WindsurfingUK issue 10 March 2019 | Page 104

104 SPOTLIGHT The progression project Slingshot Wizard 125 2019 windfoil board Buy from: http://jp-australia.com/2018/products/boards/magic-ride/ Price: £1,599 WORDS: WINDSURFING UK PICS: JAMES JAGGER MOVING ON FROM LAST ISSUE’S TEST OF SLINGSHOT’S LEVITATOR 150 2019 TEST WE LOOK AT THE BRAND'S ADVANCE FLIGHT PLATFORM – THE WIZARD 125. AS WINDFOILING GAINS TRACTION IT’S SLINGSHOT AND THEIR RANGE OF PRODUCTS THAT’S PRICKING INTERESTS FOR THOSE NOT WANTING TO FOLLOW THE RACE/SLALOM PATH. We covered SS’s Hoverglide foil system in the Levitator review, the only difference here being we're using the more versatile 90cm mast and standard deep Tuttle box head. Flying an increased length mast actually increases early take offs and once you are up it provides more room to correct your flight height before accidentally touching down or over foiling. Once on the water, the Wizard’s short length becomes apparent. Stand off the sweet spot and it WILL nose dive. This requires riders performing off foil moves – such as tacks – to slightly tweak their technique. It’s the same when attempting to taxi and take off. Trusting in the Wizard’s design and the width underfoot at the back of the board is best course of action. Additionally there’s then the progressive nature of the Wizard 125. Whilst flying back and forth – mowing the lawn – is perfectly applicable once you fancy (or if) you're poised for all manner of foiling transitions, jumps and general flight tomfoolery that you’ve possibly seen some riders indulging in. As with the Levitator, SS's Wizard is a super compact board. The short nose drastically reduces swing weight and provides a more direct foil control feeling while reducing the effect of wind gusts pushing the nose around. It’s actually a lot lighter as well, being constructed with higher grade materials – carbon being a case in point. As with all carbon boards, care should be taken to keep them in optimum condition. Having gotten airborne the benefits of such a nimble sled become apparent. Footstrap positions, the board’s thick and wide tail plus the illusion of almost being ‘nose free’ above the brine all combine to deliver a unique feel. And it’s this experience that becomes addictive. Obviously the act of windfoiling itself is one that keeps riders coming back but it’s the optimised performance of the Wizard 125 that'll keep you hooked. Slingshot are by far streets ahead with their progressive shapes and windfoiling wisdom. Aiming firmly at the freeride market, with a gentle shove towards the progressive end of the spectrum having learnt those foiling fundamentals, SS’s Wizard 125 covers the bases and takes you there with style. Riders will need a period of familiarisation but once this has been completed who knows where the Wizard 125 will take you. uk WIND SURFING Conclusion