I've decided to switch from the 909 Balz Pro to a different foil. I was focusing on freestyle and riding in small, gusty lakes. The foil performed great, but I feel like the system is becoming a bit outdated, and I don't think they'll be changing their setup anytime soon.Anyone else also rode SAB before? Currently, my top option is Armstrong, but I'm unsure if they'll be focusing on freestyle equipment in the coming years.Has anyone had experience with other brands? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Select to expand quotepetthatdawg said..
I've decided to switch from the 909 Balz Pro to a different foil. I was focusing on freestyle and riding in small, gusty lakes. The foil performed great, but I feel like the system is becoming a bit outdated, and I don't think they'll be changing their setup anytime soon.Anyone else also rode SAB before? Currently, my top option is Armstrong, but I'm unsure if they'll be focusing on freestyle equipment in the coming years.Has anyone had experience with other brands? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I went from SABFoil to Gong. Apart from the lower prices I think the quality is better and the fuselage system is more efficient - especially the v3 foils. The Gong HM mast and foils feel much more rigid than the SABFoil Kraken stuff I was using before
I'm not sure about Armstrong for freestyle either. Most of their new stuff seems really swell ride and DW focused. Cash looks pretty good on it though!
I like my AFS stuff a lot but I'm on Silks which are more surf oriented. I handed them to a freestyle rider for a day and he went bananas on them. The pure range that the pros do freestyle on is probably a good choice for freestyle, speed, and glide.
AFS Pure 700/900 V2, check what Alain Fedit and Axel Gerard doing with it. I was riding the Balz 909 and smaller Balz Foils also before, the Pure 900 with Uhm Mast 85 is lighter and stiffer with at least same freestyle abilities as 909 Balz.
Select to expand quotepetthatdawg said..
I've decided to switch from the 909 Balz Pro to a different foil. I was focusing on freestyle and riding in small, gusty lakes. The foil performed great, but I feel like the system is becoming a bit outdated, and I don't think they'll be changing their setup anytime soon.Anyone else also rode SAB before? Currently, my top option is Armstrong, but I'm unsure if they'll be focusing on freestyle equipment in the coming years.Has anyone had experience with other brands? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
How much do you weigh? I'd basically get whatever successful freestylers your size are using.
Thanks for all the answers
Afs looks amazing I would go for the pure 700 and later ad the ha 1100 for lightwind
Do you guys think the uhm masts is worth it and suitable for jumping?
I weigh 150 lbs
You can read about the differences here:
afs-foiling.com/how-to-choose-your-afs-foiling-carbon-mast/
All the AFS masts I've ridden are phenomenally stiff and have no issues. I love the UHM masts, both the 75cm and 80cm are amazing and very different from each other based on the chord length. As you go down in model price you go up in thickness and chord depth. A buddy went with the cheapest (crazy cheap), the HR model, and it's still only 16mm thick but has a deeper chord that does reduce maneuverability. But his pump and glide is really good on that mast since it's so stable. Some freestylers I know like the point straight, fast and locked in feel that a deeper chord offers.
At 150lbs you should be able to pick whatever you want and AFS has unbelievably good customer service and warranties (3 years on masts) so if you have the funds and want their highest performance the UHM is excellent.
I also use AFS (I have the Silk 1050 and Pure Race 560 and about to receive a Pure 900). They are awesome foils. The masts are soooo stiff. I have the UHM 80 and UHM 95 masts.
I also had a day on the Pure 700 (and Pure 900). Both are great throwabout foils. Both are also very fast (I went over 27knots on the 700).
The UHM are fine for jumping. For swell riding the thinner UHM is also amazing for maintaining glide.
