The handling characteristics of foils depend largely on the front wing. In addition to different sizes, almost every manufacturer also offers different types of wings, which are sold under the terms "high-aspect foils" and "low-aspect foils" across all brands. We have tested which type of foil is right for you.
Note: If you have general questions about the foil terms or are looking for tips on the correct size of the front wing, you can find them here here .
What does the "aspect ratio" reveal about the foil type?
The English term "aspect ratio" basically describes nothing more than the ratio of span to surface area. Tiesda You, Foil Designer at Starboard, explains the correlation:"Wings with a large span and less surface area have a "high-aspect ratio". Conversely, wings with a large surface area in relation to the span have a "low-aspect ratio" - these are wider wings with a smaller span and thicker profiles".
The question of which type of foil you should choose has been on our minds for a long time. Over the years, we have compared countless foils of different types as part of many tests - and gained the following insights, which are also based on GPS recordings. So what are the differences on the water when comparing low- and high-aspect foils of the same size?
Take-off & Speed
Due to the thinner profile, high-aspect wings take off a little later on average than low-aspect foils of the same size, so they require a slightly higher take-off speed. However, with the generally thicker-profiled low-aspect wings, there is also slightly more resistance when starting off. Our impression is that the differences are only marginal during take-off, also because take-off is usually associated with corresponding pumping work when wingfoiling anyway.
The differences in pure take-off are marginal
The differences in behaviour in wind holes are greater - here the thicker ("low aspect") stays up noticeably longer and only drops at perceived walking speed, while the similarly sized but thinner-profiled high-aspect foil runs out of breath earlier. The differences in speed are also undeniable - although in many cases they are less than expected: An example from a comparison test between two 1750 wings from Starboard: with the thicker low-aspect wing, you cruise comfortably - in our case, with ten to 13 knots of wind and a 5.4 wing - at just under 30 km/h across the water. According to the GPS recording, the slimmer high-aspect foil was 2-3 km/h faster. The speed advantage of the E-Type high-aspect wing can be realised positively, especially when jumping - the greater the speed at take-off, the higher the jump, logically.
Control & Pumps
The differences in control are also noticeable for everyone. Thinner profiled high-aspect wings react much more sensitively on average to incorrect loads. This means that if you unintentionally give the foil a quick breath of fresh air in the trough of a wave, it will stall more quickly than a more stable low-aspect foil, which often catches itself again and keeps the surfer up. Due to their good-naturedness, low-aspect foils are therefore also used for training beginners.
The situation is different when it comes to gliding on swell waves,Glide called: High-aspect foils with their stretched wing shape have a clear advantage here. Even round and powerless swell waves can be ridden almost without pilot intervention. So are wings with a large wingspan generally better on the wave? When it comes to the aforementioned glide, then yes. High-aspect wings simply glide longer on powerless waves. However, due to their larger span, the radii are limited. So if you want to make real turns in breaking waves and are looking for a manoeuvrable ride, you will get more out of a low-aspect foil - ideally with a short fuselage.
Which type of foil? The bottom line:
Our comparisons have shown: Every type of foil has its justification. When it comes to pure take-off, the differences are marginal, but if you want to tack on gusty inland areas and are looking for a foil that stays in the air as long as possible in wind holes and manoeuvres and is particularly good-natured, you should look towards a thicker-profiled wing with a low-aspect ratio.
The thinner profile and slimmer wing shapes of typical high-aspect foils, on the other hand, have particular advantages when it comes to gliding, i.e. relaxed flying on round swell waves - ideal for downwinders on the Baltic Sea or large inland lakes, for example. Those aiming for jumps and freestyle tricks will also tend to favour slim high-aspect foils. However, when it comes to top speed (= jump height), the size of the front wing is more important than the question of high or low aspect ratio.
