For whom?
You are looking for a board to start in wing or SUP foiling, the HIPE First is made for you.
- For wing foiling, the HIPE First is the super accessible board to get started. The large sizes are magic for your beginnings: zero stress.
- For SUP foiling, you must know how to row in a straight line with a classic SUP. The rest is just a matter of method and time in the water to progress. The absence of strap inserts facilitates the placement of the feet in SUP foiling.
Each size is easy, just choose the right size in line with your level, your physical condition and your use.
What for?
The HIPE First is the perfect board to start and progress in wing and SUP foiling.
On land, it’s inflated and stored away in a few minutes and there is no risk of shocks. It’s great for traveling. And it is super light.
- In wing foiling. It’s very easy, you will progress very quickly.
- In SUP foiling, it’s great to start and progress when you’re already a good paddler.
Which size ?
The HIPE First is a board dedicated to learning. Several volumes are available to meet the needs of each practitioner according to their level, physical condition and use. In wing foiling :
Beginner
A beginner should choose a volume that’s sufficient to float comfortably, around your weight + 60 = volume.
- Example: I weigh 80kg + 60 = L to float. Which means that with 140L and more I would be at ease.
Comfort
You should choose a volume that’s sufficient to float, around your weight + 30 = volume.
- Example: I weigh 80kg + 30 = L to float. Which means that with 110L and more I would be at ease with previous experience on a wing foil board.
A small chart that sums it all up:
In SUP foiling, you absolutely must have a positive volume balance. Your weight plus the board’s weight must be less than the board’s volume. Don’t hesitate to take some volume and width if you’re not yet stable on your feet. And beware of the row effect which will make you row in circles if you don’t have a good SUP level.
As a beginner you should have a sufficient volume to float, about your weight + 50 = volume.
- Example: I weigh 80kg + 50 = 120L to float. Which means that with a 5’11 of 135L I will be comfortable to start.
Understanding the GONG range?
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 Free 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 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.
- 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!
- Mob 2taste: three sports in one board: SUP, SUP foiling and wing foiling.
- Zuma: the easy rigid board for SUP foiling and wing foiling, and with good performance.
- Lance: the compact Zuma, with great lateral stability, ideal for beginnings in wing foiling.
- Cruzader: fantastic in SUP downwinders, pumping on the flat, but also in light wind conditions in wing foiling.
- Flint: high performance in SUP foiling, great in wing foiling because it is simple and efficient in light wind.
- Kube: pure freestyle board. Minimum length for maximum rotation.
- Mint: compact without being too technical thanks to a perfect length and its round nose. Great performance in strapless too.
- Lemon: maximum reactivity and liveliness, while maintaining stability.
- Lethal: Absolute radicality among volume boards
Some will go for even more extreme with low volume boards like:
Which quiver partner?
The HIPE First will be perfect for enjoying the wind with a wing or to SUP foil small waves.
You can of course complete it with a range of Stand Up Paddleboards without foil. And surfboards for days when the waves are unsuitable for foiling.
Which foil wings in Wing Foiling?
To learn and progress:
In the X-Over range: super easy and efficient foils from low speeds to progress smoothly:
- M for riders under 65kg and all wind speeds.
- L for riders under 75kg and wind under 35 knots.
- XL for riders under 85kg and wind under 25 knots.
- XXL for riders over 85kg and wind under 15 knots.
For more experienced riders:
In the Curve range: wings that love to draw pretty lines, with a smooth and eaaaaasy glide:
- S for those under 75kg or heavier riders in winds above 20 knots.
- M for those under 85kg or heavier riders in winds above 15 knots.
- L for everyone and heavier riders in winds above 12 knots.
- XL for everyone in light conditions and the heavier riders in winds below 20 knots.
- XXL for everyone in very light wind and the heavier riders in winds below 12 knots.
In the Fluid range: wings for a radical drive but easy and relatively fast:
- S for those under 75kg or heavier riders in winds above 20 knots.
- M for those under 85kg or heavier riders in winds above 15 knots.
- L for everyone and heavier riders in winds above 12 knots.
- XL for everyone in light conditions and the heavier riders in winds below 20 knots.
- XXL for everyone in very light wind and the heavier riders in winds below 12 knots.
In the Veloce range: fast wings that love curves, and still are easy at low speed:
- S for those under 75kg or heavier riders in winds above 20 knots.
- M for those under 85kg or heavier riders in winds above 15 knots.
- L for everyone and heavier riders in winds above 12 knots.
- XL for everyone in light conditions and the heavier riders in winds below 20 knots.
- XXL for everyone in very light wind and the heavier riders in winds below 12 knots.
In the Sirus range: wings with the ultimate aspect ratio to fly before everyone else in marginal conditions:
- L for those under 75kg in winds under 12 knots.
- XL for those under 85kg in winds under 8/10 knots or the heavier riders in winds under 15 knots.
- XXL for those under 95kg in winds under 6/8 knots or the bigger riders in winds less than 12 knots.
- 3XL for everyone in the very light wind and the bigger riders in winds under 10 knots.
For the pros:
The Curve H, Fluid H, Veloce H, Ypra or Ypra S ranges are very high performance and fast wings: remember that the H versions offer an insane glide for each of their specific use. The Ypra wings for instance are simply the wings of our pro team on the World Tour.
In the Curve H range: wings with a crazy glide that love to draw pretty lines, with a smooth and eaaaaasy glide:
- S for those under 75kg or heavier riders in winds above 20 knots.
- M for those under 85kg or heavier riders in winds above 15 knots.
- L for everyone and heavier riders in winds above 12 knots.
- XL for everyone in light conditions and the heavier riders in winds below 20 knots.
- XXL for everyone in very light wind and the heavier riders in winds below 12 knots.
In the Fluid H range: wings with a crazy glide for a radical drive but easy and relatively fast:
- S for those under 75kg or heavier riders in winds above 20 knots.
- M for those under 85kg or heavier riders in winds above 15 knots.
- L for everyone and heavier riders in winds above 12 knots.
- XL for everyone in light conditions and the heavier riders in winds below 20 knots.
- XXL for everyone in very light wind and the heavier riders in winds below 12 knots.
In the Veloce H range: fast wings with a crazy glide that love curves, and still are easy at low speed:
- S for those under 75kg or heavier riders in winds above 20 knots.
- M for those under 85kg or heavier riders in winds above 15 knots.
- L for everyone and heavier riders in winds above 12 knots.
- XL for everyone in light conditions and the heavier riders in winds below 20 knots.
- XXL for everyone in very light wind and the heavier riders in winds below 12 knots.
In the Ypra range: the racing wings par excellence intended to sail upwind and downwind, typically on a square or triangle racing course:
- XS for those under 55kg or the heavier riders in winds above 20 knots.
- S for those under 65kg or the heavier riders in winds above 20 knots.
- M for those under 75kg or the heavier riders in winds above 15 knots.
- L for everyone and the heavier riders in winds above 12 knots.
- XL for everyone in the light and the heavier riders in winds below 20 knots.
In the Ypra S range for Slalom : racing wings with maximum curves / jibes, also great for Freestyle:
- XS for those under 55kg or the heavier riders in winds above 20 knots.
- S for those under 65kg or the heavier riders in winds above 20 knots.
- M for those under 75kg or the heavier riders in winds above 15 knots.
- L for everyone and the heavier riders in winds above 12 knots.
- XL for everyone in the light and the heavier riders in winds below 20 knots.
In the Sirus range: wings with the ultimate aspect ratio for marginal conditions:
- L for those under 75kg in winds under 12 knots.
- XL for those under 85kg in winds under 8/10 knots or the heavier riders in winds under 15 knots.
- XXL for those under 95kg in winds under 6/8 knots or the bigger riders in winds less than 12 knots.
- 3XL for everyone in the very light wind and the bigger riders in winds under 10 knots.
At this level, everyone can adapt their equipment to their needs. Just remember that the wingspan is a point to take into consideration when riding high aspect ratios. The glide is fabulous, but be careful not to sacrifice maneuverability and rail-to-rail precision by using large sizes if you are looking for a very reactive drive. This is why even the pros do not necessarily ride in high aspect ratios!
The size of the front wing and in particular its surface and its volume condition the speed/lift ratio. The smaller the wing, the faster you will go but the more uncomfortable you will be at low speeds. The bigger the wing, the earlier you will fly but you’ll be penalized in handling and top speed.
Which Stab?
The stabs have a major role. They determine the stability of the foil and help with its lift, but to the detriment of the maximum speed of the foil and its maneuverability if they are too large. The role of the stabilizer is to stabilize the foil but also to compensate for the natural tendency of the front wing to dive. So you must have a good balance of surfaces between your stab and your front wing. A 38 cm stab with an XXL wing will give a catastrophic result at high speed: the foil will dive at high speed because the stab will no longer be able to lift enough to counteract the nosediving torque of the front wing.
Remember that the stab must be proportional to the front wing. This is why we have named them S M L XL like the front wings so that you can pair them easily. Creating an imbalance brings no benefit except the illusion of better glide.
Thus the X-Over stabs are slower than the Fluid or Veloce stabs, but are much more lifty, and therefore effective at low speed or with a large front wing (for beginners for example). The Curve stab is at the border of these two worlds and the Freestyle stab is 100% dedicated to radical moves.
In the X-Over range: super easy and effective stabs from low speeds to progress smoothly:
- L 44 for those under 75kg and for everyone in winds above 15 knots.
- XL 48 for those over 75kg and for everyone in winds below 20 knots.
In the Curve range: very simple stabs that love beautiful curves, with a stable and smooth glide:
- S 36 for those under 65kg and for everyone in winds over 25 knots.
- M 39 for those under 75kg and for everyone in winds over 20 knots.
- L 43 for those under 85kg and for everyone in winds above 15 knots.
- XL 46 for those over 95kg and for everyone in winds of less than 20 knots.
In the Fluid H range: stabs with a crazy glide for a radical drive but easy and relatively fast:
- S 38 for those under 65kg and for everyone in winds over 25 knots.
- M 42 for those under 75kg and for everyone in winds above 18 knots.
- L 45 for those under 85kg and for everyone in winds above 12 knots.
- XL 47 for those over 95kg and for everyone in winds below 20 knots.
- XXL 49 for everyone in very light winds and bigger people in winds below 12 knots.
In the Veloce H range: the fast stabs dedicated to high speeds which are off your mind when riding:
- S 36 for those under 65kg and for everyone in winds over 25 knots.
- M 40 for those under 75kg and for everyone in winds above 20 knots.
- L 44 for those under 85kg and for everyone in winds above 15 knots.
- XL 47 for those over 95kg and for everyone in winds below 20 knots.
In the Freestyle range: stabs totally dedicated to tricks with a psycho pop and tight curves:
- S 39 for those under 65kg and for everyone in winds over 25 knots.
- M 41 for those under 75kg and for everyone in winds over 20 knots.
- L 44 for those under 85kg and for everyone in winds above 15 knots.
- XL 46 for those over 95kg and for everyone in winds of less than 20 knots.
Which foil mast?
In wing foiling
During your first sessions, you can reassure yourself with a short mast (65cm). Falls on the first flights will be less impressive. But apart from when launching, you will have everything to gain with a long mast (85cm and more).
More length = more headroom = easier = more efficient.
Unlike for kite foiling, in wing there is little opposition to the front wing because it pulls less. So we put less wind angle on the mast. So mastering a large mast with a wing is no problem. And since the boards used are much bigger than for kite foiling, the inertia is greater. So your foil is less crazy. Everything is calmer. So don’t be afraid of a long mast.
In choppy water, in transitions, in sluggish waters, a large mast will be ten times more pleasant. It will save you from touchdowns and give you the necessary height margin in all your actions.
Of course the must is the V2 carbon mast in 85cm or 100cm. Absolutely magical. But the 85cm or 95cm aluminum are great too.
We recommend 85cm in freestyle and surf, and longer in freeride and race for comfort.
In SUP foiling
The 65cm aluminum mast is perfect. If you are a pro, switch to the monobloc 70cm: masterful.
For downwinds you may prefer the Alu 75cm option to give you a bit of headroom.
Foil Positioning?
For GONG foils, place the plate in the center of the US rail box. The further you move it forward, the more it raises the board.
The further 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 the back foot work enough, especially when we come from kite foiling. However, moving the foil back a little, forces more weight on the back foot and gives a more harmonious attitude and reduces efforts.
How long should my Paddle be?
If you want to use the HIPE First in SUP foiling, you will need a paddle between your actual height and +10cm.
Which Leash?
Take a 6′ of 7mm minimum diameter.
Check its condition before each session and change it every year. It’s your life jacket.
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.
Pierre –
J’ai fait + de 10ans de Sup Surf, mais pas touché un Sup depuis 2 ans…
Wingfoileur, Surfoileur un peu gêné dans ma progression par des douleurs au dos (pas suffisamment de foncier en plus des sports nautiques et fatigue récente font que je suis hors jeu depuis 4 semaines). Ayant été chauffé depuis longtemps par des camarades de jeu sur l’eau pour tester le SupFoil, je me dis que ça peut-être un bon moyen d’aller foiler sans tirer sur mon dos…
J’ai pris ma bonne vieille pagaie carbone pro 2014(!), la Hipe First 5’11 (ma planche de prêt pour amis et famille débutants) et la Curve V2 XXL et Fluid H 45.
J’arrive sur le spot : bien plus gros que ce dont j’ai habituellement besoin en Surffoil 😬 ( ça va être chaud pour un début ?)
50-60cm avec des séries à taille d’épaules. De beaux pics qui ouvrent, go!
Je passe les premières lignes et profite d’une accalmie pour me mettre debout, et la surprise, c’est jouable et ça glisse bien. Je tiens debout avec les pieds décalés, le Row est important, mais en allant chercher loin et en finissant près du rail, ça va bien droit avec au moins 6-7 coups avant de changer de main, c’est pas mal.
Première tentative de vague, je suis mal placé, je rate et tombe, deuxième vague, ça part et ça vole directement sur toute la vague! 🤩
La sortie dans la mousse se fait en douceur et ça plane 10m de plus derrière la vague sans rien faire, merci la Curve2 !!!
Je prends de l’assurance et vais prendre une 15aine de vagues en 1h30, certaines bien dodues.
Très étonné de voir que la vague me passait dessous et que le Foil partait malgré tout et parfois même quand j’étais un peu derrière la vague. Étonné aussi par l’excellente glisse de la hipe First!
La Curve2, comme je l’avais senti lors des “test tours” est hyper stable, elle porte tôt (je decollais au même endroit que mon pote expérimenté en NFA 9’0) et reste neutre quand les vagues se mettent à creuser et ça c’est vraiment un confort extraordinaire !
Quand ça accélère fort, le foil reste sur sa trajectoire et son assiette, on ne se fait pas sortir du tout.
J’ai pris trop de sécurité et j’avais mis le foil presque à fond en arrière… Du coup j’avais trop de pied avant et beaucoup de poids devant, et je manquais de contrôle sur le foil avec la First qui n’est pas aussi raide qu’une hipe pro ou Cruzader.
Next time j’avance franchement le foil pour alléger l’ensemble et regagner de la mania!
Bref surpris d’y arriver si facilement avec mes 97kg du moment. Et encore bluffé par la qualité de mise au point des produits GONG, et de la performance d’un modèle dédié aux débutants et petits budgets (299€ pour un vrai flotteur!!!)
Bravo Patrice Guénolé et la team GONG Galaxy Group 👏👏👏