I've seen the Barracudas, Cruzaders, and the Freedom dedicated downwind SUP boards, their narrow designs make sense to me, they paddle fast with little drag and can get up flying in next to nothing. I have a fat 31" x 6'6" 125L 1st generation Slingshot Wizard windfoil board that's had foil tracks added further forwards for wingfoiling. It's been great for both sports and now I'm wondering if it would be worth trying in chop and swell with a paddle for some downwind rides. I have been flatwater SUPing for years on 200L boards, and I'm aware this board will be incredibly tippy. The 125L board is not too different in dimensions than downwind boards from a few years ago, but obviously very different from modern boards. I'd pair it with a Gong Fluid XXL-T a 1900cm 104cm span and 23cm chord with an AR of 5.8. I know it would be impossible to get it flying in flatwater, but am wondering if it's worth a try to get downwind rides in a 20knot wind swell with a decent fetch, at least until I can get my hands on a dedicated downwind foil board. I appreciate any feedback. I'm 85kg, and 5'11".
Thanks!
Select to expand quoteWindbot said..
I have been flatwater SUPing for years
That sentence right there means that you will have a chance. Yes the long skinny board will be easier. But if you know how to paddle and you can time the bump, then you should be able to paddle up on a good bump. Might as well try a short run.
Thank you, as far as I could tell, that's about what I would expect, that I might have a chance.
I downwinded for over a year on the Hover 125 (6'4" x 31" @125L) and I am 6'2" and 90+kg. Totally doable for sure.
Here's a bay run I dod some time ago. Board worked really well -
This is gold JB. I have been watching your videos for years, it doesn't surprise me that you were able to make this work. I didn't realize Pittwater had potential to go off like that. These conditions are pretty much exactly what I'm looking to get out in. This gives me hope. All the best!
I don't have a lot of opportunity to downwind, we are on a small river with rare days with over 20 knts...so I'm not convinced to invest 3000$ in a board without even know if I'll be able to do it in my lifetime with such limited opportunity. So I was wondering if an older wingboard such a 6'7 starboard wingboard could be used? the downside is it's 8.7kg but decently wide and I could always pass it to friend to learn how to wing...any feedback will be appreciate! I've heard about "wing anchor"...not sure it's the good wording, but a device that if you let go your wing...it will slow down and you can practice to surf foil with your board and give you enough time to retreive your wing back since it will slowly come toward your direction. But I cannot find that device, any clue?
Select to expand quoteNordRoi said..
I don't have a lot of opportunity to downwind, we are on a small river with rare days with over 20 knts...so I'm not convinced to invest 3000$ in a board without even know if I'll be able to do it in my lifetime with such limited opportunity. So I was wondering if an older wingboard such a 6'7 starboard wingboard could be used? the downside is it's 8.7kg but decently wide and I could always pass it to friend to learn how to wing...any feedback will be appreciate! I've heard about "wing anchor"...not sure it's the good wording, but a device that if you let go your wing...it will slow down and you can practice to surf foil with your board and give you enough time to retreive your wing back since it will slowly come toward your direction. But I cannot find that device, any clue?
Cloud 9 Anchorman
Hi all,
Thanks Wingenuity for posting this video; Happy to see that downwinding with "classical wing board" is way possible 
I'm planning to start working on that with a 5'7 x 28 x 105l, so should be possible.
Thanks again
Patrice
