Hi all,
I'd appreciate up to date opinions on gear
I'm a competent kitefoiler, planning to start winging soon.
Have bought a used 2021 Naish carbon 125l board and a used 2020 Smik 6m wing. I'm 85kg.
I know foils ideas have developed from big is best.
Any recommendations to complete this starter setup keeping costs down. Foil, mast, leashes?
Any thoughts on using this board for sup surfing too? Would one foil do both?
Thanks for any ideas.
Hi!
I am 75kg, started with Naish 110 and have a few foils from Naish still.
I recommend carefully selecting your foil brand (mast, fuse, foils). I started with Naish 2000 (still a lovely cruiser for as low as 8 knots now). I switched to AXIS after about a year. Had I started with AXIS, I would have saved quite a bit.
Your board is still good. Bigger Naish boards in my opinion are excellent. 125 will probably be too big for you very very soon (the same way my 110 was too big for me after about 20 sessions, or as soon as I got my fist jibes).
Mast, get a 75 cm one. Shorter masts are generally recommended for beginners, but I do not believe it is a good idea to buy anything shorter than 75. You will get longer masts for choppy conditions later. Carbon is expensive. Until you have picked your brand, best not to go crazy with carbon masts.
You will grow out of your 125 board very quickly. But what you have now is good. I still keep my 110 for light wind cruising.
Leashes as relatively cheap. Get new ones. Don't risk losing or damaging your board/wing.
I haven't tried sup with the wing boards. Winging 100%.
Wings wear out/ bag out.
Boards you'll out grow (quickly).
Foils will last. Talk to the folks riding at your local spot, see what brands are popular. Check the ads and see what foil bits people are selling. Pick a good brand with lot of local support. We've gotten to a point in our sport were there several good foil brands with lots of choices of foils. It'll be easier on the wallet if you can find used foil bits locally, instead of having to buy new each time.
Might want to consider safety gear. helmet, impact vest.
Thanks guys..... I'm hoping other family members might try the sport too so not too worried about outgrowing the board quickly. I like that it'll be easier for me!
I actually bought a foil today.....a 1600 Cloud ix. As you guys suggested, I took local advice. People are very helpful in the sport it seems.
Hope to get out tomorrow and get the suffering started. I'll bring my kitefoil setup too and keep the wingfoil sessions short at first.
