Looking at Smik Slab V2, Fanatic Sky Wing and One Ocean Sports >120Ltr for first board.
Hard to find reviews on the Smik & One. Any comments/recommendations?
I can vouch for One ocean. I have two wing boards, one a custom before wings boards were available anywhere and one a very recent prototype 51l. I also have a prone foil board and an egg DW sup prototype. I have been loyal because they just work and can be trusted. My latest wing board is like an egg DW sort of shape and performs very well. It leave the water great and has excellent foam distribution. It glances the chop really well when i make a mistake.
Paid full price.
Honestly I wouldn't pay too much or over think it. First board as long as it has enough float and isn't too heavy will do. You will sell it quickly, I tell my friends to get the cheapest piece of crap..Lol..
Honestly I wouldn't pay too much or over think it. First board as long as it has enough float and isn't too heavy will do. You will sell it quickly, I tell my friends to get the cheapest piece of crap..Lol..
I have the V2 Smik (but the 5ft 82L), so can't really comment on how the bigger volume boards perform, but definitely no regrets with the Smik. I've had it over year now, and foil 3 times a week on average in summer. I've surfed it, jumped it, taken lots of foil hits, and it still looks in good shape. Way better than my Starboard did after 12 months.
Only real con for me was the placement of the foot straps. Gives me an uncomfortably wide stance (and I'm 183cm tall). Front strap position is good, but rear is too far back. I mainly ride strapless so not a deal breaker.
The textured grip pad isn't the greatest, but given the quality of everything else vs the cost thats pretty minor.
There are a lot of variables here and probably need a few more details from you - what weight are you, do you live in a windy area, what foil are you planning to use?
If you commit and persevere through the initial hard learning curve you will transition through board sizes really quickly - so don't spend too much on your first board
3- 5 sessions on a big floaty high volume board to get the basic skills - then onto something smaller(body weight + 20-30litres) for the next 20 or so sessions where you hone foil riding and gybing skills.
Then onto the board you will probably use longer term(volume close to body weight or 10l below)
At 100kg, can vouch for the the 125 Fanatic Sky wing was perfect me for the first 15 - 20 sessions - but then downsized.
I'm 95kg and have been happily on the ppc 6'3 128l board for 2 years. Could downsize, and probably will at some point, but it's nice in light wind and still can attacks decent swell cause tracks are so long that you can make it feel shorter putting foil forward.
honestly til i'm keen on jumping and tricks, volume is more helpful than not.
also easier to self rescue or paddle in if wind drops on a good size board.
+1 on Windwater comments on your weight and winging venue. I'm 82kg and starting winging on the 125L Sky Wing in May 2022. I'm very glad I started on a board this size. It seemed very unstable when getting started during my first several sessions--wouldn't have wanted a smaller one. Because this board is very thick and shorter than some 125L boards it may be less stable. After 38 sessions I can do just about everything comfortably now (start, upwind, downwind, S-turns) except jibe. A 100L board might be more maneuverable for me but since I wing on an inland lake with plenty of lulls I appreciate the 125L for schlogging. I currently riding a Slingshot i76 foil, and maybe one with better glide might help me more than a smaller board at this point.
I can recommend the One Ocean boards. They're strong & light. My 130 litre is lighter than a 110 litre Fanatic Wing board.
Foil brand matters too. Armstrong foils have the front wing v close to the mast so need a board with a forward mounted track. Most other brands seem ok afaik.
I wouldn't be in a hurry to downsize boards. Friends of mine have struggled with smaller boards and gone back to larger for ease of use.
Am 95kg, live in area with predominantly S-SW winds 10-20kts most of the year. Foil choice ? Prob an axis, sonar or fanatic. Have to do a bit more research on that one.
I might be a little bias but it sounds like the 5'8 ONE board might just about be perfect. www.oneoceansportsaustralia.com/shop/wind-wing-boards
And cheap!!
