FEEDBACK: HIPE CRUZADER STRAPLESS 7’11

After many years spent on all types of SUP boards, Thierry discovers the HIPE Cruzader Strapless, the inflatable board to take off earlier than ever in SUP or wing foiling.

Super happy with the board

“Feedback on the HIPE Cruz 7’11 in SUP foiling. Alu 65 V1 mast, Curve XL-T stab surf 45. I Am 48 years old, 75 kg, 15 years of SUP surfing. Before this Cruz, I SUP foiled with the Zuma 6’3 (95L) then HIPE 5’5. Normandy spot, waves of around 50 cm with a little side-on wind up to 10 knots. A little chop and average sets (see photo of the webcam). I’m super happy with the board. I was worried about the narrow width even with my SUP experience. But in the end, I am reassured. Difficult for the first half hour because of the narrow width and the choppy conditions, but I got used to it. I can paddle with my feet parallel to move around.”

The pros

“As expected, it flies on the water. Compared to my First 5’5, I didn’t have to do late take offs in the hollow part of the wave, so I wasn’t quickly surrounded by whitewater nor arrived quickly in shallow water as I used to. With the Cruzader, I start from further away on a gentle slope and never too late, so I don’t get catapulted like a rocket. The rise of the foil is smoother and more controllable. I followed the wave for longer and I even managed to get out of it for the first few times without the wave breaking. So no whitewater to pass to get back to the peak. I’m not reconnecting yet though, because my pumping is catastrophic at the moment. But I have hope. In flight, you don’t feel the length. You are really positioned forward. We’ll see if this is confirmed when I pump better. As the board glides quickly, I have less need to force with the my paddle and I feel like I’m tiring my muscles less. Especially to get around the spot. Reaching the peak after surfing down the line or drifting in current is easy. At the beginning I was even going too far offshore with a few paddle strokes !!!”

The cons

“The small width has limits. I think that with more than 10 knots, the balance must be too complicated with both the wind and the chop messing the conditions. Explosiveness on the take off is difficult because of the width. It quickly causes lateral imbalances. I am more powerful with my Karmen 7’8, which has 50 L less, but wider. The board turns slowly on the flat compared to the 5’5 HIPE and even my 7’8 Karmen. It’s difficult to turn around for a set to catch a wave.”

To sum it all up

“I’m excited. At sea, the largest size is no luxury. I can’t wait to have clean conditions. But I remain lucid. It will take a lot of sessions to progress before reconnecting. According to my feelings at sea, with this foil configuration, it’s impossible to get on the foil in flat conditions and I believe I’m quite a powerful paddler. I’ll try it in ultra-flat conditions one day.”

Second session

“Session 2 with the HIPE Cruz 7’11. Foil Curve XL-Ton Alu 65 v1 mast and 45 stab. Waves of 50cm. Much easier without wind! I take off with 4 to 5 paddle strokes. On the other hand, when I want to pump too hard, the nose pearls quickly or sticks to the water. I’ll have to work on this aspect and probably hold the paddle with one hand.”