The HIPE V2 adapts to all programs without limits. Our ambassador Nicolas adopted it for his sessions above 15 knots where he goes for freestyle tricks. “It feels just like a rigid board” he says, here’s his full feedback.
“In one sentence my summary of this HIPE v2 4’8: 48 liters of happiness and possibilities!
So to start, congratulations to the GONG team because this little gem was supposed to be delivered on the 28/09 and was delivered to me more than 10 days in advance!
Dockstarts
But bad luck with the wind at first… So it was an opportunity to have a little fun with dockstarts, pumping and floatstarts (leaving the board on the water and jumping on it with backswing and then pumping). Already just for that the board is brilliant. I have seen people do floatstarts on rigid boards but on an inflatable one it must be a first.
In wing
After this appetizer, I tested it this morning in wing foiling. The objective of this purchase was to replace my Kube 3’11 85L and complete the Mint 4’10 95L that I use in light winds. The Kube is great but its shape and volume make the landings a bit tricky in my opinion.
So the test’s conditions: 15 to 18 knots, 6m Superpower and Fluid L 1200cm2. I weigh 90kgs so when sitting on the board it sinks but I am stable with the water at the level of my pecs. On my knees with the board underwater, I grab the wing in hand. It’s stable and with the first gust the board goes above the surface and slides. All there’s left to do is to stand up and fly! Once in flight it has a skaty feel on transitions, tacks and 360, a real pleasure !
I attack the jumps and the landings are fluid, it starts again on its own. A few Flakas and 360 jumps, the compactness of the board makes it super easy to send these tricks. It inevitably sinks in receptions but the board remains very stable nonetheless. It just takes 2 or 3 pumping strokes and it’s back above the surface for more action!
In short I had 2 hours of huge fun … thank you Patrice Guénolé! This board fulfills 100% of its purpose ! Sailing in conditions above 15 knots… below I will stay on Mint 4’10.”
