With an impressive aspect ratio of 13, the Naish Super High Aspect Foil already stands out on land. For comparison: there is hardly a foil in the rest of the Naish range with an aspect ratio above 10. The aspect ratio describes the ratio of wingspan to surface area; high aspect is the name given to foils with a large wingspan and a small surface area. Naish announces that the new foil is pushing the boundaries of what was previously possible in downwind foiling. With its large wingspan, the SHA Foil offers the optimum combination of top speed, glide efficiency and lift at low speeds. The SHA Foil is characterised by a monocoque carbon construction in which the front wing and the fuselage form a seamless connection. According to Naish, this construction results in unrivalled stiffness, a direct feel and maximum efficiency. The two-piece carbon hull also allows easy disassembly for transport. With a large span and a high aspect ratio of 13, the SHA Foil offers the optimum combination of top speed, glide efficiency and lift at low speeds.
Naish offers the SHA Foil in three sizes: 733, 933 and 1133, allowing riders to find the right foil for their individual needs and conditions. The company emphasises that the SHA foils would excel across the entire performance range. They offer buoyancy at low speeds for beginners and at the same time enable top speeds for advanced riders who want to test their limits.
Super High Aspect: More speed, earlier on the foil
Matt Hoffman from the Naish R&D team, one of the brains behind the design, explains the special features of the SHA Foil: "High Aspect Foils are characterised by their increased aspect ratio in comparison, which helps to reduce drag and generate lift." According to Hoffman, these properties make HA foils significantly more efficient than conventional foils. The ability to generate more lift at low speeds makes them particularly attractive for demanding conditions such as open ocean waves and longer downwind stretches.
The SHA Foil was specially designed for downwind riding. Matt Hoffman explains: "The Super High Aspect Foils improve downwind performance through the efficiency of the platform and the specialised profile." This means that riders can get on the foil earlier and easier and glide for longer. Hoffman emphasises: "The advantage of the specialised design is that the average speed increases dramatically when riding downwind. Not only do you spend less time paddling into the waves, but you also spend less time pumping and more time in the power, increasing the speed and efficiency of your rides."
Lubricity as a key factor
According to Naish, the outstanding glide of the SHA Foil enables riders to cover longer distances with less effort. Matt Hoffman specifies: "The high aspect design of the foil itself doesn't increase your speed, but it does make it easier to be faster over the course of your downwind rides." This results from the efficiency of the design and profile, which are based on two main ideas: Reducing drag while maximising lift. This allows the foil to glide significantly further than other foils on the market.
More info at naish.com
