Olivia Piana | Team Rider Profile

Tell us a little bit about yourself, how long have you been foiling and where are you from?

 I've been playing in nature since I was a kid. I grew up in the French Alps and did lots of outdoor sports, skiing, snowboarding, mountain bike, climbing... Windsurfing was my first watersport. The connection with the water had a special effect on me. Through the years, I decided to dedicate my life to it. I started SUP and then foiled in the early days of the sport. It's every time such an incredible thing to be part of the birth of a sport community. I feel super lucky to be alive with this strong passion and I couldn't imagine my life without it. I also love to share this passion with others. 

 What sparked your interest in Foil Drive?

I immediately imagined myself with the Foil Drive surfing big mellow waves I couldn't paddle in with a regular SUP or prone foil board!

I have to say James Casey made me dream about it! 

 What was the learning curve like with Foil Drive?

Using the Foil Drive for the first time is not as easy as it looks. It's a specific technique and it needs a bit of time to get it. My first session was basically about swimming and watching Dominic Hoskyns turning around me!! Ahah! I had the chance to learn it with Dominic and his tips and watching him Foil Driving was a big help. The third session we went surfing consistent swell!

It blew my mind!!

What is your go to Foil Drive setup and why, and what’s your weight?

My favourite set up is the Gen2 Assist Max on my Axis Pump board 4'6 37l82 carbon mast and 780 Spitfire. I'm 67kg or 147Lbs.

Tell us about which type of foiling you’re most in to, what’s a standard session out foiling for you?

My favorite session with the Foildrive is catching overhead mellow long waves on my local foiling spot. 

What is your next adventure with your Foil Drive?

My next adventure with the Foildrive will be to surf as long as possible beach breaks downwind along the coast! 

 Who would you think would benefit the most from having a Foil Drive?

The Foil Drive is a game changer to learn SUP Downwind foil and to improve your surfing skills. It makes you improve so much faster enjoying a large panel of conditions.  

Olivia’s Foiling Achievements

 3 x SUP Racing World Champion (2018, distance race ISA | China), (2019, sprint and technical race ICF | China)

1 x GWA Wingfoil Racing Champion (2021)

1 x Winner of the M20 Sup Foiling (2023)

 


Photos by Benjamin Borez.

 

Follow Olivia
📸 @oliviapiana 📺 YouTube

 


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