Wing Foil setups - Beginner

General overview:

This new V3 range, designed by our team of engineers and hydrodynamicists led by Patrice Guénolé, offers major improvements both in glide performance and assembly mechanics. We pursued performance down to the finest details while retaining what made the GONG V2 foils the best-selling foils in the world.

Advantages of the V3 foils:

• Enhanced Glide: The redesigned shape reduces water resistance, making it easier to reach and maintain speed for an astonishing glide sensation.
• Increased Lift: The profiles of the V3 front wings provide better lift, offering greater efficiency with less effort and drag, as well as more responsiveness and precision.
• Rigidity and Stability: The new fuselage design, with its ovoid section, enhances the rigidity of the assembly by 30%, thereby improving stability even at high speeds.
• Ease of Assembly: Thanks to a self-locking interlocking system, assembling the wings and stabilizer becomes simple and fast. The fit is precise and secure, without the need for constant retightening.

What sets these foils apart:

• Effortless Glide Capability: Optimized profiles enable continuous glide with minimal energy, even in very light wind or foam.
• Optimized Performance: They offer superior efficiency in terms of lift and glide. The combination of these two parameters at their peak delivers unparalleled performance.
• Adaptability to All Practices: The V3 range is designed to adapt to a wide variety of navigation styles, from freeride to surfing, racing, downwind, surf foiling, pumping and freestyle. Each foil in the range excels in its specific domain while remaining versatile for other programs.

Why choose the GONG V3 range?

• Performance: The improvements made to the V3 foil profiles deliver measurable performance gains ranging from 12% on the Curve to 40% on the Veloce!
• Sensations: Every design detail has been crafted to optimize glide, lift, and maneuverability, offering an unparalleled navigation experience.
• Simplicity: The new assembly system allows for easy and secure adjustments, eliminating the need for retightening during a session. With fewer screws and a hassle-free assembly/disassembly process, you can focus entirely on the joy of gliding for a seamless experience.

Development Overview:

• Listening to and Learning from Riders: GONG worked closely with its team of professional riders and, most importantly, tens of thousands of GONG foil users worldwide. This collaboration helped identify areas for improvement in the V2 range, leading to a V3 that addresses real-world needs on the water.
• Testing and Continuous Improvement: Every V3 prototype was tested under varied conditions and by all types of riders to fine-tune the design of the wings, stabilizers, and fuselages.
• Design, Testing, and Digital Optimization: The V3 foils are the result of thousands of digitally tested iterations by our hydrodynamics experts and engineers. The creation of this center of excellence, made possible by our ongoing development, ensures optimization down to the finest detail.
• Inspiration from Previous Versions: The V3 retains the strengths of the world-champion V2, while introducing significant adjustments such as the transition to an ovoid fuselage, improved profiles, better fittings, and refined curves, among others.
• The World’s Largest Foil Factory: Every GONG foil is produced in our own factory. This exclusive, massive facility allows us to develop cutting-edge technologies ahead of their time.
  

Goals of the V3 Range:

• Deliver ultra-high-performance foils tailored to each discipline.
• Provide absolute tolerance and a stable, dependable feel, even in turbulence.
• Maximize lift to enable the use of smaller, more responsive, and faster surfaces.
• Simplify assembly, enhance rigidity, and reduce drag.
• Push composite rigidity and durability to the limit for superior performance.

Changes compared to V2:

• Transition from a square fuselage to an ovoid section: improved hydrodynamics, 12% drag reduction.
• Constant profile on the front wings for uniform lift.
• Streamlined design for transitions between sections (fillets), making the foil smoother. Achieved a 50% drag reduction on the lower 10 cm of the masts!

Optimization of wing profiles:

• The constant profiles from the center to the tips on the V3 allow for maximum and consistent lift, providing better control on the surface when, for instance, a tip emerges, and offering excellent low-end performance.
• The wing design has been adjusted to reduce surface turbulence, making the foil quieter and significantly more stable.
• The alignment of the planes and profiles has significantly reduced the stabilizers' surface area, consequently reducing drag.
• The new profiles rise without generating pitching at low speeds. V3 foils take off flat, making them much easier to handle, particularly during re-engagements.

Impact on performance:

• Improved stability in turns, increased rigidity for tricks and fast runs.
• Excellent low-end range and highly stable behavior in complex situations: tip-out, high-speed stalls, re-pop, turbulent water, etc.
• Reduced drag enables easier glide and sustained speed over long distances without effort. Requires 200 cm² less on the front wing.

Lightness:

• The weight of the foils has been significantly reduced (e.g., 40g less on the fuselage, 700g less on a Sirus), making transport easier and also improving responsiveness on the water.

Rigidity and durability:

• The new ovoid section of the fuselage improves rigidity by 30% compared to square versions. This ensures greater stability, especially at high speeds or during rapid transitions.
• The rounded design of the connections between flat surfaces reduces stress points, significantly increasing break resistance by 30%.
• Materials such as reinforced aluminum for the fuselage and carbon for the wings offer an excellent weight-to-rigidity ratio.

Glide and lift performance:

• Thanks to a constant profile on the front wings, lift is enhanced, allowing for a 200 cm² reduction in wing size while maintaining the same lift as a larger wing from the V2 version.
• The V3 wings are designed to minimize drag and maximize glide, a major focus of their development.
• V3 wings offer much greater tolerance, making flight easier even at low speeds. They no longer stall abruptly when approaching the surface or when a tip emerges.

GONG V3 Perf Front Wings Range

Foils designed to help you progress quickly and effortlessly to an advanced level across all foil sports. These prepreg fiberglass wings are robust, durable, and economical.

Their design incorporates the latest innovations to make progression enjoyable. For example, their takeoff no longer induces pitching: these foils lift "flat" for an incredibly smooth experience. It's a game-changer for learning.

1. Xover V3: Beginner and progression foil, stable and forgiving, offering great ease of learning and room for progression for riders new to foiling.
2. Ascent V3: A versatile foil for rapid progression, suitable for riders with some prior experience in foiling or board sports. It combines performance, stability, and maneuverability for an "all-terrain" foil.
3. Curve H FG V3: Designed for carving, with a moderate+ aspect ratio and excellent control in all conditions. Ideal for freeride and waves, offering tolerance and comfort.
4. Fluid H FG V3: A radical surf foil with excellent glide and high reactivity, perfect for engaged surfing. It offers fantastic top speed and the ability to perform aggressive snaps and slashes.
5. Trail: Pumping model for beginners, designed for rapid progression in pure pumping. Ideal for learning dock starts and flat starts with a glider foil that is forgiving and easy to use.

GONG V3 Team Front Wings Range

Simple foils that deliver top-tier performance. Combining high performance and comfort, this range is used by professionals but remains accessible to experienced foilers. These prepreg carbon wings are lightweight, durable, and extremely rigid.

1. Curve H V3: Designed for carving, with a moderate+ aspect ratio and excellent control in all situations. Perfect for freeride and waves, offering tolerance and comfort.
2. Fluid H V3: A radical surf foil with excellent glide and high reactivity, perfect for committed surfing. It delivers great top speed and the ability to execute aggressive snaps and slashes.
3. Veloce H V3: Glide- and speed-oriented foil with a high aspect ratio, offering exceptional glide while maintaining good rail-to-rail maneuverability. Ideal for freefly, surfing, and light wind conditions.
4. Veloce HDW V3: Downwind version of the Veloce, with an extreme aspect ratio for endless glide sessions: downwind, freefly, pumping, smooth surfing, light wind, etc. Extremely efficient with minimal effort.
5. Sirus V3: High-lift foil, even at low speeds, designed for infinite pumping and light wind in marginal conditions. Its maneuverability in smaller sizes is perfect for smaller swells and slow bumps in downwind scenarios.

GONG V3 Team Pro Front Wings Range

Foils designed for record-breaking and peak performance, with no compromises. This is about absolute efficiency. Step into an exceptional world with the Team Pro range. These prepreg carbon wings are lightweight, durable, and extremely rigid.

1. Ypra Surf: High-performance foil for powerful waves and fast surfers, combining speed, maneuverability, and control. Designed for extreme surfing in demanding waves.
2. Ypra Surf Freestyle: Designed for freestyle surfing, this foil offers exceptional pop, a forgiving moderate aspect ratio, and a short wingspan for extreme tricks and radical aerial surfing.
3. Ypra Freestyle: Pure freestyler foil, explosive pop, instant relaunch, total control. Designed with our World Tour riders, for a single objective: to link tricks with power, amplitude and precision.
4. Ypra Slalom: Slalom version of the Race model, compatible with the V3 system. Ideal for World Cup slalom and freeracing, combining ultimate speed, forgiveness, and maneuverability.
5. Ypra Race: Racing foil optimized for all courses, especially upwind. Engineered for maximum performance in racing, with an ultra-slick profile and specific fuselage, stabilizers, and small-diameter mast.
6. Ultra Trail: High-performance pumping foil with exceptional efficiency and maximum glide for setting records. Ideal for experienced foilers seeking a benchmark in pumping performance.

Wing Foil

• For beginners: 1,300 to 1,800 cm²
• For progressing: 1,000 to 1,300 cm²
• For lightwind: 1,200 to 1,600 cm²
• For freeride: 800 to 1,200 cm²
• For freestyle: 600 to 700 cm²
• For wave riding: 500 to 700 cm²
• For racing: 450 to 700 cm²

Choosing the ideal foil can quickly become complex with the numerous parameters to consider. Size, surface area, ratio, thickness, profile... These are all characteristics that influence glide, lift, and maneuverability. In this guide, we break down the essential elements to help you make the right choice.

Surface Area of the Front Wing

The surface area of the front wing is crucial for determining lift, speed, and maneuverability. Generally, a larger wing is more stable and offers better low-speed lift, making it ideal for beginners and light wind conditions. On the other hand, a smaller wing favors speed and maneuverability but requires more experience.

• Large Surface: Ideal for light wind, beginners, and riders looking for prolonged glide and high stability.
• Small Surface: Perfect for waveriding, racing, and freestyle, offering enhanced responsiveness for quick, dynamic maneuvers.

Aspect Ratio

The aspect ratio (the ratio between wingspan and surface area) directly influences stability, glide, and maneuverability. A high aspect ratio provides better glide and higher top speed, but may make the foil more technical to handle, whereas a moderate ratio improves control and tolerance. A low aspect ratio will be very forgiving but slower.

• Low Ratio (less than 6): For beginners seeking safety with a simple, tolerant foil.
• Moderate Ratio (6 to 9): A good compromise between maneuverability, smooth glide, and stability, ideal for freeride, surfing, freestyle, and varied conditions.
• High Ratio (9 to 12): For glide and speed, suitable for lightwind, downwind, and racing.
• Extreme Ratio (over 13): For pumping and maximum glide with minimal energy.

Types of Front Wing Outlines

Rectangular Outline

• Characteristics: Offers moderate wingspan and even surface distribution.
• Advantages: Very stable due to surface being spread evenly; offers predictable lift. Ideal for beginners and those seeking stability.
• Disadvantages: Less maneuverable and harder to react in tight turns; higher drag limits speed and glide.

Tapered Outline

• Characteristics: Diamond-shaped surface, concentrated at the center and tapering off towards the tips.
• Advantages: More maneuverable in turns, as the reduced surface at the tips helps change direction; lower drag for better glide.
• Disadvantages: Less stable due to smaller tips, requiring more technical control; sometimes abrupt behavior.

Elliptical Outline

• Characteristics: Surface is concentrated at the center, tapering smoothly to the tips.
• Advantages: More maneuverable in turns with smooth tip reduction, helping controlled direction changes; lower drag.
• Disadvantages: Less stable due to smaller tips, requiring more technical control; less glide due to significant cord length at the wing's span.

Crescent Outline

• Characteristics: Curved surface tapering toward the rear, with the lift concentrated at the center.
• Advantages: More stable and progressive in turns due to the rearward lift; smoother glide.
• Disadvantages: Less responsive.

Football Outline

• Characteristics: Surface concentrated at the tips with reduced center chord.
• Advantages: Ultimate lateral stability.
• Disadvantages: Poor maneuverability; significant mechanical stresses causing flex and torsion; risk of cavitation and abrupt turns.

Dihedral of the Front Wing

The front wing’s curve when viewed from the front is called the dihedral. This refers to the angle at which the two halves of the wing are tilted relative to the horizontal axis. Depending on this tilt, we talk about:

• Neutral Dihedral: Flat wing with no upward or downward inclination. Provides uniform lift and constant stability.
• Positive Dihedral: Tips are lifted upward, which increases lateral maneuverability and responsiveness without reducing lift.
• Negative Dihedral (Anhedral): Tips are downward, promoting stability in turns by keeping the tips engaged in the water, though this can reduce lift.

The dihedral plays a key role in lift, stability, grip, and maneuverability. The curvature of the tips is part of the dihedral, but it’s the central curvature that primarily defines the wing’s character. A negative dihedral is more grippy but can be made more maneuverable with positive tips or snappier with flat tips.

Detailed Dihedral Types

Flat Dihedral

• Characteristics: The wing is mostly flat with no significant upward or downward curve.
• Advantages: Provides regular, predictable lift and stable glide. Ideal for speed and flat or aerial maneuvers.
• Disadvantages: Less stable in sharp turns, as the lack of curvature reduces lateral engagement in water.

Lowered Dihedral

• Characteristics: The wing’s halves tilt downward, creating a descending shape at the center.
• Advantages: Better grip in the water during turns and reduces vibrations in choppy waters.
• Disadvantages: Reduces glide due to extra drag and less lift from the surface area.

Raised Dihedral

• Characteristics: The wing’s halves tilt upwards, forming a gentle upward curve.
• Advantages: Increases rail-to-rail movement, making the foil very maneuverable and reduces the behavior anomalies, supporting better glide.
• Disadvantages: Less control, particularly in chop and at high speeds. More demanding, suitable for advanced riders.

Seagull Wing Dihedral

• Characteristics: The wing takes on a double curve downward at the center, similar to a seagull's wings.
• Advantages: Significant stability, making the foil very stable and easy to control in flight.
• Disadvantages: Increased drag at high speeds, limiting glide and top speed.

Front Wing Tips

The curvature of the front wing tips influences overall lift, stability, grip, and maneuverability. The curvature of the tips is part of the dihedral, but it’s the central curvature that defines the wing’s character.

Flat Tips

• Characteristics: Tips are aligned without curvature.
• Advantages: Provides regular and stable lift, making the foil easy to control in straight lines and during takeoff, with predictable turns.
• Disadvantages: Less forgiving during steep angles; tips can cause a loss of lift.

Lowered Tips (Negative Dihedral)

• Characteristics: Tips are angled downward, further from the water surface.
• Advantages: Enhances grip in turns, increasing control in sharp turns or choppy conditions.
• Disadvantages: Increased drag, limiting glide and top speed.

Raised Tips (Positive Dihedral)

• Characteristics: Tips curve upward.
• Advantages: Increases maneuverability, especially in rail-to-rail transitions, and helps the foil lift a tip out of the water for slashing moves.
• Disadvantages: Requires tolerant profiles due to frequent "tip out" situations and can be dangerous when falling.

Wing Profile

The thickness and shape of the wing’s profile play a major role in lift and behavior:

• Thick Profile: Generates more lift at low speeds, offering more tolerance, making takeoffs easier, ideal for beginners and lightwind.
• Thin Profile: Reduces drag, offering faster glide and better control at high speeds, preferred for waveriding and racing.

Extrados vs Intrados

• Extrados Voluminous: High lift and tolerance, but low speed.
• Intrados Voluminous: Excellent glide with less lift.

Leading Edge Types

• Round Leading Edge: Great tolerance for all angles.
• Pinched Leading Edge: Fast but unstable, less forgiving.

Rear Section Profile

• Extrados Hollow: Fast, but less forgiving.
• Intrados Hollow: High lift but limited glide.

Fuselage Type

The shape and length of the fuselage influence stability and responsiveness:

• Long Fuselage: Offers better stability and is easier to control, ideal for beginners, lightwind, freeride, and glide sessions.
• Short Fuselage: More playful and dynamic, ideal for freestyle and radical surfing. Also useful for speed with quick corrections under load.

The GONG V3 foils, with their optimized designs, offer superior lift and glide, allowing for a reduction in wing surface area by approximately 200 cm² compared to V2 models. Below are recommendations tailored to different skill levels and riding styles:

Beginners

For learning to foil, a front wing with sufficient surface area is essential for maintaining flight and enabling early takeoff, especially at low speeds. Beginners should prioritize larger surface areas for maximum stability and forgiveness. With V3 models, wings between 1,300 to 1,800 cm² are ideal, depending on weight and preferences.

Recommended sizes by weight:

• 70 kg rider: Front wing of 1,300 to 1,500 cm² for stability and easy takeoff.
• 85 kg rider: Front wing of 1,500 to 1,700 cm² for added lift and comfort.
• 100 kg rider: Front wing of 1,700 to 1,800 cm² to maximize takeoff and tolerance.

Intermediate / Advanced Riders

For more experienced riders, the choice of wing size depends on the primary goal: comfort, responsiveness, lightwind performance, or glide for freefly and downwind sessions.

Comfort and Stability

Select a front wing that balances lift and maneuverability. Wings between 1,100 to 1,400 cm² ensure early takeoff with good flight stability.

• Example: An 80 kg rider might choose a 1,200 cm² wing for a comfortable and versatile setup.

Responsiveness

For a more dynamic riding style, wings between 900 and 1,200 cm² are ideal. This smaller surface reduces drag, providing more reactive handling, but requires good technical skills to maintain control.

• Example: An 80 kg rider using a 1,000 cm² wing will enjoy increased maneuverability, though takeoff may demand more effort.

Lightwind Performance

In light wind conditions, larger wings (about 1,200 to 1,600 cm² for V3 foils) ensure sustained flight even with minimal energy. The Sirus V3 is highly recommended for maximizing lift at very low speeds, making it perfect for lightwind sessions.

Glide for Freefly / Downwind

Advanced riders seeking maximum glide for downwind or freefly sessions should choose high-aspect-ratio wings, typically between 1,000 and 1,200 cm² for V3 models. These wings optimize continuous speed and glide but require advanced technical skills.

Professional and Experienced Riders

Extreme Lightwind Performance

To maximize performance in extremely light winds, pros use front wings between 900 and 1,300 cm². Models like the Veloce HDW V3 provide optimized lift and glide, enabling flight in marginal conditions and extended lightwind sessions.

Downwind and Freefly

For downwind runs, ideal wing sizes for pros range between 650 and 950 cm². Foils like the Veloce HDW V3 deliver optimal glide, facilitating smooth transitions between bumps with minimal speed and enhanced control.

Freestyle

For freestyle, wings between 600 and 700 cm² are perfect for a combination of lightness, pop, and responsiveness in aerial moves. The Ypra Surf Freestyle V3 is well-suited for these dimensions, offering high maneuverability for aerial tricks and tight carves.

Radical Surfing

In technical and aggressive surfing, pros prefer front wings between 500 and 700 cm². The Ypra Surf V3 and Fluid V3 cater to this need with their extreme maneuverability and responsiveness, enabling radical maneuvers, sharp snaps, and slashes for incisive wave riding.

Racing and Pure Speed

In speed and slalom competitions, pros opt for wings between 450 and 650 cm². Models like the Ypra Race V3 and Ypra Slalom V3 ensure maximum speeds and precise reactivity, ideal for tight trajectories and rapid acceleration.

These recommendations reflect the versatility and performance capabilities of the GONG V3 foil range, ensuring there is an ideal setup for every skill level and riding style.

Beginner:

Xover V3: Designed for a gentle learning curve and easy progression, the Xover V3 is perfect for beginners thanks to its great stability and forgiveness.
Ascent V3: For riders with experience in foiling or other board sports, the Ascent V3 offers great versatility and increased performance, allowing rapid progress and comfort in all conditions.

Lightwind:

Sirus V3: The ultimate reference for lightwind, the Sirus V3 features exceptional lift at very low speeds, guaranteeing flight even in light winds by offering an optimal glide-to-lift ratio to maximize every breath.
Veloce HDW V3: Ideal for dynamic sessions in light winds, the Veloce HDW V3 offers infinite glide and an excellent ability to generate apparent wind to boost sessions in light conditions. The Veloce V3 will deliver the same feeling but with a little less glide and much more maneuverability.
Curve and Fluid V3: In their large sizes, the Curve V3 and Fluid V3 have easy and early take-off capabilities, but they plateau in speed without consistent wind to propel them, sometimes requiring relaunches.

Freeride:

Ascent V3: For maximum comfort and safety, the Ascent V3 remains stable and reassuring, offering a super smooth glide for 100% fun sessions.
Curve V3: Ultra-forgiving and stable, the Curve V3 is ideal for riders looking for smooth curves, good speed, and cool waves, with maximum ease.
Fluid V3: With exceptional glide and increased responsiveness, the Fluid V3 is the perfect choice for intermediate riders looking to push their freeride limits while retaining good forgiveness.
Veloce V3: The Veloce V3 is a top freeride board with excellent glide and good maneuverability that will appeal to experienced riders.

Freestyle:

Ypra Surf Freestyle: Designed for extreme moves, the Ypra Surf Freestyle combines incredible pop and repop with a high level of error tolerance, ideal for chaining together radical freestyle tricks.
Fluid V3: Thanks to its glide, crazy pop, and reactivity, the Fluid V3 in less than 700 cm² makes it possible to perform moves with fluidity and precision. It's ideal for surf freestyle, but also pure freestyle with the Freestyle stab.

Freefly:

Veloce V3: The Veloce V3 is ideal for freefly, with excellent glide and good maneuverability for downwind and surfing in cool conditions.
Veloce HDW V3: With incredible glide, the Veloce HDW V3 excels in downwind, bringing exceptional speed and fluidity to freefly.
Fluid V3: Oriented towards surfing, its gliding qualities are simply amazing. If you want to carve in freefly, think about it!

Waveriding:

Ypra Surf: Optimized for powerful waves, the Ypra Surf provides exceptional control and high speed, ideal for precise trajectories and extreme surfing.
Fluid V3: For aggressive surfing and committed curves, the Fluid V3 stands out for its responsiveness and natural glide, ideal for powerful, dynamic surfing.
Ypra Surf Freestyle: With its pop and maneuverability, the Ypra Surf Freestyle is perfect for combining radical surfing and freestyle in the waves.

Racing:

Ypra Race: Designed for competition, the Ypra Race guarantees maximum performance on race courses, both upwind and downwind.
Ypra Slalom: Versatile for slalom and freerace, the Ypra Slalom combines speed, forgiveness, and maneuverability, making it an excellent choice for freerace and slalom competitions.
Veloce V3: In small sizes, the Veloce V3 offers decent speed and remains accessible, ideal for beginners who want to race without pressure.