GEAR: SUPERPOWER OR DROID FOR LIGHT WIND CONDITIONS?

Are the most powerful wings the best choice to take off in light wind conditions?

One might instinctively answer yes to this question, and they would be mostly correct. Takeoff is easier when you have the power delivery to accelerate and support in the wing to pump if necessary. The more powerful your wing, with a well-set draft, the better you'll be able to harness the gusts to move forward and activate the foil.

A powerful wing is the least demanding option, both technically and physically. You don't need to pump as much, and if pumping is necessary, the support in the wing and its very compact span make the effort much less technical.

In this regard, the very compact SuperPower is the benchmark, with an incredibly reduced wingspan and a power delivery that's a lifesaver in ultra-light wind conditions.

Wing foiler: Mélissa, GONG staff, using a HIPE Perf, X-Over foil, and SuperPower DP Perf Series.

But…

Your ability to take off depends on your experience and physical commitment. You can (almost) take off as early with less powerful wings if you know how to pump a wing properly. This is why the very maneuverable Droid or the very accessible Plus are also highly effective in low wind conditions.

Many of you choose the Droid for low wind conditions because, with a bit more engaged pumping than with the SuperPower, you get a wing that better suits your Freestyle or Surf sessions.

And that's the real question in light wind: takeoff is one thing, but riding is another. In ultra-light wind, your movements need to be precise, and the maneuverability of a Droid or a Neutra will be appreciated. But be careful, getting through lulls will be more challenging than with a SuperPower DP or Pulse DP, which are much more stable and perform better thanks to a double profile that dramatically reduces drag and is always eager to accelerate.

Of course, you can't win on all fronts with FreeRace/Freeride wings that are less maneuverable than a pure Freestyle wing. But this isn't really a problem, as your technique in maneuvers improves and adapts over time. For example, you might favor a jibe technique where you send the wing early as in a duck jibe, giving you a boost in the middle of the maneuver instead of slowing down. It's a matter of coordination, just like with tacks, which naturally become smoother and smoother as you practice them.