Wing Design, F-One Differences

When wing foiling first appeared, riders not only discovered brand-new riding sensations but also got to witness its birth and participate in its development. F-One took on the challenge of designing these new wings without knowing what other brands were up to. It was fascinating to find out what each design team had to offer.

The SWING and the STRIKE were best-sellers, and F-One aimed to maintain their legacy moving forward. They now introduce the STRIKE V2, the fifth model in three years, and dare to reveal some secrets of its conception and design.

An innovative and consistent approach

Right at the beginning, they asked themselves the appropriate questions and made their design briefs consistently thorough. Back in the winter of 2019, it was hard to picture the future of wing foiling: Is performance essential? Is surfing or down winding important? Will jumping and aerial tricks become major disciplines themselves? What does it take to learn this sport and progress quickly? What kind of conditions will it take place in?

The SWING V1 held up firmly for 18 months, thus showing that they had successfully anticipated the needs of this new sport and provided the right solutions. Today F-One offers three different wing models: STRIKE, STRIKE CWC, and SWING. These are their answers to wing foiling's demands, whether for freeriding or competition.

The SWING was the original model in 2019. In 2021, the SWING V2 was added to the range to preserve a light wing with good performances and a surf trend for downwinders. The STRIKE CWC, with its patented 3-strut design, provides the best solution to ride in light winds with larger sizes from 6m to 8m. With wing sizes under 6m, the STRIKE is their main model and has a vast range of possibilities, from beginners' level to the pros. The STRIKE took first and third place in both the surf/freestyle and race podiums of the GWA Wingfoil World Tour in 2021.

Those who own and love their STRIKE V1 can rest assured. Its spirit and feel do not change; this new V2 is simply a STRIKE but greatly improved in every way.

Design Choices

F-Ones wings have always deserved the best of their Twenty-five years of experience in kite design. Since they made the right decisions from day one, they never had to second-guess or backtrack on the first designs.

Many of the initial ideas for the SWING V1 are still used in the STRIKE V2:

-Original outlines with narrower and thinner wingtips compared to others.

-The SWING V1 had three handles, then the STRIKE only two. In their opinion, a lot of wings had or still have too many handles.

-The fabric's orientation towards tension was already on the trailing edge panel of the SWING V1 6m in 2019. They pushed this concept even further on the STRIKE V1 and SWING V2.

-The leading edges had five or six segments, whereas others only used three or four.

-Their choices on profile types have been quite similar to the first model.

-The fabric's tension of their wings.

F-One is proud that their SWING V1 could STILL be relevant nowadays.

F-ONE's Original Concepts

First, the amount of work, experience, and commitment from everybody involved are key. The F-One design and testing teams are rigorous and demanding, guaranteeing their wings are up to their high standards. The design team has been the same for over ten years, leading to impressive social cohesion and efficient internal communication.

Their design briefs are very comprehensive and intricate. For example:

"I want power for planing, but I also want great control in strong winds."

"I want a wing that is stiff enough for good performance, and that will not deform when I jump, but I like comfort at the same time."

"I want a wing that is durable and strong yet as light as possible. And I want a wing that can win races or freestyle events in elite competitions."

Two of their original concepts are particularly noteworthy:

- Pre Loaded Canopy:

From the beginning, their wings have had a unique tension that can be compared to that of a harden up windsurfing rig. F-Ones wings are, therefore, pre-tensioned. When riding, this ideal tension of the trailing edge guarantees much better performances upwind and in light winds.

- Adaptive Wing Design:

Many brands today claim increased rigidity. They claim it was a fascinating challenge to investigate how a wing should deform without losing neither its optimal shape nor performance abilities. At the same time, F-One revealed the more innovative concept of controlled deformation, the Adaptive Wing Design.

These are all the challenges that excite and drive F-One to innovate every day.

MUCH MORE THAN A WING!

Wing foil sensations are beyond compare. The feeling of freedom you get from being the only connection between the wing and the foil is unique. It is thus essential to make the correct wing choice to enjoy the entire experience.

The STRIKE V2 and its improved design will give you even stronger sensations, no matter your skill level.

- Adaptive Wing Design: Controlled Power, Performance, and Comfort

- Pre Loaded Canopy: The v2s unique canopy tension allows the wing to keep its shape at all times

- A perfectly balanced center of traction between your two arms

- Legendary lightness essential for free-fly

- Dynamic stability for a fully controlled ride

- Exceptional forward traction to increase upwind and reduce fatigue

- Extended wind range guaranteeing performance and control in all your sessions

- New sizes from 2.5m to 5.5m

Adaptive Wing Design

While the industry trends towards the all-rigid, F-One has developed the Adaptive Wing Design, a unique concept, offering the perfect balance between performance and comfort.

F-one feels it is difficult and uncomfortable to handle a stiff, handheld wing in the high end, especially without a harness.

The STRIKE v2s Adaptive Wing Design transforms every gust into positive energy. They believe a wing must be able to absorb that power, just like the mast bend or the opening of the leech in windsurfing or the depower in kitesurfing. This new wing was designed to adapt through a controlled deformation that allows the preservation of a high-performance profile throughout the entire range of use.

To reach this result, F-One worked on the leading edge and modified the shape of the central strut. Its cut is now segmented, allowing for improved control of its curve and deformations. They also enhanced the wing's twist.

The Adaptive Wing Design enables perfect control of the traction. The wing adapts itself to the riding conditions while maintaining unprecedented stability. It releases power when necessary and takes the shape it needs in any given wind without degrading the quality of the profile.

Materials

Standard materials like Dacron and Polyester are still ideally suited for exploring the Adaptive Wing Designs world, and both offer a vast range of design possibilities. Their experience and feedback on our previous designs have allowed them better to analyze the structural and reinforcement needs of a wing. The STRIKE V2 will be even more solid and durable.

Pre Loaded Canopy

From the beginning, Their wings have had a unique canopy tension compared to that of a harden up windsurfing rig. When riding, this ideal tension of the trailing edge guarantees much better performances upwind and in light winds. Their wings are, therefore, pre-tensioned and made to adapt.

Center of traction

Throughout Their entire development process, F-One took great care of the center of traction's stability, so power's distribution is always balanced between both arms. The wing is stable and barely requires any adjustments from your front or backhand, thus offering maximum comfort.

Handles

F-Ones wings are quite literally at your fingertips. You don't have to grasp the handles constantly firmly. From the start, they picked handles with a small diameter and a rectangular shape, with flatter parts that fit right into your phalanges.

Once again, they went for softness instead of rigidity, so you always have the perfect angle between the wing and your arms. As their wing is already extremely stable, rigid handles weren't necessary. With softer, lighter, more comfortable, and well-thought-out handles, you won't hurt or exert yourself nor damage the canopy while packing your gear.

Weight - Control – Stability

The STRIKE V2 keeps the V1's incomparable ultra-lightweight that is pleasant in all phases of flight.

Stability is improved by respecting the profile and the wing's center of traction while in motion. The traction is constant and homogeneous. This improved in-flight stability allows you to keep better control of your foil and your trajectories, no matter your skill level. Thanks to the Adaptive Wing Design, the Strike V2 provides smooth and precise steering abilities and works for you.

The tensions of the fabric and profile distribution are improved. A new panel orientation along the warp line offers better control and extended durability by ideally adjusting the fabric in the right direction.

The infill is kept to a minimum to ensure profile control without adding weight and maintain a good field of view. The STRIKE V2 will be inconspicuous during your free-flying sessions so you can fully focus on your surfs or on the swell.

Fast forward

One of the unmatched qualities of their wings is that they pull you forward, not sideways. The traction of the STRIKE V2 has been improved, particularly for solid winds: you only need to sheet out to feel the power decrease and the traction going forward.

Just sheet in, and the wing works for you. It offers excellent navigation comfort upwind and allows you to push the limits of the high end with less effort. In the low end, the traction is steady and does not require any adjustments.

Performance

With its unparalleled upwind capabilities, the STRIKE V2 will increase your free-flying time or help you win races. With less wingspan than the V1, its compact design offers more possibilities for tricks and more comfortable navigation with your hands positioned lower. Its speed performance also allows you to jump higher and benefit from an excellent lift for landings.

Freeride

This wing is perfect for freeriding through its constant traction, control, lightweight, and stability, no matter your skill level. Its power and pumping efficiency are its strengths in planning and exploiting the low end.

New wind range and its advantages

F-One worked extensively on the range of use for their wings to guarantee an excellent planing start and the possibility to ride in light wind. Simultaneously, they wanted to push each size as far as possible in the high end to keep your riding flow in any conditions.

What are the advantages?

-A single wing is enough to give you a full range of use and comfort of navigation when the wind drops or picks up during your session.

-Gain more lift during jumps and enjoy smoother landings while keeping the same wing size in the high end.

-Start planing earlier, thus reducing the volume and size of your board.

New V2 sizes

The ideal minimum area can be 2.5m and the maximum 5.5m without using their 3-strut CWC patent. The STRIKE V2 will therefore be

available from 2.5m to 5.5m, and will offer a new size distribution with:

2,5 m - 3m - 3,5m - 4m - 4,5m - 5 m - 5,5m

This could also allow heavier riders to choose among 3.5m – 4.5m – 5.5m, and the lighter ones to pick between 3m – 4m – 5m.

A STRIKE V2 is passion, smooth performances, power and control, lightness, strength, and durability. Its dynamic stability in flight makes everything easier for you while on your foil. It provides remarkable forward traction over the entire range of use, allowing incredible feats whether a pro rider or a beginner, your potential with it is exceptional.

The STRIKE V2 is much more than a wing. It is everything you need to reach your riding flow.