Windsurf – July 2019

76 JULY 2019

FREERIDE FOIL TEST

SLINGSHOT HOVERGLIDE FWIND AND WIZARD 125

WEB WWW.SLINGSHOTSPORTS.COM PRICE FOIL £1099 BOARD £2000

THEY SAY

The FWIND package, equipped with our new
Infinity 76 wing, is designed to pack the most
amount of range into a larger foil that has plenty of
lift and stability. This wing delivers everything you
may expect at low speeds: early planing, stability
and easy gybes. What’s amazing is that it does it
all at higher speeds as well! Once you’ve mastered
the basics of windsurf foiling, a shorter, more ag-
ile board is the natural evolution. All you need is
enough volume to uphaul and pump to a plane.
From there, the shorter the board, the more nimble
and free it feels on the water (not to mention the
easier it is to store and transport).

WE SAY
Slingshot’s Hoverglide modular concept is as
broad as it is long, with a wealth of setups and
permutations to suit conditions, riding styles
and even five different sports! The Infinity front
wing supplied with the FWind package is classed
by Wyatt Miller as their best all-rounder, yet can
be swapped out for more than five other wings to
dramatically vary the foil’s lift and speed capabil-
ities. In addition, the mast, fuselage, head fitting
and tail wing can also be altered, whilst the foil’s
geometry can be transformed by fixing the mast
to three different points on the ‘Switch Fuse long’
fuesealge supplied, modifying the lift position to
suit the board used. It is a wonderfully versatile
system and really adds value for those interested
in using it for various watersports, coming com-
plete with a bag to protect it whilst still assembled.
Although supplied with a 61 cm mast, we opted
for the use of a 90 cm mast for the majority of

this test, providing more practicality in the var-

ious conditions experienced. Generating lift at

low speeds, the Slingshot offers a smooth easy

response, feeling dependable and well mannered

at all times. There’s no twitch or nervousness,

building the confidence to trust it and explore.

We tried it on various boards and its character re-

mains consistent – super measured and reliable,

flattering most. Tested with the Wizard supplied,

we favoured the FWind with the mast fixed in

position B, sitting clear of the front wing – the

position suited for most windsurf boards. The

FWind’s true forte is that it has such a playful

character, it can be taken into any sea state and

make an average session that much more enjoy-

able. It certainly isn’t the fastest here, but its man-

ners and control always give you the confidence

to push and drive it. When properly powered and

travelling at speed, the front wing profile is unique

in that it seems to actively drive down into the wa-

ter, mitigating the chances of breaching. In doing

so, it fills the rider with the added confidence to

keep pushing. And if you do come off, the Safe-T

downturned winglets will reduce the chance of

any unfortunate injury! At just over 2.00 m in

length, the Wizard would have been considered

radical just a few seasons ago, yet its dimensions

are quickly becoming the norm. Packing its vol-

ume into such a compact outline, it is chunky in

profile, with a flat deck and a single set of inboard

footstrap plug options. To get going, the Wizard

relies on your ability to pump the foil as well as

the sail, but with good technique (getting into the

front strap early), flight can be initiated as early as

on a more conventional board. Once flying, the

short nose means swing weight is noticeably re-

duced, leaving the board feeling alive and loose

underfoot. The flat deck also assists, giving instant

lateral response to changes in heel and toe pressure

• something that can’t help but inspire. We found
  ourselves carving through upwind and downwind
  360s constantly, such is the addiction to carving.
  It’s ability to still produce lift at slow speeds and
  critical angles makes it a wonder for mastering the
  full foiling gybe, the Wizard’s inset straps easy to
  locate mid-transition.

VITAL STATS

BOARD

• Volume: 201 cm (6’6”) • Width: 78.7 cm (31”)


• Volume: 125 L • Foil box: Deep Tuttle


• Sail Range (Quoted): 5.0-6.5m


• Sizes Available: 103,105,125.

FOIL

• Head: Pedestal Plate / Deep Tuttle • Mast
  Length: 60.96 cm (24”) or 90 cm • Mast Material:
  Aluminium • Fuselage Length: 71.0 cm (100
  cm including front wing) • Fuselage Material:
  Aluminium • Front Wing Span: 76.5 cm


• Front Wing Chord: 26.2 cm • Font Wing Area
  (Quoted): 1534 cm² • Tail Wing Span: 42.0 cm


• Wing Material: Carbon composite • Weight:
  5.97 kg