Conquering Channels and Cramps: Inside Foil Life Podcast Episode #103 with Steve Tobis
In the sun-soaked world of Maui's foiling scene, where ocean swells meet unyielding determination, Episode #103 of the Foil Life Podcast delivers an unfiltered dive into the highs and lows of downwind racing. Hosted by Luc Moore, this 52-minute episode features Steve Tobis, a Maui-based foiler and racer, fresh from the 2025 Hawaiian summer racing season. From heart-pounding channel crossings to gear tweaks and mental battles, Steve's candid recounting paints a vivid picture of what it takes to thrive in this adrenaline-fueled sport. Whether you're a seasoned foiler or a curious newcomer, this episode captures the essence of "foil life" – a blend of triumph, tenacity, and the occasional hilarious mishap.
Shifting Gears: From Paddling to Para-Winging
The conversation kicks off with Steve reflecting on his post-race transition from intense downwind paddling to the more playful realm of para-winging. After months of grueling paddle training, Steve describes the relief of switching to a smaller board and "ripping turns" instead of chasing speed.
Excerpt from Steve Tobis:
"As soon as the races got done, I was like, all right, that's it. Paddle season's over, like broke down my downwind board, put it on the top shelf in the garage. My paddles tucked away, like the para-wing boards out front. Like I'm totally shifted over into para-wing mode. After like a couple of days after we got back from the races, a bunch of us went and did a run and it was like just so much fun to not go fast and just throw on like a cruisy foil, just rip turns and do some swooping the whole time. And on a small board too, it's just such a different feeling when you're riding like a, you know, a 55, 60 liter, just a mid length board that's short, narrow, you know, going from a nine four down to a five six, like that's a complete different style of riding altogether."
This shift highlights the versatility of foiling disciplines, from the endurance of paddling to the freestyle fun of para-winging. Steve also shares a comical low point: getting stuck slogging on a too-small board during a light-wind run, only to be "rescued" by a friend on a jet ski – a reminder that even pros face humbling moments.
The Thrill of Paddle Amua: Charity, Chaos, and Strategy
A standout segment focuses on the Paddle Amua race, a charity event that draws over 450 participants across various ocean crafts – from SUPs and outriggers to wingers and foilers. Steve praises its inclusive vibe, emphasizing that it's more about fun and giving back than cutthroat competition. However, he doesn't shy away from the challenges, particularly the notoriously tricky finish at Kanaha, where massive swells dissolve into "ankle biters," demanding strategic foil choices.
Excerpt from Steve Tobis:
"Mua is also, especially for the sub-foiling, a notoriously difficult race because of the finish. Finishing at Kanawha there is probably the hardest possible spot to finish on the North Shore of Maui. Like, there's just the way the line comes in there, the way the ground swell pushes in, there's a ton of reef that protects that inside line, and it just kills the bump. So you go from riding, you know, 10 foot open ocean ground swell to like ankle biters in a span of like 20 feet. And you're going where you're just like, holding on for dear life, flying at 25 mile an hour to just grinding out this like mile long slog fest."
Luc chimes in with his own experience winging the race, passing paddlers while navigating respectful etiquette on the water. The duo discusses how foil size plays a pivotal role – too small and you're fast but risk falling; too big and you sacrifice speed but ensure survival.
Channel Crossings: M2M and M2O Tales of Triumph and Turmoil
The heart of the episode lies in Steve's breakdowns of the Maui to Molokai (M2M) and Molokai to Oahu (M2O) races – grueling channel crossings that test physical limits and mental fortitude. For M2M, Steve recounts a chaotic start with riders stacked "10 deep," battling currents that made bumps steeper and speeds deceptive. A mid-race watch glitch had him second-guessing his line, but he rallied for a tight finish among a pack of eight riders, all crossing within 40 seconds.
M2O, however, brought deeper challenges. Starting strong in the second heat, Steve hit fatigue walls near the end, cramping so badly he foiled the final 15 miles on "one leg." He battled 30 minutes in the water trying to restart, grappling with psychological temptations from his escort boat – captained by foiling legend Alan Cadiz.
Excerpt from Steve Tobis on M2O Struggles:
"As soon as I stood back up on my board, my back leg just quit. Like I had nothing in it. It was like cramping. It was seizing. I couldn't put any pressure into it. It was just like done... I paddled for about a half hour to get going again. I was in the water trying to get started for 30 minutes... And the boats are great. But what the boats do is it creates a psychological element that you have to deal with as well that you don't normally. When you're on a Malika run and you're struggling and you're out there and you know, eating crayons, like you don't have any choices. You have to get to the finish... Sitting there with like horrendous leg cramps, my body's shutting down. I'm in the middle of this channel and I'm looking at a really nice fishing boat just hanging out right there. Like that's tough to deal with."
Despite the setbacks, Steve finished under three hours, crossing every finish line on foil this year – a massive personal victory over last season's disappointments. He credits gear upgrades, like a lighter, stiffer custom board, for better efficiency and starts.
Gear, Grit, and the Future of Para-Winging
Throughout, the pair geek out on gear: Steve's need for more volume in his para-wing board due to "daddy baby weight," and debates on foil choices for varying conditions. They critique the evolving para-wing racing scene, with Steve expressing a "hot take" that it's veering too close to kite racing's speed obsession, potentially sidelining the downwind essence.
Excerpt from Steve Tobis on Para-Wing Racing:
"I think that the way para wing racing is shaping up is kind of stupid. And maybe that's a hot take, but it's turning into kite racing where you're basically just throwing out a wing and whoever can be on the smallest foil and get pulled with the most sail is going to win. It takes a lot of the down winning element out... I would like to see the parowing racing go more into riding the foils and less about the sail."
Luc agrees, suggesting timed wing usage to add strategy, emphasizing how downwind paddling demands unparalleled skill and endurance.
Why This Episode Hits the Swell
Episode #103 isn't just race recaps – it's a testament to the foiling community's spirit. Steve's stories underscore personal growth over podiums, the camaraderie of legends like Alan Cadiz, and the raw thrill of ocean mastery. From dodging sharks while body-dragging to grinding through cramps in open channels, it's a captivating listen that inspires resilience.
Catch the full episode on foillifepodcast.com, Apple Podcasts, or other platforms. Follow the Foil Life Podcast for more insights into surf foiling, pump foiling, and beyond – and tag your adventures with #foillifepodcast to join the wave.