SABFoil have once again secretly released new wings without telling anyone. I have no idea how they intend to actually sell these new products if nobody knows about them. Bizarre!
They've been out for over a month and yet there isn't a single review online anywhere.
So this is the Balz Pro line . a different version of the Medusa Pro wings. They look interesting as they're different sizes to the Medusa pros: have less anhedral, more chord and are thinner. Maybe a cross over to pick up the old Onda line up that they secretly deleted (which was their best lineup in my opinion).
Has anyone tried the new Balz wings or is the secret still safe with SABFoil and Balz?
sabfoil.com/en/products/balz-w808
This launch video was released a couple of weeks ago and social media had been floated since ..
The latest and greatest is Roger, the Sabfoil Para Wing though ..
There has been plenty of rumours and messages on the Socials and even an interview with James Mazzanti at AWSI this year where he explains the differences between the Balz Muller front wings and the Medusa Pro line.
I agree on reviews. Somehow there are very few reviews on foil gear, especially in direct comparison. Can't remember any reviews of the Sabfoil Razor Pro front wings, other than Hoppliner. Difficulty is that different riders tend to like different gear. Of course riding style and condition, but - in my limited experience - skill level and weight are a pretty big influence on the foils you like.
Newest kid on the Sabfoil block is the Leviathan Pro 1360. And they've changed the graphics (again!).
The latest and greatest is Roger, the Sabfoil Para Wing though ..
Roger Parawing is from ENSIS
Such stab is soo large compared to the front wing foil !Do you know why and how do they play together ?
They do look like a pretty nice mid aspect design. Only smaller sizes though, 1000cm2 looks like the biggest. As a heavier guy I guess I'll just have to wait and hope for bigger Balz in the future.
The SABFoil promo video is pretty lame. I like Balz but I don't put much cred to him saying "this is my go to front wing". SABFoil specifically designed these wings for him and stamped his actual name on them so I'd be more surprised if he didn't like them.
I imagine I'd like a wing a specialist company designed and shaped for my specific riding requirement and plastered my name on it.
We really need some independent reviews to provide some context to where this fits in the heavily reduced (for 2025) SABFoil T8 front wing lineup.
Just saw an advert in the new Foiling magazine - looks like there is a bigger Balz on the the way - Span 969 Area 1203cm. Luckily I did not buy the 909 yet .
I have had the Balz Pro 909 for a few months. On windfoil at 85kg it's my 1 foil quiver for 10-25 knots.
Still have the 769 for those extra windy long period swell days
I have had the Balz Pro 909 for a few months. On windfoil at 85kg it's my 1 foil quiver for 10-25 knots.
Still have the 769 for those extra windy long period swell days
Ah good to hear someone is riding these wings. So, is there much difference in the general feel between the Medusa Pro and the Balz Pro wings? Or are they very similar?
I'm currently use the Ondas 835 (926cm2) mostly and was looking for a smaller wing option.
I tried the Medusa 769 (700cm2) and was impressed with its performance for its size but found it a little pitchy. It was too similar to the 835 so I passed. I also tried the Medusa 669 (548cm2) but found this too small - great wing but it has to be ridden hard (like the old Slingshot i65).
The W707 (661cm2) might be the perfect middle ground between the 769 and 669 for bigger swell/higher wind days. Do you have any thoughts on this?
Sorry haven't been here for a bit. My experience with Sabfoil wings is limited to Medusa 899 and WO940 prior to getting the Medusa pro 769 and Balz 909.
The bottom end of the 909 is as good as the 940 but haven't pushed it to its potential ( I am no Balz). Reason I like it so much is the stall speed is low enough negotiating short period wind swell is a breeze but you can open it up at your whim. Acceleration is not much less than the 769.
The 769 has been reserved for those rare 25knot+ days in open water with longer period swell or flat water as I find you need to keep the power on always.
If you want to demo the 909 I have the full range of new wings here at foilsport.
I like them all depending on what I am after.
PLease hit me up and I can send you anything you want to demo
909
808
Razor PRP 975 and 775
All Medusa Pros
Leviathan PRO 1060, 1160, 1260 and 1360
Hi!
I'm riding Balz909 and it fits my 80kg perfectly, covering a wide range in the gusty wind/flat to choppy conditions that we usually ride on an Armstrong FG 70l.
Now I'm considering another front wing for stronger winds from 18-20 knts and above.
Balz line offers 707 and 808 but I'm not sure because 707 might need a lot of wind and 808 could be too close from 909.
Any suggestions?
thanks in advance
As you know it just depends on how much wind you have. The 707 would be my advice.
Another option worth considering may be the Medusa Pro 769. I have one on sale so thats a reason.
It has slightly different wing tips.
Also more importantly I think it is an amazing wing for high winds. The lift remains very constant so when you head down big waves or encounter abrupt acceleration you have complete control.
I find I have more time for turns as ride hight control is never an issue
You are welcome to try it first.
Cheers
Ben
As you know it just depends on how much wind you have. The 707 would be my advice.
Another option worth considering may be the Medusa Pro 769. I have one on sale so thats a reason.
It has slightly different wing tips.
Also more importantly I think it is an amazing wing for high winds. The lift remains very constant so when you head down big waves or encounter abrupt acceleration you have complete control.
I find I have more time for turns as ride hight control is never an issue
You are welcome to try it first.
Cheers
Ben
Hi Ben,
Thanks for the advice, and the opportunity to try it but I live thousands kilometers away from you!!!
I'm confused by your suggestion. The Medusa Pro 769 and the Balz 808 perform identically.
These new Sabfoil freestyle/freeride front wings are really confusing. The 769 and 808 have different dimensions but perform the same, and this is true across the whole range.
It makes no sense to have the Medusa and Balz lines overlapping like this without clear differences.
Yep they are very similar but not identical
Both are good wings
I think you get more control from the medusa thats why I suggested it
As you know it just depends on how much wind you have. The 707 would be my advice.
Another option worth considering may be the Medusa Pro 769. I have one on sale so thats a reason.
It has slightly different wing tips.
Also more importantly I think it is an amazing wing for high winds. The lift remains very constant so when you head down big waves or encounter abrupt acceleration you have complete control.
I find I have more time for turns as ride hight control is never an issue
You are welcome to try it first.
Cheers
Ben
Hi Ben,
Thanks for the advice, and the opportunity to try it but I live thousands kilometers away from you!!!
I'm confused by your suggestion. The Medusa Pro 769 and the Balz 808 perform identically.
These new Sabfoil freestyle/freeride front wings are really confusing. The 769 and 808 have different dimensions but perform the same, and this is true across the whole range.
It makes no sense to have the Medusa and Balz lines overlapping like this without clear differences.
I'm glad someone else noticed Sabfoil have deleted half their range leaving anyone keen on carving on T8 fuselages with 2 almost identical options - Medusa line and Balz line.
An alternative suggestion(if you haven't tried one), an Onda 835 Pro. They're a great wing IMO.
Whatever you do, maybe buy a wing before Sabfoil discontinue all of the T8 compatible wings altogether.
Yep they are very similar but not identical
Both are good wings
I think you get more control from the medusa thats why I suggested it
thanks Foilsport!
I'll take into account your suggestion
good winds!
Sabfoil is a bit confusing in their line-up and (frustrating) have a peculiar method introducing new systems.
What seemed to be "discontinued items" are brought back in a new livery (Iconic or Limited 1110). That leaves plenty of choice on both frontwing/fuselage connections (T8 and T6).
What I've not seen yet is a return of the R6 mast/fuse connection.
On another forum I read a quote from Sabfoil stating the new race-oriented front wings are expected in spring 2025 (I translate that as replacement off the Blade and Red Devil series). Rumours are that they are also updating the R6 connection.
Sabfoil is a bit confusing in their line-up and (frustrating) have a peculiar method introducing new systems.
What seemed to be "discontinued items" are brought back in a new livery (Iconic or Limited 1110). That leaves plenty of choice on both frontwing/fuselage connections (T8 and T6).
What I've not seen yet is a return of the R6 mast/fuse connection.
On another forum I read a quote from Sabfoil stating the new race-oriented front wings are expected in spring 2025 (I translate that as replacement off the Blade and Red Devil series). Rumours are that they are also updating the R6 connection.
With the pace of foil development why would anyone want to purchase an old design in new livery???
Sabfoil is a bit confusing in their line-up and (frustrating) have a peculiar method introducing new systems.
What seemed to be "discontinued items" are brought back in a new livery (Iconic or Limited 1110). That leaves plenty of choice on both frontwing/fuselage connections (T8 and T6).
What I've not seen yet is a return of the R6 mast/fuse connection.
On another forum I read a quote from Sabfoil stating the new race-oriented front wings are expected in spring 2025 (I translate that as replacement off the Blade and Red Devil series). Rumours are that they are also updating the R6 connection.
I agree with you
Anyway mid aspect foils are still a very good option for evolution and it's reasonable that fiberglass series adds Medusa line, but, in my opinion, something that nowadays hasn't any sense is to maintain Tortuga line and don't develop a modern set for beginners.