Exposure: Lukas Schuler and Chad Kalima on the Spitfire

March 05, 2024 • Dock start • Exposure • Foiling Magazine • Prone • Rider stories • Spitfire

These photos first appeared in Foiling Magazine issue 19 (March 2024) in the magazine's Exposure section, where riders tell the story behind one photograph. Republished with the magazine's kind permission.

Lukas Schuler jumping onto a dock start from the harbour steps at El Médano, Tenerife, on the AXIS Spitfire 1180. Photo Benji Zoltan

Two riders, two AXIS Spitfires: a dock start session in Tenerife and a contest heat on Kauai.

Lukas Schuler, El Médano

Rider Lukas Schuler, location El Médano, Teneriffe, photographer Benji Zoltan

Lukas: One of the very first dock start sessions with the brand new AXIS Spitfire 1180. Conditions were challenging, but promising some fun potential at the same time. The swell was pushing into the harbor along the wall. Constantly changing water levels, plus the slippery steps, made the dock start not easy. But once you nailed one, it was a pleasure to pump around and glide on the waves. Flat water pumping is a lot of fun, but a little wave here and there is the cherry on top of every dock start session. It turned out to be a real pleasure session and such a new and unique way to enjoy the spot.

Chad Kalima, Kauai

Chad Kalima riding his AXIS Spitfire 840 on a small wave at Kalapaki Bay, Kauai, during the 2023 Foilers of Aloha Classic. Photo Karen Lundstedt

Rider Chad Kalima, location 2023 Foilers of Aloha Classic, Kalapaki Bay, Kauai, photographer Karen Lundstedt

Chad: This shot is from Foil Fever’s 2023 Foilers of Aloha Classic Kauai contest, which was stacked with some of the fiercest competitors in the foiling world. Unlike last year, conditions were on the smaller side, so the challenge was to make something of what we could get. I’m riding AXIS gear, Spitfire 840, and Majek808 4’6 x 18”, 28L, and I’m pushing it as much as I can! At this awesome event we saw rippers stretching the limits of foiling, and we raised funds for Maui fire recovery and the Women In Need organization. We are grateful to the Foiling Ohana and the Aloha spirit that makes the foiling community the best. Can’t wait for next year!

The wings in these photos

AXIS Spitfire 1180, Lukas's dock start wing
AXIS Spitfire 840, Chad's wing on Kauai
The whole Spitfire range

Read more from Foiling Magazine, and find issue 19 online.

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