Buoys Club
A foiling session in Tahiti turned epic thanks to local knowledge, boat wakes, and an unexpected buoy dockstart. What started as chaos became pure flow—proof that the toughest sessions often become the most memorable.
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Ask any team rider what makes a good sponsor, and I’d wager that being made to feel like you’re “valued” and part of the team “family” rates pretty highly. No one wants to feel like they’re transactional or just a cog in a machine. AXIS have built a reputation for fierce loyalty toward their team riders, and, as Olivia Piana and friends show here, that loyalty clearly runs both ways…
Words: Olivia Piana | Photos: Shannon Stent
For several years now, the AXIS family has been growing, a team of riders from all corners of the world, each with different stories, styles, and strengths. Yet they all share something deeper than just the love of the ocean. What unites them is a genuine friendship with the creators of the brand and a shared drive to keep pushing the limits of performance. AXIS is not a brand like any other, it’s a living, breathing community built around passion, trust and innovation.
This summer in Hawaii, during the legendary races that bring the foiling world together, that sense of unity shone brighter than ever. Whether professional or amateur, every rider found their place. Each one felt seen, supported, and valued, not for their results, but for who they are as people and as athletes. On the beaches, in the lineup and at the finish lines, there was a feeling of belonging that words can barely capture.
It’s within this atmosphere that AXIS draws its true strength. Co-founders Evan and Adrian were there every step of the way, living the action up close, sharing the excitement and the challenges of each race. Their presence is not just symbolic, it reflects a philosophy rooted in care and connection. The evolution of a pro rider, like that of a brand, is never a straight climb. There are highs and lows, breakthroughs and setbacks. What keeps the AXIS team moving forward is the unshakable sense of family, a collective belief that together, they can go where others cannot.
💎 Premium Content Ahead! 💎 *You will receive our weekly Friday Pump newsletter, plus the latest features, gear tests and giveaway announcements. In Hawaii, that belief was more than visible, it was tangible. From the shared meals at the AXIS house to the long days on the water, from the laughter to the quiet moments before a race, the bond between riders and founders was real and strong. It’s this spirit that drives AXIS to redefine what’s possible in foiling, a story written not just with skill and innovation, but with heart. Kai Thompson When I first joined AXIS, I was definitely intimidated. Adrian’s energy stood out right away. He was amazing, super welcoming and genuinely friendly with me, but you never really know how the rest of the team will react. I didn’t know anyone except Gabi, who was actually the main reason I joined AXIS. She was incredible to me, even lending me her gear for two weeks before I got my own. When she let me try the Tempo, I thought, yeah, this is the right move! With AXIS, I wanted reliability in my gear. The confidence that I could push my limits without worrying about performance issues. Adrian’s kindness was the cherry on top and in Hawaii, I knew I’d made the right choice. For the races, I was manifesting a top-three finish in M20 and believed top five was possible. Once we started, it hit me that this dream could actually happen. I stayed calm, rested well, ate right and trusted my training. Crossing the finish line in third place was surreal, a moment of pure satisfaction! The best memory of the trip was all of us together at the M20 finish line, smiling in our black-and-gold AXIS shirts. With AXIS, I feel ready to chase my dreams and build consistency winning as many races as possible. It’s my ultimate goal. Gabrielle Bella The reason I’m part of AXIS is because of what I saw in Hawaii. Seeing how the team supported one another was truly inspiring, from the way they backed their riders to the quality of the gear and the energy around every race. Experiencing that two years ago and again this year has been incredible and I’m deeply grateful for the spirit, the teamwork and the genuine sense of belonging within AXIS. What I value most is the open dialogue they encourage. It’s never a one-way conversation. They listen to feedback, adapt quickly and they truly want to see every rider perform at their best. It’s not about image or marketing, it’s about people, relationships and progress. When I line up to race, I still can’t quite believe I’m part of it, out there in the channel, surrounded by some of the best, all of us pushing each other forward. After M2O, having the AXIS family waiting at the finish line, taking a deep breath together, that felt special. My goal now is just to keep improving, to get better every year, keep learning on the water and let the results follow. Winning matters, but growth is what truly drives me. Luke Atkinson I’ve been riding with AXIS since the very beginning, back in 2018, the year I first discovered foiling. As a surfer at heart, my motivation for downwinding came from watching friends send runs together, having the time of their lives. Racing on the other hand, started more as a passion than a pursuit. I never took it too seriously because, for me, it was all about the fun. But in Hawaii, seeing the elite racers in action opened my eyes to what the next level really looks like. I’m naturally competitive, so once the race begins, I’m all in. I actually surprised myself in Hawaii, placing around the top twenty in every race except M2O. More than the results, what struck me most was the camaraderie: everyone sharing the same challenge, the same run, the same ocean. I might take it a bit more seriously this year, or maybe not. Either way, more time on the foil is always a good thing. The experience in Hawaii, especially the M2M run, was unforgettable, pure joy from start to finish. Being part of the AXIS team, living in the AXIS house, cooking together and having Adrian and Evan’s constant support created an incredible sense of unity. They listen, they adapt and they push innovation forward faster than anyone else. Finishing M2O, surrounded by the team and support crew at the finish line, was a moment of deep fulfilment. It’s the kind of feeling that makes you want to keep pushing boundaries again and again.
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A foiling session in Tahiti turned epic thanks to local knowledge, boat wakes, and an unexpected buoy dockstart. What started as chaos became pure flow—proof that the toughest sessions often become the most memorable.
READ MORE
From pastry runs to 40-knot downwinders, Guy and Emma chased swell, wind and wild coastline across West Oz, putting Armstrong’s new UHA foils through everything. Here's all about what went down on their trip.
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Born from a shared love of pumpfoiling and built by the community it serves, Foil Mates is a non-profit app created by riders, for riders. We caught up with co-founder Guy Papstein to talk about how a napkin sketch turned into a global foil hub—and where it’s heading next.
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