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What we talk about
- How F4 began with windsurf race fins, then kite and windsurf foils moulded in a garage, with production now partly in Bulgaria
- Early licensing deals with other brands, a library of around 1,500 foil designs, and how quickly new prototypes get made and tested with rider feedback
- How Edo and Trent ended up racing F4 production foils at the Maui to Oahu race, and why race winners rarely use truly bespoke kit
- The F4 fuselage connection, why thinner masts and smaller front wings cut drag, and what that costs in turning and stability
- The Orca downwind foil: low end lift with good turning, smaller wing sizes, and the Piranha and Manta for parawing and surf
- Why F4 sells direct, keeps production runs small and subsidises masts
- AWSI plans in Hood River, and why the foils are currently made in China while Bulgaria handles other production and shipping
About this episode
Someone we've been interested in chatting to for a while. Lots of talk around F4 currently, mainly from the Hawaii guys - so about time to hear something about them from the man himself.
Chris joins us to discuss the brand along with this seasons downwind races and his successes there. Granted, we were really intrigued by his day to day professional job as well once he told us about that.
We're hoping to ride some of the F4 kit on our 3rd trip out to Hood River in a couple weeks and hopefully we can share a beer with Chris in person then. For now, enjoy the episode