Welcome to The Paddle & Foil Show!
This is where we discuss all things stand up paddle, wings and foil alongside industry news, market insights, discussions, trends and the occasional rant.
This is going to be fun.
More information: https://supboardermag.com/2023/02/17the-paddle-foil-show-episode-1-does-your-kit-make-you-rip
3 Comments
🤙What a great initiative, you have been my best source of knowledge when I started paddling and still are! Thanks!🤗
Starboards’s carbon fiber construction is no doubt a solid product, but i do wonder if Brands that use the PVC sandwich from the Kinetic factory like SIC, 404, Infinity are lighter and just as durable… have to cut a couple boards open I guess!
Interesting your comments on the HM mast. I'm also light at 67kg and moved from 90cm Axis alu to 90cm Power Carbon (not HM) for winging and really felt a difference. My main issue with the alu was persistent ventilations (this happened on my three mast lengths so not a one off) and this doesn't happen with the new masts. I didn't go HM because I'm light and won't be using it on wingspans over 90cm (smaller ART and HPS foils) but I was genuinely surprised at the improved control, especially in small messy chop, where the sometimes vague feeling when riding high on the mast has gone. The icing on the cake is the improved drag, and more direct pumping which in itself are more nuanced benefits, they are there and overall make the package worth the money in my eyes.
On shorter masts, with a light rider on moderate span wings in the surf, I can believe that the benefits are less marked.
Edit to add that going back to the old kit is usually the best way to feel the benefits/ differences.