Cabrinha made a significant statement with the launch of its Union foil system last year. The completely redesigned connection system was cleaner, more streamlined and, importantly, provided the foundation for an entirely new family of foils. The Prestige was the first front wing we spent serious time on, and it quickly became something of a favourite. At around 85kg, I...
The Armstrong Foil Drive Foil Assist Integrated Carbon Mast represents a significant advancement in the world of powered foiling. This expertly crafted carbon mast is designed to minimize drag while delivering a fluid riding experience from initial takeoff to touchdown. For those new to the sport, the mast offers a forgiving lift that helps prevent sudden stalls when transitioning from...
Cabrinha’s latest hydrofoil has been a long time coming. After the success of their H-series foils several years ago, things went quiet in terms of new wings. Rather than releasing endless incremental updates, Cabrinha took the bold approach of stepping back, rethinking their entire platform, and rebuilding from the ground up. The result is the Union system, and the Prestige...
While the Performance-X focuses on reducing drag and maximising glide, the Performance Mk II takes a different approach. This is Armstrong’s stiffest performance mast to date, designed for riders who demand the most direct possible connection between their feet and the foil beneath them. Like the Performance-X, the Mk II has been developed using a high-modulus carbon layup, but the...
A mast might not be the most exciting component in a foil setup, but it’s arguably one of the most influential. While front wings tend to get all the attention, the mast determines how efficiently that wing can move through the water, and more importantly, how directly your inputs are transferred to the foil. If you’ve ever ridden a “bad”...
There aren’t many products that arrive with genuine race-winning credentials before they’ve even reached the wider market, but that’s exactly the case with the new Starboard MF range. Developed by Martin Fischer and Mathieu Durand using Starboard’s automated optimisation process, these wings had already made a strong impression before I ever got the chance to ride one. I was on...
The MA Mk II Front Foil represents the latest evolution in foiling technology, combining advanced design elements to elevate the user's performance on the water. This foil is specifically engineered to provide ultra-forgiving pitch stability, which significantly enhances the user’s experience regardless of skill level. The MA Mk II boasts an impressively broad speed range, allowing for seamless transitions whether...
When Armstrong announced the MA Mk2 was on the way, I was super keen to get my hands on it. The original MA series, particularly the MA800, were epic for winging in the waves (I was still using them until these arrived!); however, for our gutless waves on the South Coast of the UK, they lacked the pump & glide...
The CORE Drip Carbon Foilpump Board is an impressive addition to the world of pumpfoiling, showcasing ultimate performance and a style that stands out. Designed for a range of disciplines including big air, kiteloops, freestyle, and wave riding, the board excels in both high-performance and lightwind conditions. A key feature of the CORE Drip is its ultra-high performance capability, which...
The Ultra Jet range offers exceptional foiling performance, taking it to the next level. With cutting-edge carbon construction technology, riders can experience a seamless connection to various Naish fuselages. The foil features a dual expansion core, delivering an agile and stable ride. Its lightweight and robust build is achieved through a combination of 100% prepreg 3K carbon, UD carbon, and...
The Naish kite foil range presents a variety of options suitable for riders at any skill level. With their stability, smooth lift, and wide speed range, the foils can benefit anyone from beginners to experts. At the center of their design lies a medium aspect ratio delta planform with washed-out wingtips. This combination not only provides lift and balance at...
The Wind/Wing HA 914 stands out among the foils in the Naish range with its unique outline and foil section. Unlike other wings, its foil section is exceptionally thin, enabling it to reach high speeds while maintaining low lift for its size. Although it requires a slightly higher take-off speed, once in the air, this wing excels in wing foil...
The Ultra Jet range offers a new level of foiling performance in a versatile package. Using the latest carbon construction technology, it connects seamlessly with various Naish fuselages and features a dual expansion core for an agile and stable ride. The construction utilizes 100% prepreg 3K carbon, as well as UD carbon and glass core layup, to ensure strength, lift,...
The MACH 1 foil range is specifically designed to provide a superior level of speed and control to wing foilers. However, it also proves to be an excellent choice for kite, windsurf, and surf foil enthusiasts. Inspired by the Wind/Wing HA 914, this series showcases exceptionally thin, stable, and sleek foil sections that prioritize speed while also offering a wider...
The North MA v2 series is North’s second generation of the Mid Aspect Sonar foil collection. It is clear from both the product marketing and the unreputable performance on the water that the design objectives were even more ambitious than the last time around! To build upon the wide speed range and intuitive riding feel they’d already achieved, the team...
The latest innovation from Armstrong's ever-progressing range is the second edition of the High Aspect (HA) Foil Range. It aims to build upon the success of its predecessors, released in 2021. Designed to cater to the needs of intermediate to expert surfers, downwind enthusiasts, and wing foilers, Armstrong claims this range brings an unparalleled blend of agility, ease of pumping,...
This is a welcome addition from Armstrong. While all of their equipment is brilliant, it has always come with a reasonably hefty price tag. It's worth paying if you ask me, but it's a barrier to entry. Introducing the Armstrong Alloy Foil Mast—an affordable, high-quality alternative to their carbon range that allows you to access their entire foil range! It’s...
Having originally introduced the SF series last year, North has recently enhanced its offering by releasing the highly anticipated smaller sizes of the range (the 680 and 830). As the riding level of pros and amateurs continues to increase at an astonishing rate and the market's desires become clearer and clearer, North is aiming to satisfy these demands with this...
The Enduro Front Wing - AFS has garnered attention among water sports enthusiasts for its impressive all-terrain performance and modular design. With an aspect ratio of 11, this wing strikes an exceptional balance between maneuverability and glide, making it ideal for a variety of activities including downwind, wing foiling, prone foiling, dock start, and pumping. Designed by Laurent Borgna, the...
Like many pump foilers, the iconic Sabfoil 1350 Leviathan has played a massive role in my pump foil journey. From dockstarts to beach starts, Sabfoil’s 1350 Leviathan has helped me push boundaries I didn’t even know were possible. It’s also completely changed my perspective on light wind winging and the rideable conditions. I still recommend the 1350 Leviathan to beginner...
I’d already had the APF1880 for a while when the 1350 arrived on test. While the 1880 was exceptional for pumping efficiency (I got my PB of 11 minutes flat water pumping on the 1880), it lacked glide speed and turning ability. So, I was super excited to try a foil that made some compromises to this! According to Armstrong,...
North has been making a big entrance into the foiling market in the last year or so. The Sonar foils are at the pinnacle of that. Out of the box, it is immediately obvious that this is high-quality gear. The foils come in a fully padded bag with individual covers for all of the components. The Sonar foils are fully...
AFS Advanced is part of Foil & Co., a company known for its expertise in composite products and its commitment to sustainable development. AFS makes 100% carbon foils that are manufactured from A to Z in their factory in Pencran, France. The AFS PURE is no different. One of the founding pillars of Foil and Co is sustainable development. The...
The highly-anticipated MA series sits right in the middle of Armstrong's HA & HS wings. Designed for the best of both worlds this wing is made for more of a surf feel, with a slower stall speed than the HA but with more glide & efficiency than the HS. I was lucky enough to be sent a whole quiver of...
The F-One Sk8 is ‘designed for surfing’. Whatever foiling discipline you choose to use the Sk8 for, it promises the control, manoeuvrability, and glide to surf the wave. Does it live up to the tagline? “This foil doesn’t just turn; it carves!” The Sk8 is a performance mid-to-high aspect foil (A/R: 8.0) available in sizes from 550 to 1050 cm2....
CORE is a brand that has been around for a long time, and they are renowned for producing high-quality products that deliver on performance. The Spectrum is no exception. It utilises a high-quality carbon construction to ensure a lightweight and stiff design. The mast is made from 6063 aircraft aluminium, and the fuselage is CNC machined for a precise fit...
In this test, I’m going to review both these MA wings along with the High Performance 655 mast. I’ll also go into a fair bit of detail as to the different on the different tails that I paired with the two wings. This summer, I’ve spent possibly the most amount of time on the MA1750 than I have any other...
This is Armstrong’s first pump-specific foil. Designed specifically for ultimate efficiency and distance covered. They were clearly committed to making the best possible foil, going out of their way to hire Chris Porter, an aerospace engineer. The APF foil shares its DNA with his reputed Crisp 333 and 381 stabilisers. This foil is clearly specific for the task. Armstrong knows...
The Cabrinha H-SERIES is back with an updated design and promises an even more efficient and high-performance package than before. With Cabrinha’s foil offering currently being relatively small, the H-SERIES MKII will hold the flag as their higher aspect design for all foiling disciplines. If it is anything like its predecessor, we know it will deliver both the speed and...
AFS has released the Silk 850, built to offer exceptional wave riding performance. AFS has included tubercles and winglets designed to optimise low-range stability and control in turbulent waters, ensuring confidence in dynamic carving while maintaining full control. The Silk mast, explicitly designed for wave riding, boasts a 14 mm thickness (super thin, and therefore fast, compared to most foils),...
The Jet HA 1040 is the smallest in the Jet HA range. Its 1040 squared cm surface area means that it is on the smaller side when it comes to wing foiling, don’t let that put you off though. The foil I tested came with an 85cm carbon mast, they are also available in 75cm & 95cm, in either carbon...
If you were asked a year ago which brand would be selling some of the best wings for prone foiling on the market, I’m willing to bet that none of you would have chosen Cabrinha. How things change. While Cabrinha has been at the forefront of kitesurfing & wingfoiling since their creation, they were yet to enter the prone market...
The Eagle HM Carbon foils are F-ONE’s fastest & most efficient in their lineup. They’re designed for maximum downwind performance and effortless glide. The wing itself is incredibly thin, with a 9.5 aspect ratio, and it features upturned winglets, both significantly reducing drag. These wings aim to provide both wingers & SUP foilers with the ultimate downwind gear. I for...
Armstrong's CF V2 is their all-around foil lineup. Ranging from 950cm2 all the way to 2050cm2. It’s designed for beginners seeking a foundation for progression and experienced riders pushing their limits. The attention to detail that Armstrong has put in is immediately obvious when getting it out of the box. This foil has the highest quality components and finishes that...
The X-Series is Cabrinha’s all-around foil, designed to be an excellent entry-level foil but cater just as well for experienced riders, particularly in the smaller sizes. For the MKll, Cabrinha has partnered with NTU, a Naval Institution whose technology allowed them a much more detailed R&D to improve the performance characteristics of the wing. All aspects of the foil are...
When I first heard that Ozone was entering the foil market it had me super excited. As I have no doubt I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been riding Ozone kites for 10-plus years and have always been a fan of their exceptionally high-quality gear. That being said, working with carbon is very different to materials in kites & wings. With that...
