GEAR: DOES AN INFLATABLE BOARD STICK TO THE WATER?

News
Wing

22 august 2024 0

Myths and realities about the glide of an inflatable wing board compared to that of a rigid board.

Although the relevance of inflatable boards is no longer in question today, this technology still struggles with a persistent reputation, namely that they "stick to the water."

Some believe that inflatable boards have less glide than their fully rigid counterparts. So let’s be clear: no technical justification supports this claim.

The glide between an inflatable board and a rigid board of the same shape is identical. It’s the shape of the board, not the technology, that determines the glide.

Wing foilers: Jules, GONG staff, and Julien, GONG team rider, on the HIPE Perf, Mint FSP 2X, and SuperPower Boom wing.

Shapes that take off

If you want a board that can quickly take off from the water, the solution is simple: Choose a narrow board with the volume distributed along the length, like a Cruzader Point FSP Pro or a HIPE Cruzader. This type of board accelerates in a flash on the water to a speed that activates your foil and allows you to take off effortlessly. A side benefit of a narrow shape: you’ll be less prone to touching the water during committed turns or cranking upwind, which means fewer small brakes on the water.

If this type of board is still too technical for your current level, opt for a slightly wider and more stable board with plenty of volume to keep you high on the water. For example, a Mint, or if you’re a beginner, a Zuma, known for its glide. In inflatable technology, consider a HIPE Diamond, which is more accessible than a HIPE Cruzader, or a HIPE Perf, First, or Learn if you’re just starting out.

Shape differences between inflatable and rigid boards

Except for the slight extra thickness of the ICS plate, which ensures the rigidity of your HIPE (a plate optimized to eliminate 100% of the flex and twist in your board), nothing disrupts the glide of your inflatable board.

However, there are small differences. For instance, one of the challenges when working on the shape of inflatable boards is that the rails are rounded. This is inherent to this technology. As a result, you don’t get sharp rails like on rigid boards, which are helpful for glide and takeoff.

The advantage of a sharp rail at the tail is now well-known among users of our rigid boards. The separation from the water is cleaner at the critical moment of takeoff. Where you might have felt held back by water contact during the most intense physical effort at takeoff, you now feel liberated.

On the new HIPE range, we’ve incorporated this shaping element with a rigid rail at the tail, which, like the sharp-railed planing hulls of our rigid boards, allows for a clean release of water at the end of the hull. This improves glide before flying, boosting acceleration. You pump less and fly earlier.