Armstrong Foils HA925 LIVE riding review

[@chrispewkreme]

Just snagged a HA925 and it is FAAAAST! I'm coming off a CF1600 so it's night and day. Just gotta be real nimble like a cat to pop up and not disturb the flight. Any little imperfection/imbalance and this wing is diving or breaching. Also, for anyone is thinking it won't turn or be loose, throw that idea in the trash. I was popping up and rolling onto my rails because it is so easy to bank and turn. I didn't even want to turn and it was turning. That FV200 tail is snappy/loose. And the 925 seems to pitch/roll easily despite it's width. My CF1660/CF300 setup didn't wobble or feel as loose. I'd add a HS232 tail for maybe more stability and lower end lift. The FV200 if you want to get snappy and loose. I'll try the 925 and CF300 to see what happens. Worth trying just to see. First getting used to it, I was boogying and dragging my feet to slow it down before popping up. I'm just used to a slower pop up from my 1600. The speed is sketchy if you're coming off a slow wing. And I was in ankle high rollers. Only downside for me is the stall speed. Basically, my 1600 was a cargo plane. It flies ridiculously well at slow speeds but doesn't like to go fast. You pretty much can't stall a 1600. The only time it drops is when I completely stop pumping and wanna sink the board, it's very predictable. The 925 glides so well but it absolutely does not handle low speed. If you slow down or lack the proper pitch/angle of attack, it's just going to drop. Get speed on the face of the wave and maintain it. and as Oskar has said in other videos, keep the board pretty level, and weight/unweight the foil to really maintain speed and pump efficiently. This wing just needs tiny little taps to pump. TLDR: SUUUUUPER fast! Easy to stall if you don't exit the wave with speed. Be gentle. It's very sensitive to elevation changes/imbalances. Pop up smooth using your hands to keep the board steady and then gently transition to your feet. Pump with rhythm and little taps to weight/unweight the board. Go with a bigger tail for stability and easier pump. Go FV200 if you want it to be super loose and carvy and maybe don't need as much stabilization/lift in the back.

[@OskarJohansson1]

Mate spot on write up, some solid tips in there. Must have been a really big change coming off the 1600 but sounds like your adapting to it really well. How does it turn compared to the 1600? I've never ridden one...

[@chrispewkreme]

@@OskarJohansson1 1600 rolls on its rails all day long and feelike a surfboard. It just snaps and carves easy. 925 feels more like a longboard or sup. It's slower, drawn out turns and doesn't go onto rail as easy. I still take my 1600 out every now and then. But the 1250 is my go-to now for carve and glide. I just want a mix between 1125/925 and a 1250/1050.

[@tomoearl]

Frigging pump master commentating at the same time. The stall speed on that wing caught me out so much turning into wind!

[@NYSkySki]

Great footage of your riding! The camera angles are awesome and you caught the breach too. Thanks for your thoughts on the wing.

[@OskarJohansson1]

No worries dude, hope it helps people get a better insight into the wing.

[@flightjunkie808]

Looks good man! Can't wait.

[@OskarJohansson1]

It’s crazy good, won’t disappoint!

[@robadair]

Stoked!

[@brvfr1]

Hi, nice video, thanks. I am an experienced kitesurfer and I have an old 2018 Cabrinha Double agent foil. I want to do prone surf and to update my kite quiver. I am 80 kg, which wing do you recommend me for both activities (kite and surf)? HA1125, HA925, other? Cheers mate

[@OskarJohansson1]

Hey mate, cheers! I think you are at a good weight for the 925 but it is an advanced wing. If you can demo the 925 that would be ideal to make your decision, but it certainly takes some getting used to the speed and feel of those wings. The double agent is almost the furthest wing possible from the HA wings, so there will definitley be a learning curve for you. 1125 would be a safer and more simple bet for you, but I think you would much prefer the 925 for kiting.

[@rbr4155]

What’s the mast setting number for this? Love how you add that and all specs on each video super helpful!!!!

[@OskarJohansson1]

I have the mast between 6 and 7 with all the HA wings. Feels pretty balance there with the 4’0

[@gcammar]

Man, those reviews are SO good! You really get to see the speed at which you're going. Quick question. I'm having a love affair with wing downwinding here in Maui on a 1050, but can't wait to get my hands on one of those razor blades you riding. I'm using a 50cm fuse, which allows me very quick turns and pumping. Have you tried one? If yes, why do you prefer the 60? I wonder if the 925 will feel a bit too pitch sensitive on my 50cm.... oh well, I can always get a 100cm mast if it does! :)

[@leeharvey3348]

Looks sweet just ordered one. Would you add the 1125 or 1550v2 to the 925 for light wind winging? I’m 87kg thinking the 1125 might be too close in bottom end to the 925 and the low stall speed of 1550 is better for 15knt winging? Cheers

[@OskarJohansson1]

Oh that’s a tough one… now that I have the 925 I think I would go the 1550 v2 for light wind days. It carves so hard, has a low stall speed, but still enough speed and glide to ride some tiny lumps. I am finding my self wanting to size up my windwing and stay on the smaller wings though… they are addictive!

[@markfletcher_atx]

wondering which tail to pair with it for behind the boat? Thanks for the amazing videos as always!

[@OskarJohansson1]

I’ve actually never ridden behind a boat with a foil! I imagine there’s a few differences to waves, but I would recommend the V tail, or possible the 232/212. I think they would be the only two possible to let this wing get to speed

[@chrispewkreme]

HS232 should be more stable and have plenty speed. It will also create more lift to really help out. The FV200 is just ridiculously loose, in a good way. SOOOOO snappy and quick. If you need every last bit of glide and speed, FV200 should work. But the 232 should pump a bit better and feel stable.

[@steveyew3931]

Hi mate. For down winding, would the 1125 or the 925 be better? Thanks

[@OskarJohansson1]

Good question! For me I would go the 925, it feels easier to control at speed and can turn it on a dime, but the 1125 has more glide so would be easier if the conditions were marginal. For someone a little heavier the 1125 may be a better choice as I am only 68kg.

[@clouclouc]

🥳🥳

[@thefoildesigner]

I (80kg, 180cm) Just got my 925 this week and sadly I must say I am not impressed so far. The wing pump OK but if I slow down just a bit, it just dropped like a brick. Almost feel like I am breaching but under water if you see what I mean. I got to try the same day a Lift 120 (775cm2) and boy the difference is night and day. I was offered to try it several times but never though I could pump it considering my weight, and also the fact that I did not like the 170 when I tried it. I was SO wrong. I was able to connect 4 waves with it, something I have never been able to do with any Armstrong wings (1550 V1, 1250 and now 925). The 120 also turns like crazy, something the 925 is not great at IMO. Might try to move my mast around with the 925 to see if this helps (currently far forward), but I might just switch to Lift at some point (or being @thefoildesigner make myself a 120 for Armstrong ;-)

[@OskarJohansson1]

Hey Nico! I have seen the stuff you make on your instagram page, super impressive!!! What rear wing are you using with the 925? The Armstrong HA wings are really different to pump than the lift, especially the 120. Firstly they have to be going fast and when you are going slower you have to be delicate with your pumps to get it up to that efficient speed. I have only ridden the 120 a few times, but most guys say it is closer to the HA725, but I found it closer to the 925. The lift has a lower stall speed so it is heaps easier to pump, but once you dial in the 925 it pumps a lot better than the 120. It took me a little while to get used to that stall speed, but once you dial it in then it is an epic wing. Personally I think the HA wings have a little too high stall speed with the current tails, so I actually add more lift to the tail than what is standard. I have a reversed red 1 degree shim that I cut down to fit which helps a lot with dropping out. Keep me posted with how you find the 925 though, curious to hear how you go!

[@thefoildesigner]

@@OskarJohansson1 I think I have finally figured out the 925, as you may have commented in the video: you actually have to pump with back foot and not the front foot. It is more a back foot tap, rather than a front foot push. Things start unlock a bit, but yes, stall speed is pretty high. I am currently making the 120 equivalent for my Armstrong setup...let's see! EDIT: I just rewatched your video and you are definitely working/bending your back leg while the front one almost remains straight.

[@OskarJohansson1]

@@thefoildesigner Thats it! You can bring your front foot further back to help load it up, but if you leave your feet int he same position then absolutly it is way more back foot heavy. I also slide my back foot forward when I cick off a wave and start the pump back out. Keep us posted on your 120 equivalent, sounds super interesting!

[@charleswilson7570]

@@OskarJohansson1 So are you shimming till it’s a 0 degree then?

[@OskarJohansson1]

@@charleswilson7570 Yes, so on the A+ fuse I use 1 red shim.

[@REALmattnuzzo]

🙌🏽

[@robadair]

You’re a drug pusher, Nuzzo!

[@Namor_G]

@Oskar , how much you weight ??

[@OskarJohansson1]

Hey Roman! I am 68kg

[@Namor_G]

@@OskarJohansson1 thanks Oskar, i see you pump so easy , i am 82 kg and cant hold flying that wing pumping , so hard for me stalls so fast , maybe is too small for me? Instead i dont have your skills…. What do you think about? Is crazy try to pump that wing with my 82 kg?

[@clouclouc]

Thanks for the review mate. Does it pump better than the hs1250? Yewww 🤙

[@OskarJohansson1]

Thanks mate, been frothing on this wing so much!!! Oh it pumps way better. It’s a little more tricky to pump, but once you get it up to speed it has so much glide.

[@ademirodonto]

my frrind if you cam choice only 1 foil wing and 1 mast for surf trip foil 1 size fuselagem and 1 tail wing . the waves have medium size e easy to surf... ideal for prone foil. what setup you choice??? only one, maybe de wing foil thwo. kkkkk

[@OskarJohansson1]

Good question!!! I would almost say the 925, 60 fuse, HA195, 795 mast. I would have said the HA725, but if I want to do some pump runs, or some DW as well then I would go for the HA925. Tough call though. If I could take 2, then I would add the MA800 for pumping surf with the HA925…

[@brendonlutnick]

Awesome video... as usual. I have to ask, what stick are you using for the max?

[@OskarJohansson1]

Thanks dude! Its a carbon fiber extendable pole that floats from 3PV.co This was a prototype I got to test but for foiling its been a gamechanger. Im more paranoid about losing my camera so finding something that extends enough and floats the GoPro Max has been hard to find.

[@brendonlutnick]

@@OskarJohansson1 I'll have to keep my eyes out for that to drop, I'm always super sketched about losing a camera

[@OskarJohansson1]

@@brendonlutnick Yeah I'll let you know when it does!