FEEDBACK: GONG BOOM

Winner of multiple final rounds in the World Tour 2023 with the GONG boom in hand, Julien Rattotti reflects on the qualities of the concept offered by GONG.

Wing foiler: Julien, GONG team rider, in Pulse DP UPE Aramid, GONG Powerlight harness, and Mint FSP Pro.

The influence of the boom on the wing

“Since I started using the boom, I see the advantages accumulating, both from a pure performance perspective and in terms of sailing comfort and maneuverability.

To begin with, the boom adds balance to the wing, resulting in superior stability compared to textile or rigid handles. The Boom allows me to distribute my hands very precisely, adjust them optimally, and consequently, better locate the wing’s center of effort. Finding and optimizing the center of effort is crucial, as it promotes smooth laminar flow of the wing.

Furthermore, the boom has allowed the development of wings with a “wasp waist” shape on the central strut, significantly reducing the diameter and thus minimizing drag. It may seem trivial, but at this location, at the center of the wing’s thrust, it’s clearly a valuable evolution. In a race where competitors often finish closely, and every tenth of a second matters, it is far from a minor detail.”

A refined design

“Thanks to the boom, we have the precision of rigid handles without adding weight to the wing. Contrary to popular belief, the boom is 200g lighter than a pair of rigid handles. The design is completely refined; it is truly the strong point of the 100% carbon prepreg GONG boom. It is ultra-light and rigid, and thanks to its small diameter and EVA coating, we have control with a very pleasant finesse. Transitions are intuitive, almost instantaneous; as a result, we gain control and agility.

Setting up the boom is also extremely simple, as it can be assembled and disassembled in the blink of an eye by simply screwing or unscrewing two screws, with a perfect adjustment without any play.”

Versatility and maneuvers

“The boom allows for so much more in maneuvers. The maneuverability facilitates tight and complex jibes/turns in close quarters, so it is important not to have to search for the handle or risk placing your hand incorrectly. This makes all actions much more dynamic and intuitive. I can consider all hand positions and blindly retrieve the boom, then readjust my position once the maneuver is finished, allowing me to make better transitions in the mark roundings.

I also think of another maneuver/figure where having a boom is more than useful, the Back Mob, where the hand transition takes place behind the back. It is impossible to perform this figure without a boom.

This gives it remarkable versatility, adapting to different styles of riding. Whether you are a fan of freestyle, freeride, or surfing, the boom offers adaptability and sailing comfort that I recommend to riders of all levels.”