Test: Slingshot Infinity 84

With a wingspan of 84 centimetres and an extremely thick profile, it impressively fulfils its purpose of allowing heavy surfers to float "unsinkably" over the water even in light winds. At nine to twelve knots, a freeride sail with just over six square metres was enough for our 90-kilo tester for extensive flights. When starting off, you can already feel the higher drag compared to thinner profiles, but with a few pumping strokes you can go up at what feels like walking speed. The feeling of flying is particularly appealing to foil beginners or cosy cruisers - the ride is leisurely, with a more upright posture, but also very uncomplicated. The Slingshot Foil remains pleasantly stable in light winds, both lengthways and crossways.

When jibing, the foil reacts surprisingly light-footed, but always remains easy to stabilise and, with its infinite lift, opens up the possibility of jibing completely even at low speed. As soon as the wind picks up, the concept naturally reaches its limits more quickly than wings with less surface area and profile. Even with the usual tuning programme - foil backwards, mast base forwards - the lift can then hardly be tamed.

surf conclusion: The Slingshot Infinity 84 is a lift monster that gives wings to surfers over 90 kilos at typical light wind spots or inland. You don't even need a huge sail or a lot of foil experience. "Lighter" surfers under 90 kilos and all those who want a rudimentary feeling of speed when foiling are nevertheless recommended the Infinity 76, which also gets flying early and easily, but achieves a noticeably higher top speed.

Info under www.slingshotsports.de