Starboard has just made a bold statement in the world of downwind foiling with the launch of two new game-changing products: the Ace Foil Lightning board and the Foil Blade. These two releases are designed to work hand-in-hand, offering top-tier performance and accessibility for serious downwind foilers, making a significant impact on the SUP foiling market.
Starboard Ace Foil Lightning Board: Pushing the Boundaries of Performance
The Ace Foil Lightning range builds upon the success of Starboard’s Ace Foil series, taking it to the next level. What sets the Lightning apart is how it combines extreme performance with ease of use, offering a highly responsive board that even foilers of varying weights (75–85 kg) can enjoy—defying the expectation that high-performance downwind boards are only for elite athletes.
The range of four sizes ensures that there’s something for every serious rider, from the 8’4” x 19” (122L) for heavier foilers up to 110 kg, to the 7’5” x 15” (83L), the most radical and narrow design in the lineup, boasting unparalleled speed and stability. Starboard’s meticulous design choices, like the parallel outline and flattened standing area, enhance performance and make even the smallest model far more stable than its dimensions suggest.
This range isn’t just about racing at lightning-fast speeds—it’s also incredibly versatile, excelling at wing foiling for those looking to maximize straight-line speed.
Starboard Foil Blade: Power Meets Precision
Accompanying the Ace Foil Lightning is the Foil Blade, a paddle specifically engineered for foiling. Starboard has taken its learnings from race board paddle development and applied them to create a paddle that complements the high-performance characteristics of the Ace Foil boards.
The Foil Blade’s low-aspect design delivers instant acceleration from 0 to 10 km/h, making it ideal for quick takeoffs and boosting overall foiling performance. The winglets around the blade reduce turbulence, providing a smoother and more efficient paddle stroke, while the shorter blade length offers better maneuverability and reduces the risk of blade contact with the foil—solving a common issue for downwind foilers.
Additionally, the paddle’s Prepreg Carbon construction makes it Starboard’s lightest yet, coming in at just 185g, ideal for long-distance sessions. For those worried about durability, the Carbon Foil construction adds extra strength for impact resistance.
Conclusion: A Winning Combination
Starboard’s Ace Foil Lightning board and Foil Blade are a powerhouse combination that will likely set new standards in downwind foiling. Whether you’re an experienced downwind racer or looking to push your foiling limits, these products offer a tantalizing blend of speed, stability, and precision. If you’re serious about foiling, these new launches from Starboard are worth paying close attention to.
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