A foilboard needs just enough volume to float, but not too much so it doesn’t hamper the take-off, turning abilities, speed, and overall session. As the various foiling disciplines are moving forward at a rapid rate, riders are beginning to push more, jump higher, or making new moves, so finding the perfect balance between volume and size, stiffness and strength are some of the key elements in how to choose a foilboard.
Below is a guide to help you choose the the right board, with a focus on the F-One range of boards. It’s important to keep in mind that your decision should depends on your skill level, your weight, your usual riding conditions, and your chosen discipline.
Board Sizing
Beginner: Weight + 40L. For example, if you weight 70kg and want to learn the sport, then you will need a board with roughly 110L. In general, beginners should look at boards with a volume of 100L and above like the 5’10 ROCKET WING V2 ASC
Intermediate: Weight = Volume. Once you have a good control of your wing and foil, then the volume of your board can roughly match that of your weight. If you’re 60kg, then most of our ROCKET WING board range will fit your needs, depending on your discipline and what construction you choose. These boards will bring you confidence and control, and will allow you to continuously improve.
Advanced: Weight – 15L on. As you improve, reducing the volume of your board gives you far more maneuverability, responsiveness, and speed.
Kite Foilboards
The POCKET remains a light and easy-to-handle board, with great carving potential and a truly bulletproof construction.
The POCKET CARBON is an even more rigid board and this is the perfect board for freestyle and performance riding sessions.
The POCKET CARBON CUSTOM has a bit more volume than the regular Pocket Carbon, this board is incredibly responsive, super light, rigid, and made for carving and freestyle sessions.
The PRO RACE CARBON is the full one competition-shape board dedicated to kite foil racing.
Wing Foil Boards
The ROCKET WING V2 was our first board dedicated to wing foiling, and is ideal for anybody wanting to get into it.
These are the boards with the most area for a given length, thus providing a better balance when you’re on the water. The carbon construction of the ROCKET WING CARBON makes it a great freestyle board.
If you like to cruise, surf, jump, or do downwinders, then the ROCKET WING-S and ROCKET WING-S CARBON are the boards for you. With their lower volume, which will undoubtedly generate remarkable sensations.
Their specific, surf-type shape and the well-balanced volume distribution lead to easy take-offs, less drag in the air, and a lot of control in flight.
The ROCKET WING V2 ASC is ideal for all stages of your wing foil progression, and it will provide stability from side to side, impressive responsiveness, and an easy and smooth transition from take off into flight.
Surf Foil Boards
The ROCKET SURF has a compact design that will pretty much guarantee that you can ride, take-off, pump or carve with the maximum amount of control. Its shape has been optimized and construction reinforced for even better precision and control.
The ROCKET SUP DOWNWIND is an amazingc board to surf and is also one of the best boards to downwind on. Its shape is the perfect combination of the essential qualities needed while maintaining the right balance between maximum volume and speed. It’s an impressive board that will let you fly endlessly.
Foilboard Constructions and Technologies
On the kite foil boards there are four different construction types:
- SLIM Tech– uses a high-strength PU foam core material, with a glass fiber layup and protective top / bottom sheet layers for a bulletproof construction.
- SLIM Tech Carbon– uses a CNC-shaped PVC foam core combined with a carbon layup.
- SLIM Tech Carbon Custom– uses a CNC-shaped PVC foam core wrapped entirely by a carbon fiber skin. All the skin layers are then carefully laid and vacuum bagged for maximum fiber efficiency and impressive stiffness.
- HD Foam Carbon Composite– uses a CNC-shaped EPS foam core and a sandwich layup (high-density foam + glass and carbon fiber). It allows the boards to be lightweight and strong, as well as tougher to heel pressures and dings.
On the wing and surf foil boards there are three different construction types:
- Full Bamboo– uses the natural properties of bamboo veneers which are placed between fiberglass layers to create a strong, durable, light shell for the entire board. Some boards are also constructed with an extra layer of bamboo in the stance area to give the deck even more resistant to local heel pressures and dings.
- HD Foam Carbon Composite– uses a CNC-shaped EPS foam core and a sandwich layup (high-density foam + glass and carbon fiber). It allows the boards to be lightweight and strong, as well as tougher to heel pressures and dings.
- Air Shield Composite (ASC)- are constructed around a lightweight injected EPS core which is molded to our original shape. It’s then laminated with a composite made of high-strength glass fiber, epoxy resin and a shield made of a high-quality protective top sheet layer.
In conclusion, choosing the right foil board is just as important as choosing the most suitable hydrofoil or wing for your skill level and program. Have a read through our earlier Blog post on How to choose a F-One Foil if you not to sure on what to get.
Otherwise, give us a call or drop us an email and we’ll happily assist you. Also remember to give us a follow on Instagram and Facebook for regular updates.
