Maiden Run | 7’10 Kt dragonfly 2 Surf

[@DownwindFrother]

Love your video descriptions. Most crew don't go into the detail you do. It's the best

[@downwind_drifter]

@@DownwindFrother thanks for the nice message 🤙🤙 Share it around and see what your mates think 😎

[@leebonfiglio]

Wider board to help control a large span foil mkaes a lot of sense. Far more leverage if you stagger your stance vs a narrow board.

[@downwind_drifter]

@@leebonfiglio I tried a friends 8’8 16” wide frank board yesterday and it was fine… it was only paddling out to the bump line though. There is still likely a necessity for narrow boards to get up the smallest foils, he was using a 600cm2 foil!

[@wiepkjedegroot]

What size of the dragonfly surf would you recommend for beginner downwind and Lightwind winging? (65kg) Thanks for the excellent video!

[@downwind_drifter]

That’s a tough one. A board that tries to satisfy both of those will satisfy neither… The 110L (7’10” I think) will likely be good for both downwind and sup foil surfing, and will pass as a wing board. I feel like the kt’s are not built for longevity, but more for performance. They are slightly lighter weight compared to other boards of similar sizes and I feel like that comes at the coast of some strength. Winging puts a lot of mileage on a board.

[@wiepkjedegroot]

@@downwind_drifter Thanks! Made me thinking what I actually want to do the most and that is lightwind wingfoiling (mostly on a gusty inland lake), getting used to downwinding during wingfoiling and occasionally a paddle up training. I wend for the 100L (and a boardbag, on land is where I damage boards the most 😅). If it gets damaged really quickly, it is because I use it a lot and a good sign 😝.If I still have downwind ambitions next year, I go for a larger one 🤙 looking forward testing it.

[@kovz910]

Love your videos and appreciate the insight! I am on the edge of jumping into the downwind process. No SUP experience but significant wing and prone background. At 63kg, which Armstrong downwind board would you recommend? Saw you had one in your board room video. Leaning towards the 116L, 20 and 1/4 wide. Thoughts? I know you have said bigger is better but at my weight don’t want to overdo it? Thank you!

[@downwind_drifter]

@@kovz910 thanks for the message. Sounds like fun 😅 times ahead! I don’t know any of the Armstrong boards besides the narrow pro range which I would not recommend. 116l by 20.25” sounds reasonable, what’s the length? You’re first board will not be your last so don’t go overboard with spending unless money is of no concern. I’d be trying to get a hold of different demos or other downwinders boards in your area. Trying even just one board will give you a lot of information, I wouldn’t restrict yourself to chasing one brand… essentially all the boards are the same at least very similar, so it’s the dims that matter the most and reliability. Error on something too big, not too small! The dims above sound fine and should give you a stable platform to start. Once you get a board ( don’t bother looking too long 😅 just get one and start the journey ) get out into small waves and learn how to use it. Get a good stiff carbon paddle Ppc or axis make good paddles that I can vouch for, but also quick blades is one a few of my friends use and like. Get an adjustable paddle to start. A coiled waist leash is good and it might be worth getting a quality one, I often use the creatures one as it has a 1 or 2 year warranty and is designed for the surf. You don’t want a sub par one that might snap sending your board through crowds of people. And to fin I don’t think there is a too big a board as a first board, it might not last you long but it will let you have quick initial success which can be important to help you stay psyched! I see lots of smaller boards going for sale second hand pretty quick with the seller saying the sport is just not for them… if they had an easy board they might have continued on. Let me know how you go 🤙🤙

[@kovz910]

Got it, thanks! The 116L is 7’9. Next size up would be 128L at 8’1, 20 and 3/4. Would you go with the 116 or 128? Again, just 63kg

[@downwind_drifter]

@@kovz910 I’m not sure if your weight comes into it to, neither of those board will let you sink them so both will have the extra litres above the water. I don’t see a disadvantage with more board to begin so I’d say go the longer one with 1/2” more width. If there’s such a thing as corky you’ll feel it with both boards regardless… Ask to get 10% off, then when it comes to moving it on if you ever do, it won’t be as painful 😎

[@downwind_drifter]

@@kovz910 your progress will be better if you go: 8’1 7’9 7’? Rather than: 7’9 8’1 7’9 7’? 🤙🤙

[@chrisrawlings8548]

Hi what your windproof top actually called by zhik?

[@downwind_drifter]

This one I think www.nzsailing.com/zhik-xwr-pro-mens-long-sleeve-fitted-top-1480183

[@downwind_drifter]

I just got this one recently too and it’s awesome. I purchased it for the tropics but was using it in the nz winter with good success. www.nzsailing.com/zhikmotion-mens-hooded-top-1504545

[@chrisrawlings8548]

Cheers

[@arnaudnaiwko]

Do you prefer the 72 cm mast or the 80 cm? And could you explain why?

[@downwind_drifter]

@@arnaudnaiwko that’s a tough one to answer. I almost wish the 72 didn’t exist… every time I size down I love the connection I get to the foil, everything feels better to me. The only downside to the shorter mast is that it’s shorter. Theres less margins for error as the foil is closer to the surface, turns become somewhat restricted. This means that although turns fell better they need to also be managed. Before I tried the 72 the 80 was the perfect mast… and might still be… as there is no downside to it, unless you compare it directly to the 72. Compared to the 72 everything is a little worse besides that it is longer and can turn freely. If you’ve never gone to a shorter mast the 80 is the perfect all round mast. It will allow you to do everything. If you go to the 72, surfing downwind becomes restricted. 80 for everything dw including winging and tow 72 purely for a downwinder and shallow water That’s how it is for me. Ps. I just thought about it like different boards, the longer mast is like riding a longer board shorter mast shorter board, feel wise. Feel free to ask anything more specific 🤙🤙

[@arnaudnaiwko]

@@downwind_drifter Thank you very much for the details in your answer. It's helping me a lot 🙏. I have way more informations to make my decision.

[@downwind_drifter]

@@arnaudnaiwko let me know what happens 🤙🤙

[@arnaudnaiwko]

@@downwind_drifter I asked to other people, the balance is far in favour of the 72cm mast. I ordered it today 😁. I think the difference with my 19mm mast will be very noticeable, I can't wait to try it.

[@downwind_drifter]

@@arnaudnaiwko you would be blown away even coming from the 13mm 80cm ultra 😁 The 72cm is an excellent mast.

[@alisonventures2780]

First

[@downwind_drifter]

🤙😅🤙