GEAR: DROÏD OR SUPERPOWER?

Many of you hesitate between the Droid and the SuperPower to cover your low range with a wing that has a small wingspan. A quality shared by these 2 wings, each with power on demand to take off in a sec and have fun in the light wind conditions.

On the one hand the much more pronounced hollow of the Superpower and on the other the outline of the Droid which favors maneuverability (and therefore pumping).

Marion and Gabriel tried each wing in perfectly identical conditions after swapping their Droid 6m and SuperPower 6m during their last session in 10-12 knots. Here are their feedback on both wings:

“I felt more glide/speed with the SuperPower and in particular a better upwind. I felt like on a slalom sail in windsurfing. The SuperPower has a better ability to get you past wind holes by maintaining its continuous power.

Advantage to the Droid with an increasing wind (above 12 knots), in my eyes, for the smoother power. That being said, you can sheet in with 2 fingers on the Superpower and keep everyone in the distance ;). The Droid has a better high range for my taste. Being less powerful continuously but more on/off.

In terms of handles, you should know that the front handle on the SuperPower is further back (which is normal given the length of the central strut) than that of the Droid. You have to adapt. It is important to anticipate this when recovering the handles after a freefly for example. But otherwise, in navigation, they are very well positioned, whether on the Droid or the SuperPower.”

Marion

“Both have a very small wingspan, but the Droid is slightly larger than the SuperPower. One of the biggest differences for me is the fact that the Droid’s tips are much squarer. When touching the water I found that the Droid “hooked” more than the SuperPower which has a more curved leading edge.

So in case of touchdown with the tips, the Droid could brake you a bit more than the SuperPower. In Freefly mode, however, the Droid was cooler. I should point out that during the test the wind was very gusty with large areas of wind shadow! In the event of a lack of speed or poor positioning, the central strut, which was shorter than the one of the SuperPower, did not rub the water, something that happened to me once or twice with the SuperPower.

For me the pumping is quite different between the 2 wings. The Droid is more “classic”, with an energetic and continuous movement. The SuperPower, on the other hand, will need less energy / cardio from the rider with a slower and more ample movement. In 2 – 3 pumping strokes we produce a lot of speed and therefore the takeoff is fast. The SuperPower also keeps its power more easily between movements than a “classic” wing, it does not slow down when you “engage” pumping.

The 2 wings are powerful but they transform this power in a different way. The SuperPower quickly converts this power into speed/glide. It accelerates strongly at the slightest gust and advances enormously in the wind window. The Droid has more On/Off power, as soon as there is a gust you feel that the boost is starting. This power is rawer and less progressive than the SuperPower.

The balance is also different between the 2 sails. The Droid is for me very homogeneous between the handles. On the other hand, because of its On/Off power (and the very irregular wind that day), I had to change my back hand more often. The SuperPower pulled me more in the rear hand (arm), however I stayed at 90% on the rear handle. Even in gusts, since the wing was moving faster, this power passed more through the foil (again, more speed). I didn’t have to change handles as often as I did with the Droid. Which must also explain my feeling of more fatigue in the rear arm after a while.

Going upwind, the SuperPower is clearly ahead! As I explained above, the SuperPower glides a lot and with a lot of speed. The Droid kept its power more in the center and “laterally” (probably for freestyle pop!). So the difference in angle when sailing when switching from one wing to another was really clear. I also realized this compared to the other riders on the spot.”

Gabriel.

A session that ended with a consensus

two excellent light wind wings whose reduced wingspan is very appreciable, especially in these large sizes, to limit bulk and improve handling. Especially when you are not 1m80 ;). The choice between one and the other can be summarized as follows for Gabriel and Marion:

“The SuperPower in a speed performance perspective. It has an excellent upwind ability, is ultra easy to handle and above all keeps this power very constant regardless of the quality of the wind!

The Droid for more nervousness with an On/Off power that allows you to take advantage of the slightest gust to jump or take off again. It also remains easier to handle in transitions with its shorter central strut.”