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Fad, failure or just fantastic? What do you think about the new Naish Wing Surfer? It only seems last month that Naish had the first push and release of the SUP foil with the Naish Malolo 10'4" Foil board. The SUPboarder team have enjoyed their experience learning to SUP foil and have had some good laughs along the way! (check out Will's first foiling video if you haven't already!) A few years on and foiling is a healthy and steadily growing side to our sport with Naish very much being part of it. Was the Naish Wing all part of Naish's big plan? It really seems to be the perfect partner.
Well the Naish Wing Surfer definitely looks like it will offer something for everyone. And it could be a fantastic way to get into the world of wind sport using your existing SUP board. At $750 its not the cheapest of toys to add to the quiver but it really does open up a whole new world of opportunities.
As Ian one of our SUPboarder Pro members said:
In time it will become clearer exactly what’s possible with the Wing Surfer, for everyone including the beginner cruising in light winds with their 10’6″ SUP to the more advanced rider wanting to get out on the foil.
Naish the brand is founded by the worlds most well known windsurfer and waterman Robby Naish. We do get the feeling that the Wing Surfer is very close to Robby heart. Check out this video below where Robby answers some of the most asked questions about the Wing Surfer.
Naish say :
The Wing-Surfer is the ultimate handheld inflatable boardriding wing. It’s a cross between a windsurfing sail and kiteboarding kite but with no rigging, no hardware and no strings attached! It is made with the same industry leading and high quality materials and construction as Naish kiteboarding kites, utilizing Quad-Tex canopy material and top-of-the-line Teijin dacron leading edge and strut for lightweight, yet long lasting performance.
Our goal with the Wing-Surfer was to pinpoint where performance meets simplicity. The Naish One Point Inflation System allows for quick inflation while integrated ergonomic handles along the center strut provides comfortable and easy handling. At 4 m2 the Wing-Surfer is just the right size to do it all – providing enough power and speed for light wind cruising on a stand up paddleboard or enough power and lift for a foil board to get up and glide in as little as 12 knots of wind. The dihedral swept wing design is perfectly balanced, lightweight, extremely stable and easy to handle. Integrated velcro straps on the handles allow for quick attachment of your SUP paddle for added mobility in case the wind dies. The Wing-Surfer deflates in seconds and packs up into the provided backpack for incredibly easy transport and travel.
Who is it for?
Board riders of all kinds looking for a new wind powered thrill.
What’s it do?
By harnessing the wind the Wing-Surfer lets you transform your stand up paddleboard or SUP foil board into a whole new riding experience.
Why is it unique?
It’s a unique cross between kitesurfing, windsurfing and foilsurfing with the added element to be used on any stand up paddleboard as well.
Well there’s no doubt the Wing Surfer looks like a lot of fun. And it’s going to get a lot more surfers and people into the sport of SUP because SUP boards are perfect for it. It’s definitely going to get you on the water more and spending less time looking at the weather chart for those perfect flat water paddling days. I guess the only problem now is, if you have a SUP, foil and a wing that pretty much means you could spend every day on the water… sorted! But when does that leave the time off the water to do the house jobs you’ve been putting off! I know what I’d rather be doing!
Looks about perfect for me the intermediate beach-break sup surfer. Easy to transport and blow-up and looks like a load of fun on the crap days. The only thing that scares me a bit is it flying loose or deflating when I’m far out to sea, and not having a paddle to paddle back with. Of course it could be cheaper, and I will have a lot of trouble justifying it, but I have my eye on it…
You can attach a paddle to the wing. Depending on your kit, on you board or on your back (travel paddle).
Hi Peter, yes, the paddle attachments are a good idea, we think that it opens up a lot of breadth for using a wind with SUP touring and downwinders!
I noticed the Duotone version has a sort of boom. Thought a nice design would be an all soft wing that attaches to paddle. Paddle becomes boom and handle adjustment would give tensions adjustment. Paddle up wind then kite out to head back.
Yes, we agree, theres certainly lots of potential for some innovative designs using existing paddles! Were looking forward to bringing you some reviews of these Wind style products.
Looks like fun. Interesting to see how it works for a beginner on a larger iSUP rather than just the top guys and girls. But beyond that it looks expensive. Sub £400 might be more realistic. In a small bag with small pump so you could paddle up wind and wing back.
Is there a way to use the wing to get back to your board, should you become detached from it?
$$$
Thats a very good point Susanna – We will look to review one and feedback on this!
I would imagine leashes on both board and wing would be standard?
I had a demo on the Duotone 4m foil wing yesterday. We used my friend’s Whopper and took the wing out in choppy onshore 15 knots. I had a blast, loved it and have placed a pre-order. I’m not a kite surfer, wind surfer and I don’t foil. I was with a friend who is a good wind surfer (non-foiler) and his wind knowledge meant he picked it up quicker than me but I still managed to go UPWIND! For me I will practice with a normal Sup for a month or 2 and then learn to foil sup it… Read more »
There is a pre order locally deposit $400 they reckon rrp is Aus $1249.
Total rip off US$750 no matter what exchange rate you use is not $1249.
This is serious price gouging. Kinda over it. Love the idea though.
Personally I think it needs to be under $1k locally if they want my money.
OK so I ended up with an S25 4.6 & it was cheaper but not under $1k The first 4m model is under $1k now. It’s easy to use I also got a Naish Hover Crossover 140 I got straight up after watching a few guys. It has a real balance point so you have to work out the correct position to put your feet. I did have a windsurfing past when younger & a sailing background which probably helps. Big board would be easy the wing is very light to handle just remember to keep it up if you… Read more »
Thanks for your comments Paul. You should write your customer feedback on here too.https://supboardermag.com/equipment_guide/naish-s25-wing-surfer-2021/#have-your-say thanks
Need some instructions on the correct way to deflate and fold the wing-surfer so it fits back in the bag. Am sure there are many wrong ways and one correct way….
Good point Mike.
Wing-Surfer, wrestling between SUP and Windsurfing its difficult here in the UK inland lakes because you can’t find enough good wind for progressing into planning on a windsurfer so the SUP gets more use…….SUP inflatables are ok but you quickly outgrow the challenge because they are all flat bottomed shaped. SO do you invest in SUP or Windsurfing? Well the other question is which route will eventually get you to ‘Foiling’…….having wrestled with this issue for the last 12 months the development of the Wind Surfer has tipped the balance in favour of SUP. When you spend your cash you… Read more »
Fab comment David. Totally agree.
Try a Naish Hover Crossover, I got the 140 so I can Sup, Sup Surf, Wingsurf, Windsurf & do it with a foil eventually. Maybe sooner than eventually. haha
Nothing like inspiring people into the water, sadly the concept will struggle to function. The design concept is inept in that the centre of effort cannot be stabilised and to maximise effort only downwind/offwind can function. Clearly an anchor point or uj system is required to make this function.
Appears similar to the ‘wind weapon’ of yore but I guess the concept appeals to new join enthusiasts, not old school windsurfing types having been in the straps for 40+ years!
Interesting speculation Rich. The thing is, I have one and it works really well both up and downwind.
I think maybe you are overlooking the point that it isn’t lateral. It generates lift and so the physics are not the same as a sail. It probably won’t get you planing on a sup, I haven’t had the right conditions to know yet but it is great fun for paddleboarders looking for something else to play with when it windy.
I think it’s one of the most fun sports innovations in ages.
I’m a former windsurfer , tried kiteboarding and now on my 14” sic downwind sup with awesome fun . Just wondering if anybody has experience with the wing-surfer on a 14” downwind race board ? Does it really work up wind ? I’m close to order one . The simple concept of this wing -surfer is very appealing ( same as SuP)
Did you ever try the wing with 14ft board? I’d be interested. In principle should go upwind really well…
AHHH , sorry Olly no we haven’t yet. Yes the principal would be the same. But having a bigger thicker rail may not engage as well as a thinner rail like you find on a all round SUP. A big fin will help tho. Its all the list still.
I know this comment is 2 years old, but I just tried this yesterday in around 15kn with a 7m wing… I could not believe how fast my race board got going with this… And yes, once she was going well, I could get upwind without too much effort – my board has a square tail about 6″ wide with square rails at the rear… It was seriously hilarious howling down the beach on that rig – it was straight onshore and I was blasting along with the kite guys… Obviously not as quick as a foil, but man oh… Read more »
This is great to hear. I feel ashamed to say it, but I still haven’t used a race board with a wing! So thanks for your feedback, it sounded like a real hoot.
I’m loving it .. sup foiling on waves in Norfolk was always going to be tough .. kite foiling is fantastic in lighter winds .. kitesurfing is not allowed on the Norfolk broads for good reason .. but the wingsurfer is allowed .. now I have a hand kite that I can use on a foil when the wind is no good for the sea .. I don’t think the wing surfer is a lot of fun on a sup .. but it’s a whole lot of fun on a sup foil #winginit and #lovingit
Thanks for your comment Stubbie. Like you said its so much fun on a foil.
Ive been told that its a struggle on a regular sup to go anywhere (too much sideways) and to go upwind at all you will need something with a dagger board. Two shops have told me that.
No, I can do it…..and if I can anyone can. Really depends on the board, the rails, the fin setup, the wind, and of course the rider. I’ve had mine out about 5 times, and can already get upwind on a starboard widepoint 8’10” with a thruster set up and a beast 9″ for the center fin. I have about 10 years SUP surfing, mostly the Oregon Coast. There certainly is some lateral slide, but really getting on that edge and/or tail, depending on your board, helps you dig in and avoid some of that. I think it’s another great… Read more »
Great to hear how you are getting on Steve. Agree its very possible and when you have the hang of it, its pretty easy to stay up wind. But like you said board rails and good fin setups really make a big difference. Question for you.. Have you windsurfed before? Windsurfers will definitely find it easier for sure.
Had wingsurfer couple weeks now does anybody know the max pressure you can inflate
Hey Tim we take ours to 7psi. But off memory it’s 9psi but i wouldn’t want to take it up to there especially if you’re using it in the waves
Thanks Reuben
Have been using mine close to 20psi As have not found any official guidance will try out with less pressure today
Thanks Tim
Hi Reuben
Mistake with last post using 8psi not 20psi getting muddled with SUP, 8 seems just fine
Tim
sounds good
Been using wing on my 10.6 red paddle, technique pretty good now but very sluggish even with 20knots, wondering if anybody has any experience With windsurfer board
Yes Tim every time I use an iSUP, its like they have a maximum speed and when you reach that speed, its like you have a hand break on. This is due to the rails and bottom shape. Composite boards will go much faster until they reach their max speed.
Thanks Reuben I think we definitely need a wingsurfer board, I sail off a beach in very shallow water I do not want to foil or ride big waves. Suggestions: as light as possible, between 9ft and 10ft, About 31in wide, Rounded off nose, Not to thin a tail as can step back for gybe, Short fin, Could really do with wide dagger so wondering if semi retract rather like original One Design swivel board,this was very strong and could be run up the beach. What I really want is to complement the Wingsurfer with a light weight board that… Read more »
Hey Tim there are some great boards out there. The only issue I see is the dagger board! If you want one of these you are going to have to look at a windsurfing board. Which could be a good option.
Other wise a board like a Starboard GO. Or Fanatic Fly, Naish Nalu.
Thoughts on all that lot?
Hi Reuben
I do think there’s an opportunity for a specifically
Designed board for the wing.
A board without a rig option
Stable enough for the take off but light weight.
Have been looking at Fanatic Rio will also look at your suggestions
Yeah you are right. I will have a think about it and chat to the rest of the team and see if we come up with any ideas of gear for you.
Now using wing on Starboard Rio definitely an improvement over Sup the dagger board is a must have. Still room for improvement as board heavy and surprisingly tippy on take off but with brisk wind Have been on plane
Thanks for your comment Tim. Time to dust off the old windsurfing longboard 🙂
Starboard Rio turned out to be far to heavy and not good for my knees, now looking at inflatable ISUP options
Hey Tim, There are plenty of good iSUPs out there. One we used the other day was the Ensis iSUP board. It has 2 side fins on the rail which really helps staying up wind. We have a Quick look video coming out on YouTube this week about it. Might be worth putting it on the list.
Hi Reuben
Seen the video, Ensis isup looks good will look around for supplier
Yeah it’s a fun board that works well.
Reuben
Happened to see your new Starboard today the tiny one
It’s just like my John Hall design windsurfer from 1982
Apart from the weight that is.
Tim
Hey Tim . That’s a super small windsurfer for those days. Yeah the construction materials and weights to come on a long way.
Hi Reuben
Have you seen vid of guy using wing with kite board, pretty amazing. do you think it would be possible to stay upwind?
Tim
Het Tim, No I haven’t, I will go a check it out.
But… Yes as long as you have good speed (planning/speed) and momentum to use the edges of you boards. You will be able to carve/edge up wind.
You will need a good amount of wind though.
Reuben, have now acquired a Naish twintip just waiting for warmer temps and a good wind
Tim
Bring it on 🙂
Windsurfer sold
Twintip sold
Wing sold
Vow of celibacy
Bring it on
LOL
I bought the 4m wing and by meashuring, it looks more like 4.5-4.6m. I asked the shop and they said it actually is 4.6m. Has anyone heard the same?
Hey Jan , What wing are you talking about? if its a s24 then yes this is correct.
Naish then changed all their info to aline with this for the S25 and on, Saying 4.6m not 4m. I am not sure why they did this to start with, maybe to make the newer wing market less scared of half sizes for some reason.
Its a Naish weird one!
Hope that is of help??