Getting started: Duotone Alfa – a review of the sail for kids and beginners

​Compact, robust and powerful in light winds – the Duotone Alfa sail is a hit with young windsurfers and those moving up to the next level alike – as our test proves.

The Alfa sail, manufactured by Duotone, is used in many surf schools to train beginners and advanced surfers. It is available in eleven sizes, ranging from 1.0 to 6.4 square metres. During the surf festival, we were able to try out the 2.0 and 3.0 square metre sizes for several days as part of the kids’ camps.

On land

The Alfa sail has a high-cut foot to prevent it from dragging on the board during manoeuvres. The pressure point is positioned quite low down; the sail tapers sharply towards the top, which should require less effort when hoisting it. Ideally, the Alfa 2.0 should be rigged on an aluminium mast (EPX AL_Grom; 200 cm, 59 euros), whilst sizes from 2.5 square metres and above should be rigged on the EPX 40 carbon mast (from 179 euros). The thin and lightweight EPX boom is recommended, as it can be secured firmly to the mast. Depending on the size, this is available from 110 euros.

A striking feature of the Alfa sail is its wide mast pocket, which makes fitting the boom wonderfully easy. In the smaller sizes up to 2.5 square metres, the sail has just one batten; the larger sizes are then stabilised by up to five battens.

On the water

Thanks to the slim RDM mast and the lightweight EPX boom, even lighter testers found the rig exceptionally easy to pull out of the water. The generously cut mast pocket not only makes it easier to fit the boom, but also allows you to get a good grip on the mast when launching the rig. In any case, the rig feels wonderful in the hand: even in light winds, it fills out nicely, ensuring constant forward momentum and a stable airflow. Thanks to the high-cut foot, there is plenty of room when tacking and during other manoeuvres without the sail catching on the board; furthermore, the rig’s centre of gravity remains low at all times due to the slim top. The large PVC window also provides a wide field of view to leeward. For the smaller sizes under 2.5 square metres, which are designed without battens, the focus is clearly on minimal weight in light winds. From 3.0 square metres upwards, the model gradually transforms into a fully-battened sail, allowing you to do a few laps even in gliding winds.

Duotone Alfa – the verdict

The small Alfa sails, up to 2.5 square metres, have been systematically optimised to meet the needs of children and lightweight beginners. Thanks to their robust construction and excellent features, hoisting the sail and performing the first manoeuvres are a breeze. Children who are keen to start learning how to plane will then be well-served by the fully-battened Duotone Now a better choice. The medium-sized Alfa models (from 3.0 square metres) can also be used for your first attempts at glide surfing, thanks to their increasing number of battens, before you switch to tried-and-tested freeride models such as the Duotone E_Pace will be necessary at some point.

Handling & power in light winds; features

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Further information is also available on the manufacturer’s website.