Heavy or light - which board construction makes sense for wingfoiling?

Manuel Vogel

 · 20.01.2022

Heavy or light - which board construction makes sense for wingfoiling?
Photo: Manuel Vogel
Many brands not only offer a board construction but also often more expensive pro, team or carbon versions. We have tested when the extra cost is worth it.

As if the choice wasn't already overwhelming enough with the numerous brands, models and sizes, certain boards are also offered in a second construction. The following principle applies: the lighter the construction, the more expensive the board. Because a weight advantage of 600 to 800 grams on average is usually paid for with a few hundred euros, the question of whether the additional investment is worthwhile is more than justified. We have therefore compared various boards with different construction methods and can tell you when the extra cost is worth it - and when you are just burning money.

Comparison test 1: Large wingboards with 110 litres

Our first test pair are two 110-litre boards from Naish. The Hover GT weighs in at 7.28 kilos and costs 1179 euros. This makes this board design almost 500 grams heavier and 270 euros cheaper than the Hover Carbon Ultra (6.77 kilos/1449 euros). Straps are not included with either model and apart from the fact that the Carbon Ultra has a slightly higher quality pad glued to it, both boards are completely identical.

The Naish Hover is available in two designs. Price difference: just under 300 eurosPhoto: Manuel VogelThe Naish Hover is available in two designs. Price difference: just under 300 euros

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To make a long story short: If we had surfed the two Naish boards blindfolded, we wouldn't have been able to tell for sure which board construction we were travelling with when starting off, taking off and on the straight. The most surprising thing for us was that you don't notice the difference in weight when pumping. Both boards feel equally lively and reach the take-off threshold with comparable pumping. At most, there is a slight advantage for the lighter board design in manoeuvres and when changing direction quickly - but even that requires a lot of imagination.

Comparative test 2: Jump around!

In addition, we carried out two further comparisons with boards in the 85 and 95 litre classes: The Fanatic Sky Wing and the Sky Wing TE ( HERE go to the test) differ in the 85-litre size by a few hundred grams in weight and 500 euros at the shop counter. Here too, the difference is marginal when pumping up, taking off and on the straight. However, this changes as soon as you take off completely. During jumps and rotations, the Sky Wing TE is simply a class lighter and more agile on the foot than the heavier board design. At the lower wind limit, the Sky Wing TE, which is very light at 5.60 kilos, can be lifted out of the water with comparatively little power and the board also rotates a touch faster during 360s and other tricks.

The difference in weight is clearly noticeable during jumps and rotationsPhoto: Marius GuggThe difference in weight is clearly noticeable during jumps and rotations

We came to the same conclusion when testing the board construction of the Tabou Pocket Air. This is available both in the more favourable MTE construction for 1399 euros and in the lightweight Team construction for 1699 euros ( HERE there's the test). Although the weight difference here is significantly greater at just under 1.5 kilos, the advantages in planing/pumping are marginal. It is true that the Team design is a little more lively in the acceleration phase. The bottom line is that you may take off slightly earlier, but the shape is obviously more decisive for performance in this phase than the board design. The differences are also clearly noticeable in the air: the lower weight is slightly noticeable in foil manoeuvres such as jibes and foil 360s, and massively noticeable in jumps. Especially for tricks and rotation moves, the lightweight team construction feels a board class smaller.

The Tabou Pocket Air Team rotates noticeably faster and with less power than the heavier MTE design
Photo: Marius Gugg

Which board design makes sense? The conclusion:

Our test results are divided: For board sizes that are usually only suitable for freeriding and cruising (>110 litres), the perceived difference between the two construction methods with a nominal weight difference of 500 to 1500 grams is barely noticeable and therefore significantly less than that of windsurf boards, for example - the money can therefore be invested more sensibly elsewhere.

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If you also want to do jumps and, above all, freestyle rotations with your board, the lightweight board design has increasing advantages. Whether the more agile feeling when doing tricks is worth 300 to 500 euros, depending on the brand, is ultimately up to you to decide.


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