Flysurfer Mojo 4.5m + Axis Foils 830 HPS + Axis Froth 4’9” 70L – Wingfoiling New Zealand

Описание: Nice swell riding in 17+ knots of wind at Tapuaetahi Beach, just north of Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. My first go on the Flysurfer Mojo 4.5m. A very powerful and nice hand wing to use. A different shape and feel to the Ensis 4.5m, but probably the same size and wind range. I think the Ensis 4.5m and Mojo 4.5m are “big” and similar to the other leading brands’ 5m size. The Axis 830 High Performance Series wing is simply magnificent. So nice to turn, fast, and relatively easy to get going for me at 80kgs (176 lbs). The 830 seems to pump and glide well for a small wing. I got this 830 specifically for the very windy days. My 980 could get too lifty and hard to control when the wind was too strong with a decent swell. But because the 830 is so efficient and nice on a wave, if there is 15+ knots I will try and get away with riding it. Here is the data; wingspan 830mm (32.7in) / chord 145mm (5.8in) / actual area 1014cm² (157.2in²) / projected area 984cm² (152in²) / volume 979cm³ (59.7in³) / aspect ratio 7.00. My rear wing is the Axis 380 / 60 chord – so stable, fast and turns really well. Recently I have tried a few different rear wings, but when there is moderate to strong breeze the 380 is my favourite. The Axis Froth 4’9” @ 70L is my limit (at this stage) as far as a low volume board goes for my weight at 80kgs (176 lbs). Anything smaller is too much of a compromise and too hard to get going on. In surf it can be energy sapping trying to get going on boards that are too small, which results in having to end the session early, because you are so knackered. I need my “two board quiver”, a 90L and 70L. If the surf is big and I need to get going (get out of trouble) quickly I will use my 90L. The minor downside of wave riding with the bigger board is much better than the bad language that flows when I struggle to get going on the 70L (semi sinker) when it is too unstable due to chop and/or not enough breeze. For a semi-sinker board it is essential that you have a lot of power from the hand wing, so if it is a bit gusty often I will ride my bigger board to avoid any hassle. Likewise if there is a lot of seaweed, which can be a big problem for us in Northland. So much so, it can end your session. The weed will cause me to fall way more than my own riding mistakes. If weed induced crashes are expected then I will ride my bigger board so I can get going again much easier. The 830 / 380 / 70L combo is just so nice for wave riding, however, I think the “surfing feel” can be improved with a carbon mast, which has more flex and spring, which will make carving turns feel nicer. I do ride bigger front wings and I think the carbon mast is too flexible for these, however, I am sure it will feel sweet with the 830 HPS. The Axis 19mm alloy mast is really stiff so can handle big wings (like my Axis 1300). I have always ridden the 900mm mast, so will choose a 960 carbon mast rather than the 860. When the swell is big the longer mast saves me from many crashes. At times I get so high I must only have 2mm of water covering my front foil wing. I am finding hand wings a matter of personal preference and the conditions in which each of us usually ride in. The power and feel of the Flysurfer Mojo 4.5 is so nice, better than my Ensis (which I have done many hours on and really like), however, when wave riding, I prefer the Ensis. I think this preference can be partly explained by the fact that the Ensis’s leading edge “witching” handle is tighter than the Mojo’s. The tighter handle allows me to place my thumb firmly on the front of the wing to stabilise and assist in controlling the wing when wave riding. I am testing this theory by butchering the Mojo’s front handle and using string to tighten it up. The Mojo wing is good enough to justify me trying to make it perfect. Also, I removed the two extra handles from the Mojo’s leading edge – I have no idea what they were for. It may be that the faster, gruntier feel of the Mojo is due to other design features, which is why it may not ever wave ride as well as an Ensis. If you do not wing in waves, then my issues with the Mojo will not be a problem for you. I like the Mojo so much that I have a 5.2m and 6.2m also. My Ensis were V1, so the gear is evolving rapidly. I do like the F-One Strikes and Ozone Wasp V2 as well. However, it comes down to the rider and time on the water.

Thanks to fellow wingfoiler, Chris Kennedy at geoinfo.co.nz for the drone footage.

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