JP Australia 2021 Wing Foiling Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Wing Foiling 2021 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: JP Australia
Interviewee: Franziska Müller, Junior Marketing Manager

What’s the progression of Wing Foiling in your opinion? It started off as a sport to fill in kiting/windsurfing lay days, will it build its own exclusive fan base?
We are pretty sure, that Wing-Sports will unite many sports. We see not only our kite team riders with a wing but as well the ones who are windfoiling and SUPfoiling already. They are very interested in wing foiling as well! Plus the ones who are wave surfing or stand up paddling, want to use wings as well. And we get the same feedback from our dealers, that it is a very good alternative and opportunity for many people who are already into the wind, SUP and kite foiling. We can already see it at the local lakes in the early spring now, that so many people go on the water with a wing. So yes, we from JP and Neilpryde think, that the sports has a real future and the fanbase is already huge, as many kiters and surfers are already at it

How popular are and will become land variants of the sport?
In the last months here in Germany and Austria we could already see many people who were snow winging with skis or snowboards. So in our countries, it is already popular and as you don’t need much more than snow, skis or a board, the wing and some wind, it is pretty easy to realise in the future.

How many board variants do you have on offer?
X-Winger – special Wing board (Composite)
WingAir – special Wing board (Inflatable)
X-Foil – multifunctional board  wing, foil, windsurf, SUP options
FreeFoil – Wing and Windsurf Foil board
Foil Slate, Prone Foil, Foil – recommended for winging

Which is the most popular board variant in your range?
The X-Foil is the ultimate multifunctional wing, foil, SUP and windsurfing machine for all conditions and needs.

What materials and construction techniques are you using?
The X-Winger is made in our PRO technology to ensure the lightest weight and also in IPR, to get the best cost/benefit ratio. The strength of the track boxes is second to none – full deck to bottom PU blocks with multiple reinforcements covering our signature long US tracks for superior leverage to any forces a foil can throw at it. The X-Foil for example is as well made in our ultimate PRO edition technology to ensure the lightest weight necessary for early take-off, quick pumping and fast progression into jumping.

Tell us about your 3 key products for 2021 and why you think they will be great sellers
X-Winger: The X-Winger boards are specialized wing foiling machines! These shapes are very compact with plenty of volume and width. Shallow concaves combined with full bevelled rails deliver maximum surface for instant take-off and forgiveness during manoeuvres.

The compact size and step tail offer the perfect platform for getting an instant reaction to pumping. Loading the wing underwater and using the lift of the wing for taking off. The concave deck shape is equipped with a comfortable pad and additional increased arch and tail kick pad supporting and guiding the foot in the perfect position when riding strapless. The foot-strap options offered, cover everything from V-shape, centred and off-centred positions.

The boards are made in our ultimate PRO technology to ensure the lightest weight and also in IPR, to get the best cost/benefit ratio. The strength of the track boxes is second to none – full deck to bottom PU blocks with multiple reinforcements covering our signature long US tracks for superior leverage to any forces a foil can throw at it.

X-Foil: EXTRA SPECIAL FOIL SHAPE – The X-Foil is a specialized wing foiling, downwind SUP foiling and windsurf foiling machine! Shorter in length, wider and thicker compared to the Foil range for generous flotation and instant reaction to pumping. The deck concave shape helps control the foil while flying. The bevelled rails and tail kick help with reducing the wetted surface for easy take-off and carefree tight turns. The foot-strap options offered cover everything from V-shape, centred and off-centred positions.

The boards are made in our ultimate PRO edition technology to ensure the lightest weight necessary for early take-off, quick pumping and fast progression into jumping. The strength of the track boxes is second to none – full deck to bottom PU blocks with multiple reinforcements covering our signature long US tracks for superior leverage to any forces a foil can throw at it.

Foil Slate: LIGHTNING FAST AND FLYING HIGH – The Foil Slate is a top choice of riders and the most flexible board in the market at the same time! For this reason, our shape was awarded the “SUP Paddlesports of the Year 2020” at the PaddleExpo 2020, the biggest trade fair of paddle sports in the world. Werner Gnigler created this great shape for those who wanted to have an all-in-one water sports board. Please note SUP Foil, SUP Surf Foil, SUP Downwind Foil, Wing Foil, Windsurf Foil, SUP Surf, SUP, Wind Surf and who knows what else can be tried with the Foil Slate!

Stable, fast and reactive are the main strengths of the Foil Slates. Use the extra speed to glide across flat sections of the wave or to hit the lip with full power. The bottom shape features a V entry that flows into a deep single concave ending with a subtle V right at the centre fin position. This ensures a smooth lift and an easy rail-to-rail transfer.

Two US long track boxes are available for Foil sports, allowing different foil positions based on the rider skills. On the other hand, the traditional 3-fin boxes set should be used for Stand-Up Paddling. New for 2021: Foil Slates feature windsurfing footstrap plugs for a better Windsurf Foil performance.