Going Big with North Foils International Team Rider, Noé Cantaloube
Noé Cantaloube loves that foiling can be adapted for any weather condition: dockstart, downwind, wingfoil, surf foil, or kitefoil. But waves are definitely his playground.
24-year-old French professional foiler and self-proclaimed “Island Boy” Noé Cantaloube loves that foiling can be adapted for any weather condition: dockstart, downwind, wingfoil, surf foil, or kitefoil. But waves are definitely his playground. Hailing from Reunion Island (India Ocean) and French Polynesia (Pacific Ocean), Noé now lives between Nazaré in Portugal for the waves and Tarifa in Spain for the wind.
"Growing up, I went to school by boat every morning. Both Réunion and Tahiti are surrounded by water - we don't like water; we live on the water. Foiling gives me a different connection with the water, different from anything I have discovered until now," says Noé.
"Surf Foil opens your mind, and my surfing/sailing background allows me to easily read waves. I go in the water every day, whatever the conditions, winter or summer, to improve and refine my technique and skills in the discipline, gain the endurance, and the balance needed for this challenge."
Noé threw himself into big-wave foil surfing last winter in Nazaré, joining an established team with whom he could train and push his limits. His training schedule is rigorous: he practices dynamic apnea once a week to stay in condition, strength trains in the gym twice a week, and foils for many hours a day.
"My motivation to become the best foiler is driven by an unrelenting passion for pushing the limits of the sport and myself. I am committed to mastering every nuance of foiling, constantly refining my technique, and embracing every challenge with determination. For me, foiling is a sport and a pursuit of excellence."
– Noé Cantaloube.
A GWA Wingfoil judge since 2024, for Noé, wave riding is the most spectacular and the most technical discipline, and he’s keen to see it grow. Judging enables Noé to follow the evolution of the sport and travel without competing. "I'm one of the only rare athletes who doesn't want to take part in competitions. I preferred to develop a brand and do some video projects. Now, I've managed to turn my passion into a professional foiling career."
"I look forward to evolving my foiling journey with North because this brand has solid foundations and offers equipment which motivates me. I am impressed with my North gear's performance; it is more effective than my former setups and is easy to ride. The high aspect ratio with a camber profile is clearly ahead of other brands.
"I want to bring something new to big wave surfing, and I'm convinced that foiling has its place in big waves."
- Noé Cantaloube.
“The wings with interchangeable handles are incredibly easy to use and effective, and the plug-and-play system of North is also attractive: the one-screw foils and the double box boards allow easy use.
“Each choice of a new technique made by North paves the way for a significant evolution of wing foiling in the future. North is a leading brand in wingfoiling, and I think coming two years late to the market is also their strength. The developers have taken the time to test, compare and develop products which combine performance, quality and accessibility to the highest level."
The North team is thrilled to welcome such an incredibly motivated and experienced rider to the stables. Brand Director Mike Raper describes Noé as a top-level all-rounder with impressive skills in every foil discipline.
“His naval design background will be a considerable asset for product testing and development in this fast-evolving sport, and his riding style on a foilboard is an inspiration,” says Mike.
“He also shares my passion for foil surfing and tow-in foiling, so I'm frothing to get out on the jetski with him one day soon (maybe not at Nazaré, but Muriwai calls).”
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Noé'S SETUP
