Originally, the long and very narrow downwind boards were developed for SUP foiling in swell waves. However, because boards of this type also get up to speed very well with the wing as a motor, these board concepts are also worth considering for wingfoiling. However, there is still some disagreement among developers when it comes to the right dimensions, as manoeuvres on the narrow thunderbars are not always an easy undertaking (HERE is a field report).
The new product from Norden-Surfboards called Futurama Downwind, with a moderate width of 22 ¼ to 22 ½ inches, should therefore also appeal to beginners to downwinding because it simply offers more stability: "Most competitors' boards are often too narrow, especially for downwind SUPing, which sometimes overwhelms people"Andi Wirtz from Norden-Surfboards explains the problem.
In addition, the Norden surfboard models should also be good for waggling and even have foot strap options. To improve compatibility with different foils, long foil boxes have been installed to provide more room for manoeuvre in terms of foil position. The Futurama Downwind model is manufactured using a glass-wood sandwich construction. This should not only be very robust, but also attractively priced. Both sizes cost 1399 euros and are available from specialised dealers or directly via Norden-Surfboards available.
Here are the key data for the new Futurama Downwind model:
- 7'0'' x 21 ½'', 115 litres (1399 Euro)
- 7'6'' x 21 ¼'', 125 litres (1399 euros)
You can also get a first impression in the following video:
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.
