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Mike Raper

@mikeraper

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Brand & product leader in watersports
35+ yrs | Kite & Foil specialist
Innovation. Performance. Global brands
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A smashing together of every clip I took from my phone over our trip this year - enjoy the randomness, and if you make it through the whole thing, good effort!
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After watching this event on YouTube for 12 years, here we are in @windkitesup… to many toys to try and chill out with old friends and new ones too. thanks @kitepuertorico, @ericbraojos @windywalt @reinier.asere …
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Ep. 144 is live! On this episode of the Foil Life Podcast, Luc Moore sits down with Mike Raper (newly appointed Global Brand Director at Foil Drive) and Nico Hopp (Hoppline) to talk about the foil assist revolution, why the product still feels like “surfers for surfers,” and where powered foiling, downwinding and beginner access are heading next. We recap Mike’s reset after leaving North and a 2024 brain hemorrhage, months chasing swell and wind between New Zealand and Australia, and the decision to come back into the industry with Paul Martin, Ben Jamieson and the Foil Drive crew. Nico brings the European demo-and-camp view: heat-dome summers, Baltic sessions, tool-less Mini Pod swaps, Fusion racing, and how fast first-timers progress when they get days on the water instead of a 20-minute demo. The conversation covers efficiency and testing without waiting for wind, Jerry Lopez finding empty lineup waves at 77, Fusion / Max / Slim as different tools rather than one product, camps that turn into all-day foil-drive clinics, downwind racing where you’re faster off the trigger than on it, second-hand units that still last, and why assist is another quiver item instead of a replacement for wing, prone or pump. Link in bio!
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Surf foil session in Cilento 🏄‍♂️ 🌊Vuoi unirti per la prossima? 😜 #foildrive #cilento #surf #northfoil #ragazzacci
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Mike Raper needs no intro. Thirty years in the watersports industry, the guy who has built brands from the ground up and knows what it takes to move something to the next level. I personally know Mike from North, we have worked close on some small projects in the past that I really enjoyed. Having him as our inside man at Foil Drive feels pretty good, we like having people on the inside! We catch up on what life looked like after North, and what brought him to Foil Drive. More importantly, what his role means for where Foil Drive is heading. This is just a bit of gear chat, more about vision, growth, and what happens when someone with Mike’s experience steps into a brand that’s already doing something nobody else is doing. Thanks Mike! See you at AWSI buddy! Come grab a shirt to go along with that hat you look so good in! 🎙️ Sponsored by Kite Puerto Rico + the N1 Surf Shop Support the podcast by subscribing, dropping a 5⭐ review, and grabbing your gear from someone you trust:
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After several really amazing years, a lot of good laughs, new friendships, maybe a couple injuries, some sick adventures, I am officially announcing that I left the North / Mystic team. I am really grateful for all the work we did together and experiences we managed to share to better each other. As some of you know Leah and I moved to France a few months ago where we will be pursuing our watersports adventures and dreams. I am definitely planning on staying in this magical industry and will keep you posted on what’s to come. All I can tell you is that we’re super excited about it 🤙
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First foil race done & dusted! 3rd place feels pretty good! Absolute pleasure racing these lords amidst the cyclone today 🤝 @kaii.thompson @liam_waltonn
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Is this the best Foil Drive @foildrive board North @northfoils has made yet? The new North Boost Trench Board features a wider nose, pushed-forward wide point for better pop ups, a deeper universal trench, and full compatibility with the Foil Drive Fusion system. If you’ve struggled with stability on narrower boards like the Midi, especially in rough water or during one-arm pop ups, this board was designed to solve that. 👉 Watch the full in-depth breakdown in the link in our bio. We have the Boost in stock and ready to ship. Have you ridden it yet? Drop your thoughts below. #foildrivefusion #trenchboard #foillife #northboost
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#klauswarkentin #massimominoia #foil #northfoils
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Early morning sesh on a Mondee🌊
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Foil …
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Cape Town hit differently this year, full of mixed emotions. KOTA has always been a special way to close the year, a moment that brings everything together. I want to thank @martycam and @redbullza for 11 years of partnership. We’ve shared incredible highs, tough struggles, and truly legendary moments. Watching this event grow into what it is today has been a privilege. This year was one of our most successful editions, with 5 out of 6 podium spots. Seeing @nathalie_lambrecht and @lorenzo__casati take the crown, accompanied by @casatileonardo @cohan_vandijk and @zarahoogenraad, filled us with pride. These are moments that remind us why we do what we do. It’s been powerful to witness our crew and community come together, creating magic in a way only they can. So many hardworking, beautiful souls, all connected, all pushing towards the same vision. We’ve always been one step ahead, and that comes from heart. From passion. From choosing vibes over everything else. And passion always wins. And lastly, a tribute to our brother @grahamhowes. Cape Town isn’t the same without him. His absence was felt in every moment. We honored him in all our activations, on shirts, on flags, in our awards, because he remains part of us. We miss you, Graham. Always. Things change, sometimes in ways we don’t expect or want. But growth is what carries us forward. We stand for our vision, we believe in it deeply, and we keep moving forward, no matter what. See you out there.
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