Hard to always get the clearest point from the youtube translator but is the big idea with this one maximizing the upwind, deflate, paddle downwind?
What he means is that the "plume" is so light it will always drift behind you and will never get in the way (in front) when surfing.
Also much user friendlier as you will not get tangled in the bridle.
Much better the deflating a wing in any way (packs much smaller)
This really makes sense if you can get the same pull as winging and use smaller boards/foils
What he means is that the "plume" is so light it will always drift behind you and will never get in the way (in front) when surfing.
Also much user friendlier as you will not get tangled in the bridle.
Much better the deflating a wing in any way (packs much smaller)
This really makes sense if you can get the same pull as winging and use smaller boards/foils
Thank you for the breakdown! Looking forward to seeing some ride footage on it. Crazy seeing how it's all evolving so fast...
I think I recall Greg from BRM started his path towards the Maliko with something along this design.
Have somebodys thoughts been deleted ?
I think i saw last night some one saying he had seen a plume in action and that it folded under pressure and tension like a 2 line Wikipedia ?
This has certainly come out of left field, inflatable parawing?? If it's purely designed for riding upwind then deflating and paddling up downwind that seems like a niche product. If it's just for cruising around and you can't pack it down to go downwind that also seems like a niche product
gonna have to wait for the Fone promo material to figure this one out. My french isn't that good.
That looks to be just as "in the way" as any wing while downwinding and we'd have to assume it doesn't go upwind quite as well either. Frankly, in the 2.5 - 3.5 range, wings really aren't hindering my downwinding much at all. Sure it's a little harder with a wing in m y hand than a paddle but I get to use a MUCH smaller board and foil.
Really starting to wonder what's behind the anti-wing movement![]()
Hint: (Manufacturers and dealers)
Wikipa ! automatic correction .
Peter Lynn kites had auto zenith --kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2370269
That looks to be just as "in the way" as any wing while downwinding and we'd have to assume it doesn't go upwind quite as well either. Frankly, in the 2.5 - 3.5 range, wings really aren't hindering my downwinding much at all. Sure it's a little harder with a wing in m y hand than a paddle but I get to use a MUCH smaller board and foil.
Really starting to wonder what's behind the anti-wing movement![]()
Hint: (Manufacturers and dealers)
Agree, I don't see it as an upgrade over the wing if that's the dedicated use. However. things keep evolving!
I 100% agree that if you're on a 3.5m or smaller wing it's really not that big of a deal to manage it. It's obviously better to have the wing if you want to session a specific section of swell too.
I think the anti wing movement seems to have strong roots in people that really focused on gen 1 wings or live in lightwind areas and then graduated to dw supfoiling. Modern wings are phenomenal and having learned both dw supfoiling as well as winging I choose the wing every day.
I'll come back in 2 years when the pwing is more final product. Exciting times though! Great to watch!
Winging is so great but wing-a-dings just suck so much I'm open to anything as an improvement! Innovation and weirdness please!
So from what I can make out in the video above the plume isn't designed to be packed up and stowed but instead flagged out like a wing? If so it seems like it would still take up a similar amount of area as a wing and could still get in the way a bit.
Using an inflatable leading edge supported by a bridle as opposed to the more solid leading edge and strut like on a wing could give really big weight savings. Wouldn't need to use nearly as much material as is required to make the solid frame of the wing. If you've ever held a BRM cloud kite there alot lighter and less material than a wing.
Im still a bit skeptical about this concept though
Using an inflatable leading edge supported by a bridle as opposed to the more solid leading edge and strut like on a wing could give really big weight savings.
That's a brilliant point. I love my ultralight wings but I gasp when I see some of the new prices coming up. Something like this that gives a presumably even lighter handling experience but would be at a fraction of the price is intriguing.
Based on what the guy was saying in the video, the Plume is a stepping stone into the DW world. It goes, wing -> Plume -> Parawing -> SUP. Obviously those who can PW And SUP DW really well need not apply, but maybe those who are winging and want to learn to ride swell DW, this is a great option. Relaunches very easily, Very clean feeling when riding upwind, great wind range, more pull to get on foil compared to Parawing (maybe?).
Will be interesting to see more footage. If this cranks upwind like a beast, then maybe the old James Casey Deflate DW'er may actually work well with this, especially if it has more power than a PW for getting onto foil. Launch - cruise upwind 30 minutes, then link into bump, pull the deflate valve, bundle it up under the rashie and surf home. handheld small pump for mistakes.
In the video he says that Raphael Salles didn't intend this thing to be deflated. Instead, one of it's advantages is that it's less in-the-way than a regular wing when flagged out riding waves. I'll be curious to find out to what extent this is the case. Though it's lighter and has a significantly smaller leading edge, it still seems like it's a rather large object to have floating around to one side of you. I've never SUP downwinded, but I have done a wing-pass downwinder and I was surprised how much of a difference it made not to have the wing in my hand. A flagged out 3.5M still creates a lot of drag and totally changes the balance equation. Plus, having an open field of view and my full body to use while pumping made a lot of difference. Hands free is best and I assume having a paddle in the hand is next best. But maybe this thing falls somewhere between the paddle and a regular hand wing in the extent to which it affects balance and freedom of movement.
Have to agree, even a small wing makes a big dif in the balance equation. Even a flagged out, a 3.5 has a steadying predictable force (at least in 25+).
In winds lighter than the speed we might be going downwind, the Plume may be an improvement. Sucks to have a 4.5 or bigger dragging along behind you while mach-ing down a big roller. It's still going to completely obstruct FOV when the wind speed is greater than your forward speed. If you're quartering off of dead downwind, even a regular wing is no issue flagged.
"Enormous wind range and comfort when riding."

I'll be intrigued to try these down the road whenever my wings finally wear out.