Hadrien Brunner is a YouTuber known for the quality of his wing foil tests and reviews. In this new video, he reviews the entire Sroka wing foil range and gives you his opinion as an experienced foiler.
"I like this approach that says that whatever your size and level, you will find what you are looking for, with a starting frame that is rigid, robust and reliable."
To carry out this test, Hadrien Brunner foiled in various conditions to test the equipment in different practices. Waves for surf foil, wind swell, chop, and downwind for wingfoil. And finally, a dockstart session to best compare the different fins and stabilizers.
This test does not include Sroka wing sails, which are the subject of a second test.
S-Foil 1190 High Aspect Speed
What first surprised Hadrien Brunner was the ultra-fast takeoff of the foil, both in wing foil and surf foil. The 1190 High Aspect Speed wing has good glide and is "very easy to pump" (in wingfoil and surf foil) thanks to good support. According to his test, the foil does not require the front leg to be too firmly anchored in the board. Having a relatively free front leg proves pleasant for changing direction and carving.
The Lift, on the other hand, is perfect for surfing; it has more lift, making it easier for heavier riders.
S-Foil Classic 1250
Hadrien Brunner also tested the S-Foil Classique 1250 in Wing Foil. His opinion? With the 1250 wing, takeoff is anticipated, and you get going even earlier than with the 1190 HA wing. For him, the 1250 is more stable, more maneuverable, and maintains good speed. However, with this wing, he finds that the glide performance is lower (What is glide performance?).
"On classic S-Foils, you're locked in, you maintain that longitudinal stability, even in big conditions."
Fast Flyer 4’6
For Hadrien, the ratio is well-balanced and the width is well-centered on the board; he finds it has very good balance during water starts. Furthermore, "the board is relatively light, so with the foil we had good glide and good pumping ability." Hadrien Brunner also appreciated the pads on the 4'6: "These large pads are great because you have grip everywhere."
Sroka Air: The inflatable wing foil board
Hadrien Brunner is not used to regularly riding inflatable wing foil boards. However, his opinion on the Sroka Air is positive. Although it takes off a little later than a rigid board, according to him, the inflatable has two major advantages: robustness and practicality. Indeed, as he says, it is a compact board that is easy to transport to the beach.
"I had fun, I had a blast."
He sees the inflatable wing foil board as a great family tool, very practical for travel and offering great sensations. For him, the inflatable side is reassuring in case of a fall, especially for children. With an inflatable board, you can't get hurt. Moreover, it was very easy for him to transport the Sroka Air. It takes up little space, is shockproof, and he even used it to protect his rigid foil boards. In a Sroka board bag, it is possible to store three sails, a foil, and a board.
Hadrien's opinion on Sroka SURF FOIL equipment
1190 High Aspect Speed
- Very free in turns
- Pleasant for reconnecting with waves
- "The front wing is efficient, you generate speed when pumping, you're comfortable when you need to make a small quarter turn to turn around on the wave and reconnect."
1190 High Aspect Lift
- Thicker profile than the 1190 High Aspect Speed
- More lift than the Speed, even at low speed
- "What will be interesting is that if you're not an expert, this wing is still performing but it will be more forgiving."
1750 Classic
- Very high lift at low speeds
- Interesting in directional changes due to its compact profile
- High tolerance to roll: ideal for correcting piloting errors
- Perfect for foil beginners
Hadrien Brunner's advice for choosing your wing foil board
You shouldn't necessarily opt for a small board. "The day the wind drops and you have an offshore, somewhat tricky gusty wind, you can quickly find yourself in trouble and not enjoy your session. Whereas with a suitable board, you'll come out on top and have fun throughout the session." For example, if you are a beginner and are hesitating between the Sky Rider 4'8 and the Sky Rider 5'2, it is preferable to go for the 5'2 (be careful though that the board is suitable for your size). This way, you can have fun even when the conditions are not ideal.
If you still have questions about this, or for any other request, do not hesitate to contact us!