Armstrong Foils – Downwind Ocean
Tue 6th May, 2025 @ 2:20 pm
Building on the legacy of the popular Downwind Performance board, the Downwind Ocean is slightly more compact, manoeuvrable, and has a faster paddling shape. The core evolution lies in its hull design, which is now displacement rather than planing. This leads to greater paddling speed and straighter tracking without needing the length of the prior Performance board.
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Speed – Access ultimate speed.
The new displacement hull has greater paddling speed and straighter tracking, which makes it perfect for chasing down open ocean swells. It also requires less effort to get up to speed, so when you’re digging deep for that last pop-up of the run, the board gives you every advantage possible.
Manoeuvrability – Surf the entire run.
Thanks to its faster shape, the Ocean is shorter than the prior Performance board per volume. If you want to lay some snappy S turns down your run, the Ocean is the board for you. With less length, pumping responsiveness is also given a major boost.
Control – Put down the power.
The new shape features more rounded rails and softer chines that provide a consistent, comfortable stability so you can put down paddling power. The flatter deck now provides a wider standing area so you can get those feet whenever you want them for maximum control at Mach speeds.
More Grip, More Control – Progression starts here.
The Downwind Ocean’s deck grip is explicitly tailored to provide maximum control and comfort to enable your downwinding progression. Similar in feel to the deck grip on our Surf foilboard, this design features unique micro-cutouts through the main section of the grip that are grippy enough to feel securely locked in for critical manoeuvres but still flat enough for easy foot repositioning throughout your ride. Dual central arch bars and rear corner blocks provide extra traction, and blue markings indicate the foil track location underneath.
Proven Construction – Lighter, stronger.
A wraparound PVC layer protects the rails from paddle strikes and provides the nose and tail with greater durability against knocking around during shuttle runs. Proprietary carbon fibre foil tracks are keyed directly into the stringer fibres for a fully integrated construction.
Dual Carbon Stringer System – Maximum rigidity.
The ultra-stiff double-skin carbon PVC sandwich and Armstrong’s reputed i-beam top-to-bottom dual stringers provide maximum structural rigidity and durability. Proprietary carbon fibre foil tracks are keyed directly into the stringer fibres for a fully integrated construction.
Forward Geometry Foil Track – Easier paddle up and improved responsiveness.
Emphasising modularity within board design, Armstrong introduced a major innovation to foilboards in 2021 with the Forward Geometry concept. Designed to work with any brand of foil, the FG design increases responsiveness by placing the foil more centrally and reducing swing weight in turns. The new Downwind Ocean board carries on that design legacy with FG foil tracks that are strategically placed well forward for maximum manoeuvrability and a hyper-connected feel on foil, delivering high performance to riders on all board sizes.
Features
- Speedy outline: Designed to glide into long-period open ocean swell.
- Pin tail: Super clean release.
- V-skeg: Inspired by canoes to achieve straighter tracking when paddling.
- Flat deck: More foot placement options and increased volume per size.
- Split foredeck: Sheds water with ease.
- Vent: Maintains the integrity of the board on hot, sunny days.
- Raised deck wedges and arch bars: Dual central arch bars and rear corner blocks provide intuitive foot placement references.
- New deck grip: Grippy, comfortable, and lightweight.
- Forward Geometry Foil Track: Our proprietary Forward Geometry foil track increases responsiveness by placing the foil more centrally and reducing swing weight in turns.
- Carbon PVC Sandwich construction: Strong and super durable for endless shuttle laps.
- Dual Carbon Stringer System: Deck to bottom, i-beam dual stringers provide maximum structural rigidity and durability.
- Carbon foil tracks: Proprietary carbon fibre foil tracks are keyed directly into the fibres of the stringers for a fully integrated construction.
Win a Tonic Mag Hoody and T-Shirt this issue in our FREE subscriber prize draw.
