In addition to the VVing model ( HERE you can read the test), Vayu now has another iron in the fire with the Aura model, which should appeal to freestyle, wave and manoeuvre fans in particular.
On land:
The Vayu Aura is available in six sizes (2.3/2.8/3.5/4.0/5.0/6.0) and in three colour codes (e.g. at Online Surfshop ) . Compared to the VVing, the wingspan of the Aura is somewhat more compact and the leading edge and profile have been designed flatter to give the wing more neutrality and better handling. A window has also been omitted for weight reasons. The Vayu Aura is unique above all due to its interchangeable handle system; the wing can be converted from handles to mini booms in just over five minutes. Both systems offer plenty of lateral room for manoeuvre, allowing everyone to find the ideal grip position for swinging with equal tension distribution on both arms. The booms offer maximum direct contact with the wing, but are slightly heavier than the handles (+250 grams) and of course - like any fixed boom system - increase the risk of damage to the board in the event of a fall. The handles have an advantage in this respect. The other features of the Wing are impressive - thanks to an exhaust valve on the centre strut, deflation is very quick and the reinforcements on the front tube are also solid and should also survive skate sessions on asphalt.
As always, we present this test wing in a clip on our YouTube channel. Click here!
On the water:
Regardless of the grip system chosen, the Vayu Aura feels very balanced in the hand, and thanks to the ability to move the hands sideways, the grip always fits properly and with equal tension distribution. If you inflate the Aura with the recommended 7 psi of pressure, the wing feels quite stiff, even in the hands of heavier pilots nothing distorts. In light winds, the Aura can even be inflated a little less, at 6.5 psi the wing is a little more flexible and accepts pumping pulls even better. Overall, the light wind power is very decent, even though the Vayu Aura does not quite match the performance of the Vayu VVing and other powerhouses in a passive riding style (without pumping).
Even on the straights, it becomes clear that the Aura is significantly lighter and more agile in the hand than the powerful andfreeriding coordinated VVing. The Aura provides an ideal mix of stable flight attitude and the lightness required for manoeuvres and jumps. Regardless of whether you are flying through gybes or freestyle rotations, the Aura rotates nimbly, appears pleasantly light and can be steered extremely precisely - control impulses are passed on 1:1. This is especially true when the mini booms are fitted, but even with the handles the wing is by no means indirect. The only thing that could be improved here is that the handles appear somewhat slippery and require more force than desired when gripping. The fact that a massive amount of weight has been saved on the short centre strut compared to the VVing is particularly noticeable in manoeuvres and when riding downwind from waves - the Aura flies much more neutrally here, the trailing edge of the wing stays up noticeably longer, which means that the Vayu Aura leaves nothing to be desired in the waves either.
Vayu Aura - the bottom line:
The Vayu Aura covers a pleasingly wide range of use and is suitable for relaxed freeriding as well as for ambitious trickers and as a wing for waves. You can get over the fact that it conveys a little less grounding than its stablemate VVing, as its handling and neutrality are at a significantly higher level.
Range of use; 2 grip systems to choose from; neutrality
Handles a little slippery
No window
