Episode Highlights:
How Eric and Noé connected in Nazaré while chasing massive waves, leading to the idea of a personal homecoming project with North — capturing Noé exploring his heritage, family life, and introducing wing foiling to spots he’d never ridden before
Behind-the-scenes adventures in Tahiti: scouting uncrowded reef breaks, navigating localism and currents, SUP missions to distant points, drone scouting shallow reefs, and dealing with shifting seasons that affected marine life sightings
Wildlife magic and connection to nature — close encounters with breaching humpback whales (Eric's first time in the water with them!), turtles, rays, and sharks; the unique way wing foiling allows silent, low-impact gliding alongside dolphins and other sea creatures
Eric's evolution from wildlife photography roots to pro sports shooting (CrossFit, big waves), transitioning to videography during COVID, and why his multi-sport background helps him anticipate action for killer shots
Shooting challenges in paradise: drone perspectives revealing shallow reefs and dry landings, underwater housing vibes with whale bass vibrating through the camera, horse-powered wakeboarding sessions for laughs, and off-road Hilux explorations across Tahiti
Nazaré insights — from swimming in heavy conditions to jet ski, land, and drone angles; Eric's own progression toward bigger waves (tow-ins at 15-20ft+), training for hold-downs, and the tight-knit big-wave community
Bora Bora realities: flat lagoons with no surf, why all wave riding had to happen in Tahiti, and how global changes are shifting animal patterns and seasons
If you're into wing foiling, surf foiling, big-wave culture, wildlife connections on the water, cinematic filmmaking in remote paradise spots, or just love stories of friendship and exploration — this episode is loaded with stoke, adventure, and inspiration!
Catch the full conversation and watch for North's new film dropping soon.
Follow Eric Wittkopf on his channels (check his website for stunning photography and videography work) and stay tuned to North Foils for the release featuring Noé Cantaloube.
Listen to the full episode on the Foil Life Podcast channels.