In Episode 17 of The Foil Pod, Rou Chater catches up with Ollie O’Reilly, Brand Manager at Starboard, to explore the evolution of watersports, the latest developments in foiling, and what goes on behind the scenes at one of the industry’s biggest brands.
Having joined Starboard back in 2014 during the height of the SUP boom, Ollie has witnessed some incredible changes in the industry. We chat about his journey from running a paddleboard school in Devon to working at Starboard’s headquarters in Thailand, the early days of SUP foiling, and how the brand is bringing decades of experience in board design to the rapidly evolving world of foiling.
We also get into the technical side of things, discussing Starboard’s innovative D2 construction, the thinking behind the Above and ACE board ranges, and some of the radical new shapes coming out of their development programme. Ollie shares his thoughts on making foiling more accessible, the challenges of managing such a diverse product range, and why Starboard is investing heavily in the future of the sport.
A fascinating conversation with someone who’s been at the heart of watersports development for over a decade. Enjoy the show!
