GEAR: CHOOSING YOUR LIGHT WIND WING FOIL GEAR

News
Wing

14 august 2024 1

Light wind conditions are by far the most common, so let’s consider the best gear choices!

Since the emergence of wing foiling just a few seasons back, performance levels have consistently surpassed the limits many had envisioned for this sport. Performance leaps driven by significant equipment developments and the efforts of both pro riders and passionate wing foilers who push the boundaries.

We’re now achieving incredible speeds, jumping over ten meters has become "accessible", and the range of conditions in which we can ride seems to be expanding endlessly. These advancements make our sport even more appealing, especially in light wind conditions where it’s particularly effective and fun. It’s not just about being able to ride; it’s about having a proper and fun session as if you were blessed with a 20-knot seabreeze. A session made of jumps, surfs and tricks, with instant takeoffs or repops.

Riding in winds below 10 knots is no longer the challenge it used to be, far from it. You don’t need to be extremely skilled, have years of practice, or be lightweight to have a blast in this wind range. Today, there are plenty of gear options available to spend more time on the water, flying, and ending your session with a big smile.

Here are our tips for the best board, wing, and foil.

Wing Foiler: Patrice Guénolé, boss and shaper at GONG, riding the Droid UPE Aramid X, Cruzader Point FSP Pro, HM86 mast, Veloce H Downwind front wing, and Fluid H stabilizer.

Expanding your low-end wind range can be done element by element (foil, wing, or board). Each upgrade in the equipment discussed below will bring a significant improvement. If light wind conditions are what's usually to expect on your spot, it’s obviously advisable to combine several solutions.

How to choose your light wind board?

Just like with foils and wings, there isn’t a single answer to this question. That would be too easy ;) Regardless of the conditions, you should choose your board based on your skill level, body type, and the type of riding you enjoy most. The answer also varies if you're looking for a do-it-all board or an extra board for ultra-light conditions only, in which case your choice might be more extreme.

But strictly from the perspective of takeoff and sailing comfort in light winds, here are a few guidelines:

Choose a streamlined outline. The narrower your board is, with the volume distributed along its length, the more efficiently it will glide on the water. This quality is essential to quickly reach the speed at which takeoff becomes effortless. The difference in glide between a Cruzader Point or a HIPE Cruzader and a board with a more compact outline is truly astonishing. You no longer feel held back by the water. The board accelerates and moves forward with the slightest breeze. If you're concerned about losing stability at a standstill on these narrow boards, opt for a wider Cruzader Point XL, a Cruzader Diamond, or even a Mint, which offers the best glide/comfort ratio in the range. In the inflatable tech category, the HIPE Diamond also provides an excellent glide/comfort ratio. If you're a beginner, prioritize stability with more traditional boards like the Zuma or the HIPE Perf in the inflatable tech category.

Opt for more volume. Being higher on the water will give you a clear advantage when it comes to getting on foil. Moreover, on a streamlined outline like that of a Cruzader, the extra volume in flight is barely noticeable because it is perfectly distributed. In the end, there is very little length in front of you. It feels very similar to a traditional board, to the point where many choose a Cruzader or HIPE Cruzader as their only board.

A planing hull with minimal rocker at the tail. This is an easy choice in our range, which offers very flat hulls with sharp rails at the tail that free you from the water. With this type of board, you avoid the feeling of being held back by the water despite your speed. The board gets going very fast and takes off in a clear and automatic motion.

Wing Foiler: Jules, GONG staff, riding the Plus Perf Series and Cruzader Point FSP Pro.

How to choose your light wind wing?

You have two options. First, you can choose a wing that allows you to make the most of even the slightest breeze without needing to engage in intense pumping with your legs and arms. In our range, the SuperPower DP and Pulse DP are designed for this purpose, each with its own unique features:

The SuperPower DP is a powerful wing that accelerates effortlessly. It’s a must-have for inland waters with gusty conditions. You can glide through lulls without pumping, and it makes upwind riding very easy. For quick takeoffs in light wind and smooth, uninterrupted flights, the SuperPower is the go-to choice.

The Pulse DP is the wing that lets you ride at full throttle no matter your speed or point of sail. Its design is akin to a true racing sail, with a well-defined draft and dynamic twist in the tips, making it very comfortable at high speeds and in irregular winds.

Wing Foiler: Julien, GONG team rider, on the Mint FSP 2X and SuperPower DP Perf Series.

You can also choose a wing tailored to your usual riding style (wave, freestyle, or freeride), to stay closer to what you enjoy on the water.

For example, the versatile Plus Perf Series offers an excellent balance of lightness, comfort, and power. It’s the easiest to pump, making it the most accessible for taking off. In a larger size, it will allow you to take off in incredibly light wind conditions.

The compact Droid, with its impressive torque, allows you to quickly get going after freestyle moves, which is really valuable in light wind conditions. Additionally, its compact design makes it very enjoyable in these conditions where precision in maneuvers is key.

The raw power of the Neutra might not match that of the Droid, but its pumping efficiency makes it a good option for technical riders who want a light, responsive wing. In its UPE Aramid or UPE Aramid X constructions, which reduce the diameters of its inflatable structure, you gain even more performance in light wind. You also gain responsiveness and precision when pumping. This technology is worth considering if you’re aiming for extreme conditions, which also applies to the Droid.

Wing Foiler: Patrice Guénolé, boss and shaper at GONG, riding the Droid UPE Aramid X, Cruzader Point FSP Pro, HM86 mast, Veloce H Downwind front wing, and Fluid H stabilizer.

How to choose your light wind foil?

Just as mentioned above for choosing your wing, you can either prioritize easy takeoff and comfort in light conditions, or stick to the program you enjoy most.

Is your priority to take off effortlessly in winds below 10 knots? In that case, go big, with a high-aspect front wing that not only helps you take off but also keeps you comfortably on the foil. The Curve 3XL-H, Fluid 3XL-H, or Sirus 3XL-H are impressive at takeoff, each with its own strengths. The Curve is forgiving and playful, the Fluid offers excellent glide and maneuverability, and the Sirus excels in record-breaking glide, all of which are perfect options for ultra-light conditions, especially on inland waters.

If you want to take off early but stay closer to your usual program, opt for a fast foil that you can activate with precise pumping. This choice requires some experience in pumping but can be very rewarding. A Veloce H or Veloce H Downwind, or even a Ypra for the more technical riders, will give you the best results. Similar to how a Cruzader Point accelerates with the slightest breeze, a Veloce HDW, which has minimal water resistance, will quickly reach its lift-off speed. The trade-off of your pumping effort is a significantly faster and more maneuverable setup in flight that offers plenty of sensations.

For the stabilizer, it's generally recommended to pair it with a front wing of the same size. For example, a Fluid XXL-H stabilizer with a Fluid XXL-H front wing. Of course, you can deviate slightly from this principle if you want to adjust the rear foot feel with a more or less lift-oriented stabilizer, or a more neutral one.

If you’re a beginner, stick with a forgiving front wing like the X-Over, which has a very good low-end. It takes off early with an extremely low stall speed. While the glide may not match that of a Curve H or a Sirus, you'll gain control. This means fewer falls, so less effort to take off again, which is precious in challenging conditions.

Also, note that GONG’s equipment is continuously evolving, allowing you to ride with increasingly smaller gear. For example, the latest development in our V3 foils allows us to fly with, on average, 200 cm² less surface! This results in a phenomenal gain in comfort, where you benefit from faster and more agile foils.

Wing Foiler: Patrice Guénolé, boss and shaper at GONG, riding the Neutra UPE Aramid X, Cruzader Point FSP Pro, HM mast, Fluid H V3 front wing, and Fluid H V3 stabilizer.

Conclusion

The performance boost observed with our V3 foils extends to all the equipment we offer. Whether these are marginal or major performance improvements, they all make a difference when you just need one more pump to take off or a few more knots to come on foil. Of course, combining all these advancements results in an astonishing level of comfort in light wind conditions. However, each individual component on its own provides a clear improvement in low-end performance, and thus, more enjoyment on the water. And that's what matters most. It's up to you to prioritize the element of your gear that could help you the most. Our technical advisors are, of course, available if you need specific advice.

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2024