Inflatable Wing Boards

Our range of inflatable boards covers all your needs, from the Beginners to the Pros!

Find below all our shapes for the wing, followed by our advice on how to equip yourself.

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For Whom?

  • Beginners: HIPE First
  • Beginners at experienced: HIPE Perf
  • Performance with light weight and strapless simplicity : HIPE Freefly
  • Anyone who wants high performance in wing: HIPE Pro
  • The best inflatable light wind board : HIPE Cruzader

For What?

The concept of each board of the range can be summed up very simply:

  • HIPE First: the perfect inflatable board to learn wing foiling!
  • HIPE Fre Fly: the best of strapless on an inflatable foil board.
  • HIPE PERF: the inflatable foil board with 95% of the performance of a rigid board, in an easy and scalable shape.

  • HIPE PRO:  the inflatable board with 95% of the performance of a rigid one with a shape dedicated to advanced foilers who want fluidity and maximum responsiveness!
  • HIPE CRUZADER strapless: the strapless inflatable board with 95% of the performance of a rigid board with an ultra specialized shape, ideal for light wind winging and chilled out SUP foiling.
  • HIPE CRUZADER strapped : the inflatable board with 95% of the performance of a rigid board with an ultra specialized shape, for the highest performance in light wind winging.

Which board per program?

All boards have a versatility that opens up to several programs, but here’s a little guide to choose from according to your level and the conditions of the day, with the optimum being placed first:

  • Multisport : HIPE First, HIPE Perf, HIPE Cruzader.
  • Allround : HIPE Perf, HIPE Pro.
  • Light wind : HIPE First, HIPE Perf.
  • Freestyle : HIPE Pro.
  • Waveriding : HIPE Free Fly.

Which wing board size?

Beginners : 

When learning how to wing, you absolutely need to have a positive volume balance.

Your weight plus that of the board must be less than the volume of the board.

Do not hesitate to take a bit more volume and width if you are not comfortable with your stance or not athletic.

To be comfortable, we recommend that you take a volume of around your weight + 30 = volume.

Regarding the HIPE Perf and Zuma, the length will help beginners take off more easily, and when riding flat.

Examples for a 7kg board and different sizes:

  • If I weigh 70kg, the minimum to float is: 70kg + 7kg = 77L. But with my 70kg + 30 = 100L, I would be very comfortable but without excess.
  • If I weigh 85kg, the minimum to float is: 85kg + 7kg = 92L. But with 85kg + 30 = 115L, I would be very comfortable but without excess.
  • If I weigh 100kg, the minimum to float is: 100kg + 7kg = 107L. But with 100kg + 30 = 130L, I would be comfortable but without excess.

Advanced and Pros : 

In wing, we identify different main types of relationship to volume:

  • Comfort

You can go for a volume sufficient to float : about your weight + 10 = volume.

Example: I weigh 80kg + 10 = 90L to float. Which means that with 90L and more I will be easy, provided I have a good level in wing.

  • Sport

You can also sub liter it because the Lemon is wide enough to be stable. So if you have a great level and want maximum responsiveness, you can switch to negative volumes. Up to your weight – 10 = volume you can go on your knees by leaning on the wing on the water.

Example: I weigh 80kg + 10 = 90L to float. Which means that with 70L my board will sink a little and I should be precise and sporty every time I start.

  • Sinker

At your weight – 30 = volume, you will have to start by sinking the board: it’s technical, very physical, and you lose part of the low wind range. And above all: you need depth, which can be annoying. The performance gain is debatable depending on your level, but the gain in sensations and responsiveness is interesting for some. It is also the best way to have light equipment, which is essential for the pros and especially for the biggest riders.

Example: I weigh 75kg – 30 = 45L to use my board as a Sinker. Which means that with 65L and less, my board will completely sink and I will have to start with the help of the wing to get out of the water. In this case, less volume often makes things easier because we sink the board with ease. This makes it easier to place our feet on the deck or in the straps and climb on it. A small board won’t pop out as a cork, therefore easier to make it sink but not as quick to take off. Its stability qualities when on the surface remain the same underwater.

Finally, the most unstable volume is often the one between 10L and 20L less than your weight.

Choosing the board that suits you perfectly can turn out to be a real challenge given the many parameters that define its qualities. In order to better understand all these parameters of length, width, volume, hull, technology and shape of a board, we explain all of their purposes in this How To : Choose your wing board.

Rigid or inflatable ?

How to Compare a Rigid Board and an Inflatable Board?

To make a choice between a rigid and an inflatable board, one cannot rely only on volume. Unlike rigid boards where the thickness is changing between the tail, center, and nose, inflatable boards have the exact same thickness throughout their length. This consistent thickness creates a kind of ‘lost’ volume since it doesn’t contribute significantly to stability or take off.

Rigid and inflatable boards of the same volume will differ a lot in terms of length and/or width. Considering that a board’s stability is largely determined by its width and its ability to take off early by its length, it is crucial to compare dimensions (length and width) of both kinds. You need to look at volume as a guideline, but it should not be the only indicator.

If you’re a beginner to intermediate rider going for an inflatable board, we do recommend choosing one that is slightly more voluminous. This choice enhances both stability and performance in light winds.

For a better understanding of these parameters (such as length, width, volume, hull, technology), and the global shape of a board, we explain all their qualities in this How-To: Choosing Your Wing Board.

The advantage of an inflatable board

  • Fits in a backpack

An inflatable board is foldable and fits in a transport bag that can be carried on your back! On the Freefly, Perf and Pro models of the HIPE, this transport bag is even geared-up with wheels which allow you to travel long distances with all your equipment. Our transport bags are designed to contain all the necessary elements for your practice (pump, wing, complete foil, leashes and wetsuit). Inflatable boards are the perfect technology to travel serenely and more economically, whether by plane, train, Fiat 500, well, pretty much anyhow, anywhere!

  • Space-saving

If you do not have a garage or storage space for your gear, the reduced size is again a big advantage of this techno. If you are in an apartment, there is only one bag to transport and store. It’s clean and easy.

  • Performances

As specified above, our inflatable boards make no compromise on performance. Only the precision of the shape separates an inflatable board from a rigid one. The inflatable board will have rounder rails than a rigid board. This is inherent to this type of construction. This impacts the lateral stability of the board, which will need a bit more volume to match the stability of a rigid board. We therefore do not lose in pure performance on an inflatable board but slightly in inertia with a slightly bigger board. We recommend at least +15L compared to a rigid board for a wing foiler of an advanced level, plus 25-30l for an intermediate level and at least 40L for a beginner.

An inflatable board is appropriate for foilers of all levels. Shapes vary from one program to the other, with for example more width for beginners (stability +++) or a narrow tail on the HIPE Pro for example (Take off +++ and harmless touchdowns in wave riding). The HIPE Perf and Pro offer the same equipment as our rigid boards, with a V strap at the front and a single strap on the back.

  • Comfort in navigation

The inflatable boards are very reassuring because the contacts with its surface are rather soft. So there’s less risk of hurting yourself when wiping out. Especially because the rails are a little more rounded. Sailing on this type of board inspires a very safe feeling, and rightly so.

  • Solidity

It’s very unlikely to damage the board because of bad manipulations on the beach or in the parking lot. But no drama if you manage to do so. For example, if you manage to pierce the layer of your inflatable board with a sharp object, you can easily repair it with the supplied repair kit (glue not included because they store poorly). Unlike the repair of a rigid board which requires the help of a professional fixer or to have a good experience in composite materials, you are independent for repair, which is not very complicated.

  • The price

An inflatable board is cheaper to produce than a rigid board because the working time is much shorter. In addition, our sales model allows us to offer bargain prices on all the HIPE’s in the range, with a particular effort on the HIPE First which makes the practice of Wing Foiling accessible to small budgets.

Which technology? 

It is essential to understand the constructions offered when you buy a board.
Aesthetics and programs are important, but construction is key! And very often, it is the obstacle course to find this information in between the marketing twists and turns …

At GONG, we are committed to presenting to you in all transparency what lies beneath the final paint layer, without blah blah.

Inflatable techno

Our inflatable construction is simple, solid and very close to rigid inflatable thanks to our revolutionary HIPE.

The carbon plate is firmly glued under the inflatable structure. This piece, composed of 1.9 kg of pure prepreg carbon and two foam stringers, is a jewel of composite know-how. By its design, it mechanically provides precisely what it takes to be as rigid as a classic board, without increasing the total weight.

This piece, made up of dozens of high-end prepreg carbon layers pressed at high temperature and two foam stringers, is a jewel of composite know-how. Its new design offers optimal rigidity with its vertical facets that block flex and channel water. The performance delivered by our HIPEs is totally comparable to a rigid board.

Inflatable strapless construction : 

With its high-end inflatable technology in thick PVC, this GONG board is beautiful, light, very rigid and really solid. It is a very reliable technology at an unbeatable price and proven on thousands of CHIP boards, our bestseller.

The advantages of inflatable technology:

  • Single layer drop stitch technology with double layer rails.
  • Air pressure: 15 psi.
  • Transport: the board fits in a bag.
  • Practical: inflated in 2 minutes.
  • Aesthetics: beautiful result.
  • Strong: great resistance to mistreatment.
  • Durable: 100% repairable.

Inflatable strapped construction : 

With its high-end inflatable technology in Woven Dropstitch double welded layers, this GONG board is beautiful, light, very rigid and really solid. Made in the best factory in the world, with the densest, premium quality Woven Dropstitch, we’re sure its welding will last for years without leaking or warping.

The advantages of inflatable technology:

  • Woven Drop Stitch technology double layer welded.
  • Air pressure: 15 to 20 psi.
  • Transport: the board fits in a bag.
  • Practical: inflated in 2 minutes.
  • Aesthetics: beautiful result.
  • Strong: great resistance to mistreatment.
  • Durable: 100% repairable.

We invite you to analyze in detail your future board on the new 3D module of our product page.

Buy as an informed consumer!

Which quiver?

No need for many wing boards, since most of the time you will do everything with the one you love. However, as you progress, you might be tempted by two complementary volumes, perhaps pairing a generous board for light wind with a more radical one.

The choice will be increasingly influenced by additional programs. For exemple, having a board 100% dedicated to waveriding and another for Freerace, Freestyle… will make for a luxurious quiver.

Of course, you can complete your wing quiver with a range of non-foil Stand Up Paddleboards. And surfboards for windless days, ensuring you never stay dry.

Which types of leash ?

There are 3 possible attachment systems for your leash. A surf style attachment, directly on the ankle, a second, less cumbersome one on the waist and the last one, with a “quick release” system for use with a harness. You will choose one model or another depending on your priorities.

Why use an ankle leash ?

The ankle leash is historically the leash which was the most used at the beginning of wingfoiling, because there was nothing better.  This is a choice which remains interesting if you like to ride toeside and never switch feet. Because although the ankle leash fulfills its function very well by connecting you to your board, there are several disadvantages:

  • It is more cumbersome on the deck when starting and during certain maneuvers;
  • It gets caught more easily in the foil when you’re in the water;
  • It generates drag during flight;
  • It’s less accessible if you have to release it quickly.

Why use a belt leash?

The days when the leash drags in the water and gets caught in the foil are over. Gain in comfort and sensations with our belt leashes.

A classic ankle leash tends to get caught in the legs or even the toes, and you lose the quality of your support when you step on it. This is the advantage of our leash belts: you’re connected behind your back, and as long as the leash is correctly positioned at the beginning, it will not bother you while riding.

With a belt, you have your leash close at hand, making it easier to catch up with your board, especially when you need to be fast like when passing a shore break.

The belt is closed by a long Velcro strap with a large buckle. This safety feature is integrated into the Velcro for easy release, whether in a difficult situation or simply on the shore when arriving at the beach.

Why use a quick release leash?

For those riding with a harness, this is the must-have leash that makes the session easier and allows quick release in tricky situations.

What type of leash to choose for your board?

We offer two types of rope with our leashes. The perf leashes (straight) or the coiled leashes (telephone):

The perf leash

The perf leashes, with a straight cord, look more like traditional surf leashes.

In surfing, the main advantage is that the board will return less powerfully than with a coiled leash and a spring effect, thus avoiding injury when the board gets caught in a wave.

In freestyle, you have to fall to progress, and sometimes even eject from the board to avoid falling back onto it. So you need a leash that’s solid but leaves a minimum of freedom.

This is the model we recommend for beginners because if you fall, this is the model that will put the most distance between you and your board.

The coiled leash

The rope of coiled leashes has a spiral shape to gain comfort. It is a must-have for all your sessions.

We offer these leashes so that they stay in the air and don’t drag in the water. It also means you don’t get your feet tangled up and stuck when you should not be.

This is the leash you need in freeride.

Using this type of leash is not recommended in waves because the rope quickly tangles on itself when subjected to repeated strong pulls.

Fixed or adjustable leash belt ?

The advantage of a fixed leash is that it adjusts perfectly to your size. It’s tailor-made. The fixed leash is the best choice for smaller people.

The advantage of an adjustable leash is that thanks to the Velcro attachment system, it adapts to all morphologies. This type of system is also perfect for switching and sharing equipment if you have different body sizes.

Strap or Strapless? 2 or 3 straps?

Riding strapless is sexy because it makes you feel free. But quite honestly, it’s not the best for performance…

So, it’s up to you to see if sensation prevails over performance. On a HIPE, we’re clearly going to miss a big part of its potential without straps.

With straps, you’ll have much more control and much less risk of the foil flipping over under your feet. When you are getting into wing foiling, the V front straps are an essential benchmark to position your feet properly. You save a lot of time.

In the waves, it’s obvious, you gain a lot with straps, including the rear strap. You can recover from crazy situations just by pulling up on your feet. And what to say in the tricks: the catalog is multiplied tenfold with the straps. All jumps are possible, and the cushioning of the inflatable is magic for the knees.

Take your first steps with just the V front straps. You can mount the rear strap because it will make a good mark to wedge your foot just in front, and a good grip. But don’t put it on at first. Once you are comfortable in flight, remember to move the foil back 2cm to get used to the rear strap.

Wing Foil Quiver:

You don’t need a large quiver of wing foils since you can do everything with a single setup once you reach a certain skill level. However, the evolution of programs such as race, surf, freestyle, etc., will inevitably lead you to transition from an all-around foil to a foil designed for a specific goal.

The immense advantage of the GONG range is that everything is compatible. You can start with an economical foil and gradually progress in your practice, finally ending up with a crazy wings quiver 😉

Nowadays, the most common foil quiver includes a powerful light wind front wing and a high-speed one for stronger conditions. There is also a lot of room to play with stabilizers as they significantly influence the speed and responsiveness of your setup.

Of course, you can complement your wing foil quiver with a range suitable for stand-up paddling and surfing for windless days, making sure you never stay dry.

The understanding of our foil range :

Which foil mast ?

You have three main choices:

1/ Aluminum masts
Aluminum masts are composed of three parts: a top plate for connection to the board, the mast itself, and a mast connector for a perfect fit into the fuselage.

The advantages of aluminum masts are clear. They are simple, quick to produce, and cost-effective, making them perfect for beginners! However, they will be less dynamic than carbon versions, so less performance oriented.

Their major drawback is corrosion, which necessitates meticulous maintenance. Aluminum masts require frequent disassembly and rinsing, and the obligatory use of an insulator between stainless steel screws and inserts.

2/ Carbon masts

The huge advantage of carbon masts lies in its dynamism. A mast of the same size (for example, V2 85 aluminum vs. V2 85 carbon) is not necessarily stiffer than aluminum (contrary to what many may think), as the aluminum version has a thicker profile than carbon.

On the other hand, a carbon mast will have much better glide due to its thinner profile. Since carbon masts are molded, they offer the possibility of adding a high performance profile, which is way more limited with aluminum ones.

One of the best features of carbon is that, after deformation, it returns to its initial shape twice as fast as an aluminum mast. This results in increased performance and responsiveness.

The sensations are maximized, and the handling is both light and precise.

Solidity of aluminium or carbon mast

  • Aluminium can bend, but rarely break. The carbon will return to its original shape unless you go beyond the critical point, which will cause it to break like glass…
  • Aluminum can be bent and welded, but repairs are difficult. Whereas repairing carbon is very simple.

3/ High Modulus Carbon foils

TORAY M40J high modulus carbon offers incredible stiffness. It is a high-end carbon that delivers high mechanical properties while remaining resistant. A carbon popular in aeronautics as well as for high-end sports equipment. Its mechanical characteristics such as its superior tensile strength and Young’s modulus make it possible to obtain exceptional performance on the water.

The huge advantage of high-end carbon is its stiffness. To the point that it is not useful to put as much material as with other materials. Thus, we gain a significant weight, almost 20% compared to aluminum. And beyond the measured weight, the dynamism brings a feeling of liveliness and therefore of incredible lightness.

The HM coupled with the stringer increases the performance of this mast tenfold. The decrease in bending is around 30% and the decrease in torsion is around 40% compared to the V2 carbon mast, yet of excellent quality.

At GONG

  • We only make top-of-the-range foils. Whether they are made of aluminium or carbon, they are well-made and well-thought-out foils. Our low prices can only be explained by our choice of exclusive direct distribution. At GONG, you will not find Asian copies of well-known foils. We are shapers, designers, engineers and developers of our profiles, architectures, technologies and production processes, and all the skills that make a GONG product come alive are in-house.

Which mast length to choose?

We offer a wide range of mast heights, depending on the sport, with preferences for shorter sizes (like in surf foil, dock start…) or longer masts (for race wing or kite).

Depending on the constructions, you will find the one that suits you best.

Aluminum V2 Masts:

We offer it in 5 sizes (55, 65, 75, 85, 95 cm) to adapt to all sports and skill levels:

For surf/SUP foil and dock start, we recommend:

  • 55cm: ideal for beginners.
  • 65cm: standard size for progression, small waves, and spots with shallow depths.
  • 75cm: for advanced levels, downwind, tow-in surf, wake, and dock starts.

For wing and kite use, it mainly comes down to three sizes:

  • 75cm: ideal for starting and for spots with shallow depths.
  • 85cm: standard size for maximum versatility, maneuvers, and surfing.
  • 95cm: perfect for freeride/freerace.

Carbon V2 Masts:

  • 70cm: primarily for surf/SUP, an ideal compromise between the ability to carve and draft. Can also be used for kitefoil in waves or winging in spots with shallow depths.
  • 85cm: primarily for Winging, but can also be used for kitefoil in waves or for surf/SUP in spots with sufficient depth and downwind.
  • 100cm: primarily for Winging and Kite. This size is the ideal compromise between the ability to carve without ventilating, maneuvering margins, handling chop, and the opposition angle at high speed.

Carbon HM Masts:

For dock start, surf foil, and SUP foil, the HM70 and HM77 masts deliver maximum rigidity without limiting glide. Like the HM72 and HM79, the profile thickness is constant, but it decreases to 17mm, boosting your performance with increased speed and more aggressive turns!

In wingfoil and kitefoil, for a freeride, wave, and freestyle program, the HM85 is a must, at the top of its performance! Its thickness of 17mm at the top and 15mm on the fuselage side combines outstanding rigidity with excellent glide.

For a race program and 100% glide, the HM92 is the top-of-the-line in HM masts! A thickness of 15.5mm at the top plate and only 13.5mm in the submerged part. It will allow you to break records! This ultra-sturdy mast enables firm and powerful support without any risk of loss of control. High speeds and crazy upwind angles are yours.

Positioning of the foil?

For GONG foils, place the plate between the rear third and the center of the US rails.

The more you move it forward, the more it will lift the board. The more you move it backwards, the more the nose of the board pearls.

Be careful not to move it too far forward. We often tend not to let their back foot work, especially when we come from Kitefoil. However, moving the foil back a little, forces more weight on the back foot and gives a more harmonious attitude and reduces effort.

Good to know:

Never leave your board in the sun, even less an inflatable board, and even less a black carbon plate that will heat up very quickly. You might see it peeling off!!!

Don’t screw further than the bottom of the box, otherwise you’ll get into the skin of the inflatable. We deliver US squares with no opening, but be careful.

Never let your foil board get mistreated in the waves, especially close to the shore. You must protect it from major forces. A wave that carries your board away and rolls it away can do a lot of damages.

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