That would be awesome.

Great video - just started doing some races - so fun - can I ask - what watch do you use to record things?

I’m just learning and I’m never in flat water Usually 2-3 ft swell with chop What you describe is what started doing intuitively It works

Hi Claudio. Thank you! I've been riding so far on a flat water lake. Shore break looks frustrating and dangerous, but fun eventually. Would it be feasible to deflate the wing whilst on the water, and tuck it under your arm and then ride the board in? (not having to worry about the wing flapping or getting ripped)

would you start again from the beginning - which of these foils would you select as first and reasonable for long time?

I was a windsurfing instructor in the 90’s. Now I’m retired and feel a need to return to wind water sports. This has been a very helpful insight into wing foiling and has encouraged me to focus on wing foiling instead. I have to agree though, there is nothing more exhilarating than planing at high speed on a windsurfer! Just the memory of it makes me smile with joy. Thanks for your account.

I have been windsurfing since 1988. I enjoyed longboarding a Mistral Equipe in 10 knots up to 35 knots on ab RRD Wave Cult 93 on a 3.5 or 4 meter sail. Since I started Wind Foiling in 2018, my wind minimums have dropped. I can now foil a 6.4m sail in 10-12 knots.

I would also say go out on a falling tide so you can drift downwind and not worry about getting back.

I don’t really have any choice where I live on the south coast of Devon - there are waves most days - at least when there’s wind so it’s kind of get involved or don’t. It’s challenging but I always think the experience is amazing and I’ll be better prepared for flatter water.

I am also very happy with the V2 Veloce model (L for winds over 14 kts, XL for under 14 Kts, and XXL for my Foil Drive in small waves). I’m 75 kg. Owned a V2 Fluid H L for a brief time. It was ok but the Veloce V2 was far more versatile. Most people just want to ride swell/waves so foil performance is typically described with only that in mind, but I also like doing lots of strapless flat freestyle stuff. Numerous different upwind/downwind combinations. Good top end speed combined with low stall speed are critical for me in addition to easy rail-to-rail and decent pumping. Veloce V2 checks all the boxes. My dilemma now is what V3 foil will improve upon that. I’m hoping it’s the Fluid H V3, which I’m guessing is quite different from the V2 Fluid H. No way to know for sure. I always have to buy-to-try.

I"m amazed you guys and gals that learn this stuff in the ocean, or even great lakes honestly. This 65 y/o finds plenty of fun on our flat water inland lakes that would bore you to tears. ;)

Yeah really worth the watch. So on point but pulling off tacks onto breaking wave faces in wingfoil is a rush and you downplay the skills and ability required for these types of moves. There is so much technical progression in wingfoiling (and adjustment) with the equipment that can be in the realm of a pilots knowledge. Overall great video 🎉

Thanks for your videos. In your opinion, wich is better option for light wind, cruzader diamond or cruzader point?

Which stabilizer are you using with your Veloce H?

Having adopted a similar same route Cruzader Hipe 7.6 and Curve 3XLH I have come to realise that the most challenging aspects of light wind winging (my definition is foiling faster than wind) is being backwinded during jibes (especially with large wing sizes 6 and above) - how have you dealt with this /can you share your technique ?

That sounds amazing..! Do it! I‘ll watch it :) I‘m thinking about changing from my Flint Pro to a new cruzader. But I wont go inflatable…

where inSpain are you?

Are they the best choice? They are if you wanna go fast!

Many thanks for this (another ;-)) brilliant video. It's exactly what I'm currently asking when it comes to choosing a new foil - thanks! I've just switched to a Lemon, but I'd be really interested to hear more from you about your new Diamond.

Cool.. bist nach Barcelona. Ich hab für lightwind Windwellen wingen, downwinden das Curve H L mit 80kg und es ist der perfekte Kompromiss aus allen. Vor allem pumpt es super und mit AR 9,5 der beste glide. Ab 15kt hab ich ein 800er mit AR10 von cabrinha. Perfekt. Das Curve H S 700 fahr ich manchmal, bringt aber wenig Vorteile außer schneller, gut wenn grosse Wellen schieben für max Kontrolle und dreht etwas enger. Der glide ist beim 700er aber wieder deutlich schlechter als beim L 1100. Ich glaube AR 7,5 ist cool für surfen und steilere Wellen mit Weißwasser, aber glide mit mehr aspect finde ich toll. Manchmal ist langsam auch besser um im besten Teil der Welle zu bleiben mit besten Schub. Natürlich ab 100cm Span wird mir auch alles zu schwammig. Da fängt das foil an die Bewegung unter Wasser mitzunehmen wie bei deinem Veloce H. Hab mal Veloce V3 bestellt... Ich glaube etwas mehr AR wie Curve H würde dir helfen noch mehr die Power der Wellen zu nutzen und kleinere Wings fahren zu können und weniger mit Windpower zu fahren - kennt halt jeder Windsurfer oder Kiter nur so. Die Curves sind vor allem fett im Center/Profil, das macht sehr frühen Aufstieg und die stallen im Prinzip nicht. Das Ypra S ist zu anstrengend auf Dauer und war in Wellen sehr mittelmäßig. Vielleicht kommst mal nach Sardinien im Winter. Dann meldest dich 😊 ah fahre Cruz 5.6xl in lightwind und ein 65l 5.0 oder 4.6 bei Wind über 15kt. Eigentlich perfekt soweit. Das Cruz 5.6 dreht halt noch gut ist ist sicher nix unter 10kt, aber da kann man auch was anderes machen 😅

How is your experience so far concerning the durability of your Diamond? I'm a bit afraid hearing the stories of the first cruzader being overly sensitive. Can you ease my mind?

Having ridden HA foils from multiple brands there is much more to this than just Aspect ratio, the foil shape, camber and section also has a huge impact on this. For example the DuoTone Glide 905, which I can use from 10-12 knots all the way up to 25 knots plus does not exhibit the issues you level at high aspect foils - yet it has an AR of 9.4. It is as easy to ride as any mid aspect foil. Of course you can just go mid aspect to get guaranteed stability and ease of use from any brand you choose - but it would be wrong to assume that there are not HA products on the market that are designed with ease of use in mind, there are, it's just not all brands have cracked the code yet.

Cyril ist the best! If you need advice on gear - ask him! Always pleased with his suggestions!

Im on a small lake 80% (@82 kg) with cruz Diamond 6'3 lately (before that a HipePro5'3). Have you tried the Ypra-S yet? My impression: very much faster, more agile, more glide and way more upwind possibilities than the Veloce V2 (I use the Veloce L, Ypra-S in L and XL.) But a little less 'forgiving' in staying up in jibes and tacks. I still havent found the perfekt Stabs for it (have the Fluid 42/220 and Freestyle 46/250. Probably Go for a Veloce H V2 40/175? Any recommendations for Stabs?

Agree with your thoughts aspect 8.5 is magic number for me curve h L,xl or xxl for low wind to mid small slow waves to meduim Ypra xl fir higher winds med to bigger waves . Veloce v3 xl in post will do a vid just my opinions at 95kg 😊 Veloce dw13 aspect and v3 veloce is around 10 apparently easy to get on foil we will see 😊

Totally agree with you Mid aspect foil (AR 8) + mid length board (narrower) gives me the best experience of wing foiling

there is one big issue for us ! we are heavy 😅 it's seem nothing but it a big deal. There is one debate in the prone foil community at the moment , there's people that just enjoy riding and carving the wave and those who want to reconnect , which means you have to either choose a bigger foil to pump or a foil with maniability, the heavier you are and the more foil become distinct for each use therefore you loose versatility . The lighter you are the easier you can get away from a lot of issue . Add that with brand that want you to have a foil for each discipline , surf , wing , jump, pump and you are doomed.

Thanks for the Video! astonishingly relevant for me, as I am 85kg and also own a cruzader diamond in 6'0 (wanna be able to get out when the wind stops on those swiss lakes ;)) but absolutely trying to downwind as well. As a friend of mine just sank my fluid H XL setup while wakefoiling (foilbox ripped out of the slingshot board :P) i ordered the Curve H XL instead hoping to score on those slow windbumps we get with the fluid H 45 stab. Ordered the Curve H because patrice said in a tech talk that the curve H V2 was the last foil to be released and it's the closest, the least difference to V3 and i was so tempted to order the V3s and wait but a lot of preorder is already sold out and i can not wait without wing gear for another month or so :) Will hopefully test it out on monday, fingers crossed for wind and the post to deliver in time - But absolutely will order the Veloce V3 or even the Veloce HDW when the damn V2 to V3 fuselages become available to order again, glide supposed to be very good :) absolutely happy with my gong gear so far. Own the Ypra Surf XL as well for stronger winds and wakefoiling. It's awesome behind a boat!

I’m 95kg and ride gusty lakes with Slick 7m, Lance 5’8 (130l) and X-over XXL. Just starting to consistently get on foil, but already thinking about more light wind focused gear. Cruzader and Sirius seem to be what Gong promotes, but a too big step for me. What would recommend?

Thanks for the good video. I am probably nowhere near your level, just on 3 month learning, but I learnt in the waves in the North Sea in Holland. So my huge foil of 1750cm really annoys me by now, it gets kicked around by the waves. After talking to the locals I just placed an order for Armstrong S1 1250 I was told that one should be better in waves for an intermediate like me. Should arrive next week. I asked the local pro's about high aspect foils and they said better not yet for me, they said first try just a smaller "normal" foil.

Thanks for another very informative video! I've been watching your content for a while and I am especially grateful because I am pretty much the same weight category and there is not too many reviews from non-featherweights over youtube. I think I have similar impressions with kinda still in-between mid and high aspect ratio front wing Gong Curve H XXL which is AR 8.4. I feel it gives good compromise between glide and maneuverability on mostly weak (10-12 knts) and unstable wind conditions inland where I foil most of the time. My most narrow board at the moment is Mint FSP x2 2023 105L and I have a temptation to go for an even narrower one to take off faster but I am a bit scared because Mint is already wobbly in roll axis when the wind dies out and no take-off is possible. Do you have any experience with these narrow boards when the wind is close to or below 5 knts and you just want to go back to the beach?

I’ve gone down the HA road and I’m happiest in between MA and HA. My Axis 1050 HPS aspect is 7.55 and my Axis 960 SF is 7.84 but the Spitfires are known for carving. These foils give me lift, stability, and speed. They don’t over foil or get pushed around in the surf. They lock into the waves nicely.

Very interesting, I m 87 kg and ride mostly veloce xl and M with a fluid 42 stab with a lethal 95 l here in the beaches of Perpignan and Leucate. I have never tried high aspect foils, I think you can do a lot with my gear , and I want it to be easy to fly because I fall a lot 😂 !

Gong shill.

4 years ago I bought a 1st gen wing (4.2) and hard foil board and tried to learn it all from scratch in our mid west USA inland lake with avg summer HIGH wind of 12mph (once or twice a summer). Didn't go well. Bought a Lift Efoil and have learned to foil the past 2 summers. I'm 65 now and only get to go once a week usually so it's been a journey as I spend half my time getting back to where I was "last time" and then 1/2 trying to get better. Now finally competent on the foil I've been learning my new 6.4 and 8.0 wings for our light winds. Inflatable sup (windsurf board with dagger for upwind) now and then a Gong inflatable with foil once I'm ok with the wing. Hopefully this month. :)

Hola! Y que tan difícil es subirse a una Cruzader cuando hay mucho chopy? Quizás eligiendo una talla mas grande o XL?

While the wingfoill equipment is smaller and easier to transport, I don't agree that it's easier to set up. I can rig my windsurf gear and be on the water in under 5 minutes from arriving at the spot if I want. By the time I get the foil mast on the fuselage, the foil connected to the board properly etc it takes way longer to get the foil on the water. Unless you have the luxury of a van where you can leave the stuff assembled the whole time, but then that creates it's own problems too.

Thanks for a reality check. Good to see the details, not just the heroic moments. very instructive.

Gong just feels like a joke brand. I can't think of quality when I think of them.

You probably need to go spend 4K on top of the line kit and see if that makes a difference :)

Did you mention that using a harness is fundamental to windsurfing. It's another thing to learn and high speed falls / falling in big waves when hooked in is definitely to be avoided. The upside is that the harness takes all the effort out of being fully powered up.

I'm stuck at a max of 64kmh. This year no winds from right direction on local spots. But, there is hope of 70kmh still when autumn storms hit. Brum brum.

Wow🎉

If you want to go BIG go SMALL ☝🏻😜

Great experience! This one is still on my list...:)

The Weymouth Speed week in October in the UK is a good place to try going fast. It has a 500m course with a GPS timing watch you wear and download each day. You can make as many runs as you like. I’m designing and building my own dedicated custom speed wingfoil boards foils and have also made a solid carbon speed wing. I’m using 500cm 365cm and 290 cm front foils.

Hi Claudio. I really enjoy your videos. Very useful!