‘Nothing prepares you for flying over the ocean’: Shae Foudy takes on the SUP foiling heavy hitters with Black Project

As SUP foiling began to emerge and then exploded during the COVID era, one question kept coming up for professional SUP athletes: have we lost you to foiling too? With long open-ocean downwind runs becoming possible, SUP foiling quickly opened up a new side of the sport.

Fresh off a podium finish at her first official Hawaiʻi Foil Race, Shae Foudy represents the crossover of elite SUP talent into foiling. We have a unique opportunity to chat with her about the evolution of the sport, the transition between disciplines, and what it means to take SUP into a new dimension.

Shae began competing at the elite level as a teenager, representing Team USA at the ISA World Championships at just 14 years old and going on to achieve multiple podium finishes and titles, including the 2018 APP World Tour Women’s World Champion title.

Born and raised in Dana Point, Southern California, and now based in Hawaiʻi, Shae spends every second she can in the ocean., she is now preparing for iconic Hawaiian channel crossings, including Maui to Molokaʻi and Molokaʻi to Oʻahu – benchmark challenges for elite SUP foil riders.

The announcement of her joining Black Project SUP, the Maui brand developing high-performance stand-up paddleboard paddles and fins, couldn’t come at a better time.

Chris Freeman, Founder of Black Project, said:

“Shae’s journey is a compelling example of what makes elite athletes so interesting. To step away from being a World Champion at just 19, continue her education, build a career, and then return to ocean racing through an entirely new discipline takes both perspective and courage. I have followed Shae’s progression over the past few years as she made Hawaii home, and it has been impressive to see how quickly her ocean experience, paddling technique, and competitive mindset have translated into downwind SUP foiling.

In the early years of SUP foiling, there was a natural crossover from SUP racing, but we have seen less of that recently. Shae’s return to the start line, alongside athletes such as former SUP racing rival Annie Reickert, is a strong reminder that the foundations developed through SUP racing remain extremely valuable in this new chapter of the sport.

When Shae reached out about the downwind foil races, it immediately felt like the right fit for Black Project. She represents the blend of commitment, curiosity, professionalism, and genuine stoke that we value as a brand. Her story also shows other paddlers that downwind foiling is not as distant as it may seem, especially for those who already understand the ocean and know how to paddle efficiently. If Shae’s journey helps inspire more paddlers to take that step, then we are proud to be part of it.”

Hi Shae, welcome back to TotalSUP! After years of competing at the highest level in SUP, what was it about foiling that drew you in and made you want to start a completely new challenge?

Hi! It’s so good to be back with TotalSUP!

For me, it’s always been about the challenge. I started prone foiling in June 2024, and I absolutely fell in love with it. Then I saw people SUP foil downwinding and thought, that looks incredibly hard… but also strangely familiar.

The second I picked up a paddle again, there was no turning back. It brought together everything I loved about paddle sports with this completely new learning curve. I was a beginner again, and I honestly loved that feeling.

Was the transition from paddle racing to downwind SUP foiling more difficult than you expected? What skills transferred over, and what did you have to completely relearn?

Oh my gosh, I love this question because so much of the two sports actually carries over.

One of the biggest advantages for me was the pop-up. Years of sprint paddling gave me the strength, power, and body mechanics to get onto foil almost immediately, so I skipped a learning curve that a lot of people have to go through.

My background in downwind SUP racing also helped a lot with reading the ocean – understanding bumps, connecting energy, and knowing where the water wants to take you and NOT take you lol.

But nothing prepares you for flying over the ocean at more than 20 miles per hour! That was definitely the biggest adjustment. Everything happens faster, your decisions have to be quicker, and the consequences are a little bigger too. That speed was the biggest learning curve for me.

Photo by Denny Schwartz

SUP foiling has seen incredible growth over the past few years, with many top SUP athletes transitioning from racing and paddling into the world of foiling. As someone who has made that leap yourself, what is your take on the scene right now? What do you think is attracting so many experienced paddlers to this new discipline, and where do you see it heading?

For me, it was the speed.

SUP racing will always have my heart – the community, the challenge, the athleticism – but foiling takes all of those things and adds another dimension. It’s faster, more efficient, and honestly just so much fun.

I think we’re all chasing the same feeling: freedom, challenge, and experiencing the ocean in a unique way. Foiling gives you all of that, just on another level.

I think we’re only at the beginning of where this sport is going. More and more paddlers are realizing that it doesn’t replace SUP – it builds on everything we already love about it.

Can you remember the first moment when foiling really clicked and you realised this was something you could truly pursue?

Absolutely.

The first time I connected onto a second wave and pumped out to keep flying, everything changed. That was the moment where it clicked, and I was completely hooked.

Then completing my very first SUP foil downwind run was another huge “aha” moment. I realized I wasn’t just enjoying foiling—I was obsessed with the process of learning it. That’s what keeps me coming back every day.

You’ve just stepped onto the podium at your first official Hawaiʻi Foil Race and shared how proud you were of the way you showed up on the day. What made that result and experience so meaningful?

Aww, I love this question.

Only nine months ago I had just started learning to SUP foil downwind. I remember watching last year’s Molokaʻi to Oʻahu race thinking, I can’t even imagine doing that.

At the time, foiling across the Kaʻiwi Channel felt like the craziest thing I could possibly dream of doing.

So to stand on the podium at my first Hawaiʻi Foil Race only nine months later is honestly something I couldn’t have imagined. More than the result, I’m proud of how I showed up – trusting my training, staying patient, and proving to myself how much can happen in a relatively short amount of time with mindset!

With that breakthrough performance behind you, how has it shaped your confidence and preparation heading into the next major challenges – the iconic Maui to Molokai and Molokai to Oahu crossings?

It definitely gives me confidence, but it also reminds me that preparation is everything.

One of my biggest strengths is actually my background as a registered dietitian and former professional endurance athlete. I’m no stranger to long training sessions, race nutrition, hydration strategies, recovery, and the mental preparation that endurance events require.

Those experiences have given me a really solid foundation as I prepare for these crossings. Obviously the ocean is always in control, but I know I’ll be showing up as prepared as I possibly can be.

You’ve just announced your partnership with Black Project, and some exciting new gear has landed on your doorstep. Can you tell us more about the equipment you’ll be using, the paddles you’ve chosen, and what drew you to the brand? How does Black Project’s approach and values align with your own as an athlete?

Yes! I am so incredibly excited to partner with Black Project.

I’ve known Chris and followed Black Project for almost a decade, so this partnership is really special to me.

This season I’ll be racing exclusively with the new FoilX paddle, and honestly it has completely changed my SUP foiling. The paddle feels incredibly responsive and has made a noticeable difference in both my pop-ups and overall efficiency on foil.

Beyond the equipment, what really drew me to Black Project is the people behind the brand. Chris has the same passion and stoke for paddling that all of us share, and he’s built Black Project into one of the most respected paddle brands in the world without ever losing sight of that community.

I’m incredibly proud to represent them throughout the Hawaiʻi race season and beyond.

Black Project FoilX paddle | Photo by Franck Berthuot

For many people, the idea of living in Hawaiʻi – waking up to the ocean, chasing wind and waves, and foiling in some of the world’s most iconic conditions – sounds like a dream. What does the day-to-day reality of that lifestyle look like, and what is something about living and foiling in Hawaiʻi that people might not realise?

Living in Hawaiʻi truly is a blessing, and I’m incredibly grateful to call it home.

I think people sometimes assume my days are spent foiling from sunrise to sunset, but the reality is that I work full-time as a hospital dietitian. Most of my days are actually spent indoors helping patients through some of the hardest moments of their lives.

But every free second I have, you’ll find me in the ocean.

That’s one of the things I love most about Hawaiʻi. World-class conditions are right outside your door. You can finish work, grab your gear, and be on the water within minutes.

It’s not just the waves or the wind that make Hawaiʻi special – it’s the community. You’re constantly surrounded by incredibly talented watermen and waterwomen who inspire you to improve, push your limits, and appreciate the ocean every single day.

Thank you Shae – fly high and have an epic ride at the Maui to Molokaʻi & Molokaʻi to Oʻahu!

To learn more about Black Project visit blackprojectsup.com

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