Duotone Wing & Foiling Tech Talk - Skybrid SLS

This Tech Talk series features our Board Designers, Finn & Jeffrey Spencer together with our R&D Manager Klaas Voget, as they unveil the innovations behind the new Skybrid SLS mid-length board. Don’t miss this deep dive into the craftsmanship and vision that brought this board to life!
Filmed and edited by BSP Media

[@NorthShoreSkiandBoard]

Looks good boys! Available in North Vancouver soon!

[@jurgenhinz6320]

got my Skybrid 5.10 today - such a beauty !! 😮🥰 Tinted hot coat and custom finish will help a lot with invisible repairs and keep value high ! Very good technical move !!🔥 🔥

[@duotone.wingfoiling]

great to hear, enjoy it!!

[@basilikumnation]

This shape will be the normal shape in two years

[@duotone.wingfoiling]

indeed there will be a trend back towards longer, narrower shapes, although the wider/shorter and more compact sizes still have a relevance for many people, in both advanced riding for jumping/aggressive waveriding, as well as for absolute beginners, where the narrower shapes are not that easy for learning. But for intermediate/riders who want to just cruise/pump/downwind or not interested in jumping, the Skybrid/midlength shapes make a lot of sense.

[@hellmato]

So as a wing foiler, when should I choose the downwinder sls and when the skybrid? Thanks

[@duotone.wingfoiling]

For Wingfoiling, I think the Skybrid will cover 90% of your needs. Obviously if it is extremely light winds where getting up and going is the absolute priority, then the Downwinder has an advantage below 10knots to get up onto the foil. Once you are up on the foil, the shorter Skybrid is obviously more compact and easier for everything, with the obvious advantage of storage/transport etc. If you want to combine Downwinding and winging, then the Downwinder has a clear advantage.

[@JOVO1971]

Great concept! I think it's also a much better and compact feeling on the feet with the reduced width. As a former windsurfer with small boards I always wondered about the wide shapes. Do you think the floating of size 100l in no- wind to light-wind conditions is enough for my 90kg? Until now i use an AK with 110l.

[@duotone.wingfoiling]

Hi there, yes, for an experienced rider in sub 100L boards, the classic shapes like Style SLS/Style, you can usually use 10L below your weight/or the same L as your weight if you want more ease of use. As the sizes get bigger/skill set is lower, obviously width and ease of use is more important than how compact or performance oriented the boards are. But the Skybrids can usually handle a similar volume to your weight or even below (I have to stress this depends on the skill level and also the width of the front wings, as this also helps to stabilise the boards when kneeling etc). The longer length is for sure better for floating, I am fine with 75kg/65L board when there is some wind to move fwd, but it goes down as soon as wind drops obviously - but with the Skybrid or downwind shapes, they'll stay afloat better due to the length. So maybe a 85L will also work for you, but that might be too big of a jump from your 110L - so for sure 100L no problem.

[@florianmacia9297]

Thanks guys! Did you try it in SUP foil in the bigger sizes? Thanks!

[@duotone.wingfoiling]

You can definitely pump the boards/ride waves while flagging the wing- but for Sup foiling, they may be a bit too narrow for the take offs and paddling - depends on your skill level I suppose?

[@redwine1980a]

would You recommend it also to smaller wave riding or is it more freeride machine? Awesome looking board, btw.

[@duotone.wingfoiling]

Hi there, works great in small waves, Finn and Jeffrey Spencer who designed the boards live on Maui and used them in waves regularly during testing.

[@Kristianhoejlund]

What is your experience with prone foiling the smaller sizes? Could it be a hybrid wing/prone board?

[@duotone.wingfoiling]

yes, on the smaller sizes, the boys were proning with it, also less experienced riders during the R&D phase - actually a lot easier with the extra length for beginners/intermediates - obviously for advanced riders they'll prefer a more compact shape, but it is for sure possible to use.

[@lewiss66]

I ride the sky free 5.3. intermediate, I weigth 70kg 60years old . What board size would you recommend ?

[@duotone.wingfoiling]

Hi there, at your weight currently riding a 95L board as an intermediate, I would estimate you could get away with the 5'8"/85L board - it should get up and go at least as quickly as your Free 5'3", maybe slightly sooner and for sure with less pumping/better at passive "planing" up onto the foil.

[@jamiehoward4831]

I have a sky free TE 5’3. What would the advantage of this board? Is it even easier to get going in light wind

[@duotone.wingfoiling]

Hi Jamie, indeed, the longer and straighter outline does help to get going earlier/touchdowns are a bit smoother and generally you can drop about 10L down from a classic shorter/wider size (generally, this also does depend on your skill/weight obviously). Stronger winds are also no issue with the Skybrid.

[@DLarkman1]

are they easy to taxi I have a 75l Sky style and less that 75kg and find it difficult to taxi

[@duotone.wingfoiling]

hi there, so if you mean slogging/not planing up onto the foil, then yes, a lot easier due to the extra length - so in the same volume size for example, a 85L Skybrid will be easier to stand on in light winds, than a Sky Style 75 - especially if your weight is close to 75kg or more, where the board is sinking if you are not moving forwards. Also, to get up and go, due to the straighter outline, longer length, boxes further forward etc, you will be getting up onto the foil earlier. So if you currently ride a Sky Style 75 and want a much better light wind performance- go for the Skybrid 85. If you want a similar planing performance to your current 75L, but want an easier board to stand on in lighter winds, then the Skybrid 70 is a good option too. Hope that answers your question/comment!

[@alfskaar489]

I want a mid lengt. And no hole in the bottom. And it need to work well with small foils and Foil Drive. I have already sold my Sky Free 105L. Not sure if that cut out will help with Foil Drive. The Axis Foil Drive board don’t have any the DC Foil Drive board don’t have any. Only Armstrong have the size I liked.

[@duotone.wingfoiling]

Hi there, not sure why the cutout would have any adverse effect for the foil drive? Our boards have been tested with both small and bigger foils, in a variety of locations, salt water/fresh water and light to super strong winds. Pretty sure there will be a size in there for most people, if you need more advise vs your Sky Free 105, let us know.

[@alfskaar489]

@@duotone.wingfoiling Than you for your reply. After seeing the first video with take of to foil, I'm definitely not get this board.. Ony guy even padel up the Armstrong 75L ML that is absolutely insane. As Foil Drive says length is king than it needs to be narrow 20"

[@duotone.wingfoiling]

@@alfskaar489 No-one forcing anyone to buy anything here - if you feel you need to be on a more pro style edition, then go for it - that's also why we have the smaller sizes. Going from a Free 105 to a 20" wide board- quite a challenge though.

[@alfskaar489]

@@duotone.wingfoiling Based on what I can find out apparently the 20" is the magical width to get the board going as fast as possible but this needs to be matched with a board that is long enough. I have windsurfed on small narrow slalom boards and later on speed board exclusively so narrow board doesn't scare me, yes not the same thing but I think that you have to give your self some challenge sometimes as it is rewarding when you get it. I also have a Patrick 50L, 152cm / 5’0”, 55cm / 21" 1/2”. I really dislike the Sky Free 105L when the wind drops is feels like being on wine cork since it is so wide and short, and you are simplely going nowhere. The smaller Skybrid are maybe just a bit short. Not sure. Soon someone I know and trust will test the Skybrid with Foil Drive will be interesting to what he have to say about it. Maybe I change my mind so I don’t have to drive 2000km to get the other on. 🙂 Do the 5.6" also have a hole at the bottom ?

[@duotone.wingfoiling]

@@alfskaar489 ah, ok understood now you are used to narrower boards yes. Good point on the 2 smaller sizes, we should consider to skip the handle like we do on the Sky Style, will see if that can get implemented as a running change, helps the weight. Indeed a challenge for advanced riders like yourself is no big problem. Report back then what your buddy says please. Feedback so far is great, from both intermediate and advanced riders, but always open to critical feedback, that's the only way to improve!

[@kshred3043]

4:52 "Talking about weight...." 5:11 "The whole technology is way lighter this year." Be nice if Duotone (and other manufacturers for that matter) would specify the actual weights of their boards ..........

[@duotone.wingfoiling]

Weights are online on our website, in the specs box of the Skybrid SLS product page: www.duotonesports.com/de/products/duotone-foilboard-skybrid-sls-2025-42250-3610