Messages

31

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / windows on wings - to have or not to have?

« on: May 16, 2021, 08:56:51 PM »

What are peoples' experiences or thoughts on wings with / without windows. Some brands are offering wings with a windows option (or one might chose brands based on presence/absence of windows).

32

Gear Talk / Re: Retractable Foil Waist Leash

« on: May 16, 2021, 06:53:04 PM »

I use this reel leash for wing foiling in flat water, bay swell and ocean surf. Made belt with hook myself. I connect leash's clip to a fixed line that is length of distance from my waist to boards leash plug (this keeps the reel leash's spring in 'relaxed', unengaged state).

Advantages

• I hated stepping on a surf cord and this is much better now.
• I like that the excess is not dragging through the water.
• The available length gets the foil quite far away from me when I crash in the surf (or when just returning to the beach through beach break -- this process is rarely pretty).

Disadvantages

• need reel leash coming between legs when getting onto board prior to going from knees to "on foil" to prevent wrapping around leg
  
• sometimes wraps around leg... but lifting and flipping leg when riding can correct this
• cost
• trust me this reel leash is never going to be cool.

33

Gear Talk / Re: Retractable Foil Waist Leash

« on: May 16, 2021, 06:30:21 PM »

I use this reel leash for wing foiling in flat water, bay swell and ocean surf. Made belt with hook myself. I connect leash's clip to a fixed line that is length of distance from my waist to boards leash plug (this keeps the reel leash's spring in 'relaxed', unengaged state).

Advantages

• I hated stepping on a surf cord and this is much better now.
• I like that the excess is not dragging through the water.
• The available length gets the foil quite far away from me when I crash in the surf (or when just returning to the beach through beach break -- this process is rarely pretty).

Disadvantages

• need reel leash coming between legs when getting onto board prior to going from knees to "on foil" to prevent wrapping around leg
  
• sometimes wraps around leg... but lifting and flipping leg when riding can correct this
• cost
• trust me this reel leash is never going to be cool.

34

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Looks like the V3 cabrinha.. With windows.. Now out

« on: May 13, 2021, 09:20:01 PM »

From pictures/videos, the Mantis handles appear to me to attach at more nearly 45 degree angle to strut (broader at strut than handle) as opposed to Crosswing X2 handles attaching at 90 degrees to strut (which I have used). I believe this will make the attachment to strut more rigid.

I have also been told the rigid inner part of handles (inside webbing cover) on Mantis is more flat/oval while Crossing X2 was completely round (which could cause hand fatigue for people with smaller hands).

In comments to YouTube Mantis 'review' video someone asked: "I just have a question regarding the handles: are them the same as the X2 or they upgrade them? Thanks!"

Damien LeRoy replied: "They have been updated! yep!  "

But, you are one with both wings so your impressions rule the day.

35

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Looks like the V3 cabrinha.. With windows.. Now out

« on: May 13, 2021, 09:13:40 PM »

From pictures/videos, the Mantis handles appear to me to attach at more nearly 45 degree angle to strut as opposed to Crosswing X2 handles attaching at 90 degrees to strut (which I have used). I believe this will make the attachment to strut more rigid.

I have also been told the rigid inner part of handles (inside webbing cover) on Mantis is more flat/oval while Crossing X2 was completely round (which could cause hand fatigue for people with smaller hands).

In comments to YouTube Mantis 'review' video someone asked: "I just have a question regarding the handles: are them the same as the X2 or they upgrade them? Thanks!"

Damien LeRoy replied: "They have been updated! yep!  "

But, you are one with both wings so your impressions rule the day.

36

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Looks like the V3 cabrinha.. With windows.. Now out

« on: May 13, 2021, 08:35:52 PM »

From pictures/videos, the Mantis handles appear to me to attach at more nearly 45 degree angle to strut as opposed to Crosswing X2 handles attaching at 90 degrees to strut (which I have used). I believe this will make the attachment to strut more rigid.

I have also been told the rigid inner part of handles (inside webbing cover) on Mantis is more flat/oval while Crossing X2 was completely round (which could cause hand fatigue for people with smaller hands).

In comments to YouTube Mantis 'review' video someone asked: "I just have a question regarding the handles: are them the same as the X2 or they upgrade them? Thanks!"

Damien LeRoy replied: "They have been updated! yep!  "

But, you are one with both wings so your impressions rule the day.

37

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Looks like the V3 cabrinha.. With windows.. Now out

« on: May 13, 2021, 09:39:49 AM »

Yes, the handles have been updated. The Crosswing X2 handles were kind of rectangular and mounted on stanchions perpendicular to the strut (allowing lateral motion that some people --including me-- found to be suboptimal). The Mantis handles seem designed to reduce this movement (but I have not held or tested the wing yet). I expect this will allow the Mantis wing to respond more directly and efficiently to rider input at the handles.

38

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Axis Foils

« on: January 12, 2021, 05:29:41 PM »

After reading Bill shims his tail I gave it try. 

For me the 420 with 1 hotel key card shim (decreasing down force) was fun on a small wave, looser, faster, more slippery in a good way.  Than I caught an overhead bomb and was barely hanging on, I survived the 600+ yards but felt lucky not to have a high speed faceplant.  Took the shim out for the rest of the session, felt super springy as in more than I like but also more pitch control.

Yesterday was smaller, tried 2 thin beer can (probably coconut water) shims, I like that feel, still some spring and able to go more top to bottom on the good sections.

Is it feasible to take the shim out while in the water or do you come in to beach for that?

39

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Axis Foils

« on: January 01, 2021, 09:07:27 PM »

If you like the 1010 you'll love the 1150. I have both and never use the 1010 anymore. Anything the 1010 does the 1150 does better. It even turns better. Spooky good wing.

Yeah, finding a good deal on a used 1150 locally is what got me on this slippery slope.  Its combination of low stall speed and glide is second to none, IMO.  Now I am wondering if the 1300 will be even better.

Yeah, I have the 1150 and love it... but having just learned that the 1300 goes on red fuse, I think that will be nice to add to my quiver to extend my wind range for light wind winging.

@flkiter or anybody, what is the surface area of the 1300?

40

Foil SUP / Re: Foiling ocean Glass

« on: December 29, 2020, 06:45:44 PM »

Stunning. I'd be stoked to do that. Looks like Oahu S shore. Is it?

41

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Axis Foils

« on: December 29, 2020, 09:07:33 AM »

If you like the 1010 you'll love the 1150. I have both and never use the 1010 anymore. Anything the 1010 does the 1150 does better. It even turns better. Spooky good wing.

Yeah, the 1150 is absolutely my go to wing. I also have 1020 and just got 1000 (but haven't used it yet)

42

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Slingwing V2 size options

« on: December 29, 2020, 08:57:13 AM »

I'm 90kg and stepped from 7'6 140L Axis (used for a ~3 months) to 6'6 130L 'CRUZ' off-brand China-made 'production' board (used for 6 months) to 5'6 105L Quatro Wingdrifter Pro (used 2 month now).

The 105L was a shock to my system for 5-10 minutes but I have gotten it figured out and like the move. I sink the nose sometimes when slogging prior to getting on foil... but I guess that is par for the course. I had to paddle it for 15 minutes the other day at it was as easy as expected. And Slingwing v2 5.4 is a very nice wing (good power, predictable, drifts well for riding swell, lots and lots of handles).

43

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Axis Foils

« on: December 28, 2020, 07:08:06 PM »

Discussion of Black Series from Nov-Dec on Seabreeze.au. 

Last post today (page 4) is Larry Foiler unboxing of 700, 810, 890 and 980 wings. For those that have seen this thread or don't care, please excuse my post.

An earlier post in same thread (bottom page 1) shows pictures overlaying 980 to 1010 and 1150

Actually, I can't summarize it all ... but lots of good stuff here for people interested in real world performance of black series.

https://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Foiling/Axis-new--B--series-foils-and-980-front-wing?

44

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Axis Foils

« on: December 28, 2020, 05:22:32 PM »

Are the 'black series' 980 and 1050 in the same family (as the 910 and 1010 are related to one another) or are they completely different wings?

I am looking forward to when these wings will be released and described in the open. I guess we are starting to see more complete descriptions such as Foiling NY video on 1050 etc.

45

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Gong 2021 Wings Announced - 5 Models

« on: December 26, 2020, 11:13:33 AM »

The new Gong lineup looks dope. This is where kites are. Different models for different disciplines. If you are looking for winging gear to be simple and one setup does all, you are in the wrong sport. I get the wishful ideology of that but theres just too much going on for that to be the case.

For years F'one had only one kite model the F'one Bandit (I rode the first Bandit and continued on the Bandit for about 5 more years). The Bandit was/is a great kite successfully marketed for surf and various other disciplines too. There is beauty to simplicity but also potentially compromises. I started riding a dedicated and dialed in wave kite (Cabrinha Drifter) and really appreciated it's nuanced performance in the waves. It was OK with the foil...but not the best kite for foiling. I agree that wingers dedicated to and obsessed by one discipline will want gear that is dialed in for that discipline surf, freestyle, learning, downwinding, jumping etc.