WINDSUP BOARD REVIEW
94 AUGUST 2019
THEY SAY
With a single board, there’s a worldthat opens up to you: light-windwave-riding, classic freeride, stand-up-paddle surfing, foil windsurfingon flat water, stand-up-paddle foil...there are no more limits; one onlyboard to do everything!WE SAY
The windSUP Sealion concept has been present in
the AHD range for many years now and has rightly
gained a real following. So much so, in fact, that the
parent company have decided to evolve Sealion into
a brand in its own right, with no less than six sizes
in the range, stemming from a 10’ novice platform,
to the Wings 7’6” we have here. Described as a re-
finement from the Classic 7’6”, it has thinned rails
and a large mono-concave between the twinzer fins.
Its outline is the endearing retro fish shape we have
come to know and love, with a pointed nose lead-
ing to a large swallow tail in the rear, and its evenly
domed deck covered entirely in diamond-grooved
deck pad. Produced in Tunisia using the brand’s
preferred one-shot construction technique, it is
certainly light in what Sealion call its ‘PVC Double
Carbon Sandwich technology’, which they say has
“a large patch of carbon positioned right under the
rider’s feet up to the mast base.” The board comes
in a number of colourways named either ‘80’s’ or
‘Rasta’ (seen here). Used initially as a SUP, the Seal-ion feels buoyant and easy under foot for its stated
size, the extra width in the tail assisting in weight
carrying and stability, whilst the twinzer fins pro-
vide the directional traction. We were also given
the Wings 8’6” to test, its extra volume perceived
to provide more stability, practicality and therefore
appeal. However, with all test team members being
less than 85 kg, the 7’6” easily proved stable and
user-friendly enough to get on with – a pleasant
surprise. When paddling, the board’s glide is rea-
sonable, the nose and shoulders punching through
any chop or white water. We got the chance to try
it in small to medium waves and have to say it was
a lot of fun, picking up the wave easily and gliding
down the open face. It has a very clean carving na-
ture, the rails and fins combining to provide just the
right balance of grip and predictability. It holds its
speed effortlessly through the carve and encourages
the rider to push harder through the next corner to
discover its limits, of which we were yet to find.
Plugging a sail onto the Sealion, the mast track en-
ables you to play with the sail’s setup and position
according to rig and rider size. The board again
feels wonderfully compact yet balanced underfoot,
the volume distribution enabling the rider to play
with their stance position to account for style and
efficiency. The twinzer configuration also means
the 7’6” is no embarrassment heading upwind, edg-
ing the windward rail into the water and using its
full length to keep the board tracking. It does take
some power to release and plane, but was perfectly
at home in float and ride conditions, using both
wind and wave power to pop it onto the water’s
surface and maximise enjoyment. It has real fluidity
and ease, the domed deck feeling both comfortableand allowing for a smooth flowing rail-to-rail ride.
And if the waves aren’t up to much, but the wind is
in, then the board offers up the opportunity for a
wind foil session. It currently does require the use
of a Tuttle rather than the more popular deep Tut-
tle head connection for the foil, but does so as its
partner company’s AFS Surf foil is a Tuttle head.
However Sealion say, “from this summer onwards
we will offer both possibilities – Tuttle and pedestal
head option - to be chosen at point of order, as to
keep the weight down we decided not to have both
styles of boxes on the same board.” The board was
supplied with the all-carbon Tuttle version of the
AFS Surf Foil/S800 and with it in place, the Wings
7’6” proves it has a whole new side to its personality
to explore. The Tuttle box screws provide an exact
reference for where the foil is and by providing a
little foil pumping to help it
unstick, the lift comes early and
actively. The Sealion again feels,
crisp and responsive underfoot,
its strapless nature encouraging
an upright relaxed stance over
the board. We found our feet
coming closer together on the
board, testament to its balance
and ease, which in turn encour-
ages you to carve it in a playful
manner and pick up the smallest
hint of any ripple to ride.Sealion WINGS 7'6"
WEB WWW.KAISPORTS.CO.UK PRICE^ £1599
VITAL STATS
Volume (Quoted): 112 L.
Length: 240 cm / 7’6”
Width: 74 cm / 29.13”Weight (‘Naked’, Brand
Quoted): 8.7 kg
Fittings: US Twins 16 cm