Foil Drive™ brand - Hardware & Accessories. Foil Drive began as a personal project for Paul Martin. Facing a shoulder injury and a limited window for catching waves, Paul wanted to access more waves from farther out, where most remained unridden. With a rich background that includes founding Australia's first commercial drone operation and over 20 years of experience designing RC aircraft, electric skateboards, scooters, and mountain bikes, Paul’s passion naturally extended to jetboards and electric surfboards.
His initial electric foils were powerful but too heavy for surfing. This challenge sparked the idea for a super-lightweight retrofit motor kit designed to provide just enough boost to get on the foil while keeping weight low and performance high.
Ben Jamieson, the brand co-founder, has known Paul for over a decade. They met through their shared interest in RC aircraft and later collaborated in the drone industry. Their mutual love for outdoor sports quickly evolved into a shared enthusiasm for foiling with this retro-fit motor front and centre.
The local crew soon all wanted to get their hands on this new invention, that's when Paul and Ben decided there was something to explore.
The concept of "Hybrid Foiling" was officially launched to the world in 2021. It quickly spread and very soon riders from all over the world were asking how they could join in on the fun with this new toy we've all come to know as the "Foil Assist".
