For SUP foil, the reference foil is a UHA 1260 front wing, a 70 cm mast, a medium fuselage and a 180 stabilizer. The front wing surface is the only parameter that really changes depending on your conditions: the softer the wave, the more surface you need. The rest changes little.
This page covers the foil only. For the board, paddle and learning, see our guide how to get started in SUP foil.
How does a SUP foil work?
A foil works like an airplane wing underwater. Speed creates a lift force on the front wing, which lifts the board above the surface. The faster you go, the more the foil is pulled upward: you compensate by putting weight on your front leg, or by reducing the wing surface.
It consists of four parts: the front wing, which generates lift, the mast, which connects everything to the board, the fuselage, which holds the front wing and stabilizer, and the stabilizer itself, which balances the lift of the front wing.
Your center of gravity arbitrates between the two wings. That's why foot placement matters as much as the equipment.
Which front wing for SUP foil?
This is the choice that decides everything. In SUP foil, you're looking for a lifting wing that takes off with little speed and pumps efficiently to extend the glide. The UHA range covers all cases.
| UHA Front Wing | SUP foil wave | SUP Downwind |
|---|---|---|
| 1550 | Very small waves, or need for maximum lift | Very light conditions. It allows you to fly in almost nothing |
| 1260 | The reference for beginners and progression | Light conditions |
| 1100 | When your level increases, more speed and maneuverability | The versatile Downwind wing |
| 930 | Comfortable riders, in waves with energy | Sustained conditions |
| 800 | Rarely used in waves | Muscular conditions, for experienced riders |
The principle doesn't depend on the brand: the larger the surface, the easier the takeoff and the slower the flight. The smaller it is, the more you gain in speed and radicality, but you need energy in the wave to feed it.
The S-Foil Control range remains an option for a complete beginner, but it's being phased out.
What mast length?
The 70 cm mast is our default recommendation for SUP foil. It limits flight height, forgives placement errors more, and makes falls less impressive. It's especially safer on a beach break, where waves break near the shore and the bottom rises quickly.
The 85 cm is available as an option. It becomes interesting if your water surface is choppy or if you're sailing in more formed waves, where a short mast forces you to fly too low.
The safety rule doesn't change: the longer the mast, the more depth you need under the foil.
Which fuselage and which stabilizer?
The fuselage determines the longitudinal stability of the foil and its ability to oscillate when you pump.
- A long fuselage stabilizes and makes flight control easier, but makes the foil less maneuverable and pumping less efficient.
- A short fuselage makes the foil lively, easy to turn and oscillate, at the cost of less stability.
- A medium fuselage is the right compromise in SUP foil waves.
The 180 stabilizer is our reference in SUP foil. A larger stabilizer stabilizes but limits maneuverability, a smaller one makes the foil more nervous and requires more precision.
A often forgotten point: these three parts compensate for each other. If you want more maneuverability, reducing the fuselage alone gives a moderate gain. Reducing the front wing and stabilizer at the same time radically changes the foil's behavior.
See all parts in the SUP foil collection.
Aluminum foil or carbon foil?
Both work, it's mainly a matter of budget and use.
Aluminum is more economical and more resistant to impacts. It's also more modular: parts disassemble and can be replaced one by one, allowing you to evolve the foil without buying everything again. In return, it's heavier.
Carbon is lighter and more responsive. The gain is felt especially in pumping and relaunches, where every gram counts. It's more expensive and more fragile to impacts.
For beginners, aluminum is the sensible choice. You can switch to carbon later, or just change the front wing.
How to evolve your foil?
The advantage of a modular foil is being able to change one part at a time. The order that gives the most results, in order:
- The front wing. It's what changes the behavior the most. Going down a size transforms the session.
- The stabilizer. A smaller model frees up maneuverability once you control the flight.
- The fuselage. To shorten if you want to turn tighter and pump harder.
- The mast. Last, and only if your water surface justifies it.
A single additional front wing is often enough to double the number of navigable days in a year.
FAQ SUP foil
What front wing surface to get started in SUP foil?
A UHA 1260. Go up to the 1550 if your waves are very small or if you need significant lift. Go down to 1100 then 930 as your level increases.
What mast length for SUP foil?
70 cm by default, it's the easiest to control and safest near the shore. The 85 cm is available as an option if your water surface is choppy or if the waves are more formed.
What front wing for SUP Downwind?
The range is wider than in waves: from 800 UHA in muscular conditions to 1550 UHA when conditions are very light, with 930, 1100 and 1260 for most outings.
Which stabilizer for SUP foil?
The 180 is our reference. Larger, it stabilizes but limits maneuverability. Smaller, it makes the foil more nervous and requires more precision.
Do you need a carbon or aluminum foil for SUP foil?
Both work. Aluminum is more economical, more resistant to impacts and more modular. Carbon is lighter and more responsive when pumping, but more expensive and more fragile.
Which part should you evolve your foil with first?
With the front wing. It's what changes the foil's behavior the most. The stabilizer, then the fuselage, come next. The mast last.
Bruno Sroka, three-time world champion in Kitesurfing and Kitefoil. Cape Horn crossing in 2008, English Channel record in 2012, France-Ireland link of 444 km in 2013. Former PE teacher, founder of SROKA Company, Breton foil, wing foil, SUP and parawing brand.
A question about your foil configuration? Contact us, we answer ourselves.
