TECH HIGHLIGHT: THE LIGHTNESS OF OUR INFLATABLE WINGBOARDS!

A technology that makes your board up to 2 kg lighter!

The first inflatable wingboard on the market, the HIPE remains the undisputed benchmark for riders looking to combine performance, practicality and compactness. Last year, the range stood out once again with weight savings of 800 g to 2 kg, without compromising stiffness.

For 2026, the HIPE range retains this remarkable lightness, despite a higher level of equipment on the footstrap-ready boards thanks to the new flush inserts integrated into the deck pad.

Here's how we did it 👇

Wing foiler: Malo, GONG team rider, on the HIPE Perf 2026 with the Neutra Boom wing.

Continuous development

The HIPE range has become a benchmark thanks to the continuous evolution of its features, shapes and technologies. Resting on our achievements has never been part of GONG's DNA. Every opportunity for improvement is explored by our R&D team to deliver an unforgettable experience on the water. Naturally, your board's weight plays a key role, whether you're riding, carrying it on land or travelling.

How did we achieve it?

The advantage of a well-designed product is that you can focus on refining it. That's exactly what we've done through continuous upgrades. Reducing weight without sacrificing the stiffness that defines the HIPE range was made possible by optimizing several aspects of the construction:

• a careful selection of composite materials and PVC with optimized strength-to-weight ratios;

• thermo-welded dropstitch layers requiring less glue, which means less weight;

• an optimized composite design for the ICS plate where your foil is mounted, with perfect material distribution. The result: lower weight with absolutely no compromise in stiffness or strength, validated through testing inspired directly by aerospace standards.

This three-pronged development effort, introduced last year with the 2025 range, delivered weight savings of up to 2 kg on HIPE models built in Woven Fusion Light: HIPE Learn, HIPE Perf, HIPE Cruzader, HIPE Diamond, HIPE Lethal and HIPE Stunt (replaced by the HIPE Pro for 2026).

Woven Fusion Light:

• Woven Dropstitch construction for increased structural stiffness.

• Fusion double-layer PVC for a stiffer outer shell.

• Supports 20 psi inflation pressure, further enhancing stiffness.

Woven Light:

• Woven Dropstitch construction for increased structural stiffness.

• Single-layer PVC to maximize lightness and comfort.

• Designed for 15 psi inflation pressure, providing perfect stiffness for strapless riding.

What does it mean on the water?

The weight difference is substantial and immediately noticeable as soon as you pick up the board. And when your goal is to fly, the weight of your gear naturally makes a huge difference.

It's a major performance advantage, with better floatation and easier takeoffs. The board is also more responsive and more enjoyable to maneuver. Reduced inertia means better overall control.

It's also a huge boost in comfort on land, especially when carrying your gear, whether you're learning or hiking back upwind with your board along the beach.

Finally, when every gram counts to keep your boardbag within airline weight limits, this significant reduction is more than welcome.

Wing foiler: Malo, GONG team rider, on the HIPE Pro with the Droid Aramid X, HM85 mast and Ypra Freestyle foil.