NEWS: THE EVOLUTIONS OF THE HIPE

The HIPE has revolutionized the practice of foiling by providing a very effective solution that works equally well for wing, kite, surf or SUP foiling. It owes its success to its unique 2 in 1 concept which combines the strengths of inflatable technology with those of a rigid board.

The unique position of GONG which is a leader in both the inflatable SUP and foiling markets has enabled us to offer the first board to effectively combine the best inflatable technology with a technical solution that perfectly meets the constraints of foiling.

This technical solution is the use of an ICS carbon plate under the Woven Drop Stitch technology whose rigidity, lightness and strength allow the same performance as a rigid board. The role of the ICS plate, which unlike the cheap imitations covers the entire stance of the rider and is a jewel of composite know-how, is to eliminate any twist or flex of the inflatable structure around the foil box. The result is a board whose exemplary rigidity is attested by numerous customer feedbacks. On the water, no energy is lost because the board reacts perfectly to the slightest foot pressure. You no longer think you are using an inflatable board as soon as you are on the water but only when it comes to storing it in your trunk!

This two-in-one concept has become a bestseller and we have strictly maintained it on the successive versions of the HIPE because that is what makes this board THE benchmark of its kind. The HIPE V1, V2 and the new 2022 version all benefit from the same concept supported by the ICS plate composed of pure prepreg carbon and two foam stringers for a weight of only 1.9kg! The evolutions of the HIPE are at the equipment level.

The HIPE V1 has neither the rear strap nor the carrying handle under the hull. For learning to wing or kite, the absence of a rear strap is not a problem, but when evolving, the use of the rear strap is essential, as L’Ours explains in our magazine. The lack of a handle poses an additional difficulty for launching, especially in waves, which increases the risk of getting your wing in contact with your foil for example.

The HIPE V2 has a rear strap and a handle under the hull that allows you to carry your board for short distances, for example when launching in waves. The rear strap gives you more control and opens the doors for aerial maneuvers in wing and kite foiling.

Like the HIPE V2, the HIPE 2022 has the handle under the hull and the possibility of mounting a rear strap with in addition a new configuration of V-straps at the front. The new V-shaped straps refcenter the pressure on the board and therefore gain in performance and comfort. This system is also easier to install and its V-shape prevents deformation of the front straps. They also do not twist when loosely tightened, for example.