Chris Yates from the PWA asked the makers of the brand for an interview:
Hey, can you start by telling us a bit more about F4 Foils? Your philosophy and the idea behind the company?
We started foiling after watching the America's Cup race in San Francisco (2013, editor's note.), where the foils came up. This spectacle sparked the passion of Al Mirel and Chris Radkowski and motivated them to bring this to windsurfing. Getting there was anything but easy with lots of trial and error, research and development. The core goal of our company is to improve the sport and provide an exceptional riding experience.
Our roots are in racing, many of us are former and current racers, but our real mission is to integrate F4's racer edge technology and innovation into a more user-friendly product. We prioritise our end users and work closely with them and our team riders, taking into account the many different spots and conditions where our products are used.
You founded the company in 2008 - why do you think now is the right time to join the PWA?
When we founded the company in 2008, we embarked on a journey that was deeply rooted in our passion for windsurfing. Most of us at F4 are windsurfers through and through. We grew up with the sport, competed and still race today. But over the years, we realised that windsurfing was losing momentum. The boom times of the 80s and 90s, when spots like Coyote Point were full of windsurfers, had turned into a much quieter scene. In recent years, even a dozen people on the water was considered "crowded".
There were several factors that contributed to this decline, from the rising cost and complexity of windsurfing to the lack of innovation, development and new challenges that could reignite the passion of windsurfers. The sport needed an injection of energy. We believe that windfoiling has brought some of that energy, excitement and thrill back into the sport.
We believe that windfoiling has brought back some of the original energy, excitement and thrill to the sport."
The PWA has always worked to keep the spirit of windsurfing alive and has made immense efforts to do so. F4 is proud to have several team riders and supporters actively participating in the PWA events. Thanks to the combined efforts of the PWA and the windsurfing industry, there are early signs of growth in the sport we love.
As a company, F4 benefits from the attention we receive through the work of the PWA and we felt it was our duty to give back to the windsurfing community and help put the sport back on a growth path. Being a member of the PWA and actively supporting young windsurfers and local surf clubs around the world is our way of contributing to the rebirth of windsurfing and spreading the enthusiasm for this incredible sport.
Can you tell us a bit about the development of the foils and which riders you work with on the World Tour?
Our team has a wealth of experience in the development of state-of-the-art foils. Our previous successes in foil development show that we are able to push the boundaries of what is achievable in windsurfing. We believe that our foils are only as good as the collective effort that goes into their development.
At the heart of our success is the teamwork and dedication of our research and development department. Windsurfing may be perceived as an individual sport, but we firmly believe in the power of team spirit and teamwork. Chris, our head designer, sets the creative process in motion with his visionary ideas. The design concepts then go through a software and manufacturing process. However, nothing can replace the crucial input and confirmation from the riders.
We are fortunate to have a fantastic team of professional riders, test riders and dedicated customers who rigorously test our foils and components. There are always ups and downs along the way, but that's the nature of any development process. Our PWA team riders, including Jenna Gibson, Sarah Jackson, Jordy Vonk, Johan Søe, Ennio dal Pont and Scotty Stallman, as well as our national riders, push our equipment to its limits every day. Their feedback is a driving force in the development of our racing products, and we work tirelessly to incorporate their insights and ideas into our entire product line.
Can you tell us a little more about the composition of the foils? How are they made? Where are they made etc.?
The construction and manufacturing process of our foils is quite fascinating, even if we have to keep some trade secrets to ourselves. Broadly speaking, our path looks like this:
- Concept- It all starts with Chris and our team. They work to outline the goals and develop innovative ideas for new foils and products.
- Design and technology - Once the concept is finalised, it undergoes a design and engineering process. This step involves endless calculations, analyses and simulations to ensure that the performance and durability of the foils meet expectations.
- Processing the moulds - The final designs and plans are processed in the machine shop, where CNC machines carefully cut out the moulds. These moulds are crucial for shaping the foils and ensuring that they meet the exact specifications we have set.
- Manufacturing Magic - We have various moulding and manufacturing processes that are tailored to the different products and stages of development. These processes enable us to strike a balance between cost efficiency and speed of realisation, allowing us to fine-tune our products through to their final version.
- Factories in Europe and Asia - The racing components and foils are handmade in our European factory to ensure the highest level of precision and quality. The premium foils and boards of the R series are manufactured here. At the same time, large quantities for the larger series are produced in our Asian factory.
Did you expect foiling to catch on the way it has - especially in the last few years?
If we want to be cheeky - YES! We've been working in foil from day one, and of course we wanted it to be successful. Once you've tried foiling, you can't go back; it's amazingly addictive and the possibilities are endless. With modern foils, the learning curve is very steep, the experience is exhilarating, and it's no wonder that windsurfing is on the rise again. Foiling is also partly responsible for the upswing in other watersports, and although we expect growth to normalise somewhat over the next few years, foiling is clearly a key driver of watersports growth and we are still at the very beginning of its innovation cycle.
Once you've tried foiling, you can't go back."
What are F4 Foils' goals for the coming years?
F4 Foils has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a Finn brand. Our goals for the coming years are very ambitious. In recent years, we have made significant investments in all areas of our business. We have expanded our talented team so that we have the best minds together to drive our vision forward. We have also significantly improved and expanded our product range, utilising cutting-edge technologies and materials to stay at the forefront of innovation. The establishment of a new state-of-the-art factory in the EU is an important milestone in our journey. And soon we will be launching a product presentation that will be the largest in the history of our company.
F4 Foils is in the midst of a dynamic expansion and diversification strategy that spans multiple market segments. Our motivation, investment and expansion plan for the next three years is nothing less than aggressive.
Where can I buy F4 Foils?
Over the last three years, F4 has fundamentally changed its business concept to be available all over the world. The internet has changed the way consumers access information and purchase their equipment. F4 has therefore adopted a two-pronged approach: On the one hand, direct sales via our website with a team in the EU and North America covering all time zones. We dispatch items in stock on the same or next working day. In addition to direct sales, F4 works with a select group of value-added resellers who have the same qualifications to provide the same level of expertise and care as F4 itself. We value these partnerships not only for business reasons, but also as a source of feedback and information.
More info at f4foils.com
Text: PWA/Chris Yates
