grigorib wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2018 3:35 am
Snip...
Foiling is dividing fast into racing (large deck, small wings) and freeride (small deck, large wings) and we will see more freeride specific boards as we started seeing more freeride-specific wings
True - but depends on the location I think ?
Around here in Europe and France, it all started with racing gear (medium deck, small wings), and freeride followed qute fast (small deck, medium wings).
Now there has been a trend toward both medium and big and really big wings, agree with that.
But boards has been really small before, and now they seem to get bigger, particularly combined with the bigger wings offered, as in less wind - board area is a huge benefit.
Years ago, typically a big beginner board was offered, and then a really small expert board.
Take Ketos t.ex, they started with the 107 cm pocket board (full carbon) years ago.
Then later the 118 came, as many wanted more "nose" but still pocket size.
And last year the latest 130 cm pocket board came, as with the new big wings and wave wings, it makes so much sense to go up in board size
The 107:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 427&type=3
Is quite big with a smaller rider:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 506&type=3
I have had the 118 for some years, maybe 3, and now the 130 since last summer, those two fits me just fine for windy conditions (10 knots and up).
Ketos Pocket 107:
Ketos Pocket 118:
Ketos Pocket 130:
For travelling purposes, or like you, loving the really short boards, the 107 or other brands even shorter could be ideal yes
My own 118 and 130 with the Wave and WaveXL wings (I use a lot in this very combo):
So the 107 could be a board, eventhough you seem to want them even shorter right ?
I am on the opposite track - eventhough the bigger wings can lift in less wind, we WILL also (at my level) touch down more in this wind, thus benefit from a bit bigger boards here
At least this is what I have found over the last 3 years, but personal likings, some want supersmall boards no matter what, also understandable.
PF
PS: I dont wanna sound like a Ketos AD, but these are the boards (and foils and wings) I know very well, thus easy to use as an example - assume there are others with similar sizing, Zeeko t.ex.