Coming from a kitesurfing background the build quality seems to be very similar to the kites, in the early days of kiting the build quality was average but latter they became rock solid so I guess Airush has rolled over all of the knowledge from manufacturing their kites into manufacturing their wings as they present very similar.
I like the quick inflate and dump valve feature that also comes from the kites as this seems to be about the easiest to use.
The separate main strut clamp feature gives peace of mind as well
I like the scuff pads on both ends of the wings and when I tethered the wing up to a park bench the other day it did swing around a bit and was hitting exactly on these scuff pads
Having tried other wings with boom setups, I prefer the handles that the Freewing comes with / it looks like they have put some thought into the layout and stiffness of these and I can't fault them
The power seems will balanced from low end to top end and I would say my range being 84kg, using an Axis 1010 front wing the range would be around 16 - 25knts
Well Priced / compared to other brands and especially compared to kites!
Great to have the windows for the extra vision, and i am glad they are included
You do have to be careful initially rolling it up in the bag not to crease the windows, but when you get your technique and pre fold by a third it is all good.
Got mine from Stand-up surf shop in North Fremantle and was really happy with their advice & service.
That all sounds about right. I have the 5m and quite like it. Packup is a bit of a hassle and dumping air out of the strut is a pain, other than that it's great. I appreciate the oversized strut that only needs 6psi. The swivelrd leash is nice and the y-handles are great. I am curious to hear a review on the 7 as I would like something for lightwind.
I have the 4m and 6m.
Very happy with both, lightweight,great handling/power balance and well made.
They use low press compared to other wings (4psi/6m and 6psi/4m).
Since everybody is using pretty much the same materials and construction i am wary of any wing design that requires 8psi or more...previous (other brand) wing self destroyed on first inflation at minimum recommended press.
Low press also makes inflation way easier.
As for low end grunt i cannot really compare, there is a Youtube review by McKiteboarding that goes into this, i think he says they are not the number one in low end but have a very easy pump that makes them very efficient in lighter conditions.
The 6m has the harness lines anchor points a bit too forward IMHO ,but easy to fix by attaching the front end to a handle just behind.
Behaviour on the leash is very good, and even better if you attach the leash to the leading edge handle.
For me they are keepers for sure, at least until the OceanRodeo Aluula Wing comes out,if that one delivers as i expect it might make all current wings obsolete.
I agree with your review. I have the 6m and the build is rock solid. The only thing i doubt about is that it's handling is more backward hand oriented. I mostly use the second of even third handle form the front for my front hand and always the last handle for my back hand. I also find pumping not as effective as my Takoon 4m. The Takoon build is simple and for sure not as rock solid as the Airush but the Takoon is very efficient light weight, pumps very well and is a forward hand oriented wing.
I also have a kite background and i think that the Rock Solid build is more important for kites which can drop very hard on the water or when landed it can scuff on the ground. With wings i think this is a little different and it feels like it's a little less important but only time and long use in a good amount of wind will tell.
A really good part of the Airush is his behaviour in overpowered situations. Even with really hard gusts it flies very nice with no fluttering.
I also used both Wings with my Smoothstar SurfSkate and you surely must be careful with the Takoon but you can also damage the Airush wing. A light sanding action on the asphalt did slightly damage the tip of the Airush.
I really like to use the Wings on my surfskate but the risk of damage is high. Someone has to develop some hard plastic add-on protectors for the wing tips. Then i would love to use the wings a lot more with my Skateboard. Jibing and Tacking is so much easier for me on my skateboard than on the foil.
MdG71, I agree about the wing being back-hand oriented. I am only at about three hours of wingfoiling, all on the 5m and while I enjoy the kite I agree, my back arm gets tired. As a windfoiler I am used to equal pressure. I also wonder how much the big leading edge inhibits upwind ability, as I can't come close to my upwind windfoil angles, I suspect that like kiting, a narrow leading edge makes going upwind easier.
Select to expand quoteMdG71 said..
I agree with your review. I have the 6m and the build is rock solid. The only thing i doubt about is that it's handling is more backward hand oriented. I mostly use the second of even third handle form the front for my front hand and always the last handle for my back hand. I also find pumping not as effective as my Takoon 4m. The Takoon build is simple and for sure not as rock solid as the Airush but the Takoon is very efficient light weight, pumps very well and is a forward hand oriented wing.
I also have a kite background and i think that the Rock Solid build is more important for kites which can drop very hard on the water or when landed it can scuff on the ground. With wings i think this is a little different and it feels like it's a little less important but only time and long use in a good amount of wind will tell.
A really good part of the Airush is his behaviour in overpowered situations. Even with really hard gusts it flies very nice with no fluttering.
I also used both Wings with my Smoothstar SurfSkate and you surely must be careful with the Takoon but you can also damage the Airush wing. A light sanding action on the asphalt did slightly damage the tip of the Airush.
I really like to use the Wings on my surfskate but the risk of damage is high. Someone has to develop some hard plastic add-on protectors for the wing tips. Then i would love to use the wings a lot more with my Skateboard. Jibing and Tacking is so much easier for me on my skateboard than on the foil.
Maybe you can try to DIY those wingtip scuff plates with a moldable plastic like Polydoh.Very easy to use.
Select to expand quotemcrt said..MdG71 said..
I agree with your review. I have the 6m and the build is rock solid. The only thing i doubt about is that it's handling is more backward hand oriented. I mostly use the second of even third handle form the front for my front hand and always the last handle for my back hand. I also find pumping not as effective as my Takoon 4m. The Takoon build is simple and for sure not as rock solid as the Airush but the Takoon is very efficient light weight, pumps very well and is a forward hand oriented wing.
I also have a kite background and i think that the Rock Solid build is more important for kites which can drop very hard on the water or when landed it can scuff on the ground. With wings i think this is a little different and it feels like it's a little less important but only time and long use in a good amount of wind will tell.
A really good part of the Airush is his behaviour in overpowered situations. Even with really hard gusts it flies very nice with no fluttering.
I also used both Wings with my Smoothstar SurfSkate and you surely must be careful with the Takoon but you can also damage the Airush wing. A light sanding action on the asphalt did slightly damage the tip of the Airush.
I really like to use the Wings on my surfskate but the risk of damage is high. Someone has to develop some hard plastic add-on protectors for the wing tips. Then i would love to use the wings a lot more with my Skateboard. Jibing and Tacking is so much easier for me on my skateboard than on the foil.
Maybe you can try to DIY those wingtip scuff plates with a moldable plastic like Polydoh.Very easy to use.
Yes great tip i was looking for such and didn't know about this Polydoh / Polymorph material.
Select to expand quoteWindbot said..
MdG71, I agree about the wing being back-hand oriented. I am only at about three hours of wingfoiling, all on the 5m and while I enjoy the kite I agree, my back arm gets tired. As a windfoiler I am used to equal pressure. I also wonder how much the big leading edge inhibits upwind ability, as I can't come close to my upwind windfoil angles, I suspect that like kiting, a narrow leading edge makes going upwind easier.
I don't have problems with going upwind. But maybe the board i use a Gong HIPE 5.5 is an inflatable with lots of volume so also when i'm not on the Foil i can surf on the board without going really downwind. And when on foil upwind is no problem at all.
I agree with the comments about the center of pressure being further back, but i find it balances fine by grabbing second handle with the front hand (on the 6m).
It does make the Y handles unusable for sailing as i cannot reach them comfortably.
And top end feels good,very soft and progressive depower,very calm in strong gusts.
As for upwind ability i think it goes great, but i come from shortboard windsurfing so the foil upwind performance feels like Americas Cup to me :)
There is also a North wing about to pop out of the oven,so many choices :)
Hi, just got the freewing 4 and 6m. The folding instructions in the manual and in this video do not work www.facebook.com/starboardsup/videos/216165403053850). I think they apply for the first model they did with shorter windows. Would be super grateful if somebody could make a video of how to pack it up properly. Million thx.
Untill the tips and then fold in a z-shape, it's not great but.it keeps me from folding the window. I actually got upwind a little bit on the 5m today it way 18-26mph. The things really like to be powered. I found keeping a more squared forward facing stance helped, as did actual decent wind. That said I am willing to be a wing with a narrower leading edge would get upwind better.
I roll from the tips and then fold in a z-shape, it's not great but, it keeps me from folding the window. I actually ended upwind a little bit on the 5m today it way 18-26mph, even despite my huge June arcs. It was pretty fun. The things really likes to be powered, windfoilers were on 4.2s. I found keeping a more squared forward facing stance helped, as did actual decent wind. That said I am willing to bet a wing with a narrower leading edge would get upwind better at the cost of low end grunt. The top end is unbelievable coming from windfoiling, and I have decided the y-handles are super helpful when getting going and jibing.
Select to expand quoteWindbot said..
I roll from the tips and then fold in a z-shape, it's not great but, it keeps me from folding the window. I actually ended upwind a little bit on the 5m today it way 18-26mph, even despite my huge June arcs. It was pretty fun. The things really likes to be powered, windfoilers were on 4.2s. I found keeping a more squared forward facing stance helped, as did actual decent wind. That said I am willing to bet a wing with a narrower leading edge would get upwind better at the cost of low end grunt. The top end is unbelievable coming from windfoiling, and I have decided the y-handles are super helpful when getting going and jibing.
If you are not gaining upwind easily when on foil it is not because of the Airush believe me...maybe a thinner leading edge would give a marginal gain but unless you are racing it would be unnoticeable.
Keep it well sheeted in and lean the foil mast upwind a bit and you should be able to regain what you loose in gybes in pretty short runs.
I am pretty much a beginner,getting gybes about 70% of the time on a good day, but i think going upwind will click in easily for you in very little time.
The wingfoil lets me make whole runs full of S turns,gybing badly at both ends and not loosing an inch of ground.Impossible on the windsurf shorboards i used to ride,it was always an upwind struggle unless overpowered.
If you are a windfoiler you just need to adapt to the new toy, it does not require as much manhandling as a windsurf rig, straighter stance,relaxed grip and tiny ankle inputs and weightshifts.
Thanks mcrt, I have reviewed my GPS tracks and there are real gains being made. I also have to remember I have only had four short sessions on the thing and I certainly wasn't blasting upwind that hard when I started windfoiling.
Thanks mcrt, I have reviewed my GPS tracks and there are real gains being made. I also have to remember I have only had four short sessions on the thing and I certainly wasn't blasting upwind that hard when I started windfoiling.
Finally got to try my 4m SB/Airush past few days as being a HW rider at 225lbs don't get the chance much on a 4m,Got to say really like the 4m excellent wing in nuking conditions really enjoyed it.have the 6m and 7m too these wings are really underrated IMO.the 4m is a great wing highly recommend it.too bad I ate chit on a wave and came up with my board/foil on top of my wing punctured my window enough to make a grown man cry,but was pilot error on my part in waves like this S happens,good quality and well handling wing
