GEAR: CHOOSING BETWEEN THE SIRUS AND VELOCE HDW FOR LIGHT WIND CONDITIONS

Wing foiler: Malo, GONG team rider, with a Cruzader Point LW and Droid UPE Aramid X.

1) Early Take-Off

• Sirus XL: The Sirus excels in early take-off, particularly because of its thicker profile and significant lift at low speeds. Its thickness allows it to generate lift sooner with minimal effort, making it ideal for ultra-light wind conditions where the goal is to get on the foil as early as possible. If easy, quick take-offs are a priority, the Sirus XL is an excellent choice.
• Veloce HDW XL: Although not as thick as the Sirus, the Veloce HDW XL is optimized for higher aspect ratios, which gives it an efficient lift and allows it to reach higher speeds once on the foil. However, you may find the take-off slightly more challenging compared to the Sirus, as it requires a bit more speed/energy to lift.

2) Glide Through Lulls

• Sirus XL: While the Sirus XL is great for getting you on the foil early, its thickness and design can create a bit more drag, which may limit a little its glide efficiency before entering through extended lulls. It’s super stable and predictable but may require more active pumping to maintain momentum in ultra-light conditions once you’re on the foil.
• Veloce HDW XL: The Veloce HDW XL’s very thin high aspect design is built for efficiency, with less drag than the Sirus, allowing it to glide fast and go smoothly through lulls. This means that, once up, it will maintain top speed and stability in light winds with less effort. But if you lose that speed, it will be harder to gain it again on lulls. For sessions where maintaining glide and cruising efficiently are key, the Veloce HDW XL offers distinct advantages.

3) Cruising Speed and Maneuverability

• Sirus XL: The Sirus XL is designed more for glide and huge lift rather than high cruising speed. Its thicker profile make it slower than the Veloce in cruising, and it’s best suited for smooth, steady rides at lower speeds. But it can reach 20 knots + anyway! However, it’s a forgiving wing with predictable handling, which can be a great asset in learning environments and in ultra-light winds.
• Veloce HDW XL: The Veloce HDW XL offers higher cruising speeds and better turning capabilities. Its thinner, high-aspect design reduces drag, giving it better acceleration, better upwind, more apparent wind, and more agility than the Sirus XL but less than Sirus L. This wing is ideal if you’re looking for a setup that allows for more dynamic riding, even in light wind, with a better response in turns.

4) Turning Ability and Agility

• Sirus XL: While stable and reliable, the Sirus XL is not as agile as the Veloce HDW XL. It’s designed to be easy to manage but lacks the nimble turning and responsiveness of the Veloce. Check the Sirus L to have a great turn ability.
• Veloce HDW XL: With its efficient outline and high-aspect ratio, the Veloce HDW XL is built for quicker, more responsive turns. If you’re looking to have a more maneuverable setup even in light wind, the Veloce HDW XL will give you a more dynamic and engaging feel in the water.

Conclusion:

• Choose the Sirus XL if you prioritize early/easy take-off and easy stability in ultra-light winds, especially if you’re focused on maximizing time on the foil with minimal initial speed and energy. It’s more forgiving and may be preferable if you’re looking for a relaxed ride without needing high cruising speeds or aggressive turns.
• Choose the Veloce HDW XL if you’re looking for better glide to enter full speed through lulls, higher cruising speeds, and sharper handling. It may take a bit more technique to get up in ultra-light wind, but once on the foil, it will offer a faster, more responsive ride that handles lulls efficiently and allows for more dynamic turns.

Ultimately, both wings have specific strengths in light wind conditions, and the choice comes down to whether you value ultra-early take-off and ease of use (Sirus XL) or greater glide for apparent wind generation, speed, and maneuverability once foiling (Veloce HDW XL).

Remember that these two front wings are far ahead of others for light wind performance. While the differences between them may be around 20%, they’re approximately 50% better than other options. So don’t conclude that one is significantly better than the other—the main differences come down to feel and ease of use.