Foiling is still relatively new to many and it can take a while to wrap your head around the multiple variables involved. It doesn’t matter if you are a complete newbie or already a foil veteran, sometimes it can be a real dilemma to choose between so many different foil wings.

But don’t despair just yet, we are here to help you out.

Basics

Let’s start with some basics that you should consider before getting a foil.

Having already some experience in surfing, windsurfing or kitesurfing is a great advantage when starting to foil, as it already gives you some knowledge on positioning and balance.
Foiling requires more accuracy in terms of the positioning of your body and feet and is less forgiving when it comes to mistakes. In case you are totally new to the sport, we recommend taking lessons with an instructor, as this will help you to progress faster, safer and prevent demotivation due to slow progress.

Keep in mind that your weight is an important factor when choosing a foil, the heavier you are the easier it is to ride on a bigger foil. Especially when beginning you want to go for bigger and more stable foils, that allow you to progress. As your skills improve you can start to foil on smaller and more manoeuvrable foils. 

Side note: for more "How to" content, check out our Youtube channel. 

What to consider when choosing a foil?

Before you start, you should get to know the different elements. A foil is made up of separate parts:

• A front wing
• A back wing also called the stabiliser or 'stab' for short
• A fuselage that connects the two wings
• A mast and top plate that connects all the parts to the board

The mast

Your level will determine the length of the foil mast you choose. The size of the mast can vary between 40cm and over 1m.

Keep in mind that the shorter the mast is, the easier it will be to start, given that a shorter mast stays closer to the surface of the water. So when starting, we recommend you choose a mast of about 65 cm. It is a perfect length for beginners as it will allow you to handle small waves and also means you won't need to look for a spot with very deep water.

If you already feel comfortable on a shorter mast you can start improving your skills with a 75 cm or 85 cm mast.

More info

Long fuselage vs. short fuselage

The length of the fuselage also has an impact on stability and performance. 

A longer fuselage will lend more stability while a shorter fuselage will bring the front wing closer to the stab and thus will allow for more manoeuvrability and it will bring much more dynamism in the pumping and in the handling.

Materials of your foil front wing

Carbon or aluminium? When it comes to the materials for your foil, there are two opposing opinions. Some people prefer aluminium, while others swear by carbon. But do they offer different sensations? And is one better than the other?

A brief history of carbon and aluminium foils

The first foils on the market were made of aluminium. But then carbon foils came along, and they quickly gained popularity. The carbon foils were more lightweight, required less maintenance and delivered a higher performance than the aluminium ones, so naturally, they soon took over the foil market.

Carbon or aluminium

Carbon foils and aluminium foils each have their own advantages. The key differences between the two are enough that you’ll be able to clearly tell which is the right choice for you.

Performance

If you are new to foiling, we recommend aluminium. However, if you are more experienced and are looking for greater performance, you should go for carbon.

Riding style

If you like to go for chilled sessions or freeriding without the need for speed or performance, then an aluminium foil will be sufficient. On the other hand, if you are more athletic and focused on speed and thrills, go for a carbon foil to better suit your needs.

Favourite terrain

Aluminium does not handle saltwater well and can get damaged over time. So if the sea is your favourite riding spot, we recommend going for carbon.

Durability

Aluminium foils are more robust than carbon in terms of impact resistance. But aluminium is sensitive to oxidation, so it needs regular maintenance, whereas carbon foils don’t. In terms of life expectancy, carbon wins over aluminium.

Price

The price difference is significant and is perhaps the biggest factor. Aluminium foils are available to the smallest budgets, so beginners, or anyone worried about cost, should go for aluminium. 

Alternatives to aluminium or carbon

But these are not the only two types of foils on offer. You can also choose from foils made of blended materials. Such as:

• Carbon and fibreglass: by mixing carbon with composite materials, you can have a lightweight foil for a lower price.
  
  
• Carbon and aluminium: the parts dedicated to performance, such as the wings, are made of carbon, while the mast and fuselage are made of aluminium, again to lower the price.
  
  

Carbon or aluminium foil: what you need to remember

• If you are new to foiling: opt for an aluminium foil.
• If you are looking for performance, speed and thrills: choose a carbon foil.
• If you have a small budget: aluminium foil or carbon fibreglass foil.
• If you’re not up for doing foil maintenance: carbon foil.
• If you love freeriding: aluminium foil.
• If you often change equipment: carbon foil. They are easier to resell on the second-hand market.
• If you want something you can fix if it gets damaged: Carbon foil.
  Carbon foils are repairable, while aluminium foils aren’t.

What are the foil metrics I should check when choosing a foil?

Surface Area

The surface area is commonly measured as the projected surface area in square centimetres and is the main indicator of lift the foil will generate. If you hold a torch/light over the foil, the projected area is the area of the shadow projected by the wing.

Profile

While thicker profiles are designed to generate more lift at lower speeds and are more forgiving during the flight, foils with thinner profiles are much more sensitive and take more skill to use, however once mastered they generate less drag and allow for higher speeds and more manoeuvrability.

High aspect vs. low aspect foils

The aspect ratio of a foil is the ratio of its span to its mean chord. It is equal to the square of the wingspan divided by the wing area. High aspect ratio foils generate less drag and allow for an endless glide, however, they need higher speeds than low aspect ratio wings to take off and avoid stalling.

The Kujira range, which foil to choose for which conditions?

Kujira 500

Big wave riding

• An unmatched speed
• Control and precise turn at speed
• Intense carving potential
• Chosen by advanced and professional riders who are looking o challenge themselves
• Material: Full carbon

Kujira 750

Extreme performance

• Designed for expert and lightweight riders
• Maintains high level of control at high speed
• Intense carving potential with tight turning pivot
• Tailored for prone surf, wing and tow-in foiling
• Material: Full carbon

Kujira 980

Agility in waves

• A killer performance in almost all ocean conditions
• Ultra-responsive yet extremely stable
• Closest feeling to traditional surfing
• Ultimate choice for wing, prone and downwind foiling in mild to heavy conditions
• Material: Full carbon

Kujira 1095HA

Endless gliding

• Fast high aspect performance and rail to rail riding
• Easy pumping and smooth carving
• Maintains height even at low speed
• Excels in performance, perfect for wing foil and surf foil
• Material: Full carbon

Kujira 1210

All-round performance

• Fantastic pumping ability
• Incredible glide and very agile
• Unmatched control and stability
• Material: Full carbon

Kujira 1440

Downwind performance

• Non-stop glide & unparalleled acceleration
• Super early, smooth and easy take-off
• Ultimate choice for heavier riders
• Material: Full carbon

Kujira Helium 1500

Lightweight, versatile and robust

• Impressive early take-off and huge glide
• Stable and intuitive to control
• Smooth, easy manoeuvres
• Perfect for progression
• Material: Carbon composite & lightweight helium foam

Kujira Helium 1750

Performance in light wind

• Great power control, playful and fun
• Perfect for beginners and progressing
• Very easy to handle and tolerant
• A real session saver in under 15kts conditions
• Material: Carbon composite & lightweight helium foam

Discover our foil range here

Here is a summarized chart to help you differentiate the performance of our Kujira foils range: