Choosing the bladder compatible with your wing

How to
Wing

20 march 2020 0

The new designs of our wings enhance bladder inter-compatibility across our different models!

For even greater ease of use and to ensure long-term compatibility for our wings, our bladders are now standardized across different models. Our new wing designs will maintain bladder compatibility from one model year to the next, with only one variable throughout the range (in addition to your wing size, of course):

the shape of the tips for the leading edge
the shape of the strut for the center strut

If you purchase a spare bladder and don’t use it, for example for a trip to a remote spot, it will remain compatible with your future wings of the same size, tip shape and strut shape. Find all the explanations below.

Droid UPE Wing with a classic center strut for handles, but mounted with a Boom.

If you notice a leak

The vast majority of leaks on a wing can be addressed with the repair kit provided with your GONG wing. This kit consists of adhesive patches and sandpaper to prepare the surface. However, if your bladder has failed due to overpressure under a wave or inappropriate inflation, causing significant tearing, it needs to be replaced. In this case, visit our shop to select the corresponding bladder. We explain how to choose and replace it below.

Reminder about the structure of a wing

The structure of your wing consists of two independent inflatable parts:

The leading edge: this is the main inflatable section that gives shape and rigidity to your wing. You inflate your wing through this part.
The center strut: a secondary inflatable section that helps tension the canopy of your wing. The handles or boom are connected to it.

Inside each of these parts, a bladder serves as an air chamber. GONG bladders are made from 80-micron-thick TPU for excellent resistance.

They are connected by the One Pump system, allowing you to inflate them simultaneously through the valve on the leading edge. The One Pump clip separates the airflow between the two bladders at the end of inflation.

This provides you with a double safety chamber while riding. The clip also allows you to isolate each bladder to identify the part with a leak.

SuperPower Boom Wing with a narrow center strut designed exclusively for a Boom.

How to choose your bladder?

Thanks to the work carried out on our wing designs in 2023, we have improved the inter-compatibility of spare parts between models. We have simplified the choice of bladders by grouping them directly by design type.

Until now, you had to choose your bladder based on the year of your wing and its size.

Starting from 2023, bladders are categorized as follows:

REGULAR for leading edges without the Low Drag System on the tips and standard-thickness center struts (without a boom by default).

IRREGULAR for leading edges with the Low Drag System on the tips and reduced-diameter center struts (with a boom by default).

Summary table:

Leading edge

Links:

Strut

Links:

How to replace your bladder

In this how-to guide, you’ll find instructions for replacing your leading-edge bladder and a second guide for your center-strut bladder, with every step explained in video format.