There are many options in terms of tips up or tips down, where you put the surface area, etc and both can provide similar riding characteristics. Bear in mind that the rear wing is always pulling down so it’s acting opposite to the front wing which is always lifting. Tips up, we find provides more direction stability and less drag for a given area due to the wing geometry reducing tip vortexes (induced drag).

Firstly, the foils are like airplanes and follow the same principles for stability, speed and lift off. The vertical component of the rear wing or extra vertical wing on the tail provide directional stability. There are other factors that contribute to this like fuselage length and shape, however the amount of curve on the rear wing largely helps to determine directional stability and is directly related to roll or side to side stability. So, with the rear wing we are tuning how much effort and force is required to initiate turning or how loose the foil is. Our wing design with tips curving up combined with the overall front wing and fuselage design provide plenty of directional stability.

~4.6

~4.25

It’s designed for Surf, SUP, kite and wake. Theoretically wings will work great for windsurf with a longer fuselage setting the wing further forward but our Tuttle box adapter would also be required (listed under “Airwave Accessories”).

The shims can be used to adjust the angle of attack of the back wing to tune the lift off behavior, balance, speed and turning. We recommend you start with the 2-degree shim and play around with the 1 & 3 degree as you increase skill and the conditions change. (Check our FOIL SHIM TUNING GUIDE for more details).

The standard flat back stabilizer wing is great for pumping and straight line speed. The M wing provides better stability while turning compared to the flatter wing. (great step up for waves and big carving turns)

There are several factors, carbon is a bit lighter and more responsive than aluminum.

However, aluminum is strong, durable, generally stiffer but heavier. Heavier underwater helps stability and glide (lighter isn’t always better). Everything above water needs to be as light as possible.

For the speeds we are aiming for with the NSP Airwave foils, the aluminum mast works amazingly well and offers lots of advantages with very similar performance to carbon.

It’s on the accessory page, and we recommend contacting your distributor about these as they’re not in every shop just yet.

The rear wing angle determines where the feet go. With the 2-degree shim normally the arch of the rear foot over the trailing edge of the mast is a good place to start. Move the mast forward for more lift and back for less lift. Everything is relative to your speed, size of the front wing and which shim you have on the back wing.

While in collaboration with the F4 Design team, as far as our testing goes, we feel we are among the best, maybe the very best right now. F4 started making kite racing and windsurf racing foils, so everything started there. Tolerances and stiffness, angles, rake have similar effects with surf along with some profound differences. We had a pretty good idea about how to make foils fast and stable. Some of this is applicable, however surf is different in many ways. The rider has to handle rapid changes in speed from 0 to 25 accelerating down a wave, so foils have to lift up early, but then be controllable during this acceleration. This was a major consideration in the development process of the NSP Airwave.

We learned early on that stiffness is critical for stability and performance and the attachment points are very important. Any movement in the wings or mast connection causes control problems. Also since most of the foil is underwater, the weight is mostly important for handling while out of the water, however contributes to stability while in the water.

We’ve greatly simplified the design based on flat connecting surfaces; goes together easily with most of the angles built in with CNC machining tolerances. Modularity is built in and any of the parts are easily replaceable.

Best riding foil – best combination of price and performance. Super stiff and easy to ride foil. Excellent wave riding performance with many tuning options.

Stiffer and more modular – modular design with bolt on wings – easily change mast, wings without a hammer. Slip on fit designs are very difficult to get right, they are either too tight or too loose.

Tune performance with rear wing shims – change turning and balance with interchangeable rear wing shims.

Easily upgradable and maintainable – any part can be easily replaced or changed.
Carbon prepreg wings – positively buoyant and super strong and stiff

The FW 78 (1,325 square cm (205.3 sq inch) wing is simply amazing. It’s suitable for riders of all skill levels. This is because it not only lifts early, but is super FAST. It’s a medium aspect ratio design that combines a draft forward profile with an elliptical plan form. The FW 85 is optimal for anyone aside from a beginner.

Beginners – FW 78 is an all-around awesome wing, some might start on the 60 mast and use the 3-degree shim. Best to learn behind a boat, jet ski or on a 2.0 cable if your local cable park has one. Bigger riders (90kg +) will want to start on the FW 85.
Weekend foilers – same as above
Downwind – riders will want the bigger FW 85
Surf – FW 78 (Try the M Wing)
Sup – FW 78