SPOTLIGHT 99
Pick ‘n’ mix
AHD Sealion Wings 7.6ft x 29” x 109L windSUP
Info: http://www.ahd-boards.com/models/sealion-wings-2/ Tel: 02380 840777 Price: £1,579 with twin fins and foil blanking plate,
or £3,149 with AFS-1 full carbon wind foil/SUP foil. (Non-foiling Sealion’s are £979 in wood/epoxy construction)
WORDS: WINDSURFING UK
WE WERE INTRIGUED BY AHD’S SEALION WINGS 7.6FT. TEAM
RIDER/DESIGNER BRUNO ANDRE IS OFTEN SEEN PUTTING THIS
STRAPLESS DESIGN THROUGH ITS PACES. THE WINGS IS A MULTI-
DISCIPLINE TOOL THAT SPANS WAVE SAILING WINDSUP, SUP, SUP
FOILING AND WIND FOILING. FOUR SPORTS IN ONE NIFTY TOY! FOR
THIS TEST WE’RE FOCUSING ON THE SEALION’S STRAPLESS WAVE
SAILING WINDSUP PROPERTIES.
Manufactured in full double skin carbon
it’s had a lot love poured into it. A
pronounced swallow tail, compact
length, colourful livery, twin 16cm fins
and impressive foil box (complete with
blanking section) is impressive. We’re
not sure why AHD’s Sealion range isn’t
more popular in the UK – when
conditions aren’t firing it certainly
provides a means to milk what juice is
on offer.
We found the best method of carrying,
in windSUP mode, is grab rig as normal
then insert knuckles (the wrong way
round) into the firm deck located
handle. (The recommended method is
the overhead ‘Hawaiian carry’ but isn’t
the easiest).
Although most windSUPs are water
pushers the 7.6ft was surprisingly
efficient to get up onto the plane.
Riders will need to give it a nudge but
planing speeds were easily achieved.
Booting along sans footstraps may be
an odd experience at first, especially if
getting airborne. Following a short
acclimatisation period it’s very pleasant
to be free of deck restrictions.
AHD’s Wings 7.6ft has been
manufactured with sail power in mind
first and foremost (paddling second).
As such it’s nippy, adept and
manoeuvrable. We wouldn’t
recommend tackling Jaws but most low
wind UK set ups are game for some
Sealion windSUP action.
Small puff is all you need to drop into a
liquid wall. Hurtling down the face
AHD’s SL 7.6ft switches personality to
an efficiently manoeuvrable platform.
There’s a different technique for
bottom turns, but riders will dial in
quickly. Heading back up to curling lips
is surprisingly fulfilling – sailors will end
up fairly vertical.
How hard your back foot pushes will
determine the amount of slide. AHD’s
twin fins do grip, but with over exertion,
they lose traction and will slip sideways
possibly catching riders off guard. A few
more goes will yield the sweet spot.
Re-directing superbly the AHD is a
bona fide wave carver.
Conclusion
AHD have come up with a real winner
in their Sealion Wings range. With both
paddling and windSUP wave
performance available, plus the option
of adding a foil – again, in both
paddling and sailing guises – its
versatility is hard to beat. Surprisingly
rapid around the break with full power
wind the SL puts a smile on many
faces making it a great quiver board to
compliment usual planing windsurf kit.
Stay tuned for more about the Wings’
foiling potential…
uk
WIND
SURFING