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Hi, I want to get into foiling this summer but do not have an unlimited budget. I saw a lot of guys on Gong foils last year and they seemed happy enough, and they sell sets that are in my price range.

My plan is to buy a foil and mast, and build the board from scratch or adapt an old surfboard. I have plenty of experience building the board, but not much selecting the wing. Second hand is not that interesting as people here want a lot of money for sets, and it won't be cheaper than buying from Hong.

I want to 'freeride' and do some turns and small waverides. I don't mind a bit of a steeper learning curve, but I'm not interested in speed.
I ride a surfboard now, with Peak 4 kites. I tend to ride in lighter wind, and weigh 78kg.

I was looking at the X-over foil, does that seem like a good idea to you?

I just bought a Cabrinha Varial med size for $599 US......I love it, super stable, planes up early very easy to progress or learn on.. it is on the heavy side but not a big issue, and it's very durable. normally $999

ieism wrote: ↑

Sat May 22, 2021 3:42 pm

Hi, I want to get into foiling this summer but do not have an unlimited budget. I saw a lot of guys on Gong foils last year and they seemed happy enough, and they sell sets that are in my price range.

My plan is to buy a foil and mast, and build the board from scratch or adapt an old surfboard. I have plenty of experience building the board, but not much selecting the wing. Second hand is not that interesting as people here want a lot of money for sets, and it won't be cheaper than buying from Hong.

I want to 'freeride' and do some turns and small waverides. I don't mind a bit of a steeper learning curve, but I'm not interested in speed.
I ride a surfboard now, with Peak 4 kites. I tend to ride in lighter wind, and weigh 78kg.

I was looking at the X-over foil, does that seem like a good idea to you?

You don't say where you are, but assuming you are somewhere in Europe, I think it's hard to beat Gong for value/quality. I'm not sure anyone has had a chance to try the X-over foil yet, so hard to get meaningful opinions. As far as I can tell from the website, the X-over may be replacing the Rise as the "beginner" wing - that is to say it has a fatter profile & lower aspect with less camber, designed to increase stability. The mast/fuselage seems to be identical to the other Gong alu foils. After the X-over the Curve Pro is higher aspect & thinner profile, then the Fluid Pro & finally the Veloce Pro.

None of these wings are really "race wings" - you could start with any one of them. If you're a foil beginner the X-over will be a bit more forgiving, but I'm pretty sure that any of the Gong wings with a similar surface area - 1000 cm2 to 1200 cm2 - would be appropriate to learn on. I use a Gong Curve M wing. I like it, it's a nice balance between stability & speed, but I can't say if it is notably different in performance from the other Gong wing sets. Given the continuing supply shortage of Gong foils, it might make sense for you to order whatever foil is most readily available. Whatever foil you get, you will have an enjoyable/frustrating time getting to grips with foiling & if you stick with it you will gradually progress.

Don’t know where you are, but I’m the US you can get slingshot hover glides fairly cheap, and they have a really wide selection of front wings which makes it reach to try our a bunch of different shapes. Haven’t hear of gong, so maybe that’s a similar thing around where you are?

Yes im in Europe,so other brands are 2 to 3 times more expensive here.

Thanks for the detailed replies, I've ordered the XOver and it looks like just in time as it's now out of stock!

I figured it would be fairly cheap to change just the wing if I get better but that might take me all season or longer.

The 85cm mast seems a bit intimidating, but I'll figure it out I guess..

Gong is really good value and quality and very beginner-friendly. I am using surf pro wing size M (compatible with the surf mast).

Another vote to Gong. It's a rare combination of cheap and good. I have been super happy with gong foil for years. I'm using strutless gong kite also for foiling and it's great too.

Anybody ridden the Gong Allvator Rise foil (their most affordable option)? How does it perform?
The Xover seems to be a bit faster wing with the new and much heavier mast. Their new alu foils start at 5kg, and they no longer list their wights… I use their original alu mast with my diy wings, and it’s stiff enough for kiting imo.

ieism wrote: ↑

Sun May 23, 2021 6:28 am

Yes im in Europe,so other brands are 2 to 3 times more expensive here.

Thanks for the detailed replies, I've ordered the XOver and it looks like just in time as it's now out of stock!

I figured it would be fairly cheap to change just the wing if I get better but that might take me all season or longer.

The 85cm mast seems a bit intimidating, but I'll figure it out I guess..

Good strategy. The important thing is to get foiling. Once you develop more experience/skills you could add another wing as you decide what suits your style/interests. I wouldn't worry about the 85cm mast for learning ... but you could always order a shorter mast - like a 60 cm - with your order as well, as they are very inexpensive from Gong.

With so many foils out there now, you can probably find a top brand used for about the same price as secondary brand new. But Gong is a good option I think, people seem happy with them.

For boards, I've run the gamut of cheap options. One is surfboard with through hulls holes: epoxy in a graphite golf club shaft segment, use wide washer or an aluminum plate to spread load on deck. Or if you're handy, install proper fin boxes for mast track -- which I didn't do at first, now realize isn't that hard a job.

Another is find a wakeskate, drill 4 holes, good enough: only negative is it doesn't give much float, so with heavy alum foil it may just barely float above surface.

Or build a board....about the easiest shaping job you can do, as the shape basically doesn't matter, it's a platform above the water.

People vary on using straps or going strapless. I can do both but much prefer half hooks....so much easier to water start and to push through touch down. Plus you can try airs later on. Way easier to learn when attached to the board in some way.