Because no beginner is the same, we offer two different shapes to get into wing foiling!
Those shapes are the ones of the Lance and the Zuma which complete our offer of inflatable boards, also suitable for beginners in wing foiling.
These two boards are offered in full sandwich constructions with, on one hand, a shape of absolute stability in pre-flight, and on the other, a glide that brings a lot of versatility.
The stability of the Lance
The shape of the Lance stands out with its compactness. It is rather short for a board intended for beginners but relatively wide which brings a considerable gain in comfort. This is a huge asset for learning pre-flight sailing. Finding your bearings on the board is way easier, especially on rough bodies of water. For someone who’s a complete beginner in board sports, acquiring a perfect mastery of pre-flight sailing is the key. Once you’re at that level, speed will make you take off naturally.
In the flight phases, its compactness limits inertia which helps you in learning your first jibes, tacks and jumps. This is the core concept of the Lance: An easy pre-flight board whose compactness brings you very close to the sensations of a more technical board like the Mint or the Lemon as soon as you take off.
The glide of the Zuma
The Zuma is a board with a more stretched out shape. Its slightly narrower lines offer a great glide on the water, much like a longboard that can take off on waves with very little energy. It accelerates with the slightest gust, which gets you off the ground in no time. You lose a bit of pre-flight stability compared to a Lance, but its speed quickly puts you on a steady line.
In addition, the shape of the Zuma, with fast accelerations, allows SUP fans to do their first take offs on a foil. By completing your foil quiver with a suitable mast (a 65 Alu mast or an HM 70 mast), the Zuma can expand your practice to SUP foiling. In particular with the help of the ADS fin placed under the front third of the board. This hand-removable FCS II fin, also present on the Lance, limits drift during pre-flight sailing in wing foiling, and limits the row effect when SUP foiling. An effect that is all the more important on a board that’s way shorter than your everyday SUP board.
Choose according to your profile
The Lance and the Zuma each offer the essential qualities for beginners thanks to shapes designed to combine stability, glide and comfort. If, in the light of the elements listed above, no obvious choice emerges for you, it is probably because they could both be a good match 😉 Your choice can be refined according to the conditions of your spot, your preferences or your experience. Here are some scenarios:
- Your home spot usually develops rough conditions with a lot of waves or chop, go for the stability of the Lance.
- You have previous sailing experience, for example in windsurfing or kitesurfing, you will quickly find your bearings with the glide of the Zuma.
- Save yourself physically thanks to the comfort of the Lance. Less falls means less physical constraints, less drift and ultimately more progress because you spend more time on the board.
- In the light wind or irregular conditions of an inland body of water, the accelerations of the Zuma will allow you to take off more quickly and with less energy-consuming pumping of the wing.
- To reassure yourself on a predictable and stable board when you don’t have great physical condition or relevant experience in water sports, the Lance is the best option. It is also very reassuring to reach the edge when the wind lets you go because it is the easiest board to navigate flat on the water.
- If you like to surf and/or have a little experience in stand-up paddleboarding, the Zuma offers you the best shape to make a take off in SUP foiling. It is a window of opportunity that opens on windless flights and your first wave connections.
- You know your limits, and balance has never been your strong point, then the Lance will be your best ally. It will allow you to quickly understand how to use the wing to your advantage and soon find your balance effortlessly.
Two solutions for one choice
There is no wrong choice because getting to know how to use your gear properly is always part of the learning process. Whatever board you go for. Beginners feel comforted in their choice as they progress and that’s normal. The choice can be summarized as follows:
- Ease, stability and an increased sense of security are your priorities? The Lance with its larger width will bring you what you are looking for. With a very playful character in flight thanks to its relative compactness.
- If you want to take off as soon as possible, the Zuma with its length and glide is for you. As a bonus, it has all the qualities to get into SUP foiling.
