Forums > Stand Up Paddle Foiling

Big GoFoil changes happening in Australia

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Created by robg1703 > 9 months ago, 11 Oct 2023
robg1703
NSW, 228 posts
11 Oct 2023 11:33AM
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Big things happening with GoFoil in Australia including a new distribution model, new wings coming soon with a new look that are super fast & just In time for downwind week in WA & Merimbula), new team riders & lots of new stuff for coming next year...Still the most user friendly foil setup on the market....
inquiries to- rob@gofoil.com

hilly
WA, 7436 posts
11 Oct 2023 9:53AM
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Pity about the treatment of previous importer. A no from me thanks.

robg1703
NSW, 228 posts
11 Oct 2023 2:56PM
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Wouldn't it be wiser to know the whole story before you make an uninformed judgement call? It's better for the brand, the importer, the retailers & the customers...BTW I was the previous importer before that & I've only ever had the brands best interest at heart...
Anyway if you would like to know the why's feel free to DM me anytime as this is not the place to get into it...There's no bad blood from our side...

hilly
WA, 7436 posts
11 Oct 2023 12:16PM
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Like JL I assume.

robg1703
NSW, 228 posts
11 Oct 2023 6:13PM
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robg1703 said..
Big things happening with GoFoil in Australia including a new distribution model, new wings coming soon with a new look that are super fast & just In time for downwind week in WA & Merimbula), new team riders & lots of new stuff for coming next year...Still the most user friendly foil setup on the market....
inquiries to- rob@gofoil.com






Scotty Mac
SA, 2055 posts
11 Oct 2023 9:24PM
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One of the joys of being into "this and that" is the people you friend along the way. Dylan has I am sure gained many friends through his efforts and did a tremendous job promoting Go Foil in oz. (And become serious competitor along the way!). Hats off to you how you have handled yourself mate. Good luck Rob there's a few other brands now mate that are bringing their "A" game. Enough said..

Fird
14 posts
12 Oct 2023 5:20AM
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Let's hear about the new gear!!!!

saltwaterwine
NSW, 67 posts
12 Oct 2023 10:28AM
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What BIG things.?

churry
NSW, 17 posts
12 Oct 2023 10:40AM
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Dylan was great for GoFoil in Australia and beyond!

Any new front wings for lighter riders?

robg1703
NSW, 228 posts
12 Oct 2023 12:00PM
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Dylan did a great job & gave it 200%....just his business model wasn't working...2 new front wing models coming soon, 3 sizes in each & a new tail wing.... all in a whole new look & super fast..stay tuned :)

camerongraham
NSW, 152 posts
12 Oct 2023 12:15PM
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What about Kalama boards?

robg1703
NSW, 228 posts
12 Oct 2023 12:36PM
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Nothing has changed with Kalama boards as far as I know...contact Dylan for any further information

DWF
638 posts
13 Oct 2023 3:27AM
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Fird said..


Let's hear about the new gear!!!!




P1300
P1500
RS1125, which might be called P now. Not sure.
All the pump wings are painted black.
I've ridden them all. I bought the P1300. It fit me perfectly.

All this in public knowledge if you follow GoFoil and Alex on Instagram VERY CLOSELY haha.

GoFoil just did a demo tour in Florida. I think it will be awhile to get them everywhere. They had the first production copies at the tour.

robg1703
NSW, 228 posts
13 Oct 2023 8:15AM
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Hi DWF, you're 50% correct... 2 new models, 3 sizes each...not just painted black...awesome new look & finish :)
First new production samples on the way & I'll have for WA & Merimbula...stock available December..

KyleT
21 posts
13 Oct 2023 5:22AM
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anything good for giant people looking to learn DW in fairly small chop, but who also like going fast? does that require magic? hahah.
.
.
.Black is good.

drlazone
142 posts
13 Oct 2023 5:32AM
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Any AR 10 little brother to the RS850, like RS750?

robg1703
NSW, 228 posts
13 Oct 2023 1:38PM
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KyleT said..
anything good for giant people looking to learn DW in fairly small chop, but who also like going fast? does that require magic? hahah.
.
.
.Black is good.


Definitely :)

stroppo
WA, 731 posts
13 Oct 2023 7:06PM
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Who's going to be selling in wa
Thanks

noepoxy
NSW, 80 posts
13 Oct 2023 10:51PM
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Business is ruthless, what a way to learn a lesson, the model of direct to consumer (DTC) from one distributor didn't work, how can they sell it again to retailers who tried it once already and got burnt, good luck with that.

I tried GF, not for me, way too much front foot pressure, and in late 2023, there are many excellent competitors to get a punters $ and they got mine, be a tough market indeed to make a living from and I wouldn't touch it as a business with a barge pole as too niche and volume isn't there.

With Gofoil in Australia, you lose 50% + as soon as you buy it (speaking from experience), as the demand isn't there in the secondary market. Many long in the tooth foilers have been burnt by this, and that's maybe why you hardly see any foiler using it at your local.

The market is done with brands testing on punters now IMO, the RS range was a prime example, no single foil behaved the same in the entire range, e.g. RS1000 vs RS1075. It wasn't just GF doing this as many others legacy brands did this too but have subsequently lost significant market share in Australia ever since.

It's almost 2024, prices haven't come down since covid, boards are now 3K+ AUD (really the price of a macbook, just insane for a piece of foam and some carbon, do you know what the average weekly salary is here in Aus?). The industry is still rorting customers (windsurfing again?), and retailers are rubbing their hands together and driving their Teslas who get maybe 50-100% markup.

But as they say it's only a rort if you're not part of it! :)

Conditions are key and you can use any foil in 2023 if you have the conditions, don't buy into any hype is my recommendation. It's just like kite surfing a good kiter can use any kite and make it look great and it's a sport all about rider ability and gear is secondary, choose your brand wisely.

DWF
638 posts
13 Oct 2023 9:52PM
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I find a foil that trends toward a front footed feel, to the be the easiest of all foils to ride confidently, over the widest range of conditions. I've owned nearly every top brand, and I'm old, so these things matter.

Let me explain. The worst thing is any foil that trends toward back foot pressure. Now all brands start neutral when dialed. But, there are situations where this goes off the rails. For example riding as fast as the foil can go. The most common thing that happens is the foil rides nose low and shifts to back footed. The worst. GoFoil will not do this with any combination. Another situation where a foil can shift to rear footed, is bombing down a wave face. The worst. GoFoil doesn't do that. And because GoFoil seems to be immune to these tricky tail tunning issues, when the situation goes outside its normal range, it also seems to be immune to any kind of hobby horse or porposing. It just runs true and smooth under the surfacing ripping on a wing in any sea state.

This positive feels makes foot switching a breeze. So if you're someone still stuck not switching feet, this foil is for you.

Then there is the pumping. A positive front foot is so much easier to pump and learn to pump.

There is a foil brand for everyone.

This one is for me. Maybe, just maybe, because the guys who evaluate the prototypes (Dave Kalama and Alex Aguera) are close to my age.

Hank1
NSW, 44 posts
14 Oct 2023 9:51AM
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Select to expand quote
noepoxy said..
Business is ruthless, what a way to learn a lesson, the model of direct to consumer (DTC) from one distributor didn't work, how can they sell it again to retailers who tried it once already and got burnt, good luck with that.

I tried GF, not for me, way too much front foot pressure, and in late 2023, there are many excellent competitors to get a punters $ and they got mine, be a tough market indeed to make a living from and I wouldn't touch it as a business with a barge pole as too niche and volume isn't there.

With Gofoil in Australia, you lose 50% + as soon as you buy it (speaking from experience), as the demand isn't there in the secondary market. Many long in the tooth foilers have been burnt by this, and that's maybe why you hardly see any foiler using it at your local.

The market is done with brands testing on punters now IMO, the RS range was a prime example, no single foil behaved the same in the entire range, e.g. RS1000 vs RS1075. It wasn't just GF doing this as many others legacy brands did this too but have subsequently lost significant market share in Australia ever since.

It's almost 2024, prices haven't come down since covid, boards are now 3K+ AUD (really the price of a macbook, just insane for a piece of foam and some carbon, do you know what the average weekly salary is here in Aus?). The industry is still rorting customers (windsurfing again?), and retailers are rubbing their hands together and driving their Teslas who get maybe 50-100% markup.

But as they say it's only a rort if you're not part of it! :)

Conditions are key and you can use any foil in 2023 if you have the conditions, don't buy into any hype is my recommendation. It's just like kite surfing a good kiter can use any kite and make it look great and it's a sport all about rider ability and gear is secondary, choose your brand wisely.


Noepoxy,

I believe you are entitled to an opinion on how the foils perform for your individual goals and needs and this serves as valuable information for others to gain insights into different or similar equipment.

I however don't believe that it is a fair assessment to suggest that a mistake was made by having a DTC model. Maybe it is? Maybe it isn't? I don't know either if it was a mistake or not because i don't know all of the conditions of the environment. I try not to have an opinion on such things without knowing all the variables, especially on a public forum when it could be taken the wrong way and damaging to peoples credibility in the industry if incorrect or without all the information to form such opinions.

I believe this forum is for sharing information regarding experiences with equipment.

paul.j
QLD, 3356 posts
14 Oct 2023 9:13AM
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noepoxy said..
Business is ruthless, what a way to learn a lesson, the model of direct to consumer (DTC) from one distributor didn't work, how can they sell it again to retailers who tried it once already and got burnt, good luck with that.

I tried GF, not for me, way too much front foot pressure, and in late 2023, there are many excellent competitors to get a punters $ and they got mine, be a tough market indeed to make a living from and I wouldn't touch it as a business with a barge pole as too niche and volume isn't there.

With Gofoil in Australia, you lose 50% + as soon as you buy it (speaking from experience), as the demand isn't there in the secondary market. Many long in the tooth foilers have been burnt by this, and that's maybe why you hardly see any foiler using it at your local.

The market is done with brands testing on punters now IMO, the RS range was a prime example, no single foil behaved the same in the entire range, e.g. RS1000 vs RS1075. It wasn't just GF doing this as many others legacy brands did this too but have subsequently lost significant market share in Australia ever since.

It's almost 2024, prices haven't come down since covid, boards are now 3K+ AUD (really the price of a macbook, just insane for a piece of foam and some carbon, do you know what the average weekly salary is here in Aus?). The industry is still rorting customers (windsurfing again?), and retailers are rubbing their hands together and driving their Teslas who get maybe 50-100% markup.

But as they say it's only a rort if you're not part of it! :)

Conditions are key and you can use any foil in 2023 if you have the conditions, don't buy into any hype is my recommendation. It's just like kite surfing a good kiter can use any kite and make it look great and it's a sport all about rider ability and gear is secondary, choose your brand wisely.


Haha nice and blunt, I like it!!

Definitely some truth in parts for sure and GF will have some work to do to get the Aussie market back if they can at all. In the early days they were ahead of the times and benefited for this but just never were able to keep pace with all the new kids(brands) coming through, they had ok wings but nothing that would just blow you away.

I dont think you are 100% right on the prices and need to come down or should have come down as the cost of living has gone up alot and from what i can see nothing has come down so I don't see how foil gear should have come back down in price. Yes there are a few shops(retailers) with nice glossy shop fronts and if people shop in these shops then they really are going to pay a premium for this as having that glossy shop front also comes at a cost which is billed into the price.
Anyone can have a nice car these days but they will also nearly always have a nice 5 year loan to go with it!
If you want cheaper then just look away from the gloss and cheaper is out there! quick example is something like our custom DW boards, they are still $2000 so up to a $1000 cheaper than many of the big name boards www.oneoceansportsaustralia.com/custom/custom-downwind-foilboard (might not stay at this price forever as the cost and time to make a board is not as cheap as one may think) but it shows the deals are out there if one wants to look.

Agree on the starting a whole new foil brand these days, I probably know and understand this side better than most as I have been starting ONE foils for over 4 years haha. Even we saw how hard this is now and changed the whole thing which meant remolding pretty much everything and making everything we make as modular as possible just so we could focus on the areas we want and grow at a steady pace without the crazy pressure of needing 20 wings just to and then trying to convince people to sell their current gear just to lose money to then buy our gear which then is all a risk for the customer.

Dont think anyone is really trying to rort anyone in this business( not that i can see) and I dont see anyone really getting rich which really is a real shame as I feel maybe that some should make a good living from it if they can and have a chance of getting rich.

Good luck to GF as they may need some to kick start it again in Aus but it can be done I am sure.


noepoxy
NSW, 80 posts
14 Oct 2023 10:56AM
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I shouldn't post in forums as I am too blunt.

I didn't mean to be disrespectful to anyone or brand and have no knowledge of what happened and personally I don't care, apologies if I offended anyone.

I did enjoy the cat fight photo!

I have lost 50% on other well known brands too in the secondary market.

Many brands do the DTC model as well as retailers, but probably the most successful is if you can go to your local shop and demo a range of foils to find what suits your level.

If you think of teenagers trying to get into the sport, and they are the future, it is very cost prohibitive, how many shifts at maccas to buy a wing (1.5K) + foil setup (3K), almost as much as their first car!

It's clearly aimed towards the affluent market.

But everyone in Australia knows we pay an Aussie tax on everything, foiling disciplines are no different I guess.

Good luck to all brands, it's a very competitive market now!

Scotty Mac
SA, 2055 posts
14 Oct 2023 10:56AM
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Never heard of a foil that's more suited to an age group?? The "young kids brand" is working pretty good for me and I am 53. All depends on what you're into I guess. Loved the NL series when it came out but it's all been pretty pedestrian since then and the steps while a probably a good idea at some stage just cause drag. I am one that's glad I bit the bullet and moved on.

Alysum
NSW, 1030 posts
14 Oct 2023 12:19PM
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Select to expand quote
noepoxy said..
Conditions are key and you can use any foil in 2023 if you have the conditions, don't buy into any hype is my recommendation.


Yet you bought into the Code foils hype

Scotty Mac
SA, 2055 posts
14 Oct 2023 1:23PM
Thumbs Up

Hype and performance...
And you're dead right I bought them. I am not on a team or deal. Work out what's good for you not anyone else. Most brands do demos.

robg1703
NSW, 228 posts
14 Oct 2023 2:34PM
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stroppo said..
Who's going to be selling in wa
Thanks


Just working on that now...stay tuned

robg1703
NSW, 228 posts
14 Oct 2023 2:38PM
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Select to expand quote
DWF said..
I find a foil that trends toward a front footed feel, to the be the easiest of all foils to ride confidently, over the widest range of conditions. I've owned nearly every top brand, and I'm old, so these things matter.

Let me explain. The worst thing is any foil that trends toward back foot pressure. Now all brands start neutral when dialed. But, there are situations where this goes off the rails. For example riding as fast as the foil can go. The most common thing that happens is the foil rides nose low and shifts to back footed. The worst. GoFoil will not do this with any combination. Another situation where a foil can shift to rear footed, is bombing down a wave face. The worst. GoFoil doesn't do that. And because GoFoil seems to be immune to these tricky tail tunning issues, when the situation goes outside its normal range, it also seems to be immune to any kind of hobby horse or porposing. It just runs true and smooth under the surfacing ripping on a wing in any sea state.

This positive feels makes foot switching a breeze. So if you're someone still stuck not switching feet, this foil is for you.

Then there is the pumping. A positive front foot is so much easier to pump and learn to pump.

There is a foil brand for everyone.

This one is for me. Maybe, just maybe, because the guys who evaluate the prototypes (Dave Kalama and Alex Aguera) are close to my age.



I totally agree DWF... maybe because I'm in that age bracket too
I've tried most of the brands on the market but have stayed loyal to GoFoil because to me it's the easiest to use & transcends all the 5 disciplines of foiling that I do & been foiling from the beginning... I'm not trying to win races or foil comps but I can jump on anyone of my range of GoFoils and they're like an old slipper with no adjustment period & so predictable to use...
Happy foiling everyone & it's interesting to hear everyone's opinion on things...

robg1703
NSW, 228 posts
14 Oct 2023 2:59PM
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hilly said..
Like JL I assume.


Not sure what you mean by this Hilly? I'm 100% sure you don't know my personal situation but feel free to contact me so I can enlighten you

AnyBoard
NSW, 285 posts
14 Oct 2023 3:23PM
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noepoxy said..
Business is ruthless, what a way to learn a lesson, the model of direct to consumer (DTC) from one distributor didn't work, how can they sell it again to retailers who tried it once already and got burnt, good luck with that.

I tried GF, not for me, way too much front foot pressure, and in late 2023, there are many excellent competitors to get a punters $ and they got mine, be a tough market indeed to make a living from and I wouldn't touch it as a business with a barge pole as too niche and volume isn't there.

With Gofoil in Australia, you lose 50% + as soon as you buy it (speaking from experience), as the demand isn't there in the secondary market. Many long in the tooth foilers have been burnt by this, and that's maybe why you hardly see any foiler using it at your local.

The market is done with brands testing on punters now IMO, the RS range was a prime example, no single foil behaved the same in the entire range, e.g. RS1000 vs RS1075. It wasn't just GF doing this as many others legacy brands did this too but have subsequently lost significant market share in Australia ever since.

It's almost 2024, prices haven't come down since covid, boards are now 3K+ AUD (really the price of a macbook, just insane for a piece of foam and some carbon, do you know what the average weekly salary is here in Aus?). The industry is still rorting customers (windsurfing again?), and retailers are rubbing their hands together and driving their Teslas who get maybe 50-100% markup.

But as they say it's only a rort if you're not part of it! :)

Conditions are key and you can use any foil in 2023 if you have the conditions, don't buy into any hype is my recommendation. It's just like kite surfing a good kiter can use any kite and make it look great and it's a sport all about rider ability and gear is secondary, choose your brand wisely.


The so called rs range maybe a bit confused with different sizes serving different purposes but that is certainly not an example of a brand testing on its customers. Quite the opposite in fact. Gofoil might actually be the only brand that didn't r&d on it customers as they have foils that always worked and were the most durable in the market. From the others at times we have had masts engineered to flex, wings that flex, wings that breach catastrophically, wings that don't work on the brands stiffest mast and then one particular brand where the eco system just wasn't up to the job. So I do agree we have all been had just least by gofoil.

The second hand market has completely lost the plot and particularly just in the last month. Why shouldn't a foil devalue 50% like most consumer products second hand. If you pay attention to the classifieds at the moment you will notice all brands are in trouble.
times are a changing. You won't be able to just take a risk on gear and flip it if you don't like it.

Thatspec
383 posts
14 Oct 2023 1:38PM
Thumbs Up

DWF and Robg summed it up really well. Go Foil is solid and predictable with 95% of the performance of the latest greatest (Code, Lift X series, Omen, etc.). If you want another 3%, buy the pedestal and a Marlin so you can point that thing downhill a bit more. Many people are put off by having to carry around the mallet but in fact it's useful as a persuader on other brands mast/fuse connections too.



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"Big GoFoil changes happening in Australia" started by robg1703