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FEEDBACK: HIPE 5'1 IN WING
The HIPE is not just an ultra practical board for traveling. It is also an ultra efficient board on the water as shown by the testimony of Mickaël who chose the HIPE for traveling, but who could well adopt it as his every day board 😉
“Little feedback from a beginner to intermediate rider (82 kg unequipped, 15 sessions so far, I stumble on the first jibes). My board since my beginnings is a 5’10 of 105 l. The idea was to have a HIPE as a travel board that wouldn’t be too much of an overlap with my other board. So I hesitated between 5’1 and 5’3 and I finally chose the 5’1 despite the advice of the forum (I am stubborn). Sent 2 days after the order (but it was sequestered 1 week by customs), I received it yesterday. I’m more and more addicted to unboxing GONG orders. I have some good surprises (particularly complete screws and a box stop set that I had not seen when ordering) on the other hand once inflated the doubt invades me… I may have been greedy and presumptuous not to have taken the size above.
First sesh
Tested today (thank you Eole after 3 weeks without wind): forecast at 12 knots with 19 knots gusts. I go out in 6m + Rise XL foil, confident, ready for a light session. Well, once in the water the wind is closer to 20 knots but despite the choppy body of water, I managed to start on my knees without too much difficulty and I almost had the impression of taking off more easily than usual.
In flight
In flight, my level really did not allow me to see a difference in reactivity to pump the foil during the windholes (so good surprise: it is quite rigid). The wind rose with stormy weather (25-27 knots I think). So I was overpowered for 20-30 minutes. I struggled a bit more at that point to flip the wing and take-offs but it was largely manageable. By switching to a 4 m I really enjoyed the session, without pumping it went in flight. In the wind holes I managed to stay up, even more easily than usual, and I was even able to try a few jibes.
In summary I do not regret my purchase at all (as usual) and the 5’1 and its 85 l all in width are completely manageable even with 82 kg. I’m wondering what is the point of keeping my 5’10 … In short: thank you GONG! ”
