unhook if they prefer. More proficient riders may scoff at this but from our experience it’ s not essential.
To side fin or not
During our first forays with AHD’ s Sealion Wings 7.6ft we attached the 16cm fibreglass side fins. In our head, although we appreciated this would increase drag, they would help with tracking on such a short board. Placebo or not it seemed to help during the taxiing phase. After a few sessions, however, we removed them altogether for foiling. The result being even earlier take offs and no catching the water if the ride
becomes undulating – something that can cause sailors to drop off the foil.
Moves and manoeuvres
At time of writing we’ re still mastering the art of gybing on the foil, which is one of the trickiest aspects. Get it right and there’ s a hugely fulfilling sensation that washes over. Unfortunately it’ s easy to get wrong!
Even sans footstrap gybing AHD’ s Sealion Wings 7.6ft is doable though. Simply use your vision / head to subtly guide the kit in desired direction. An early rig change yields best results before a quick and efficient foot change, which will take a few goes to get dialled in. The AFS-1 foil, as with all foils, does want to steer you back onto original its course, so a degree of commitment is needed. That said, you’ ll be surprised how stoked you’ ll be when nailing a foiling turn.
CONCLUSION
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It’ s been a privilege to have had the opportunity to spend time getting to know a product like the AHD Sealion Wings 7.6ft and AFS- 1 foil – big thanks to Jon Popkiss at Kai Sports for that. Without the time it wouldn’ t have been possible to get to where we’ re at now with foiling.
In terms of kit, AHD’ s Sealion is hands down one of our favourite boards to ride. Usually not so gushing, but the fact it offers bona fide performance in wave windSUP mode whilst being able to accommodate paddling antics and, of course, windsurf foiling, puts it high on Windsurfing UK’ s list of essential products. Having the ability to switch sports with one( or rather two if you include the AFS-1 foil) piece of gear is key.
For windsurfers looking for a more efficient way to enjoy 12-18 knots worth of wind then a package like this could potentially suit thereby doing away with big rigs – the biggest sail you’ ll need is 6m. If you’ re after sub- 10 knot foiling action then a 7m( ish) will still be needed, however.
We’ ll not lie: there’ s a lot of crashing when learning to windsurf foil and a degree of perseverance will be needed. Wider boards may see a quicker learning groove but the Sealion Wings 7.6ft allows riders to develop a more subtle technique that will see all types of foiling kit able to be ridden from there on in.
For those contemplating windsurf foiling then the Sealion and AFS-1 package may suit – especially if you’ re into multiple disciplines such as SUP. As foiling continues to evolve we’ re sure other equally versatile products will emerge but for a brand that were there first AHD’ s offering would be a good choice for many.
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