Foil preference totally depends on what kite you're using, how powered you want to be, what type of wind chop/swell you have at your local spot, and what you want from your foiling. I'm all about gliding and pumping the foil in bumps/waves/ramps of the ocean pump track, and using as little power from my peaks as possible. If you're using powerful inflatables, the requirements will be different because you're getting yanked around the whole time. My objectives are probably more like those of wingdings, but I haven't switched to wingding Yet because I like the bottom end range with a kite. My ideal session is getting towed into waves and then getting rid of all power (tow boogie when there's no wind).Nelis wrote: ↑Tue Dec 07, 2021 9:37 amThanks for all your thoughts so far! Main reason I asked is because fundamentally 'improved glide' is the great advantage that hydrofoiling brings in general, so why not have as much of it as you can? Having a broad comfortable speed range increases your wind range too I think.
The smaller HA wings that are coming out like this ART799 and the HA725 have 80-85cm span, and for surfing at least it seems they can be turned... Provided the skill is there, then you should be able to maintain line tension too?
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWHMTQLFiqo/
These sizes are not developed as HA race wings with small area that kiters are used to.
This is a good example of the wings I was referring to as well, let us know how it goes!
The glide from the 999 allows you to ride through sections with minimal power from the kite when it's slowly falling from the sky (as only peaks can do). It can glide on the energy of small unbroken bumps, but also go fast enough to keep up with ocean swell. The challenge on windy days (25+ knots) can be reducing the kite power enough, because the 999 will go really fast with a lot of kite power, making it hard to slow down to sit in the pocket and turn. I'm looking forward to trying the 2.5m peak to ease off the power some more.
The minimum speed of the 999 is about 15kmhr, such as pumping sections when there's no power in the kite. It can also project with speed when pumping into fast swell, allowing you to catch up the next trough in front. I've taken the 999 over 50kmhr when well powered in flat conditions. The speed range is huge, but it's not relaxed and smooth like a race foil at speed, rather much more intense and twitchy. Everything else feels draggy and slow, or lacking in lift and glide. It's very responsive and picks up a lot of water texture/turbulence, which I don't mind because I can feel what it's doing and react to keep it in the water. I can poke 15cm of wing tip out of the water without any issues. It turns well at lower speeds, with an ultrashort fuse.
If it sounds like it has attributes that might suit your style, demo/borrow one. The smaller 799 should be good for kiting. I use the 999 for a range of activities.