ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this episode of the Foilers Podcast, Pete Walmsley sits down with Western Australian foiler Hugh Mitchell—one of the most inspiring young riders in the sport today.
Hugh’s journey into foiling started in 2019 with his dad’s first foil setup on the Swan River. Just a few years later, he’s chasing adventures across Australia downwind, competing in the legendary Molokai-to-Oahu race in Hawaii, coaching new foilers, running 'The Foil Project' podcast, and producing the adventure film 'Desert Winds'.
In this conversation, Hugh shares the full story behind his rapid rise in foiling—from working at the Foil Shop in Perth to embarking on a 300km remote downwind expedition along Western Australia’s coastline, encountering sharks offshore, and pushing his limits in some of the world’s toughest downwind conditions.
We also dive into:
How Hugh discovered downwind foiling
Lessons from working in the foiling industry
The making of the Desert Winds film
Touring the film around Australia
Racing in the Hawaii Downwind Race Series
Creating and running the 'Project Flow' foiling event
Coaching foilers in Perth
Becoming a sponsored rider
It’s a story about passion, pushing boundaries, and building community in one of the fastest-growing watersports in the world.
If you love foiling, adventure, and the people driving the sport forward, this episode is packed with inspiration.
