Featured Riders
Next up in our Featured Riders series is UniFoil team rider Mike Pedigo, based in Florida and riding the peaks, sandbars and currents of Matanzas inlet. A surfer who saw the foil coming early, Mike took us through his journey — from the one-foot wave off a jet ski that ended it for him, to chasing entire parawing runs he wants to feel like a masterpiece. Here's Mike, in his own words.
How did you get into foiling, and what hooked you?
Living in Florida and being a surfer, we're always cursed with small waves. When the foil came around, it was clear to me that was the best tool for the job. I got whipped into a one-foot wave off a jet ski and glided silently and effortlessly at twice the speed any surfboard could have gone. It was over for me then.
Describe your home spot. What makes it yours?
Matanzas inlet. A beautiful rocky bluff overlooking a very fishy, shark-infested inlet with multiple peaks, sandbars and currents.
What discipline are you most into right now, and why?
Parawinging, 100 percent. It just feels like the best mix of all the disciplines.
Walk us through your current UniFoil setup — what are you riding and why does it work for you?
Mostly I'm on the 170 right now. It surfs incredible and is shockingly efficient for how naturally it surfs. Paired with the Quantum tail and short fuse.
What was the breakthrough moment where it finally clicked?
My first connection. Felt like the door officially opened to turn the entire ocean into a new playground.
What's been the hardest thing to crack in your progression?
The air game. It's really tricky and at times terrifying on foil.
What does foiling give you that nothing else did?
The opportunity to ride waves that otherwise wouldn't interest me.
Best advice for someone on their first day?
Get behind a boat or start on an e-foil. The key is eliminating variables so you can simply focus on flight. And remember — it's NOT just like surfing. You're starting something new.
What are you working toward next?
My focus has moved towards entire runs vs single moves or single waves. I want an entire 30-minute session to look and feel like a masterpiece. The flow of the whole session. The big picture.
Meet Mike
Cheers, Mike. See you out there.