Forums > Wing Foiling General

Ezzy Flight Wings V2 are on their way!

Reply
Created by Oahuwaterwalker 1 month ago, 5 Dec 2024
Oahuwaterwalker
247 posts
5 Dec 2024 8:53AM
Thumbs Up

In full disclosure, along with another rider on Oahu, I've been doing some R&D for Ezzy wings over the last year. Part of David Ezzy's model for design is having non-pro riders put time in on the wings and give feedback. I consider myself an advanced intermediate. I live on Oahu and typically get out on the water at least 10 days per month. My focus is on waves and speed. The other rider is a solid advanced rider who is aggressively riding in big surf on the N. Shore as well as free riding and down-winding in other areas.

In return for our time testing and giving feedback, we get deals on our wings. As I've posted before, at this point in my life, I could ride any wing I wanted to. I got involved with Ezzy because I love having the opportunity to be involved with someone who is so dedicated to making an excellent product while also having a good overall vision for other parts of his business that includes treating his factory workers (Sri Lanka) with dignity, good working conditions, and fair wages plus being conscientious about the impact of his construction methods on the environment (why there are minimal dyes used for aesthetics). Over the last year, we've gone through a number of prototypes in the surf, free riding, and (more recently) on speed runs. The first version of the Ezzy Flight wings were solid wings, but these are a whole new level. We played around with different canopy materials, panel layouts, handle positions, strut designs and angles, canopy shapes, stabilizer angles and positions, and ways to cut weight while maintaining a balance with durability. There's even a small feature we've been calling the "Ezzy loop" that changed the way the canopy is attached to the end of the boom strut that I all but guarantee will be copied by other manufacturers. This feature brings more stability to the trailing edge and more low end. If you look closely at the second photo you will see a small black strap at the end of the boom. For those of you who windsurf, the difference in feel is like going from a boom that is too long for your sail (the way most canopies are currently attached) to having a properly fitted boom (with the Ezzy loop). It can be flipped on and off easily so the difference is very clear. It solves an issue that most won't even realize is an issue until you have one of these on the end of your boom strut.

Canopy: For the V2 wings, the new panel layout has significantly eliminated canopy stretch on the main part of the wing. This is true even on a 5.5 that I've ridden since July including on several 20-30mph days. The new stabilizer position does a fantastic job keeping the wing quiet and flutter free (another thing that will keep the wing lasting a long time). Most other wings are running the stabilizers in the same direction as the panels, when David switched to the current configuration, it made it possible to cut the number of stabilizers while at the same time improving performance and almost completely eliminating trailing edge flutter. These wings fly quiet.

Range and speed: At 175 to 180lbs, I've ridden the 5.5 in winds from 10-30mph. When it's really light, there's a pumping technique that will be posted on the website soon that can generate a surprising amount of power. When properly powered, these wings have grunt and don't top out. On recent speed runs, I'm consistently hitting 22-24 knots in choppy water and the V2 stays stable and just continues to generate more and more power as you turn off the wind. I'm planning to get some speed sessions in on flat water in the next few weeks. I'm confident I'll be setting some personal records. The 6M I just picked up feels like a windsurfing sail in terms of power. I tried riding it in 10-15 mph conditions without a harness (lost my hook) and it was a handful. In these conditions, I was able to get a Mikeslab 700 foil cruising sustained at 22-23 knots (60L board). These wings create a ton of apparent wind. If you get up on foil and don't fall, you can still be ripping even when the wind drops below 10mph.

Flagging: The V2 is very stable flagging on waves and will follow you wherever you go. We're going to have some video out in the next few weeks so people can see this. The wing weighs a little more than some, but it flies light. You can pretty much manage it with finger tips when flagging. On the beach, these do have some side to side, but that completely disappears when flagging on a wave.

Upwind: This goes upwind with the very best of them. No question.

Handles: I'll post better photos, but Ezzy improved the mounting system for the handles so they are very stiff and feel like one piece with the wing. The front handle is shaped in a way that pistol grip flying is very comfortable. Power is very balanced between the two handles and there is enough room to move progressively back on the handles when turning off wind to a broad reach for speed.

Transitions: One of the big challenges in wing design (I've learned) is making a wing that has great upwind ability that also doesn't push down on you during transitions or backwind. While these will eventually backwind like any wing if you push them too high, the point where this happens is beyond most other wings. After a number of different prototypes, I think David found an excellent balance between these points. The V2 are very stable and easy to manage in transitions. I use a "pizza spinning" technique during gybes (keeping the wing parallel to the water) that works fantastic even in light wind. My testing partner is far more advanced than me with his tacks and he's been very pleased with how the V2 performs.

Who are they for: The Ezzy Flight V2 is an excellent all around wing that flags well, has massive range, goes upwind really well, and is incredibly fast at the top end. While there may be certain wings that are more dedicated to low end (baggy canopy), lighter in weight, and focus on pure-wave performance, that comes at the expense of durability, top end performance (speed), and upwind. As someone who rides 90% of the time in waves and rollers from waist to double overhead but also likes to hit the flats for high speed, I absolutely love the V2 and appreciate that all of our prototypes were staying fresh and crisp even after heavy wind sessions.

There's a lot of excellent wings out there and I suspect the more these get into the hands of riders, the more they will be recognized as one of the better options available.






beached57
89 posts
5 Dec 2024 8:29PM
Thumbs Up

hard to see from the pics, but do these wings have a hose, or two pump (LE and strut inflate separately)? I wish for simplicity manufacturers would go the two pump route. A few more seconds to inflate, but repairs much easier and a bit of weight reduction.

Jeroensurf
979 posts
5 Dec 2024 10:22PM
Thumbs Up

I really liked the V1 that I demo-ed, but it was quit heavy (the 4.5 V1 weightd more as most 5.5,s), but the handeling on wave was very good.What about the weight of the V2?

Oahuwaterwalker
247 posts
6 Dec 2024 12:23AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
beached57 said..
hard to see from the pics, but do these wings have a hose, or two pump (LE and strut inflate separately)? I wish for simplicity manufacturers would go the two pump route. A few more seconds to inflate, but repairs much easier and a bit of weight reduction.


Two pump. Very reliable, we didn't have a single bladder issue in all of last year.

Oahuwaterwalker
247 posts
6 Dec 2024 12:51AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Jeroensurf said..
I really liked the V1 that I demo-ed, but it was quit heavy (the 4.5 V1 weightd more as most 5.5,s), but the handeling on wave was very good.What about the weight of the V2?


I haven't weighed them, but the V2 feels slightly lighter than the V1. The key is that they fly very light which (to your comment) translates into good handling on a wave, flagging, etc. If you liked the V1, definitely get your hands on a V2 to demo (if you're ever in Hawaii, you can pm me).

While there are definitely lighter wings on the market, what I've been seeing over the last year is that light weight either costs twice as much or comes at the expense of a wing that bags out quickly (there may be some exceptions). The Ezzy wings I've used over the last year have held their shape and tension really well. They will last longer than most wings. They also have a higher level of upper end performance that comes from being more rigid. This means better pointing and more stable at high speed.

There's definitely trade offs in this department.

Jeroensurf
979 posts
6 Dec 2024 2:27AM
Thumbs Up

I just bought last month 2 Duotone Units and a 5m SLS so for now i,m good. I haven,t been able to properly try them, but if I don,t like them as much as my Ozone Flux I might sell them and have a look at the new Ezzys. I love there sails :)With the The V1 I wasnt really impressed with the high end, but to me it made it up due a very good low end...thinking you can use it half a meter smaller as some other brands, but switching as when you would do wit any other normall wing. My Flux has a bigger range overall, but for an first wing the V1 was pretty good/ on par with most big brands I tried.

Oahuwaterwalker
247 posts
6 Dec 2024 6:58AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Jeroensurf said..
I just bought last month 2 Duotone Units and a 5m SLS so for now i,m good. I haven,t been able to properly try them, but if I don,t like them as much as my Ozone Flux I might sell them and have a look at the new Ezzys. I love there sails :)With the The V1 I wasnt really impressed with the high end, but to me it made it up due a very good low end...thinking you can use it half a meter smaller as some other brands, but switching as when you would do wit any other normall wing. My Flux has a bigger range overall, but for a first wing the V1 was pretty good/ on par with most big brands I tried.


The V2 have both improved low and high end. I've really noticed a difference between the V1 and V2 at the high end since switching to Mikeslab foils. Over 22 knots of board speed, the wing needs to have a very rigid frame and canopy to remain stable, the V2 does this great.

Jeroensurf
979 posts
13 Dec 2024 2:50PM
Thumbs Up

They landed in the netherlands and i,m gonna demo one soon.

BWalnut
498 posts
16 Dec 2024 12:08AM
Thumbs Up

Hopefully gorge demos of the 2.2 will be available this winter!

Ursus
56 posts
16 Dec 2024 1:14AM
Thumbs Up

When will v2 be available in Europe?

Jeroensurf
979 posts
16 Dec 2024 4:20AM
Thumbs Up

Essential store, the Ezzy distributor for north west europe has a couple for demo so I expect pretty soon?I try to pick one up this week to try.

Oahuwaterwalker
247 posts
16 Dec 2024 6:40AM
Thumbs Up

I just took delivery of my personal wings in Hawaii. They all route through Germany from Sri Lanka so they should be arriving soon. Got a session in on the 3.5 and 4 this past week.

Jeroensurf
979 posts
27 Dec 2024 12:13AM
Thumbs Up

any more info about them?The minute I said demo the wind was 35+ knots (and there is an 5m in demo) or no wind at all

Oahuwaterwalker
247 posts
27 Dec 2024 10:13AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Jeroensurf said..
any more info about them?The minute I said demo the wind was 35+ knots (and there is an 5m in demo) or no wind at all


35+ knots is a lot of wind!

I've been getting in some good sessions on mine. I've l passed them onto a few other riders. Most really like them, but one friend said they weren't for him. He couldn't figure out if he needed to get "use to it" or if it just wasn't for him. His biggest challenge was finding the power which I found surprising as I find them to be very powerful, especially the 6m I let him use. Other riders have told me something similar about initially finding the power, but all of them said after they figured it out, there was a lot on tap both to get on foil and once you are up (I 100% agree with this). Additionally, I've been out with the other tester and had the winds drop down to sub 10knots and still been blazing on a 5M (he's closer to 190lbs) with 700'ish foils.After getting the 6 out for another session a few days ago and paying extra attention to where I could feel the power, I had a bit of an epiphany...

The epiphany is that there are wings that fly like kites, basically you raise them in front of you and the power is right there, and there are wings that fly more like sails, you need to learn some technique to optimize them. The advantage to the sail side is better upwind, top speed, handling, and they generate a lot of apparent wind but if you don't come from a sail sport, it can take a couple of sessions to figure them out. As a windsurfer of many decades, I much prefer the "sail" end of the spectrum, but as a former kiter, I can also appreciate how some prefer something that you just put up a go and you may not care as much about the higher end performance.

All this said, if you come to the Ezzy from a baggier wing that has a lot of low end grunt but not great top end, you might need a few sessions to get used to them, but I'm pretty sure for most riders the little bit of extra time will be worth it once they have it dialed.

I hope the winds settle into a good spot for you to try the 5m, that's one of my favorites out of the sizes.

patronus
428 posts
27 Dec 2024 3:15PM
Thumbs Up

Same with Ezzy windsurf sails, I didn't like mine, others loved them.
I read some wings have power in middle and are easy pull-and-go, others are front and forward pull and need to be pushed forward on the pull to generate apparent wind. Maybe Ezzy gone for latter?

larsdegroot
102 posts
27 Dec 2024 5:15PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
patronus said..
Same with Ezzy windsurf sails, I didn't like mine, others loved them.
I read some wings have power in middle and are easy pull-and-go, others are front and forward pull and need to be pushed forward on the pull to generate apparent wind. Maybe Ezzy gone for latter?


Been on Simmer since forever. Tried an Ezzy, build quality is excellent but i found the sail too heavy and powerful. (Wave sail)

Oahuwaterwalker
247 posts
28 Dec 2024 8:43AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
patronus said..
Same with Ezzy windsurf sails, I didn't like mine, others loved them.
I read some wings have power in middle and are easy pull-and-go, others are front and forward pull and need to be pushed forward on the pull to generate apparent wind. Maybe Ezzy gone for latter?


I think that's accurate. As mentioned above, with the Ezzy and other wings like it, you have to pump a little differently and find the sweet spot while you're on foil. It's not complicated, but if you're used to something that is on the other side of the continuum, it does take a little adjustment. I believe it comes from a flatter profile on the wing. Again, once you get it, the overall performance gains are well worth it.

Oahuwaterwalker
247 posts
30 Dec 2024 4:59AM
Thumbs Up

Just a quick preview of the 5M. Had such a good session this morning. Caught a wave on the outside of the bay that connected all the way inside, easily over 100M ride. Working on some on the water footage.



Subscribe
Reply

Forums > Wing Foiling General


"Ezzy Flight Wings V2 are on their way!" started by Oahuwaterwalker