Original source: Exocet
This video from Exocet covered a lot of ground. Streamed.News selected 3 key moments and summarises them here. Everything below links directly to the timestamp in the original video.
The design of sports equipment often reveals a tension between peak performance and user-friendliness. See how one company is trying to solve this for the growing sport of wind foiling.
Exocet Launches Two Distinct Wind Foil Lines for Racers and Recreational Riders
The water sports brand Exocet has introduced a new range of wind foil boards, dividing its offerings into two specific categories: the RF Foil for racing and the Free Foil for recreational use. While the boards share a similar length, their designs are fundamentally different. The RF Foil is equipped with specialized features for slalom competition, while the Free Foil offers a simplified, more accessible design for casual riders.
This dual-line strategy highlights the maturation of the niche wind foiling market. By creating distinct products for elite athletes and hobbyists, the company is addressing the diverging needs for high performance versus ease of use within the growing sport.
"Between those two lines of boards, we have the RF Foil which are designed for racing... and then we'll have the freeride part with the Free Foil."
Exocet's Free Foil Board Designed for Accessibility and Rider Control
Exocet's new Free Foil board is engineered specifically for riders new to wind foiling, prioritizing control over raw speed. The board features multiple footstrap positions, including more centered options, to give less experienced users greater stability. Its fin box is placed far forward, allowing the board to glide flat on the water and giving the rider a more predictable, controlled lift-off into foiling.
These design choices represent a deliberate effort to lower the sport's steep learning curve. By focusing on a stable and manageable experience, the board aims to make a technically demanding activity more approachable for a broader audience.
"You can decide basically when you want to take off and when you don't want to take off... it makes it more accessible for people who are starting to foil."
Unconventional Shape of Exocet RF Foil 85 Racing Board Maximises Speed and Control
The Exocet RF Foil 85 racing board uses a highly specialised design to achieve competitive speeds and maintain control. Key features include a recessed deck that lowers the sail's center of gravity for stability, and a V-shaped tail that reduces surface area for quicker take-offs. The design also incorporates a thick front wall to help the board bounce off the water during high-speed touchdowns in choppy conditions, preventing it from slowing down.
Every element of the board's unusual geometry is purpose-built to shave seconds off race times. This engineering contrasts sharply with recreational designs, illustrating the technical extremes required to gain an edge in high-performance foiling.
"We dig kind of a hole, a big recess on the deck, to lower the center of gravity of the rig. It gives a little bit of extra control."
Summarised from Exocet · 8:21. All credit belongs to the original creators. Exocet Windsurfing summarises publicly available video content.
