Wing specific boards

[Dwight (DW)]

Got my 200 lb buddy to try the 5'1 x 26 90 liter wing board. He's the GoFoil team rider. He's using his GL-240 with special rear wing with flipped tips.

[gone_foiling]

Looks great DW! How strong was the wind? Jacky was doing just fine on 4.2
Is 6m really necessary?

[Dwight (DW)]

Is 6m really necessary?

No. It's the only wing he currently owns.

It was a 5m day for me. Wind is a bit weird right now. Cold water (70) mixed with hot air (80) makes for an inversion layer where the wind doesn't blow at the surface. Very up-down whacky wind.

Did you notice the leash wrapped around his neck! That's why I prefer a coil.

[obxDave]

Wow, that 90l board handled an experienced  200# rider knee starting without the slightest hiccup! And those GL and Axis 1000/900 wings seem to rip compared to my Gong pro. Although  I do sorta keep wondering why experienced guys like this and FLKiter aren't mixing in as many tacks as jibes.

That leash neck wrap looks scary . I get mine wrapped around my elbow all the time but never around the neck

Dwight, is that Kelly Park you're  riding from? Do 80-90 cm masts work there?

[Dwight (DW)]

It is Kelly Park. 80cm is easier than 90 there.

Laitham did a few tacks. Just didn't get one on video.

I laughed when I saw that leash around his neck and he left it there.    It's why I tossed those in favor of coils. Everyone has to find the leash that annoys us the least.

[Admin]

This is a good article about progression on these new (upcoming) Wing Specific models.  It is a newsletter so it is F-one-centric for sure but lots of good stuff in there all the same. 

https://bayareakitesurf.com/part-ii-wingsurfers-guide-through-progression-rocket-wing-boards-by-brian-friedmann/?utm_source=BAKS+Distribution&utm_campaign=a99529bacf-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b8121e1d40-a99529bacf-432535169

[Slyde]

Interesting thread. So given that by increasing the thickness of a board you could build a 5'2" x 26" with either 80 or 100l of volume what is the advantage of less volume? Is there a point at which volume starts to become a hindrance rather than a help?

[Dwight (DW)]

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[MLB]

Do we really need wing specific boards?

Well, of course we do .  It seems like there is a volume gap between surf foilboards and SUP that will be great for the wing and we do have a different take off dynamic than either of those sports.  Transport and travel will get really easy at 5'4.  I would like to see them covered with footstrap inserts, though.  I like my current board but it is larger than I need and I am ready to be done with the concave deck.  That is not for me.  Flat or domed sounds terrific.

What don't you like about the concave deck?  I'm about to buy a board and I like the idea but haven't tried one.  ??

[MLB]

I am considering getting an inflatable F-one Rocket Air SUP 6'11". The reason is it makes transporting 2 boards to the beach very easy as it rolls up into a wing size bag. I like the side handle placement too, it might be very helpful for getting in and out of shore break. The handle is perfect for grabbing the bottom of the foil and the side of the board.





Before you write off inflatables, I suggest reading this firsthand experience using a Rocket Air Board.

https://bayareakitesurf.com/f-one-rocket-air-surf-the-wingsurfers-guide-through-progression/

More Info is at: https://www.f-one.world/product/rocket-air-sup/

If anyones not used an Isup they really dont' have a clue how rigid they CAN be.  While certainly not the same performance (rails suck) most non surfers wouldn't know they were inflatable if you didnt' tell them. Hard as heck when inflated.  Especially the 20psi versions.  More so with battens.  Going to have to look hard at that.

[Admin]

Do we really need wing specific boards?

Well, of course we do .  It seems like there is a volume gap between surf foilboards and SUP that will be great for the wing and we do have a different take off dynamic than either of those sports.  Transport and travel will get really easy at 5'4.  I would like to see them covered with footstrap inserts, though.  I like my current board but it is larger than I need and I am ready to be done with the concave deck.  That is not for me.  Flat or domed sounds terrific.

What don't you like about the concave deck?  I'm about to buy a board and I like the idea but haven't tried one.  ??

So many years on domed decks.  Concave just feels a little unnatural to me but I am slowly getting used to it . 

[MLB]

I wonder how hard it is to pump up. I think I read it can go to 25 psi. I am wondering how hard those last 10 pumps are to bring it up to that pressure.

All these boards are very new so hopefully we will start to see some reviews at some point.

I used to pump my 340Liter board to 25PSI in 6 minutes with the right pump (Red Titan this case) so 2-3 minuets for this seems like a walk in the park in comparison.

I have a 20 psi RPC board and it's crazy hard to pump the last 10lbs.  I'm 210lbs and strong (lift weights twice a week) and it's all I can do to get it there.  Get an adapter to use a compressor!
Website I saw said 21lbs (odd 1lb)

[Dwight (DW)]

Your super light concave deck acting like a spoon holding water. Early SUPs tried it. It came and went like a cheap suit.

[obxDave]

Here to give another shout out for Dwight at Foil Surfmachines and his new wing board design. Had my first session yesterday at my training spot (Canadian Hole in Hatteras) and decided right away that this is an awesome board! So I downsized from my first board (Blue Planet Carver 5'8" x 27.5" x 5.3", 114 L, 18.8#) to a FoilSurfMachine 5'1" x 26" x 4.75", 90 L, 12# board. I suppose at my butt niicked weight of 78 kg (add 8# for all that wet neoprene) I could have  easily chosen his next size down (5'1" x 25" x 4.5", 80 L), but at a klutzy 61 with bad knees and other various questionable joints I was happy to err on the no brainer side. Didn't seem like the extra half pound savings was worth it.

I was able to knee-start as easily as my bigger board (those boxy rails rails really help) and also got up on the foil just as easy. Once on the foil, it's like being in a new world. I finally feel like I'm riding a foil and not this massive "dampening blob" sitting on top of a foil. Didn't think 7# would feel that different but it does. Lots more pitch and carve sensitivity. Heck, I even breached and splattered a few times getting used to it!  I do think in the early learning phase the damping effect of some extra size and weight would be a plus, especially if you don't have previous foil experience.

In the video clip I was getting pretty tired and riding sloppy (rusty and still on meds from the flu). On one half botched tack I slammed the board off the foil, but it handled my spaziness with ease

[Wetstuff]

Good instructional 'get up' video with interesting offset foot positioning - thanks for posting Dave.   

Jim