Forums > Stand Up Paddle Foiling

New Sunova Pro & Elite DW models

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Created by Piros > 9 months ago, 5 Aug 2022
Piros
QLD, 7211 posts
5 Aug 2022 1:57PM
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Anyone seen or tried these , man those Elite are narrow :-

Aviator Downwind Pro
6-0 x 23" -- 90 L
6-3 x 24" --102L
6-6 x 25" --117L
6-9 x 26" -- 130L
7-0 x 27" -- 145L

Aviator Downwind Elite
6-0 x 20" --80 L
6-3 x 21" --90L
6-6 x 21-3/4" --100L
6-9 x 21-1/2" --110L

Jimi C
NSW, 6 posts
5 Aug 2022 2:18PM
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Done a bunch of testing on both of these ranges. The Pro is going to be great for those starting out without much SUP background. They are longer and skinnier than the original Aviator. The Elite is billed for those that already are competent SUP surfers/SUP Foilers, for me personally the longer skinnier boards are way easier to paddle up but the width is not an issue for me as I Surf SUP negative volume boards (I'm 82kg and I'm on 79L Surf SUPS, they sink!) on the regular. When choosing your board you need to weigh up the balance factor; "will I be able to stand on this board in a bumpy ocean?" vs the speed factor; "Is this board narrow enough for me to easily paddle up?" Personally I think Marcus has come up with a great compromise with the Pro a great stepping stone towards Elite. Happy to answer any questions on the range

Piros
QLD, 7211 posts
5 Aug 2022 3:18PM
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Wow thanks James that's a great insight to the boards . Just hard to get my head around only a 1.5" wider than my prone board . I haven't Supped for a few years but still can still uphaul and balance on my 5-6 ding board . For my 88kg I'm looking either the 6-9 Elite or 6-6 what's your thoughts on that .

Gustenzo
WA, 108 posts
5 Aug 2022 3:59PM
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Looking forward to getting my hands on a 6'6'' Pro in the next couple of months

baldy123
WA, 447 posts
5 Aug 2022 7:10PM
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I have a Pro on order for September delivery. Boards coming stock with 14 inch tracks now should be good for every kind of foil now. I went with 6'3x24 as my one board solution for wave sup and downwinding. Currently paddling a 6'4x29" so this new board will be a big step up in performance I hope.

baldy123
WA, 447 posts
5 Aug 2022 7:23PM
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ICE Cool
Tutti-Fruiti

WHS
52 posts
5 Aug 2022 10:48PM
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Nice. 6'9" x 26 sounds perfect for my weak SUP skills. With my progression struggling to keep up with my aging, I don't think I'll need to be downsizing in the future.

Any info on bottom contours? Same as current Aviator? Hope they get these to US.

Jimi C
NSW, 6 posts
6 Aug 2022 11:57AM
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The bottom shape is very similar to the current Aviator a few minor improvements but obviously the biggest difference is in the length and width.

Reeedie
WA, 7 posts
6 Aug 2022 10:05AM
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I have been lucky enough to ride a few and would say that they are the most stable boards I have used when comparing width.

BradWestAus
WA, 18 posts
6 Aug 2022 1:03PM
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Have been blessed enough to pick up a 6'4 x 24 @ 100L in Perth. Although I haven't been on the downwind SUP program for long enough to comment on all aspects of these, I have found that the 24" is super stable, light and seems really durable. Current weight 85kg.

wingedsurfer
67 posts
6 Aug 2022 6:32PM
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Hi Jimi, thanks for your insight. I'm targeting one of those boards fornmy first sup foil experience. I have very small experience in Paddling but i'm an advance wing foiler and my board is almost a sinker. What size should i get? I weight 58 kg
thanks!

WHS
52 posts
8 Aug 2022 7:07AM
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Anyone have any pictures yet?

Gustenzo
WA, 108 posts
8 Aug 2022 3:06PM
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www.instagram.com/reel/CgSrlD8jYV_/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
JC riding a DW Pro. I'm guessing it's a 6'3''

WINDSURFnSNOW
NSW, 1613 posts
Site Sponsor
9 Aug 2022 3:03PM
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We had a good batch of pre-production versions of the Downwind Pro that sold well and were well received by owners. One thing I'd say from riding them and hearing feedback from customers is don't race to go too small. Quite a few crew went to the size they wanted to be on rather than the size they should be on.
What I mean by this is that the biggest benefit of these boards is that they up your paddle speed which means you can on foil easier. If you go too small you simply can't get your paddle power to the water and you don't get on foil.
Sam.




WINDSURFnSNOW
NSW, 1613 posts
Site Sponsor
9 Aug 2022 3:06PM
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Piros said..
Anyone seen or tried these , man those Elite are narrow :-

Aviator Downwind Pro
6-0 x 23" -- 90 L
6-3 x 24" --102L
6-6 x 25" --117L
6-9 x 26" -- 130L
7-0 x 27" -- 145L

Aviator Downwind Elite
6-0 x 20" --80 L
6-3 x 21" --90L
6-6 x 21-3/4" --100L
6-9 x 21-1/2" --110L


The 6'9" Elite is actually a chunky 22.5" wide.

Piros
QLD, 7211 posts
9 Aug 2022 5:28PM
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Is the top pic Elite and bottom pic Pro

AnyBoard
NSW, 371 posts
9 Aug 2022 8:40PM
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Any idea of the weights?

WINDSURFnSNOW
NSW, 1613 posts
Site Sponsor
9 Aug 2022 11:00PM
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Piros said..
Is the top pic Elite and bottom pic Pro


Yep

cefirmeza
27 posts
9 Aug 2022 9:23PM
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WINDSURFnSNOW said..
We had a good batch of pre-production versions of the Downwind Pro that sold well and were well received by owners. One thing I'd say from riding them and hearing feedback from customers is don't race to go too small. Quite a few crew went to the size they wanted to be on rather than the size they should be on.
What I mean by this is that the biggest benefit of these boards is that they up your paddle speed which means you can on foil easier. If you go too small you simply can't get your paddle power to the water and you don't get on foil.
Sam.







I designed with a local shaper a very similar to the elite 6'0 x 20". I am 61kg (140lbs) experienced winger using only sinker board. I went for this size and narrow assuming it would be a fast and easy glide board but it doesnt develop speed easily and needs heaps of paddling strokes and bouncing. Balancing and power stroke is not a problem but I am at a plateau after two weeks trying to popup with no success. I managed to lift once on a very good bump connecting and pumping for a while as I am used to it with a flagged wing. The problem is to follow the bump speed. Most of the times I pop up the board doesnt catch the bump. So i wonder if this is just a matter of paddling skills or a longer board would be much more efficient and faster? In how much longer the speed is significantly faster in order to catch bumps? I am now considering a much longer (7'+) with same or lower volume as I have no problem floating and paddling a 80L. I am using a gofoil rs1300 which I am comfortable downwinding on it with a wing. Not willing to get a bigger wing for my weight.

PeterP
873 posts
9 Aug 2022 10:35PM
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Select to expand quote
cefirmeza said..

WINDSURFnSNOW said..
We had a good batch of pre-production versions of the Downwind Pro that sold well and were well received by owners. One thing I'd say from riding them and hearing feedback from customers is don't race to go too small. Quite a few crew went to the size they wanted to be on rather than the size they should be on.
What I mean by this is that the biggest benefit of these boards is that they up your paddle speed which means you can on foil easier. If you go too small you simply can't get your paddle power to the water and you don't get on foil.
Sam.








I designed with a local shaper a very similar to the elite 6'0 x 20". I am 61kg (140lbs) experienced winger using only sinker board. I went for this size and narrow assuming it would be a fast and easy glide board but it doesnt develop speed easily and needs heaps of paddling strokes and bouncing. Balancing and power stroke is not a problem but I am at a plateau after two weeks trying to popup with no success. I managed to lift once on a very good bump connecting and pumping for a while as I am used to it with a flagged wing. The problem is to follow the bump speed. Most of the times I pop up the board doesnt catch the bump. So i wonder if this is just a matter of paddling skills or a longer board would be much more efficient and faster? In how much longer the speed is significantly faster in order to catch bumps? I am now considering a much longer (7'+) with same or lower volume as I have no problem floating and paddling a 80L. I am using a gofoil rs1300 which I am comfortable downwinding on it with a wing. Not willing to get a bigger wing for my weight.


The Glide is in the length - anything under 6'5 has virtually no glide and needs to be powered up on foil. Displacement glide is determined by waterline length (see Froude number) and longer is always better. From my practical experience anything 6'0 or shorter really has very limited glide, Kalama's new Barracudas are 7ft+. Being as light as you are is no substitute for board-length when it comes to glide, unfortunately.

cefirmeza
27 posts
9 Aug 2022 11:06PM
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Thanks. I wish knew this before going for 6' as my first dw board. What about rocker? I see most boards on instagram with flat bottom and a sharp rocket close to the nose. This sunova looks to me they have more rocker that may affect glide. Maybe not for a pro or elite rider.

PeterP
873 posts
10 Aug 2022 12:01AM
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cefirmeza said..
Thanks. I wish knew this before going for 6' as my first dw board. What about rocker? I see most boards on instagram with flat bottom and a sharp rocket close to the nose. This sunova looks to me they have more rocker that may affect glide. Maybe not for a pro or elite rider.


I don't think we are anywhere near the ideal rocker for DW boards yet. What really complicates matters is the new deep bevels going to a V in the tail on Kalama's boards - this means you have extremely variable rocker depending on how far from the centerline you look. It's a clever way of maintaining waterline length and incorporating tail kick at the same time.

baldy123
WA, 447 posts
10 Aug 2022 8:02AM
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@Amandine_chazot and @Boris_jinvresse have been using skinny 6'x24"Gen 1 aviators for a while. Check out their Insta vids. The new Sunova elite and pro are a refined board packed with more volume and boxes moved forward for earlier lift. www.instagram.com/reel/CZzW5a4gI9E/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Youngbreezy
WA, 1197 posts
10 Aug 2022 5:09PM
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Good thing about sunova is they are great with customs as well. I couldn't find the exact right surf sup foil board so I got Marcus to make me this one off work of art 6'1"?29"?125L absolutely perfect for my 100+kg intermediate/advanced. Marcus absolutely nailed it, perfect in every way I could hope for!








(Apologies for the thread hijack I know it's not downwind related but I just fricken love this board)

Youngbreezy
WA, 1197 posts
10 Aug 2022 5:17PM
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AnyBoard said..
Any idea of the weights?


I haven't weighed my board but its very light, sub 6kg! The white colour boards are their "vapour" construction and it's super light

mcrt
643 posts
10 Aug 2022 8:24PM
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www.instagram.com/reel/ChEtSklsd_X/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

James Casey wave winging on the 6.6 Elite DW Aviator.He rode it because the wind was light (5-15kt).
Looks very nimble for the lenght.

WHS
52 posts
10 Aug 2022 10:33PM
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Youngbreezy said..

AnyBoard said..
Any idea of the weights?



I haven't weighed my board but its very light, sub 6kg! The white colour boards are their "vapour" construction and it's super light


So does the white translucent indicate possibly lighter weight construction than the previous Aviator? I wouldn't expect Sunovo to show weights until theres been more production.

Youngbreezy
WA, 1197 posts
11 Aug 2022 5:50PM
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WHS said..

Youngbreezy said..


AnyBoard said..
Any idea of the weights?




I haven't weighed my board but its very light, sub 6kg! The white colour boards are their "vapour" construction and it's super light



So does the white translucent indicate possibly lighter weight construction than the previous Aviator? I wouldn't expect Sunovo to show weights until theres been more production.


Yes I think so, my custom and the others I have seen around are definitely lighter than the standard construction.

Grantmac
2313 posts
11 Aug 2022 11:58PM
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mcrt said..
www.instagram.com/reel/ChEtSklsd_X/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

James Casey wave winging on the 6.6 Elite DW Aviator.He rode it because the wind was light (5-15kt).
Looks very nimble for the lenght.


I've been wondering about longer wing boards for light wind wave winging.
Is there footage of how he gets out, as in does he slog out then use the wing to get on the wave?

Youngbreezy
WA, 1197 posts
15 Aug 2022 7:02AM
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I think a longer narrow board could definitely get you out winging in lighter winds than anything else. There would of course be a point of diminished returns which I'm guessing would be anything over6'6".


My mate is a bit smaller and very advanced paddler he has 2 sunova downwind boards that are around 6' x 22" and when he uses them for winging occasionally. He reckons they gather speed and get up on foil really easily and allow him to get out in super light winds. I have also heard reports of guys using the ONE egg pros with great results for light wind winging.

Bottom shape is a huge factor as well. My new custom sunova has really nice contours, it gets sailing speed and releases from the water really easy. My previous board was a ONE 6'5" recessed deck and it had a much rounder convex hull which pushed alot more water when winging and was harder to build speed to get on foil. ( still an excellent board though and to be fair it was designed previous to the winging revolution )

So my advice is just get one of the Tardrew brothers to make you a super sweet board and you will be loving life

bolocom
NSW, 213 posts
16 Aug 2022 4:37PM
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Select to expand quote
Grantmac said..

mcrt said..
www.instagram.com/reel/ChEtSklsd_X/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

James Casey wave winging on the 6.6 Elite DW Aviator.He rode it because the wind was light (5-15kt).
Looks very nimble for the lenght.



I've been wondering about longer wing boards for light wind wave winging.
Is there footage of how he gets out, as in does he slog out then use the wing to get on the wave?


I have custom 6'2 x 24 with Kalama bottom shape. Love it as sup, but been using it as a light wind wing board and it is amazing. Can use a smaller wing and a HA small foil and gets up in very little wind. The board is 115l and feels way smaller with the boxes more forward than a wing board.



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"New Sunova Pro & Elite DW models" started by Piros