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