FEEDBACK: DOWNWINDERS ON THE CRUZADER AND CURVE 3XL-H

Tom tells the story of how he got into downwinders with an undersized board for his weight and a limited SUP background.

SUP foiler: Malo, GONG Team Rider, with the Cruzader FSP Pro, a Carbon Pro Paddle, an HM mast and Fluid Set-up.

From wing foil to SUP foil downwinders

“A year ago, I finished my second season of wing foiling in which I was mainly doing downwinders and I decided that the next season would be dedicated to learning to downwind on a SUP foil. I had been warned, “embrace the struggle” they told me. I have to confirm, the struggle is real but it’s worth it! The satisfaction of each small success makes it all the more intense.

April 2023, the Cruzader had just been released and the “Freo doctor” season (the afternoon sea breeze that cools Perth in summer and is of perfect strength and orientation for downwinders) was ending.”

The choice of board

“I took advantage of the very last sessions of the season to test SUP foil downwinders with my equipment of the time (a 6’4 x 31 beginner’s board, a very large board that pushes water, not suitable at all).

In July, I took advantage of my mother’s visit to transport my new Cruzader 7’0 XL 135l to Western Australia (thanks mother).

I hesitated a lot about the size and ended up choosing 7’0 to make it easier for her on the plane 😂 . With SUP experience limited to cruising around every once in a while, I got on the board and quickly realized that 10 of my 103 kg would have to disappear 😂 . The recommendation to take a volume of 45l (or 50%) above your weight to start is actually a good one.”

The choice of the front wing

“I first started with sessions on the flat, very unconvincing with the Fluid XXL-T… Flying was not in sight yet.

The first attempts at doing downwinds were quite a struggle and after 3 or 4 sessions of mainly falls, I am finally able to stand up on the board and drift, proudly floating like a cork. At this point, I realized that my Fluid-XXL-T wasn’t the front wing I needed to take off. At the end of November, the wind season resumed and I was then able to make a new series of attempts. It’s the Sirus 3XL that unlocked the take off for me. Then I very quickly felt the need for more maneuverability and I bought a Curve 3XL-H. And I kept on doing sessions with it.”

Sessions and flight time

“After 10 sessions of fumbling with balance, 10 sessions of discovering how to takeoff on the Sirus and 30 more of making progress on the Curve H, I lost 12kg and learned to read swell bumps and make increasingly long flights, first 50m, then 100, then 500 and up to 4km last week. I even finally managed to do a downwinder with my Fluid XXL-T in solid conditions and realized that I needed a Veloce XL-H which is now waiting for a wind which may not come before next season. It doesn’t matter, I’m already over the moon to have managed to achieve my goal and I’ve even got my shape back from 10 years ago (that’s the SUP foiling effect for you, I don’t think I’m the only one having this experience 😂) All thanks to this great gear at an affordable price. Thank you GONG!”

To follow Tom’s example in SUP foiling, take advantage of discounts of up to 38% on the Cruzader from the 2023 range. You also have access to a complete pack with board and Sirus foil to learn how to do flat starts at less than 25 % !