What initially sounds like a robber's tale could soon become reality: A foil that automatically stabilises itself at a predefined altitude using sensors and mobile flaps, compensates for driving errors and offers more lift when starting off than afterwards at full speed.
Manufacturer Taaroa wants to achieve exactly this with the iUp model. The trailing edge of the front wing is to be fitted with a movable flap, similar to an aeroplane wing. The flaps are to be controlled automatically via built-in sensors, which should keep the flight altitude largely constant - an uncontrolled climb of the foil including a stall could thus be a thing of the past.
The following clip gives you a first impression:
The product is not yet ready for series production and opinions are probably divided within the wingsurf community about so much high-tech. As soon as a first test sample is available, we will definitely present this concept to you in detail.
Further information on the Taaroa iUp is available HERE
Manuel Vogel
Editor surf
Manuel Vogel, born in 1981, lives in Kiel and learned to windsurf at the age of six at his father's surf school. In 1997, he completed his training as a windsurfing instructor and worked for over 15 years as a windsurfing instructor in various centers, at Kiel University sports and in the coaching team of the “Young Guns” freestyle camps. He has been part of the surf test team since 2003. After completing his teaching degree in 2013, he followed his heart and started as editor of surf magazine for the test and riding technique sections. Since 2021, he has also been active in wingfoiling - mainly at his home spots on the Baltic Sea or in the waves of Denmark.
