It feels like every second person has a SUP these days and what could be more obvious than to upgrade it with a wing for windy days? The only problem is that if you don't have a designated wind SUP, which is equipped with a large centre fin or a centreboard, you will quickly have problems maintaining height in light winds, tacking upwind or turning cleanly. But this problem can also be solved - permanently or reversibly, as there are systems on the market that can be used to retrofit SUPs with centre fins. We have tried out the Drift Stopper.
Duotone, Fanatic and Arrows offer a clever system for 99 euros that allows SUPs to be upgraded for use with the wing. Two fins are lashed to the board with a strap - and our test has shown that it works. The rail under the board is adjustable in length, we pulled the webbing really tight and threaded it through the carrying handle on the top. The centre fins provide enough surface area to keep the board on course and minimise lateral drift.
Even tacking is possible, which is otherwise almost impossible without a centre fin(s). Between five and 18 knots, the set works well with a 5-wing. With even more wind, the fins then slow down noticeably - however, most iSUPs have long since reached their natural speed limit.
Add on Drift Stopper - the conclusion:
The add-on drift stopper works perfectly. Although it does not minimise drift as effectively as a long daggerboard, it noticeably improves the light wind suitability of every SUP for wing use.
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.
