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Freestyle sail 2026The new Goya Cypher 2 in the test

Julian Wiemar

 · 17.05.2026

The tested 4.8 covered a wide wind range from around 17 to a good 25 knots.
Photo: Zoe Sosa
The Goya brand is coming onto the market in 2026 with completely revised freestyle material. We tested the flashy combo - and found the Cypher 2 sail in 4.8 to be a balanced mix of sufficient vapour and neutrality. Read the test to find out where it shines and who it's suitable for.
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On land

The unmistakably bright yellow sail called Cypher 2 has a high-quality look when you first unfurl it. The warp carbon construction in the clew area and the new soft Dacron luff panel catch the eye. There is double stitching around the window and a solid, easy-to-fold protector protects the deck. The sail can be easily rigged with the Goya Hundred Pro RDM mast according to the usual freestyle style: no to little loose leech and average clew tension so that the second batten still touches the mast from below.

Power on demand

The Cypher 2 strikes a wonderful balance between the necessary steam and neutrality. Most of the time the sail can be steered with two fingers and can also be ducked, while it then loads up and pulls upwards at the right moment, especially on the front hand (via the Dacron track). The wide cut mast pocket also helps the sail to "breathe" and contributes to the soft overall feel. Even if the Cypher 2 is not one of the most agile freestyle sails, its ease of rotation and lightness provide the necessary pinch of playfulness. When pumping, the profile responds early and quickly delivers the necessary pull for a first move. The tested 4.8 covered a wide wind range from around 17 to a good 25 knots. It also copes with stronger gusts without any problems and the propulsion remains smoothly adjustable - the sail is very forgiving and keeps motivation high. The sail only needs to be re-trimmed if it folds too much over the boom and starts to pull on the back hand. With a little more clew tension, the forces are then distributed evenly through the sail again.

Conclusion on the Goya Cypher 2

The Cypher 2 in 4.8 offers a balanced mix of vapour and neutrality: plenty of lift for modern power moves, easy rotation and two-finger control in a wide wind range. Thanks to the Dacron luff and wide mast pocket, the sail breathes noticeably, remains calm in gusts and can be easily fine-tuned with a little clew tension. In short: a freestyle tool that should please every trick rider, whether beginner or pro.

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Technical data Goya Cypher 2

  • Sizes 3,1/3,4/3,8/4,0/4,2/ 4,4/4,8/5,1/5,4 m2
  • Fork 132/137/144/147/150/ 154/159/164/170 cm
  • Luff 333/347/370/374/384/ 396/412/425/430 cm
  • Mast 340/340/340-370/370/ 370/370/400/400/400
  • Price 860 Euro
  • Info goyawindsurfing.com

Julian Wiemar

Julian Wiemar

Editor surf

Born in Cologne in 1996, Julian grew up on the western banks of the Father Rhine, where he still pushes himself to new tricks almost every day as one of Germany's best freestyle windsurfers. He discovered his passion for water sports at the young age of five. 15 years and countless hours on the surfboard later, Julian traveled the world from Cologne after graduating from high school. With a German championship title in his pocket, he spent several years traveling to the best windsurfing spots on the planet in order to gain a foothold in the World Cup. With the aim of making windsurfing the focus of his life in the long term, the then 24-year-old globetrotter found his way to the surf magazine through his love of writing travel and spot reports.

There, as a trainee, he immersed himself in all the other areas of responsibility of a surf editor and was able to expand his expertise on a daily basis. With dedication and extraordinary enthusiasm for the sport, he is motivated to share his experiences, adventures and knowledge with readers in the world of windsurfing.

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