GEAR : WHICH FOIL SETUP FOR ADVANCED KITE FOILERS ?
Our favorite setup for high-level freeride sessions: the Ypra Surf-Freestyle front wing paired with the Ypra Slalom stab.
When asked on our GONG Galaxy page about the relevance of choosing between the Ypra Surf and the Ypra Surf-Freestyle front wing, Patrice Guénolé shared how both he and Malo gear up for those classic kite foiling sessions, filled with full-tilt speed runs, big airs, and freestyle tricks.
Kite foiler: Malo, GONG team rider, with his Fronteira HDCC, Strutless Aramid, HM85 mast and Ypra Surf-Freestyle front wing.
Which surface size when kite foiling a V3 foil ?
Patrice Guénolé : “Looking at your questions and your program, I think you might currently be using foils that are a bit too big for what you’re really aiming for. That’s totally understandable, it’s a common reflex to think you need a lot of lift to feel comfortable. But with the V3 foils, everything changes.
These new wings are slightly thicker than the old V2s, with much more forgiving profiles. They are paradoxically more efficient at very low speed, more tolerant, and much more stable. That’s what allows you to go down in surface area without losing comfort. In fact, per cm², they generate more efficiency, so you can ride smaller sizes, gain a lot in glide, and still keep the stability and control you need.
It’s the same logic with stabilizers: in kitefoil you instantly generate a lot of speed, and the kite pulls hard. That creates huge front-foot pressure. If you use a big stab that lifts too much, it quickly becomes unmanageable/uncomfortable, you’ll constantly feel overpowered from below when you push. That’s why in kitefoil you should always size your stabs smaller than what you’d normally use in wingfoil. A S FW with a XS stab is perfect. It gives you more glide, more balance, and makes the foil way easier to control. This is the setup I ride, Malo rides the same way, and honestly it’s become the norm.”
Kite foiler: Patrice Guénolé, GONG founder and shaper, with his Kiwii HDCC, Strutless Aramid, HM85 mast and Ypra Surf-Freestyle front wing.
Perfect V3 foil setup for fast freeride and carving in kite foiling:
Patrice Guénolé : “What I’d recommend for you (75 kg, fast freeride and carving):
- Front wing: Ypra Surf Freestyle V3 680 cm².
Super easy at very low speed so no stress on tacks or jibes; enough span to stay stable in transitions; quick enough for fast freeride; very forgiving and playful with a great pop and easy re-catch after mistakes; if you ever want to jump, it has amazing pop and very forgiving landings.
- Stab: Ypra Slalom XS.
It’s the perfect match for this wing in kitefoil. It brings incredible glide, smoothness, and stability so you can really push hard in turns and on fast tacks. It makes tip breaches or small mistakes almost invisible, you often don’t even feel them, you just hear them, because the foil glides immediately without bubble. It’s a world-class stabilizer designed for performance, but still easy enough to use even at a modest level.
- Mast: Carbon HM85, 14 mm thick.
That’s all you need: stiff, light, very reactive. The 85 length makes everything simpler, easier rail-to-rail, smoother transitions, less leverage when you fall, easier to clear chop and small waves. I rode 100+ for years, but the HM85 feels like the sweet spot: you get the stiffness and the glide without the extra complexity of a taller mast.
- Trim: personally I like to add a small rake shim (around 1.5°) for extra comfort, but it’s optional. Malo rarely uses one.
With this setup you’ll hit the perfect balance: enough lift, massive glide, easy handling, and plenty of performance so you’ll never feel limited. You’ll find you have much more fun and freedom than with bigger wings.”
Foil Front Wing Ypra Surf-Freestyle V3
Foil Stab Ypra Slalom V3
Foil Carbon Mast HM 85 cm V3
Foil Rake 1.5° Riser Shim V3
Kitefoil Board Fronteira HDCC 4'0
Kitefoil Board Kiwii HDCC 3'5
1 comment
Ben moi j’adore mon Ypra Slalom 600, stab Ypra slalom xs, mat de 107. Tellement bien équilibré et stable que je ne me prends plus aucune gamelle sur les bords full speed (aux grosses algues près) . A 25 nœuds tout le temps, 30 nœuds en pointe, dans 15 nœuds de vent, c’est le pied ! Il porte bien à basse vitesse pour mes 80kg, et il est non limitant pour mes manœuvres.