48 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM Winging it Hydrofoil, like any water sport, is more favorable in certain conditions. “My whole water sports philosophy is based on a Swiss Army Knife. What does the day present to you? Then use the right blade for the job,” explains David. “Windsurfing likes high winds and big choppy waters. Foiling likes medium winds and flat waters. Kite boarding can do either [condition], but it’s incredibly dangerous.” {due west} Chris, who competed in windsurfing at the 1988 Olympic Trials. “We’re experimenting with narrower, longer boards,” he says, because they require less energy for lift-off. Another critical design choice is F4 Foils’ focus on carbon fiber rather than fiberglass or aluminum. The lighter material is stiffer, making it more responsive to the rider. “You can mold carbon fiber into all kinds of shapes,” Chris adds. “That is the magic stuff.” David, who sells F4 Foils gear at his shop, wholeheartedly agrees. Once you give carbon fiber gear a try, he says, you realize that anything else feels like “running in hiking boots.” Ready to test-drive an eFoil? “Rank beginners sometimes do better than rad dude surfers,” David notes. For surfing, you need to lean back, but you lean PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: SIMONE STAFF - F4 FOILS / F4 FOILS me against the bike store!” He also offers plenty of chances for people to venture out on the water. “Moonlight paddles, races, swap meets,” David lists. “Services, services, services, lessons, rentals, storage—it’s gotta be a multi-legged stool to make the business work.” “The foiling community here in the Bay is dedicated and passionate,” says Chris Radkowski, co-founder of F4 Foils, a designer and manufacturer of top-tier watersport gear based in Woodside. His location on the Peninsula is no coincidence. “We have world-class conditions from April through October!” Not only is Chris the lead designer for F4 Foils, but he also tests the gear. “It’s rare that you get the person who’s doing the technical design also riding the equipment,” says ABOVE: (top right) Chris Radkowski (left) with his partner in F4 Foils, Memo Michailov.
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