Reedin Superwing X

I want to add to what I wrote earlier. Several other SWX owners (myself included) have noticed that you have to pump the wing differently than other wings when the winds are marginal for the size you're riding. The best technique description I've heard so far is to aim down wind and pump slowly overhead until you start to move forward then turn to a tighter reach and pump like you would on any other wing. This is a fluid thing and takes some practice. So far, I'm having the best results when going in the same direction as swell. The crazy thing is, even in marginal conditions, once you're up, the SWX generates massive amounts of apparent wind power.

Having 6 session on the 5.2M superwing X from 20-25kts to way under powered conditions I agree with Oahuwaterwalker 100% I can't add anything more except that the wing tic-tocs when lufting, so much so that I chose to hold the first handle on the center strut rather than the L/E luft handle. Is this a deal breaker? I think not, with more time on the water and on waves I think I can figure it out and make it work. I think the smaller sizes will certainly behave better while lufting. I really liked the upwind, power, and direct feel of this wing, however I also found a defect on the lap seams of my beautiful 5.2M Superwing X
I can not use this wing until I get this issue resolved. I will start a new thread describing this defect in detail. I don't want to hijack this thread.

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King Crash said..
Proof will be with Kane using these in Tarifa wing pro. Will be interesting to see how these stack up against the domination of the FONE crew.

Anyone care to speculate what the actual performance advantage is of this fabric over the same wing built with ripstop (in new condition)? I'm guessing about 3%, rider skill/tactics probably make more like a 40% difference in racing. The real advantage will be its ability to maintain performance over time.

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dejavu said..
Interesting review -- strong upwind, very efficient and great for jumping. Not good riding swell -- heavy and rear of the wing drops.

That is a good review. The weight is a problem wave riding downwind which is a dealbreaker for me.

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Oahuwaterwalker said..
I want to add to what I wrote earlier. Several other SWX owners (myself included) have noticed that you have to pump the wing differently than other wings when the winds are marginal for the size you're riding. The best technique description I've heard so far is to aim down wind and pump slowly overhead until you start to move forward then turn to a tighter reach and pump like you would on any other wing. This is a fluid thing and takes some practice. So far, I'm having the best results when going in the same direction as swell. The crazy thing is, even in marginal conditions, once you're up, the SWX generates massive amounts of apparent wind power.

It is a very flat wing so does not have the raw power of a wing with a deep draft, but much more efficient when up and going. Will handle gusts without feeling backwinded compared to more powerful wings.

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hilly said..

dejavu said..
Interesting review -- strong upwind, very efficient and great for jumping. Not good riding swell -- heavy and rear of the wing drops.

That is a good review. The weight is a problem wave riding downwind which is a dealbreaker for me.

After about 8 sessions with the 4.2 SWX in side-onshore to onshore conditions with waves chest to double overhead, I don't agree with the video review that they are not good for riding swell, but they do require some changes to your handling. I've had some great wave sessions and actually find if you flag from the front boom handle, you can turn off wind without problem as long as there is enough juice in the wave. While this approach to flagging is different than floating it behind you, I am actually finding I prefer it even when switching back to my non-xply wing. I stumbled across the idea of trying this when listening to Tuckers OR review. From this position, its easier to re-engage a small amount of wing power when trying to make it through a section and quickly luff it once the wave takes over again. I believe this is also similar to the wave flagging technique used by people who fly wings with booms. To me, this makes for a more active use of the wing while wave riding, yet still allows for that wonderful wing-free experience by parking the leading edge of the wing on your shoulder.

While I kited for a lot between 2000-2012, my core is decades of windsurfing. My experience so far is that wing designs tend to fall between these two sports on a continuum. The grab and go grunty wings are more like kites, the higher aspect forward draft wings handle more like windsurfing sails. The SWX is definitely more toward the windsurfing side of things. If you have a solid windsurfing background, my bet is you will find the SWX to feel more familiar than if you are coming from a kite only background. As with most things, each of us will figure out what we prefer.

While the weight can certainly be improved upon and will be a deal breaker for some, the only time I've experienced it as an "issue" was when jibing in marginal to lite conditions. In those conditions, it became crucial for me to jibe with a lot of speed and to make sure that I kept the wing canopy close to parallel to the water. When I let the rear edge drop, it was very hard to finish the jibe. When they get to V2 of this wing and can shed a half to full kilo with an ALUULA frame but keep the rigid x-ply canopy (or something else that does what it does), they are going to have a monster and I'll be all in.

One thing I am also finding and have heard from other SWX riders is that it took a couple sessions before I was convinced that I really liked this wing. Now that I'm getting better at getting on foil and understanding how to manage the wing, I absolutely love it. With help from gust and a chip off a steep chop to get on foil, I had my 4.2 out with the HA925 in 10-13 knots and, once up, I was able to stay on foil with a lot of power and speed even during the sub 10knot lulls. My mantra was "don't fall" lol...

Got 3 sessions on my 5.2 SWX. When powered this thing is amazing maybe 18-25mph for 85kgs rider. What wind ranges do people get on their SWX? Wing size, weight, wind range appreciated.

Below 18 waiting for the gust is difficult (wing is heavier or than ripstop) and then pumping still eludes me. In low wind I figured out today that it's better to move the wing continuously: lift above head and then maybe slow forward scoop. I tried the over head pump but that did not do anything for me, I am sure I am missing something.

Advice?

DJMax, don't want to hijack but what do you think of that foil? I'm considering getting one. Reply here or if you want we could start a new thread. Rumor is that Kane KDMaui designed it. Is it cool? And how is it for prone?

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Ch0p said..
Got 3 sessions on my 5.2 SWX. When powered this thing is amazing maybe 18-25mph for 85kgs rider. What wind ranges do people get on their SWX? Wing size, weight, wind range appreciated.

Below 18 waiting for the gust is difficult (wing is heavier or than ripstop) and then pumping still eludes me. In low wind I figured out today that it's better to move the wing continuously: lift above head and then maybe slow forward scoop. I tried the over head pump but that did not do anything for me, I am sure I am missing something.

Advice?

I'm 75kg and using a 4.2 with 69L board and HA925 I can get going in 12-14 knots and stay on foil in as little as 8 knots. The pumping thing takes some time to get the hang of, but generally speaking, you want to do slow overhead to get momentum started then circular pumps while turning up wind. I know this sounds complicated, when your first start, it is, but it gets easier over a couple of sessions. Once up, the X Wings have a tremendous amount of power. My 4.2 has more power than my 4.5 Armstrong did.

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Ch0p said..

DJMax said..
I'm 77kg and I can get going on the 5.2 SWX in about 10 or 11 knots of wind with 1280cm flight attendant foil. Comfortable up to about 18 knots. Very stable and fast! I recorded a video of me using it at Lake Weyba, Sunshine Coast the other day

Thanks DJMax! Great video!

So at 10kgs more maybe I can use it 15-22. What works for you in terms of pumping at the lower end?

Thanks Ch0p, appreciate it

You could probably get going in 12 knots on it.

When I pump I think I start out with my arms very straight and push the wing out towards the nose of the board to catch the most amount of wind. I turn the board downwind slightly and start doing strong "scooping" pumps. I like to imagine I'm using the wing to scoop air under the board. It seems like if I think about it like that, that's what helps me get going easiest.

Also pump the board with legs at the same time.

Not sure if that made any sense but that is the best way I can explain it haha...

Thx man. Any regular human will struggle with pumping a wing board I think.

Sounds like a high aspect experience with the controlled lift and low stall speed. They are said to be user friendly. Thx.

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Fishdude said..

DJMax said..

Ch0p said..
Got 3 sessions on my 5.2 SWX. When powered this thing is amazing maybe 18-25mph for 85kgs rider. What wind ranges do people get on their SWX? Wing size, weight, wind range appreciated.

Below 18 waiting for the gust is difficult (wing is heavier or than ripstop) and then pumping still eludes me. In low wind I figured out today that it's better to move the wing continuously: lift above head and then maybe slow forward scoop. I tried the over head pump but that did not do anything for me, I am sure I am missing something.

Advice?

I'm 77kg and I can get going on the 5.2 SWX in about 10 or 11 knots of wind with 1280cm flight attendant foil. Comfortable up to about 18 knots. Very stable and fast! I recorded a video of me using it at Lake Weyba, Sunshine Coast the other day

Looks good. Do you know if there are any other differences between your V2 SWX and the orginal besides the leading edge stitching and the extra batten?

Currently there are 3 Reedin wing models. There's the V1 SuperWing, the V2 SuperWing and the SuperWing X.
The SuperWing X is it's own separate thing, it's not part of the V1, V2 series.

I believe the V1 and V2 SuperWings are practically identical apart from a different colour scheme. I don't know anything about leading edge stitching or an extra batten.

I don't think the V1 or V2 have any battens whereas the SuperWing X have 4-6 battens depending on the size.

Bought 3.6m and 5.2m. Full bloody price...
These latest ones are up graded with extra battens and tape reinforcing.
Excellent quality stuff. Bag is goodo.
They seem to fly like a solid delta wing/hang glider.

Had one session on the 3.6m. 25-30knots very rough high tide double up swell conditions. With fug loads of weed.
The wing worked great but it was difficult to negotiate the water on any water craft.
Felt the handle grip was a little larger than comfortable. I found out you can close the Velcro wrap slightly tighter and that worked out better.
Flight - Crazy good up wind. Like nuts.
No worries flagging to wave ride down the line. No complaints.
Wicked for cut backs. The stiffness and flatness of the wing foil lets you run back up wind with out drag and canopy rattle.
3.6m lay flat is 4.8m SMIK

Had 3 cracks on the 5.2m. 12-20knots in beaut down the line reef break and punchy waves pushing upwind on reef corners
Epic fun. Love it to bits.
I had already tightened up the handle and grip was fine.
Tacks great. No drag from flutter and upwind sailing is insane for a big wing.
Only need small foils to ride this one one cause it has good grunt to pull you up on foil.
Comfortable at speed. Foil under your feet feels more in control. Breaching seems more controllable due to the solid glider shape.
No problems to pump. Just shuv it forwards to make a tiny amount of apparent wind and presto.
It is fast for it size. I don't recommend over 1500cm2 foil. I don't recommend 5.2m for anyone smaller than 90kg.
5.2m is about 6.3m SMIK.

These wings aren't good for 'jump spiny flippy stuff' but they exceed my expectations in normal foil sailing.
I'm really disappointed in longevity of tejin/kite canopy for hand wings. That's why I decided to go for a small quiver of Xply wings.
Hoping to get a couple seasons out of these 2 Xply wings.

Happy customer. Superwing X is worth the money.
I don't sell them and not a team rider.
103kg, 105L board, 980 and 880 Axis HPS.
Had a few wings now. On the water every second day.
Geraldton.

Any more feed back on the longevity of the canopy. Feel like my normal wings are loosing shape to quickly making light wind pumping hard work.
thanks.

I've had mine since December 2021 (4.2 and 3.6). Both needed to have the seams reinforced which was covered under warranty and did not impact the performance in any way. I recently added a 4.7 Reedin Superwing (latest version) and thought I would sell my 4.2 and just run with the two wings (3.6 Superwing X and 4.7 Superwing). As much as I love the new Superwing, the performance of the Superwing X is simply above anything else I've tried. Better upwind, more power once on foil, stable, holds power through turns, and...

I TOTALLY disagree with those who say they aren't good in surf. Where this is true is if you are trying to ride surf with them flagged behind you, but if you capitalize on what the SWX can do, fly powered with one hand, they are outstanding in surf. I flag with the front strut handle. This gives you the benefit of seeing under the wing, powering up through sections, and being able to jibe back and forth while riding. I've ridden mine in up to double overhead surf and regularly ride in shoulder to head high surf. I love what they can do once you get used to flying them this way.

In a nutshell, I'm riding the 4.7 SW in light winds (10-20) and my 4.2 and 3.6 SWX (15+) when its really blowing. I realize it would be horribly expensive, but if the new SWX could shed some weight (Alula frame???) it would be an insanely high performing wing. That said, the weight of the 3.6 and 4.2 is pretty much insignificant because of how well they float and stay powered.