GEAR: THE GONG LOWKITES ARE ONLINE!

Experience a whole new way to ride foils with our lowkite range!

Downwind foiling has brought about a new wave of small, innovative wings that replace the paddle. They deliver the power you need to get on the foil—no advanced paddling skills required.

Designed for ultra-fun swell riding with complete freedom of movement—nothing in your hands—this discipline is essentially a one-way run, with upwind riding possible but fairly slow. To expand the possibilities, we’re introducing a range of double-skin lowkites that perform as a wing when it comes to sailing.

This range is split into two categories:

• Our single-skin lowkites, the Plus and the Neutra, are built for downwind adventures and cruising. They give you just the right boost to get on foil, then tuck away under a rashguard or in a backpack so you can focus on endless bump-to-bump gliding. Pair them with a board and a high-volume foil to stay light and efficient without having to oversize the kite.

• Our double-skin lowkites, the Droid and the Pulse, are designed for surf-freestyle and freeride/freerace, respectively. Here, the goal is no longer to pack away the kite once on foil but to ride as you would in wing foiling or kitesurfing, with full mobility across the water. The same board and foil as in wing foiling are used to take full advantage of the double-skin performance.

Simply put, single-skin lowkites take the place of a paddle, while double-skin lowkites offer a true alternative to a wing or kite—with plenty of unique perks: ultra-portable, easy to pack in a boardbag, no inflatables, no pump needed, no pressure loss worries, fewer restrictions and bans (especially in summer), and effortless shorebreak crossing. With every session, the potential of this new sport becomes even more exciting.

In this Tech Talk, Patrice Guénolé, GONG’s boss and shaper, dives into the evolution of this new sport and the gear that will get you riding with style and feel.

A range of four lowkites, including two with a single-skin structure and two with a double-skin structure:

• Plus (Single-skin)

Simple, reassuring, and efficient, it offers a whole new way to glide on a foil—replacing a paddle and making your first steps in this challenging sport much easier. 

As the first generation of lowkites, the Plus lowkite was designed to make learning smooth and intuitive. Its single-skin construction, combined with a pronounced arc and short bridle, ensures outstanding stability in the air—perfect for focusing on those first take-offs without worrying about an unstable kite.

Thanks to its deep profile and wide tips, it delivers smooth, consistent power for effortless take-offs and optimal control in underpowered conditions. To get the best out of it, pair it with a high-lift foil and a board with good glide, so you don’t need to overpower this single-skin lowkite.

• Neutra (Single-skin)

The Neutra lowkite is the closest to the small parawings already available on the market. It is a light and ultra-compact wing, easy to store, designed for downwinders, local cruising, and surfing. It is particularly well-suited for takeoff with a high-volume foil board.

• Low aspect ratio, allowing takeoff without the need to overpower.
• Ultra-maneuverable with a short bridle and lightweight design, packing down easily into a small bag or under a rashy.
• Minimalist design that stays dry and allows to cross the break effortlessly.
• Not built for upwind performance but still capable with the right foil setup.

• Droid (Double-skin)

The Droid lowkite strikes the perfect balance between stability and power with its moderate aspect ratio and double-skin design, all while pushing performance further. As a ram-air kite, it stays pressurized, keeping its shape and tips solid for smooth, controlled riding.

• Enhanced stability thanks to air pressure in the cells, providing greater stability and easier upwind riding.
• Designed for tricks and freeride, it handles upwind runs just like the wing with the same name.

The Droid is a versatile choice, perfect for freeride, freestyle, and wave riding, allowing you to explore tricks and maneuvers with ease.

Foiler: Malo, GONG team rider, with a Droid lowkite.

• Pulse (Double-skin)

With the Pulse lowkite, the focus is on speed and freeride performance. Its high aspect ratio and slightly longer pre-lines allow for upwind riding with the same efficiency as wingfoiling.

• Outstanding upwind performance, making it ideal for cruising and long-distance sessions.
• Broad wind range for versatility, while maintaining solid zenith control for bump and wave riding when the opportunity arises.
• Designed for continuous use, it is not meant to be packed away mid-session.

The Pulse lowkite is made for riders looking for a high-performance freeride lowkite, delivering full-speed riding with upwind capabilities close to those of a freerace wingfoil.

Foiler: Patrice Guénolé, GONG boss and shaper, with a Pulse lowkite and Mint FSP 2X. 

Lowkites mark a major shift in downwind riding, offering unmatched versatility and freedom. This is the dawn of a new sport! 

From the Plus and Neutra, built for pure downwind flow, to the Pulse, designed for high-speed freeriding, each model brings unique features to suit every style. This game-changing innovation blends the best of kiting and wingfoiling, creating an all-new, flexible, and accessible ride for glide enthusiasts everywhere.