This is the wing used by our Surf/Freestyle team riders who seek excellence to perform engaged tricks on flat water or in waves, with unparalleled durability and stiffness thanks to a new canopy.
Power, hangtime, compactness, and insane rotations are what the Droid UPE Aramid X is made of.
It is also capable of performing in freerace due to its power and in pure wave riding thanks to its exceptional lightness.
The Droid UPE Aramid X is a compact, powerful, and maneuverable wing, 100% boom: the winning combo for freestyle and aerials while still performing amazingly in waveriding and freerace thanks to its innovative profile.
The leading edge and strut are made of UPE Aramid, the lightest and stiffest material on the market. This GONG innovation enhances our shapes and boosts our performance, as demonstrated by our competition results.
The new canopy is a concentrate of know-how from the best spinnaker manufacturer in the world. Low weight combined with unrivaled performance and durability.
The feeling is ultra direct thanks to the rigidity of this material. A boom, light and very rigid materials, everything is there. The wing is more powerful, more direct and much more effective in all registers.
Tensions in the canopy, tips twisting, and diameters have been optimized with UPE Aramid to provide maximum performance. These parameters bring power in low wind conditions while ensuring maximum control in high wind conditions and exceptional stability in freefly.
The best a wing has to offer, created for you through the joint efforts of our team riders, designers, and engineers working towards a single goal : offer you excellence.
The central batten of the Droid has evolved compared to its UPE 200 version: it now has a “wasp waist” shape and is boom only.
The boom has become essential for those seeking the highest performance, proven by 2 victories in the last 3 competitions of 2023. One-handed tricks have become a must, and this wing has the most ergonomic, light, strong, and stiff boom on the market. Our prepreg carbon boom also allows for significant weight savings compared to rigid handles, saving over 200 grams removing two attachment points. We also saved 30 grams thanks to the thinner batten, and every gram counts at this level. In surfing and freefly, this weight savings is essential, keeping the wing perfectly neutral and balanced. The flex of the strut is close to zero thanks to the carbon boom that absorbs the forces at play. A non-bending strut results in a wing that stays tight, a powerful wing that never flaps and glides perfectly through the air. Lightness and responsiveness are always prioritized in the Team Series range.
At the front of the boom, there is a pistol grip, providing a steady power that you can adjust as needed, eliminating possible flaps of the wing that slow you down when surfing in offshore wind.
The batten shape and boom angulation are strategically designed to handle the wing instinctively without constantly having to bend the rear arm. In addition to providing balanced traction in the arms, this allows for effortless, maximum power generation, ideal for jumps, for example. It’s also very effective when you’re overpowered: no more feeling of being ripped off your board, the wing remains perfectly controllable to maintain maximum comfort. 
Another major evolution of this Droïd lies in the revolutionary material of its inflatable structure. GONG innovated with the material on the Pulse DP, and this is just the beginning!
The UPE Aramid is the lightest and stiffest material on the market. The sensations in hand are simply astonishing. The wing is both one of the stiffest and one of the lightest on the market, providing an entirely new sailing experience, all at an amazing price. It’s simply incredible and perfectly in line with our commitment to offering the best to as many people as possible.
At 85g/m2 (2 times less than Dacron!), this UPE Aramid present on the leading edge and the central batten ensures, in addition to a considerable weight savings (400g on a 5m2), an unparalleled gain in stiffness and reactivity. It’s simple: the wing no longer bends! We control its twisting through the Aramid axis and the design of the shape. Thus, deformations are no longer present.
In addition to its exceptional mechanical properties, this material also has a very low absorption rate. The wing gains very little weight when wet.
Obviously, a superb material without perfect assembly is worthless, and we have worked in infinite detail to ensure the reliability of the technical solutions for its implementation. For this, we have tested all known assemblies on traction machines and innovated with new and exclusive assembly methods at GONG to surpass the standards. Our wings have never been so robust.
Better than gold !!! 
The curved leading edge promotes maneuverability.
The arc of the leading edge frees the Droid. It can change orientation easily, especially when piloting it by the downwind/surf handle.
This wing is free to be reoriented with the slightest pressure. It offers smooth and precise handling. This is true on all reaches, namely upwind, but especially in surfing with the wing in hand. It positions exactly as you request, in a fraction of a second.
This curve adds tolerance to this energetic shape by enhancing its rotational capabilities.
The twist of the tips is low but sufficient to release any excess power and convert it into glide. The gradual tapering of the leading edge allows the Droid to breathe.
The distribution of the leading edge is very uniform and maintains its short section in the center, making the wing very rigid in this area. This consistency provides perfect control of the twisting, which increases gradually towards the tips. The central part of the wing pulls while the tips absorb gusts, offering total control.
The sail draft is optimized for maximum acceleration and lift during jumps.
You immediately feel pulled forward. No need to be overpowered to accelerate sharply. With the Droid, going from zero to one hundred takes just two seconds!
It remains balanced and particularly well-positioned to create no limits on maneuverability and responsiveness. It perfectly complements a robust DNA that concentrates energy to enhance your rides.
Technical sheet
Buying guide
Regardless of your level, the Droid is accessible because it is powerful and compact. This is even more true with this model, which allows you to change the handles according to your preferences and skill level. It enables you to perform the most committed maneuvers, yet it is not technically demanding.
Physically, it is suitable either for trained practitioners or for the bigger riders, as it pulls hard. With a harness, it's great for everyone.
The surf/freestyle competition program is increasingly evolving towards flatwater practice, which requires insane pop, acceleration, and extreme maneuverability for increasingly complex tricks. The Droid is perfectly in its element in freestyle, with its traction that catapults you and its maneuverability that allows for all moves. The title of Freestyle World Champion speaks volumes about its ability to bring you joy.
Plus: the wing for progression.
SuperPower: the powerful wing.
Pulse: the wing for racing and long distance.
Droïd: the wing for surf / freestyle.
Neutra: the perfect wing for waves and free-flying.
Don’t overestimate the power of wings. The reality is that for a 85kg winger, you need 15/20 knots with a 5m² to fly to get flying the first few times. After about 15 sessions, you will fly at 15 knots with a 5m². And if you’re athletic, pumping hard can make you take off at 12 knots in 5m² and hold the flight through 8 knots lulls. All this can be learned and requires practice.
The choice of the type of material for the inflatable structure of your wing primarily depends on your program and ambitions. If you prefer sailing leisurely in freeride during occasional outings, a Dacron inflatable structure will suffice.
However, if you enjoy sporty, agile navigation and tricks, don't hesitate! The UPE will provide undeniable advantages. The performance gap is significant. It goes faster, higher, and turns incredibly well since the diameters are thinner.
The spinnaker material will allow you to improve areas which, depending on your level and frequency of practice, may be essential for you:
The Droid works with everything but especially with a compact and light board. Obviously it will be more in phase with a foil dedicated to performance, with a mast around 85cm for example.
You can (should) add to this combo a SUP and a surf foil for windless days, a kite to launch sky high, and surely a board dedicated to surfing good waves. But if you’re heading towards wing foiling, you may already have these toys in the garage ;)
A 5’5 to 8’ wing leash will be ideal. Preferably a model dedicated to wing foiling and of the coiled type. A short leash allows you to get back on the board quickly. By letting the board go further, a long leash prevents contacts between the foil and the wing.
Check its condition before each session and change it every year. It’s your life jacket.
Don’t let your wing flap in the wind at the end of the leash, it’s not unbreakable! Ditto in the waves, do not hold your Wing by the leash, it will explode and/or you will get hurt.
The Droid does not require a harness for surf-freestyle because the reaches are short. However, it is a powerful and responsive wing that will be much more effective with a harness in a race program for those who utilize all its features.
Riding without a harness is sexy because you feel free. You can move in all directions, it’s really nice.
But it is necessary to be slightly underpowered or to do short reaches if you do not want your arms to burn too quickly. This also means more pumping to take off.
All our wings have harness line attachments. So, the choice is yours.
So, if on the other hand, you like to ride with power, using a harness is almost mandatory if you don't want your sessions limited to one hour. In this case, attaching harness lines is super simple (see our tutorials on the forum). We recommend using a harness that is as flexible and non-restrictive as possible, with a minimalist hook or a windsurf-style hook for comfort.
Lines measuring 24 to 28 cm from the batten to the bottom of the V will be perfect. A length of 30 to 32 cm makes it easier for beginners. Thin diameter cordage and a fine sheath are essential because windsurf lines, for example, are too heavy and stiff, making them dangerous during turns and other tricks.
So, it's up to you to decide if sensation and aesthetics take precedence over performance. However, more and more riders are using a harness as the trend moves towards more powerful wings and better performance.
It's your choice :
The handles allow very compact storage in a backpack. The boom is stored lengthwise. But it should be noted that you can put as many boom wings as handle wings in a board bag for example. The boom does not take up more space. It takes it differently.
Windowless wings are cheaper, 200g lighter and easier to store.
Wings with windows are safer, stiffer and more responsive.
For beginners, a wing with windows is essential because safety comes before the few grams you could save. They are not meant to admire the landscape: they allow you to see a silhouette leeward and to abort your turn to prevent a collision.
Equipments
The harness line designed for booms will allow you to sail for long hours without getting tired.
Almost rigid, it significantly improves the piloting of the wing in freeflying and surfing.
The new oval seams and reinforcements on the downwind handle anchors better distribute the forces on the leading edge, always with a view to durability.
The dyneema leash attachment is now on the lower side of the DW handle. The leash is no longer caught in the hands when freeflying.
The leading edge and central strut are connected by the One Pump for rapid inflation in one go. The clamp then blocks the air circulation between the bladders to guarantee the flotation of the wing in the event of damage to the central strut or leading edge. Essential for safety.
The inflation valve on the leading edge is doubled on the central strut for immediate deflation and compact storage. Still in one pump, you inflate from the leading edge only in a few seconds and deflate just as quickly by unscrewing the two valves.
Micro fiberglass battens on the trailing edge: light and very effective against flapping. They perfectly maintain the profile up to the trailing edge to allow optimal flow.
Light and durable, they are easily replaceable if necessary to maintain your wing year after year.
To capture the best moments of your wing sessions, we have added a very discreet nylon leash loop to each tip to secure your camera mounted on the Flymount leading edge attachment and navigate without stress. The position of the loop is carefully chosen so that the leash does not come into the camera's view! You will be able to create amazing shots and share them with no risk of losing your camera in the process!
A repair kit including bladder and tissue repair patches is delivered with your wing.
A solid and efficient backpack is offered with your wing.
Perfectly designed with a wide U-shaped zipper for easy storage, ventilation grill, comfortable padding, compression straps and pump straps (not included).
Remember to bring a pump ;-)
GONG makes durable wings: it's the basis of our foundation. Never disappoint.
GONG makes its durable wings last: offering you all the components of our products for 10 years is a challenge that we gladly accept. Because we are convinced that a good wing today is a good wing in 5 years if well maintained. And this maintenance is good for the planet because it will allow many young people to equip themselves second-hand at very affordable prices.
To ensure a long life for your wing, it will need maintenance.
1/ We can do it for you in our workshop. Our teams of experts are at your disposal to diagnose and solve your problems.
2/ We stock the necessary spare parts, including fabric. Just place an order online, or ask your favorite repairer to do it.
If unfortunately, the part is not in stock, we will order it to have it as soon as possible.
Delivery
We indicate a preparation and shipping time of 3 working days. In reality, the majority of orders are shipped within 24/48 hours.
The delivery time, i.e. delivery time of the package to your home, then depends on the delivery location and the carrier.
We work with reliable and efficient carriers. 99% of shipments go perfectly and quickly. In the case of the remaining 1%, rest assured that we will do what is necessary with the carrier.
Unlike other sites, shipping costs are not hidden behind the price of our products. You know exactly what shipping costs you, and you are not disadvantaged if you choose to collect your order at our GONG Space Center.
Shipping costs are calculated based on the weight and volume of each package, and your delivery address.
Delivery tracking is managed directly by the carriers to whom we have entrusted your packages. They will contact you by email or SMS to allow you to choose delivery methods and follow the route of your package.
We work with the best transport societies to deliver to you throughout Europe and the world within very short deadlines. We chose them for their quality of service and their compliance with deadlines.
For mainland France, 80% of your orders arrive at their destination in less than 48 hours of processing.
For Europe, delivery times vary from 3 to 6 working days, depending on the country of destination.
For the rest of the world, delivery times depend on transit time and customs clearance time. This delay depends on customs and can last from a few days to a few weeks depending on the destination and seasonality.
Please note, transport time is added to preparation/shipping time. Two companies collaborate on your order (GONG and the carrier). Each one masters its activity and is committed to optimizing its deadlines so that you are delivered as quickly as possible and at a reasonable price.
Preserving the environment is an absolute priority. This is why we do everything possible to reduce our ecological footprint.
The most important thing is to sell quality, durable products that will be repairable and will please you for a long time.
For our shipments, we use:
Scotch craft paper.
Final packaging in high-end cardboard.
For rigid boards: Flexi-Hex, very high resistance ecological packaging.
This means:
Reusable and recyclable packaging.
An almost total reduction in single-use plastic.
Maximum protection and impact resistance for rigid boards thanks to the innovative Flexi-Hex honeycomb design (35mm thick).
Upon delivery, check the condition of your package in the presence of the carrier. A complete explanation email on the procedure to follow will be sent to you when your order is shipped.
Despite our requirements and all the care we take in the packaging and protection of your product, transport hazards may occur, and your product may suffer more or less significant transport damage.
Note that the products are protected in their carton. If you have any doubts, simply refuse delivery and contact us.
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