Slingshot: The complete wing fleet

First difference from theSlingshot Hover Glide Fwind to theWizard 125 (see below)Even heavier surfers have enough lift under their feet at the rear, but even 80-kilo riders still have to manoeuvre nimbly around the mast when turning. Once in the air, the board no longer looks like a 150-litre ship, but as compact and small as the much thinner model. The same principles apply when starting off - weight on the tail early, then the biggest wing (Infinity 76) suddenly takes off. At 80 kilos, the board jumps onto the foil almost immediately and then needs to be tamed with a very measured riding style. This wing really packs a punch: In our opinion, a real steam hammer for surfers over 90 kilos and/or for very light winds. The speed seems to be slowed down a little, but you can get down to almost zero speed in the jibe and you're practically standing on the spot, but still high up on the foil. Lighter riders catapulted the foil out of the water so early that there was hardly enough speed to continue foiling afterwards. But this is probably the light wind steam hammer for heavyweights. Early foiling is hardly possible, but also requires a lot of practice from lightweights. Definitely suitable for underpowered foiling with really small sails.

Perhaps more versatile, a little easier for beginners and very close to the Carbonfoil in terms of riding feel, the medium-sized blade at the front. This means that the board comes out perhaps even a tad earlier than the Carbonfoil (not as early as the Infinity 76, of course). However, there is hardly any normal planing phase before foiling, it has the clearance for the shortest take-off runs. The flying behaviour is also very stable and controlled, the feel is a little more direct, the up and down is less damped. The aluminium foil with the middle wing was also convincing as a sporty freeride foil, which also provides a lot of stability in gybes and, above all, does not drop immediately when the speed decreases. On the other hand, the board tolerates these touchdowns at the end of the jibe very well; despite the short nose, the rail starts softly and brakes only slightly, so that jibes that don't stay completely dry can also be finished well on the planing surface. A successful foil combo, recommended with the large or medium wing depending on the wind range and weight.

Mast length: 71 cm

Fuselage length: 78,2 cm

Price1249 Euro

Info: www.slingshotsports.de

The Infinity 76 (top left) is the standard wing in the set and is very buoyant. The medium size is somewhat tamer in stronger winds. The special railshape (right) ensures a smooth insertion, with plenty of volume in the tail to support even heavy foilers.

The new carbon foil from Slingshot is an easy-to-control, sporty freeride foil at a moderate price for a carbon wing.

The carbon foil can be mounted quickly with just a few screws and, despite its long mast, the foil is a blast to carry due to its very low weight - the short board also makes handling easier. The shimmering, visible carbon looks very classy.

The tiny boat takes some getting used to on the water: it is two metres short and there is actually no bow: It's best to stand with both feet behind the mast when you're hauling up, and you should also be careful not to put your front foot close to the mast as usual when planing - then you'll be diving steeply downwards. But you can get used to the changed stance and the board is ultimately made for flying. When the first noticeable gust comes, it can be pumped freely and easily, accelerates quickly and with little resistance and can then be lifted up very easily with a slight shift of weight backwards. The long mast immediately offers an impressive flying height and plenty of reserves for countermeasures if the board rises in gusts or loses height. The "up and down" on the Slingshot carbon wing is very harmonious, predictable and damped. You can be quite sure that the foil will not suddenly shoot off in any direction and you always have time to react.

The foil goes up and down as if dampened in oil. This seems to be a positive characteristic of the rather delta-shaped wing. Perhaps this results in a minimal lack of performance compared to narrow, stretched wings. Seconds that could make the difference in an upwind race. For a sporty freeride foil, however, this carbon wing pulls up very well. It glides very stable and absolutely fast enough. The foil and board are also very forgiving in the jibe. The flow on the foil only breaks off late if you get too high, it stays up for a long time even at low speeds and the board hardly ever cuts off, regardless of whether you use the nose or rail. We found the straps to be well positioned for freeride use, for "racing" with an edged board, a further outside position would be desirable for surfers who are used to this. Conclusion: A very well-balanced, sporty freeride combo that suits the camberless 6.7 as well as the 7.8 foil race sail.

Volume: 125 litres

Length/width: 198.0/76.0 cm

Weight: 8,52 kg*

Finsupplied without fin

Fin boxFoil box

Price: 2199 Euro

Info: www.slingshotsports.de

* = weight with foot straps (surf measurement)

Mast length: 101 cm

Fuselage length: 84 cm

Price1699 Euro

Info: www.slingshotsports.de