Black Project FoilXNew paddle especially for SUP foiling

Stephan Gölnitz

 · 27.08.2024

Gabrielle Bella on a downwinder off Maui
Photo: Franck Berthuot / Black Project SUP
Whether in the waves, on downwinders or on flat water: to take off with the board on the foil, new demands are placed on the paddle. Here comes the first model that has been specially developed for foiling.

FoilX, the paddle for downwind foiling

The new FoilX paddle was developed by Hawaiian foiling pioneers Andrew Gibbons, Gabriella Bella, Jack Ho, Finn Spencer and Jeffrey Spencer for downwind, surf and flatwater foiling. It is characterised by a low 9° blade angle and a blade contour with a low aspect ratio. The FoilX is designed to offer a powerful catch and the shorter blade favours a higher paddle frequency.

Shorter and wider: the paddle blade is optimised for downwind foiling.Photo: Black Project SUPShorter and wider: the paddle blade is optimised for downwind foiling.

Responsive, ergonomic, oval shaft

The Tour Carbon shaft is a key component of the FoilX and ensures less weight, more power, responsiveness, grip and comfort. The tapered oval design increases stiffness in the lower shaft area, providing more stability and better power transfer to the blade. The more flexible and thinner, round upper section helps to reduce fatigue. The oval centre grip area is designed to provide a good sense of paddle alignment and a secure grip with the natural matt carbon texture.

Lifelong spare parts policy

Spare parts are available at a reduced price for the life of the paddle.

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Recommended sizes

The FoilX paddle size chart below is only a guide. The actual choice depends on several factors. On flat water you should choose a larger paddle blade, in windy conditions and with small foils a smaller blade for a higher paddling frequency. A smaller blade is also suitable for surf. Less experienced paddlers will benefit from a larger blade, while experienced paddlers can use a smaller blade. Remember that we have already done the upsizing for foiling for you, choose the blade size according to weight. All information and prices can of course be found on the Black Project website.

The fact that larger blades are used for foiling is already taken into account in the table.The fact that larger blades are used for foiling is already taken into account in the table.

Stephan Gölnitz

Stephan Gölnitz

Deputy Editor in Chief surf

Stephan Gölnitz comes from Bochum and had Holland as his home windsurfing territory for many years before moving to Munich in 1996 for the job of test editor at surf magazine. The materials engineering graduate worked as a surf instructor on the Ijsselmeer during his studies and competed for several seasons for the Essen sailing team in the Surfbundesliga and the Funboard Cup. He completed a traineeship at surf-Magazin in the test department and since then has actively accompanied almost all tests on the boom and for more than 10 years also as a photographer. Stephan has covered many thousands of test kilometers, mainly on Lake Garda and in Langebaan, but also in Egypt and Tobago. He gets his hands on over 100 new sails and boards every year as his company car. Privately, he prefers to surf with a foil on Lake Walchensee or “unfortunately far too rarely” in the waves. SUP is Stephan's second passion, which he pursued for several years at numerous SUP races. Today, he prefers to paddle on river tours with family or friends - even for several days.

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