I'm a brand new wingfoiler - crossing over from directional kitesurfing and foiling. I am trying to get a couple of opinions on the Gong Hipe V2 5'3 vs 5'5. I am 80kg and 1.88m tall, using a 5m Ozone Wasp V2, with a Ride Engine Manta 76 wing and 76cm mast. Live in Japan with mushy waves and wind between 15-25 knots.
The 5'3 has a volume of 110L and is 5" inches thick. Not available for shipping until mid-October 2021.
The 5'5 has a volume of 145L and is 6" inches thick. Available for shipping at end of September 2021.
I have been out on a 6'5 foil SUP for one session, and just gotten the basics - i.e. I fell in every time I stood up and never got up on foil. I am planning to have 1-2 more sessions on the long board before the Gong would arrive. The purpose of the Gong would be to provide me with a good learning platform and later for travel. I have a Ride Engine Dad Board (prone foil board) that I will hopefully get to the point to be able to transition to, but is not suitable for learning.
My original thought on volume would be between 110 and 120L's (weight +- 40L) for learning / progression. My concern is that for the 5'5, with a 6" thick board and that much volume, it will become unwieldy once I get passed the first few sessions. The length difference is marginal, but will still impact the swing weight. Has anyone used both?
Unfortunately, most of the reviews for the 5'5 are from SUP'ers who are surf sup foiling the wing, while all the dedicated winger's are reviewing the 5'3. So there is not much in terms of comparison.
Any thoughts / suggestions are appreciated,
Tom
Hi!
Coming from many years kitesurfing and one season of kitefoil I went straight to a Ging Hipe 5'1. I'm about the same weight as you and the 85 liter board is just big enough to slosh back to shore if the wind drops(its a bit of a balancing act though). In decent conditions over about 7ms I've never wanted a bigger board :)
I do not wing, but I suggest you ask the question on either the Gong forum, or the Gong Facebook book, that is even more active. There are plenty of people here that have Hipes, and often switched between Hipe sizes, so you will get valuable first hand info
The Gong Facebook group is: www.facebook.com/groups/174002002631963/ You can ask your questions in any language, due to the wonders of Google Translate, but English or French is the most efficient.
I have tried to sup foil the 5'3" and can't make it work. Its too hard to paddle and stand on IMHO. It has settled into my quiver as a safe beginner wing board for friends and my kids to learn on. I haven't tried but think that it would be prone-able as an alternative.
Tom, go smaller with your background. Borrow a SUP to do the first 2-3 sessions if you have to. Standing without the wing powered is great for the first few sessions but if you can foil you will just figure out the pop up and will want the smaller board for sure.
Brovan, I came from SUP and didn't get the appeal of small boards either til I just gave in to the knee start (starfish!) I will not be able stand on my next board unpowered for sure, by design. If the wind is too light I stay in now whereas I used to stand on my board and wait for a gust.
Thanks for all the replies - helps out a lot.
Colas - Thanks for tip, registered last night and just waiting on the confirmation.
Bennis123 / Surfcowboy - This is what I was thinking, and I'm glad I checked. I will go for the 5'3, as the 5'1 is completely sold out.
If anyone has any other comments on learning on the 5'3, I'm all ears.
Cheers,
Tom
I started one year ago with the hipe 5'3 when I was 95kg, in the first session I cursed the board a lot, I could not get up without trying and retrying... too much effort to enjoy
In the second session I started foiling a little bit and all was forgiven, with little time I learnt to get up in the board and now it is piece of cake for me.
Last week I made the jump to a Lethal 4'11, 80 liters, of course after one year foiling I'm now 85kg 
, but again, I cursed the board the first two days due to the difficulty to get up, I'm actually still cursing, but the learning is, you need some time to adapt and if you are already a successful kiter I would risk it with the 5'3 otherwise you will get bored quick of a too big of a board.
