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Hi all,

I am new at foiling and trying to understand some of the concepts. When people talk about the area of the front wing and for example say that when learning a larger area is better, are they referring to the projected are or the upper surface area? For example the front wing of the Gong Kite Foil Allvator Rise Alu M has a projected area of 1258 cm² and an upper surface area of 1459 cm². Which type of area should I be using to determine if a front wing is right for my level?

Thanks.

-Mike

Don’t state yourself blind at cm2 since you can design totally different wings with the same cm2 by varying thickness and aspect ratio.
Go by the description of the vendors for what it’s suitable for or read some reviews.

leeuwen wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 18, 2021 7:27 pm

Don’t state yourself blind at cm2 since you can design totally different wings with the same cm2 by varying thickness and aspect ratio.
Go by the description of the vendors for what it’s suitable for or read some reviews.

Gong actually lists both. I'm not sure what other brands are using when they talk about wing area.

Axis1050 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 19, 2021 4:22 am

Screenshot_20210919-132107_Chrome.jpg

Nice to have all the information. I'm assuming that's a very flat wing, as there is very little difference between actual & projected.

espana23 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 18, 2021 7:00 pm

-Mike

I'm happy someone started this subject because not having a standardized method of explaining wings bothers me as well.
It almost seemed like Gong was ahead of the other manufacturers in the terminology and like that Axis wing just write everything.
And even though the Rise M wing says 1500cm right on it it would technically be 1250cm from any other manufacturer.
Now it seems like the standard is just the projected surface area from above with nothing else accounted for. I agree that's not the only factor since the thicknesses and chord depth as well as the curvature of the wing all make drastic differences.

BUT to answer your actual question of if the Gong wing is good I would answer ABSOLUTELY. I have the Rise M for learning and it could not have been easier. I got it as the SURF foil which comes with the surf rear wing and not the kite rear wing. I did actually order a 45cm surf rear stabilizer afterwards as well. It took me all of about ten minutes to learn how to foil, I got the larger stabilizer just to try plus for future riding as a prone surf foil with other front wings.
I am 240 lbs and need nothing bigger then a 9M to foil with. If the kite can stay in the sky then i can ride easily. I can say it is slow, whether that's what your interested in or not. I'm way more then happy with my foil and am actually looking at other front wings for next season, maybe a Curve Large or Fluid Large (leaning towards the Curve right now)