Drop some foil knowledge on me please - for winging

ihsurf · Since 19 Nov 2011 17 Posts

I learned to prone surf foil and wing on my slingshot hoverglide infinity 76 this year. I genuinely really like it and I have slammed it into so many rocks yet nothing but superficial damage.

But I'd like something that stays with the rolling open water swell better. I can usually only stay with the swell for 10 seconds or so before having to put the wing back in position. Not sure if this is due to bad technique or maybe thats the best I can get from the low aspect foil?

I've heard high aspect foils have better glide at the expense of turning. But it seems like there is a big variation in what "high aspect" refers to. Like the Armstrong ha series with a 10 aspect ratio, I'm pretty sure I don't want that.

Ideally I want to drop the wing for as long as possible and focus on surfing the swell but surfing it to me means making turns on it, so I'd to avoid purchasing an expensive piece of gear that doesn't help me achieve that goal.

Any recommendations? Tips on technique?

I'm looking at either the phantasm 926 or axis BSC 890 thinking these may be the best of both worlds. I believe both have a aspect ratio of around 6 or 7.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2611 Posts The 503 METAL

I have the BSC 1060 and love it, but it's all I've really known. A friend who is farther along and has ridden many different foils tried it and loved the way it turned. I think the BSC line is the sweet spot for AR.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1487 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

It's a myth that high aspect/surf foils don't turn well. They do. AR 7-8 is the sweet spot.
The Phantasm is great. It's not legit HA - its more of a HA/Surf foil.
True HA foils are the race foils (ar ~ 10).
I ride a similar foil to the Phantasm - the Sab foil 940 (ar 8-1) which I also recommend.
Almost all the major brands are putting out great foils...
F-one, SAB, Lift, Axis, Slingshot, Takuma.

If you drop below an AR of 7 or 8 you'll lose the glide you're after.

Go to the Hatchery on a windy day - watch the riders whose style you want to emulate, observe what foils they are riding. I guarantee they will all be on HA/surf foils.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

I am enjoying the Armstrong HS1050. I am 150ish so you might consider the HS1250 if you weigh more.

All the best,
Hein

oliver19 · Since 25 Jun 2019 81 Posts

It is a bit tricky because in general, there is a tradeoff between glide and quick turns. It is hard to beat a very high AR foil for glide (such as the Armstrong 1125 and 925; AR 10) ) but when you are locked in at speed, it takes some effort and lots of skill to turn well. I enjoy them the most when the wave faces are not super steep as is often the case here and I am just gliding and doing some carving turns. The mid aspect wings (AR 5-6) are definitely more "surfy" and I enjoy my Armstrong 1250/1050 more when it gets steeper. The AR is not everything, but it definitely matters. I found the same to be true when I had Axis foils. You ultimately need a quiver of foils. Very Happy

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2611 Posts The 503 METAL

So my Axis BSC 1060 AR = 6.51 and I would say I have been struggling with glide. I'm fine until I try to flag the wing and then I drop like a stone.

It's probably as much skill and technique as AR, but that's my experience so far.

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

AC · Since 04 Jul 2012 66 Posts **CGKA Member**

consumer and ldhr pretty much summed it up. Get a decent aspect ratio and use pump technique to elevate. Think of the mast height (out of water) as your “stored energy meter”. It’s scary to “ride high” because your margin for error for breaching declines, but that’s how you keep riding swell unaided. Over time you learn how to adjust with position on wave, gusts of wind, hand wing movement, and body position all being variables that effect mast height.