passion for water sports and design.

Nate comes back on the show to froth on the foil scene on Maui, his full-time role at Signature, designing and testing foils, his favorite foil spots, and tons more all the foil-brained folks out there will love.

Tom Carroll is a2x World Surf Champion and lifelong waterman. He is currently frothing on the foil. He comes back on the show for a soulful conversation about his journey, his draw to flow and mediation, how foiling fits into his watertime and tons more... Enjoy a conversation with one of the legends in our sport.

Erik Christensen (@EricFoil) comes on to discuss his journey into downwind, the struggles and successes, the differences in learning DW compared to winging, the epic trips and amazing friends he's gained through foiling and what makes the foiling community so incredible.

Mike Pedigo (@flyline_productions) joins Erik for a deep dive into tuning your foil and how their tunings have changed over the last few years and to announce Portal Flight Designs! Enjoy

Jeremy Wilmotte (@oceanpixels) was born in Belgium and now calls Sydney, Australia home for himself and family. He began foiling roughly 4 years ago and has never looked back. He states "every single foiling division is so much fun no matter how many obstacles get thrown at me to return to the normal path of the standard citizen. Recently I have started to venture into bigger hollower waves similar to my previous obsession as a grumpy old retired surfer."

Annie Reickert (@Annie__starr) is a world class waterwoman from Maui. She surfs on the Big Wave World Tour and won the Red Bull Magnitude Tow Event. Annie is sponsored by Lift foils and dominates in all aspects of foiling.

Zane Westwood is one of the best surf foilers on the planet. In this episode we discuss his move to Lift, the tuning differences between Lift and GoFoil, his downwind froth, surf lines he's working on, James Casey's world record and tons more...

Kawika (@childrenofthefreeworld) can't be summed up in a short bio, and I wouldn't attempt to, but I will say he's the most soulful guy I've had on the show and I've given a lot of thought to our conversation. In foiling, he's an Oahu ripper who's sending prone and downwind at the highest level. You're going to love getting to know Kawika.

This is actually a Casey Catchup podcast, where Erik was interviewed by James Casey. We thought it would be a epic dual release. Give James a follow if you don't already for epic content on all things foil, and check out his online downwind coaching!

Brandon Scheid - Kite Champ on Flow, Foiling and Lifestyle Design by Erik Antonson

Jeremy Riggs (@paddlewithriggs)goes deep on his downwind journey and techniques he's using to voyage the seas. Jeremy Riggs was born on April 2nd, 1972 in Wilmington North Carolina. Growing up he always enjoyed going to the beach and riding waves. Riggs had always dreamed of riding waves in Hawaii. In 1997, at the age of 25, he had the opportunity to move to Maui, Hawaii and booked a one-way ticket to paradise. When Riggs moved to Maui he got a job in the marble and granite industry. During his time off he would explore the beaches on Maui to find new ways to ride waves. In the year 2000 Riggs bought his first prone paddleboard and was introduced to downwind paddling by some of his peers. Since then, Riggs has enjoyed downwind paddling on the North shore of Maui using standup paddle boards, outrigger canoes, surfskis, and is currently enjoying downwind runs on his foil board. He started coaching paddlers in the different disciplines of downwind in 2009 and still offers his services today. Riggs has been happily married for 21 years and has 2 daughters ages 11 and 13.

Brodie Sutherland (@brodiesutherland) is the lead designer for Cabrinha foils. His new HS series, designed with Keahi de Aboitiz are currently making waves in the foiling world.

Rob Pririe (@rob.vonpiros)comes back on the show to tell fill us in on his last year in foiling. Gear he's been testing and loving, his froth on the wing, trying to get barreled and what projects he's been doing in his chop shop.

Everything Mike and I have learned about runners over the last year in one episode with a cameo from Damo. How to find seams, what gear is best, conditions.... Enjoy

Clifford Coetzer (@unifoil) is the designer for UniFoil. He was the first designer to make a high aspect and a dihedral foil, the hyper and vortex. Both designed 4 years ago and still good by today's standards. His latest foil, the Vyper, designed with Adam Bennetts, is setting a new bar on the surf side of foiling. He comes back on the show to discuss how his thoughts on design have changed, performance vs. stiffness, where he finds inspiration and a special announcement about a new collaboration!!!!!

Paul Cooper is leading the charge in strapped foiling and strap design. He comes back on the show to fill us in on his last year of progression and how he's built a business around his passion.

Simeon Ke-Paloma The Birth of Prone Downwind in Hawaii and Foil Safety by Erik Antonson

Kyle Lobisser (@projectcedrus) is the man behind the first hollow carbon mast. He's an engineer who started his career working for Boeing and Apple and has applied his knowledge and skills on designing and constructing the foiling mast built from aerospace carbon.

Hawaiian Waterman Jack Ho (@jackfromtown)comes back on the show to fill us in on his last year of foiling, surfing, racing, Lift Foils evolution, how racing is changing the sport, style and much more... Jack is one of the young guns leading the evolution in foiling.

Kahi (@instakahi) is a waterman from Oahu, HI. He's also on a mission to save and bring awareness to the state of our oceans with his role at Parley.tv. We talk the vibe difference between surf and foil, crowds, downwind, what it takes to make the A-team, his love of Takuma, and a possible big reveal???

Jim Bones, Bones (@jimbones808) is a lifelong waterman. This is a must listen episode as Bones' positivity, gratitude and outlook on life is something we should all aspire to. Huge thanks to Sky Rama (@sky.rama) for setting it up and taking part in the conversation. Cover art by Sky.

Adam Bennetts (@misterbennetts)spent the last year working with Cliffy from UniFoil to design the New Vyper foil. He comes on the show to discuss the process, what he's learned lately, how his stance has evolved, other foils he's been testing and much more...

Mateo Ell (@Mateo_Ell) is a pro foiler from Kauai. He's crushing it in every discipline and came on the show while in Jax Beach on route to the Foil Racing League where he won the SUP division and got 2nd in prone. This follows his win a few months back in Hood River. Mateo shares an insane downwind story, talks style, pumping tips, what foils he's riding, skill mapping, why he's loving kiting and Brian adds lots of color having spent years flying with Mateo in Kauai.

Knowing what we know now about foiling, how would Mike and I start foiling now. We talk first flights, boat, jetski and efoil, catching your first waves, benefits of SUP and prone, how to start pumping, what gear to ride and how to dial it in. If you're learning to foil or have a friend who is, this is the podcast for them...

Kane DeWilde (@kdmaui) returns to discuss what he's learned about foils in the last year, we discuss his secret foil surfing turn technique, how to tune foils, what commonalities he's finding in what we all like to ride and tons of listener questions.

Austin Tovey (@austintovey) is a world class waterman excelling in foil, kite, wake and wing. He threw the first tantrum in the surf and first raley behind the boat on foil. He is consistently landing 360 airs frontside and backside and goes huge on everything! Austin comes on to talk about the progression in foil airs, his incredible relationship with his dad/tow partner/foiler who is also as frothy as he is, how he sees skill-mapping, and what makes Jax Beach epic for a waterman. Plus tons more...

Chris Rasman is a professional freeride and competitive snowboarder now on the Natural Selection Tour. He's been foil brained in the offseason for the last few years and is taking his boardsports talent to surf and wing foiling. On the podcast we dive into how he's approaching learning foiling, how he's had to switch his mindset from freeride to competition, style, social media's influence on sports and athletes and skill mapping.

Justin Bruns is a sponsored foiler, winger and high-level kiter. His instagram is equal parts water sports and space technology. We cover foiling, climate change, nuclear power and lots of foiling.

Brian Finch (@foiltheworld) Moves to Florida! by Erik Antonson

Paul Burnett (@thelostboysfoilclub) is the spiritual leader of the infamous Lost Boys Foil Club. A fan favorite of the podcast, in this episode we talk about PB's journey back to the water, why Tom's ski is out of commission, and what he learned from the couch stalking us on instagram while he was laid up and much, much more... Does anyone even read these? Let me know ;)