FEEDBACK: DROID SP ARAMID CZ

Won over by its efficiency and versatility, Hugo gives us a detailed account of his first impressions of the Droid SP.

Wing foiler: Mathieu, GONG team rider, on a Cruzader Point LW FSP Pro and Droid Aramid CZ.

Choosing the Droid SP Aramid CZ

“The decision took a long time: Droid SP Aramid CZ 2026 or Droid Aramid X 2026 for a new 5m?
After several months riding the smaller-size Droid X 2026, I was convinced. But in the end, in 5m, the use wouldn’t be the same.

At this size, my use is mainly race, speed, freefly, and a few jumps when the Mistral is still timid. Little to no real surfing in 5m.

Spoiler: the final choice is the Droid SP Aramid CZ, which will stay in my quiver.

From unboxing and the first inflation, I was surprised. I feel like I say this with every new model, but this time it really redefines the word “rigid”. It’s simple: you could play the drums on it by tapping it (the sound is actually promising in that regard).

The canopy material is surprising. This Code 0 (CZ) feels like a kind of monofilm you’d find in windsurfing, but much thinner. It also seems to absorb no water at all.

Like the rest of the 2026 range, it radiates quality. Not a wrinkle, everything perfectly tensioned, not a stitch out of place. It’s beauuutiful. And with an increased feeling of lightness, despite a wing that looks more imposing than the X at the same size.

This sensation clearly comes from the extreme tensions: nothing moves. Control in the hands is therefore ultra-direct.”

Comparison with the Droid Aramid X on the water

“That feeling is confirmed on the water. Nothing like its little sister, the Droid X. The X was already very direct. Here… power, power, power, and strangely enough, comfort.

Compared to the X, you feel a more forward draft in the wing, which pulls upward and is extremely locked in.

In the high-end range, it holds incredibly well because it never catches you off guard. I rode it in 25–30 knots in race mode without much difficulty, on the harness, of course.

No oscillation at all: the draft is locked, the canopy doesn’t move a millimeter. It accelerates endlessly and you’re comfortably settled into the harness, windsurf-style.

In the mid-range, that’s where it really shines. It takes off with ease and comfort. I’m discovering sensations I’d never experienced in wing foiling before. It almost feels like full-speed slalom windsurf sessions, locked deep into the harness.

It’s just as fun on short reaches without a harness, as long as you have decent forearms. It feels limitless.”

Low-end range of the Droid SP Aramid CZ

“In the low end, once airborne, it’s pure bliss. Pumping is technical and requires a short adaptation phase. The wing feels extremely stiff and gives the impression that it doesn’t work at takeoff, yet it’s the opposite.

Once you understand the subtlety, you recover the same takeoff ability as with the X.

It cuts through lulls with disconcerting ease, always keeping a solid reserve of power.

Upwind, it has little to envy a double-skin wing. The difference shows in gust absorption and in a few tenths of glide when racing.”

The versatility of the Droid SP Aramid CZ

“My real question, almost a concern, was the versatility of this wing. I wanted something that wouldn’t be exclusive to racing (while still being extremely efficient in that field), but that would also allow me to play in the swell from time to time and do a bit of surfing.

No disappointment, far from it. I find it just as, if not more, balanced than a 2026 X in freefly in the mid and high ranges (not tested in freefly in the low range). It follows calmly behind without dipping into the water, and above all, it’s very stable. Once again, I think the canopy tension plays a huge role in its predictability.

It remains more cumbersome, with more inertia than an X in surf, and almost bulky compared to a Neutra. But it still does the job very, very well.

In maneuvers, there’s nothing to add, it’s pure joy. An X is very incisive in tacks: it flips instantly to the other side. No traps, but you need to be quick.

The CZ naturally positions itself above your head. The very forward draft makes it almost float above you, so you just have to grab it again to immediately take off at full speed.

No lag time, no feeling of waiting for the wing to power back up. The moment you place your back hand on the boom, it delivers.

I clocked my fastest tack exits (>20 knots) on my very first session with it. Comfortable, and at whatever pace you want.

I didn’t jump much with it, but enough to get literally ripped off my feet. I was surprised to feel like a piece of paper at 80 kg.

First impulse: elevator straight to the third floor. Everything is in the arms, though. Huge sensation of raw power. It doesn’t move an inch. Landings are incredibly soft because it glides so well.

I personally wouldn’t send rotations with it, though. Too powerful and a bit cumbersome in my opinion. Perfect for going high. For spinning tricks: maybe reserved for fired-up youngsters.”

A wing with windows.

“The windows are a real plus. I have to admit I expected much more visibility, maybe my 1.90 m height means I’m not perfectly lined up. Still, they do their job perfectly.

You clearly see the change in atmosphere when someone is downwind of you. Very pleasant for racing or crowded spots. In my opinion, this should be applied across the entire range.

Completely won over by this Droid SP, I’m now hesitating about replacing my 4m Droid X 2026 with an SP CZ… to be continued.” Thanks to Hugo for sharing this feedback on GONG Galaxy.