FEEDBACK: YPRA SURF-FREESTYLE

Detailed review of the Ypra Surf-Freestyle by Tytouan, GONG ambassador, to whom we offered among others to test the 4 sizes of the front wing which pushes the limits in Surf-Freestyle.

Wing foiler: Malo, GONG team rider, in Neutra Perf Series, Stunt FSP Pro, HM85 mast, Ypra Surf-Freestyle and Freestyle stab.

Test conditions

“I had the opportunity to take advantage of the test pack with the 4 sizes of the Ypra Surf-Freestyle! In 600/700/800/900, and the short fuselage in titanium!
During testing, I combined these FWs with the Fluid H 38 and Freestyle 37 stabs!
Rider: always 90kg.
HM85 mast.
Droid UPE Aramid 3/4/5.
Board 6’6x20 ¾. 94L”.
To begin with, I would like to point out that I use the Ypra Surf 800 as my everyday foil with the Fluid H 38 for all "standard" conditions and the Curve M-H and L-H for light! I like to keep the same FW as much as possible and change sail sizes!

I was able to test all these FWs in conditions ranging from very variable winds going from 5 to 18 knots, to more sustained winds around 25/30 well-established knots!”

Difference with the Ypra Surf

“To begin with, I tested the 800 that I had mounted with a Fluid H 38, in order to have a good point of reference with my usual setup! And big surprise, no longitudinal stability problem! I was as comfortable as with the Ypra Surf 800! As the Ypra Surf and Surf-Freestyle are identical, apart from the length of the fitting. I found the takeoff very similar with perhaps a bit more pop on the Surf-Freestyle due to greater responsiveness thanks to the reduced length of the fuselage. In return, this requires a little more precision in pumping!”

Hyper instinctive feeling

“The rather surprising point about the SF is the “tilting” of the foil during maneuvers! The pivot point being closer to the mast, I had a very direct feeling, without any blur, the angle taking is super natural, and I felt a real gain in precision and maneuverability, it's super instinctive!! I don't do freestyle, but I understand why this feature is praised in competition!
I liked combining it with Fluid H 38, because it still gives a little docility to calm this very nervous foil.”

A crazy unbridled maneuverability

“I then tried the 800 SF with the Freestyle 37 stab, for once a real gain in terms of pop at takeoff, and crazy unbridled maneuverability! On flat water and really clean waves, it's impressive, it carves in all directions, it's surgically precise, and really, really fun. However, when there is chop, cross swell, and a lot of water movement, for me, it was too technical to really enjoy my surf/downwind/freeride program!”

In surfing, freeride, downwind and racing

“In surfing, it does really well, the turns are done in total control, even with speed, the restarts are effective but must be sent with precision.
In freeride, it's a joy, it glides, it turns, it's stable, it's healthy...
In downwind I was very surprised, I used the 900 in fast DW, and the glide is really incredible, possibility of connecting the bumps very easily with hardly any need to relaunch, possibility of catching a section in a few pumping strokes... A real joy! However, you have to be careful with the low range which is not forgiving!
In racing, well for me it’s a big word! I used the 600 with the Fluid H 38.... And it works!!! I beat my modest speed record with a little over 24 knots, and I had never done a session with such a high average speed, a real pleasure! All the jibes and tacks happened at breakneck speed, all you had to do was tuck in the UPEA Droid and bam, it was back to Mac 12... I was amazed! I who thought I would lose too much stability, I was wrong!”

In conclusion

“In conclusion, a truly excellent front wing in its program! To be reserved for experienced riders because it needs to be tamed, it will delight the freestyle practitioner, through to those who want to send fast carves while surfing, but also to go upwind with a crazy angle and come downwind back home... While passing by practitioners who like to freeride with an impressive average speed, and the possibility of turning short whenever they want! ”

Do you want to know more about Ypra Surf and Ypra Surf-Freestyle? We offer you a complete presentation of the Ypra range by Patrice Guénolé, GONG boss and shaper.