Love my AK Nomad 7'x23' x 115L I bought from MACkiteboarding. Must have been their first as Jeff didn't even know they had it :). Intermediate rider weight 82kg on an inland lake. I've enjoyed it from light winds to days over 30mph. Most days using it with 1200cm^2 foil and 6m wing. Even took it to the Gorge for waist high swell--sweet. When the wind dropped I was the only one rocking! Keep these great videos coming. And give Nomad some love!
Thank you MacKiteboarding great video : on one side I am stocked with my brand new mid-length KT 104 liters super K for medium and "strong" wings / I am 89 kg . On the other side I am even more stoked with my downwind board / it'a 7.7' long KT Ginxu Dragonfly V1 , 110 Liters for my 89 kg weight. It is the perfect winging weapon : this summer I was able to take off very easily and fly very well for 60 wing cession days with only 8 to 11 knots of wind thanks to my downwind 110 liters Ginxu Dragon Fly . This type of downwind board is perfect for mediterranean winds / light wind conditions during summertime when the wind averages between 7 to 12 knots maximum ( or beyond). Long and narrow downwind wing-boards are much much easier to use than I thought even for intermediate riders . Surprisingly and conter intuitively you get a phenomenal stability and reactivity with lthe ong downwind boards due to their fast take off capabilities + their lightness . If I had to keep one board only I would definitively go for a downwinder / I don't jump / in my region 85% of windy days are light wind days. Also with long downwind boards you can play with small / medium but also big swells. My personal 2 cents of the summer : if you are intermediate or even advanced winger and if you go for a downwinder don't hesitate to take at least 15 to 25 liters above your weight, you will be able to wingfoil between 7 to 30 knots of winds and also start to paddle foil . Merci
Thanks for your thoughts! I'd love to get you on a 70L Super K for those days when you aren't riding your Dragonfly. Similar experience for higher winds/waves without all the additional thickness/ length.\-Tucker
I'm a northern inland lake sailor. Often the water is near freezing.The wind will abandon you. I don't like swimming in freezing water even in a good suit. I'm all about adequate flotation. Get me back to shore. Floaty and long is good for sub planing pointing back home. I've had an eight foot DW board and an 85l mid length board. I recently got the Cabrinha Swift. It's Goldilocks for winging. Not paddling, not prone, not tow. Just winging. It's funny looking but pretty sweet.
So happy you focused on inland lakes and rivers where it is gusty and between 8-15knts that’s what I ride and I imagine what almost anyone who doesn’t live on the coast rides in
Great video, I was in doubt if I should sell my duotone Downwinder Air and change up for a mid length KT Ginxu Super K 104 (I'm around 92kg) but now I think I should just keep my downwinder air 7'10" (fits great in a car) and maybe go for a 92 ltr Ginxu Super K.. greetings from The Nederlands
All I ride when I do wingfoil is a downwind board. Who can be bothered with a quiver. I've had it in glassy 7 knot conditions to 30+ in massive Gorge swell and it's been fine.
My home spot is an inland lake but I plan on going to Cumbuco, Brazil every winter. Does it make sense to get the duotone downwinder air board so i can travel with it easy? Maybe when I get to Cumbuco I’ll buy a chicken nugget for the season. Can I use a similar foil setup for both? (1200-1600) I want to be able to do some SUP foiling, get better at winging and possibly buy a foildrive down the road. Thanks guys, always great content.
I‘m thinking of an downwind board. My weight is about 95 kg and I have a 1500 high aspect foil. Is this too big for a downwind board on a lightwind session?
You started with people who have “mastered their beginner gear” on lakes with low wind. What about true beginners under the same conditions? Are you recommending downwind boards for beginners or would you recommend a mid length board? Or are you saying beginners should still start on the “nuggets,” which really isn’t an option for beginners on low wind lakes. Could you comment on beginner recommendations on low wind lakes? Thanks!
That's the conundrum for beginners in light winds for sure. Personally, I would say that if you cannot find wind over 14mph, then your only option would be a downwind board. In that situation I would suggest a larger volume and a model with more stability and width such as the AFS Whitebird, Naish Hover DW, and KT Dragonfly Surf. It may be a difficult balance at first but at least you'll have enough efficiency to build speed and liftoff. The Nuggets are easier to balance but it's not use if you can't build enough speed anyway. -Tucker
@@MACkiteboarding Thanks Tucker. That’s definitely the conundrum. I windsurf and skate, so I’m comfortable balancing on a board. I think a wider downwind board with good float would be the best option when paired with a high aspect foil as you suggest. Thanks!
@@Tyler-ic5kw Yes, if you are primarily dealing with light winds, you'll pick that up more quickly and grow into it. Spending a couple of sessions working on balancing on the board, finding your balance sweet spot, and using the wing for support will be helpful.
As mr jeff said no more than 70L for a hybrid like the KT super K but different brands do not offer the same shape. I was thinking to the skybrid duotone . So considering this shape would it be good to size up like to 85L instead?
Give us a call to talk in more detail. The sizing is really dependent on model, rider, and conditions. I found I liked the 70L Skybrid best and I could get excellent low wind ability -Tucker
Generally the board isn't a huge influence on nailing jibes. You want a foil that will glide efficiently through the jibe but also isn't overly technical in turns or require more speed. That typically looks like a 6-8 aspect around 1000-1400 for most average size riders. The huge, thick, low AR foils are inefficient in glide and will decelerate and stall easily before you can complete the jibe. May also be your technique, be sure you are pulling hard on the back handle transiting into the jibe, toss it overhead and redirect your hands quickly. -Tucker
Thank you Tucker. I suggest an episode that talks about the jibe in a new way. Often the problems are in the navigation in switch and in the balance that often, those who come from windsurfing, do not find. During the jibe there are no levers and supports. You can't hang on to the sail, because you throw it on yourself and fall. And above all you're there in the air without support.
I’m planning to upgrade my beginner gear. Ride mostly inland lakes. The plan is downwind board and high aspect foil. If I want to take in two steps, do I change board or foil first?
Great video, great advice. 😃 I'm curemtly riding a 95L Chicken Nugget (love that term), and have been for sometime. I weigh 90kgs and I'm nailing most jibes in gusty, choppy conditions from 12ish lulls to 25knots... roughly, so pretty confident intermediate. I have decided to go with a one board quiver with an Armstrong ML 75/85L. I asume you'd say, go for the 75L which is cool. But my only concern is when the wind dies and I need to laydown and paddle back; will that board support my weight? The extra 10L with the 85L would maybe be good for those situations? I've seen videos with guys sitting on the 75L and they seem to sink a bit. Any advice would be very much appreciated. PS. I have winged on a 130L (8.6 x 19) Axis DW board and it was an awesome experience and was a lot of fun. The tippy narrow nature of DW boards can take a little getting used to, but they are more stable than you'd think.
hey Richard, We don't have much experience on the Arm Mid but from what I know about it, I would suggest sizing up if you want to ride in less than 15kn. -Tucker
@@richardbarclay9095I’ll have to disagree with Tucker sorry. I’m around 90kgs with all my gear on, I went with the ML 75, and it’s plenty floaty, I get up un 12kts no problem on a 1050 ar.8 foil. I can jibe, tack, no problem. It takes a couple sessions to learn to get up on that board on 20+ kts, but it’s not at all impossible, and when you’re up, it’s heaven. When the wind dies, I’m still able to paddle home without any issues. I have heard that going too close to rider’s weight and above makes mid lengths boards to tipsy and susceptible to chop. In short, I’m not looking back and so glad I didn’t go with the 85 or above.
Great Video. For me it has to be a ML. I am 85 kg, can do jybes, taks, ride some swell and basic jumps. still considering which one to buy. Armstrong ML 85L or Appleslice 80L or 90L. As you said to size down in general I even think about the 75L Armstrong? I have to say that on most days it's more like 12Knots 18 Gust. Damn the Armstrong looks cool, but it's so long? Are jumps possible? The slice is an eyecatcher as well. Thx
Definitely get the 75 Armstrong. That’s what I did and I’m 83kgs. Love it. Jibe/tacks etc. I originally wanted the Slice V3 as well, but not available in NZ unfortunately so I went with the Armstrong ML75 and not looking back. Yeah it’s a bit long to carry around off the water, but man, it takes off in 10-12 knots like it ain’t nothing, you’ll be very surprised.
Good point. Sorry we missed that in the B-roll on this edit. If you look at some of our other videos you'll see it. Basically it's a normal knee start. -Tucker
In regards to turn ability, planing and flying speed the Mid length seems to be more high performance than the chicken nugget. After wing foiling more than 4 years I find the mid length to be the best board option. It has been a game changer for me.
Thanks for the feedback. Hard to find the right balance, especially across a lot of different speaker types. Let me know if there was any confusion due to the lack of clear audio and I'd be happy to clear it up. -Tucker
You guys are good but you should not talk time in months . . . you should talk rides or hours. I ride 20 times a summer, 40 hours per year, 80 hours total and Im still getting wet.
I suppose that would be more accurate. Quality sessions might be a better count as well. We've all had those days when it's not quite ideal and just struggling. -Tucker
@@MACkiteboarding agreed, thanks for doing it . . . even though you called my board a chicken nugget. I love my nugget, but I'm ready for a hybrid. I'm 61, 170lb. I can foil without issue all the way across the Columbia river in 25mph wind (HR), Maryhill, Hooke, etc. but I still fail every jibe on my 130L 5'2 SIC, 1800 foil. I'm getting close. Next board suggestion?
@@troydonaldson3388 I'd have a good look at a 65-75L Mid. The Omen Flux, F-one wing-s, Kt Super K are some of our favorites. If you want more low wind performance you may want to go a little larger.
Love my AK Nomad 7'x23' x 115L I bought from MACkiteboarding. Must have been their first as Jeff didn't even know they had it :). Intermediate rider weight 82kg on an inland lake. I've enjoyed it from light winds to days over 30mph. Most days using it with 1200cm^2 foil and 6m wing. Even took it to the Gorge for waist high swell--sweet. When the wind dropped I was the only one rocking! Keep these great videos coming. And give Nomad some love!
Thank you MacKiteboarding great video : on one side I am stocked with my brand new mid-length KT 104 liters super K for medium and "strong" wings / I am 89 kg . On the other side I am even more stoked with my downwind board / it'a 7.7' long KT Ginxu Dragonfly V1 , 110 Liters for my 89 kg weight. It is the perfect winging weapon : this summer I was able to take off very easily and fly very well for 60 wing cession days with only 8 to 11 knots of wind thanks to my downwind 110 liters Ginxu Dragon Fly . This type of downwind board is perfect for mediterranean winds / light wind conditions during summertime when the wind averages between 7 to 12 knots maximum ( or beyond). Long and narrow downwind wing-boards are much much easier to use than I thought even for intermediate riders . Surprisingly and conter intuitively you get a phenomenal stability and reactivity with lthe ong downwind boards due to their fast take off capabilities + their lightness . If I had to keep one board only I would definitively go for a downwinder / I don't jump / in my region 85% of windy days are light wind days. Also with long downwind boards you can play with small / medium but also big swells. My personal 2 cents of the summer : if you are intermediate or even advanced winger and if you go for a downwinder don't hesitate to take at least 15 to 25 liters above your weight, you will be able to wingfoil between 7 to 30 knots of winds and also start to paddle foil . Merci
Thanks for your thoughts! I'd love to get you on a 70L Super K for those days when you aren't riding your Dragonfly. Similar experience for higher winds/waves without all the additional thickness/ length.\-Tucker
I'm a northern inland lake sailor. Often the water is near freezing.The wind will abandon you. I don't like swimming in freezing water even in a good suit. I'm all about adequate flotation. Get me back to shore. Floaty and long is good for sub planing pointing back home. I've had an eight foot DW board and an 85l mid length board. I recently got the Cabrinha Swift. It's Goldilocks for winging. Not paddling, not prone, not tow. Just winging. It's funny looking but pretty sweet.
So happy you focused on inland lakes and rivers where it is gusty and between 8-15knts that’s what I ride and I imagine what almost anyone who doesn’t live on the coast rides in
Great discussion, very enlightening! Greetings from Brazil!
Glad you enjoyed it! -Tucker
Great video, I was in doubt if I should sell my duotone Downwinder Air and change up for a mid length KT Ginxu Super K 104 (I'm around 92kg) but now I think I should just keep my downwinder air 7'10" (fits great in a car) and maybe go for a 92 ltr Ginxu Super K.. greetings from The Nederlands
The Super K would be in improvement on the low end range in either size. At your weight, I'd say the 92L is plenty of board. -Tucker
Not to mention that a hybrid ML makes a killer FoilDrive option💪🏻
Yessir it does! -Tucker
Great content guys !
Thanks! Back at ya
Thank YOU for helping me to learn more about longboard SUP surfing. Been having a blast this past season. Cheers to you guys! 🤙🏽 Much respect. -Aaron
All I ride when I do wingfoil is a downwind board. Who can be bothered with a quiver. I've had it in glassy 7 knot conditions to 30+ in massive Gorge swell and it's been fine.
Glad you found the Magic Bullet for your conditions!
My home spot is an inland lake but I plan on going to Cumbuco, Brazil every winter. Does it make sense to get the duotone downwinder air board so i can travel with it easy? Maybe when I get to Cumbuco I’ll buy a chicken nugget for the season. Can I use a similar foil setup for both? (1200-1600) I want to be able to do some SUP foiling, get better at winging and possibly buy a foildrive down the road. Thanks guys, always great content.
Sweet. Nice boards guys.
Stoked for my new super K
I‘m thinking of an downwind board. My weight is about 95 kg and I have a 1500 high aspect foil. Is this too big for a downwind board on a lightwind session?
You started with people who have “mastered their beginner gear” on lakes with low wind. What about true beginners under the same conditions? Are you recommending downwind boards for beginners or would you recommend a mid length board? Or are you saying beginners should still start on the “nuggets,” which really isn’t an option for beginners on low wind lakes. Could you comment on beginner recommendations on low wind lakes? Thanks!
That's the conundrum for beginners in light winds for sure. Personally, I would say that if you cannot find wind over 14mph, then your only option would be a downwind board. In that situation I would suggest a larger volume and a model with more stability and width such as the AFS Whitebird, Naish Hover DW, and KT Dragonfly Surf. It may be a difficult balance at first but at least you'll have enough efficiency to build speed and liftoff. The Nuggets are easier to balance but it's not use if you can't build enough speed anyway. -Tucker
@@MACkiteboarding Thanks Tucker. That’s definitely the conundrum. I windsurf and skate, so I’m comfortable balancing on a board. I think a wider downwind board with good float would be the best option when paired with a high aspect foil as you suggest. Thanks!
@@Tyler-ic5kw Yes, if you are primarily dealing with light winds, you'll pick that up more quickly and grow into it. Spending a couple of sessions working on balancing on the board, finding your balance sweet spot, and using the wing for support will be helpful.
Thanks for another great video and tips 👍
Glad you like them!
As mr jeff said no more than 70L for a hybrid like the KT super K but different brands do not offer the same shape. I was thinking to the skybrid duotone . So considering this shape would it be good to size up like to 85L instead?
Give us a call to talk in more detail. The sizing is really dependent on model, rider, and conditions. I found I liked the 70L Skybrid best and I could get excellent low wind ability -Tucker
I fly easely in all conditions, but i still don’t close jibes, do you think a mid lenght will help?
Generally the board isn't a huge influence on nailing jibes. You want a foil that will glide efficiently through the jibe but also isn't overly technical in turns or require more speed. That typically looks like a 6-8 aspect around 1000-1400 for most average size riders. The huge, thick, low AR foils are inefficient in glide and will decelerate and stall easily before you can complete the jibe. May also be your technique, be sure you are pulling hard on the back handle transiting into the jibe, toss it overhead and redirect your hands quickly. -Tucker
Thank you Tucker. I suggest an episode that talks about the jibe in a new way. Often the problems are in the navigation in switch and in the balance that often, those who come from windsurfing, do not find. During the jibe there are no levers and supports. You can't hang on to the sail, because you throw it on yourself and fall. And above all you're there in the air without support.
@@MaurizioBigi For sure. I'll put it on a video list. Centering your stance over the centerline of the board may help. -Tucker
If your higher wind board is a midlegth, are you stopping at weight in Kg minus 20?
Depends on the model, rider experience, riding style. For most riders, KG minus 20 works well in the majority of models. -Tucker
I’m planning to upgrade my beginner gear. Ride mostly inland lakes. The plan is downwind board and high aspect foil. If I want to take in two steps, do I change board or foil first?
I'd change board first. In those inland conditions a downwind board is a huge advantage. -Tucker
Great video, great advice. 😃
I'm curemtly riding a 95L Chicken Nugget (love that term), and have been for sometime. I weigh 90kgs and I'm nailing most jibes in gusty, choppy conditions from 12ish lulls to 25knots... roughly, so pretty confident intermediate.
I have decided to go with a one board quiver with an Armstrong ML 75/85L. I asume you'd say, go for the 75L which is cool. But my only concern is when the wind dies and I need to laydown and paddle back; will that board support my weight? The extra 10L with the 85L would maybe be good for those situations? I've seen videos with guys sitting on the 75L and they seem to sink a bit.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
PS. I have winged on a 130L (8.6 x 19) Axis DW board and it was an awesome experience and was a lot of fun. The tippy narrow nature of DW boards can take a little getting used to, but they are more stable than you'd think.
hey Richard, We don't have much experience on the Arm Mid but from what I know about it, I would suggest sizing up if you want to ride in less than 15kn. -Tucker
Thanks Tucker 👍
@@richardbarclay9095I’ll have to disagree with Tucker sorry. I’m around 90kgs with all my gear on, I went with the ML 75, and it’s plenty floaty, I get up un 12kts no problem on a 1050 ar.8 foil. I can jibe, tack, no problem. It takes a couple sessions to learn to get up on that board on 20+ kts, but it’s not at all impossible, and when you’re up, it’s heaven. When the wind dies, I’m still able to paddle home without any issues. I have heard that going too close to rider’s weight and above makes mid lengths boards to tipsy and susceptible to chop. In short, I’m not looking back and so glad I didn’t go with the 85 or above.
@@Jafalex74 thanks for sharing that. Extremely useful. 👍😀
Great Video. For me it has to be a ML. I am 85 kg, can do jybes, taks, ride some swell and basic jumps. still considering which one to buy. Armstrong ML 85L or Appleslice 80L or 90L. As you said to size down in general I even think about the 75L Armstrong? I have to say that on most days it's more like 12Knots 18 Gust. Damn the Armstrong looks cool, but it's so long? Are jumps possible? The slice is an eyecatcher as well. Thx
Armstrong 75L instead of 85 without a doubt!
Appletrees are heavy and older in design, the ML takes off so easy you dont need all those liter's
Definitely get the 75 Armstrong. That’s what I did and I’m 83kgs. Love it. Jibe/tacks etc. I originally wanted the Slice V3 as well, but not available in NZ unfortunately so I went with the Armstrong ML75 and not looking back. Yeah it’s a bit long to carry around off the water, but man, it takes off in 10-12 knots like it ain’t nothing, you’ll be very surprised.
@@Jafalex74 at the moment I like the Omen Flux 84 a lot.
If a 70l hybrid is good for guys of your weight ranges, why not show the board start procedure in the video?
Good point. Sorry we missed that in the B-roll on this edit. If you look at some of our other videos you'll see it. Basically it's a normal knee start. -Tucker
I went from chicken nugget to french fry (From 4’6” 50 liter to 5’8” 78 liter mid length).
How's it going for you?
In regards to turn ability, planing and flying speed the Mid length seems to be more high performance than the chicken nugget. After wing foiling more than 4 years I find the mid length to be the best board option. It has been a game changer for me.
Great video but the music is too loud
Thanks for the feedback. Hard to find the right balance, especially across a lot of different speaker types. Let me know if there was any confusion due to the lack of clear audio and I'd be happy to clear it up. -Tucker
You guys are good but you should not talk time in months . . . you should talk rides or hours. I ride 20 times a summer, 40 hours per year, 80 hours total and Im still getting wet.
I suppose that would be more accurate. Quality sessions might be a better count as well. We've all had those days when it's not quite ideal and just struggling. -Tucker
@@MACkiteboarding agreed, thanks for doing it . . . even though you called my board a chicken nugget. I love my nugget, but I'm ready for a hybrid. I'm 61, 170lb. I can foil without issue all the way across the Columbia river in 25mph wind (HR), Maryhill, Hooke, etc. but I still fail every jibe on my 130L 5'2 SIC, 1800 foil. I'm getting close. Next board suggestion?
@@troydonaldson3388 I'd have a good look at a 65-75L Mid. The Omen Flux, F-one wing-s, Kt Super K are some of our favorites. If you want more low wind performance you may want to go a little larger.
Good video analysis,thanks guys but man..wash that tshirt please😂
Pitfalls of shooting videos after a team lunch. LOL I'm a slob, sorry -Tucker
It's not how long it is, it's how it moves 😂