Evolution of Foil Wing: Duotone Perspective & Flash Austin Video

[Beasho]

Here is a great overview of the Duotone foil wings by Ken Winner.

[Beasho]

I had been wondering how all these wings popped into existence seemingly overnight.  Naish, Duotone, SPG and others.

What Ken says here explains the genesis for these wings and how they all came to the forefront so quickly. 

https://youtu.be/67JgSz1bIk0?t=60

It was all kicked off by the Flash Austin video March 25th, 2018:

[Beasho]

Ken, how did the idea for the Foil Wing come about?

I experimented with some inflatable wing ideas back in 2011 for use with SUPs. At that stage, we felt that it was an interesting idea butit didn't excite us enough to push further, so we shelved the project. A few years later, Ralf Grösel took on the idea to design an inflatable sail for windsurfing that became the successful product you know as the IRig. During the summer time here in Maui, we do a lot of downwind paddle foiling and I go regularly with my neighbour who's a bit of an extreme waterman. A couple of years back, after a summer of non-stop SUP downwinders, I became curious to see how else I could enjoy the wind swells, increase my time on the water and add some diversity to my sessions.

It was also at this time that I saw Flash Austin out on the water with a simple Wing he had made in his garage from fiberglass spars and canopy material.

It got me thinking, I bet I can make something like that, but as an inflatable Wing. That's where the design process began.Over the course of a couple of years and after more than different 20 prototypes, here we are, ready to introduce the Foil Wing to the world!

Full Interview here:

https://www.duotonesports.com/foilwing/news/detailed/foil-wing-designer-interview-with-ken-winner/

[Beasho]

I was whining at TJ at Big Winds about how I need the Duotone wings soonest before I forget everything I learned from Alan Cadiz. It turned out they have a Naish 4M in the shop, and he let me try it to get rid of me. I zoomed back to the shop, stuck my 280 GoFoil on Mr. Fugly, picked up the wing at the shop, and made for the event center.

Got everything rigged and made my way down to the water. Before I ventured forth I did a little dry land practice and was a bit concerned. The loop handles are loose, so the wing moves around a lot. There's also not much lift--it's more like a kite wing or a sail. That probably wouldn't be a big deal for most folks, but my shoulders are really bad and holding something up in the air isn't easy. The Duotone wing has plenty of lift, so just maneuvering the leading edge pulls the wing up so I'm more or less hanging from it. The Naish kit didn't feel like that at all.

From: https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,34846.msg399937.html#msg399937

PonoBill may be one of the few who has tried more than one wing.  These vendors may converge on similar designs but given this string of information I am leaning towards a Duotone.  2 Questions:

1) What size?  Would a 4 Meter cover wind speeds of 8 to 15 mph?

2) Where is the Dog-Gone BUY button?

[Admin]

I think Tony Logosz was first with the inflatable handheld wing and the first to use an inflatable wing on a foil.  https://blog.slingshotsports.com/top-5-questions-answered-about-wingsurfing-and-the-slingwing-2019/ .  We had a thread here about the image below with the paddle way back when. 



KiteWing predated that (early 2000's) by many years and introduced the windsurfing style half boom, but those were rigid wings.  Before that was the Wind Weapon but that was attached to the board, so a little different again.

[JEG]

I do like the Duotone and its gonna hard between 3M or 4M. I also like the slingshot wing but I'm not sure what size available?

[Beasho]

I think Tony Logosz was first with the inflatable handheld wing and the first to use an inflatable wing on a foil.  https://blog.slingshotsports.com/top-5-questions-answered-about-wingsurfing-and-the-slingwing-2019/ .  We had a thread here about the image below with the paddle way back when. 

Agree with this photo and I always wanted a Tom Magruder WindWeapon  BUT the quote:

"Being a pioneer and leader in all things foiling, we knew someday soon larger wings with more lift and better riders would evolve to a point where a device like the Slingwing would have a place."

Is a bit upsetting.  Slingshot may have been pushing the limits of kite and windsurf foiling but they 100% missed the boat when it came to Self Powered Surf Foiling. 

Kai Lenny and Alex Aguerra brought Surf Foiling to the 'masses' while Slingshot was by their own admission waiting for things to evolve.  The vestiges of this I see all the time with people trying, and failing to surf on tiny kite foils or failed 1st generation "KAI" sized surf foils.  No adult should be starting on any wing smaller than a GoFoil IWA. 

Regardless of the history the current arms race between Naish, Duotone, SPG, Slingshot . . . will only benefit WE the consumers.  Its pretty obvious they are all dusting off old designs as fast as possible. 

[Admin]

It is really interesting.  I genuinely think that the sudden interest in this took the brands by surprise.  It had been pretty close for a long time (with no strong public interest) but it just didn't look quite right.  I credit the evolution of SUP foil boards for finalizing the package.  That took it away from the older windsurf board (or windsurfing foilboard) vibe to something that looked more balanced and correct for a wing.  And the wings do look a lot better now as well (all of them).  Now, what made the brands all say, "wait a second, maybe that is worth another look".  Was it Flash's video?  It is a likely candidate.

[Dwight (DW)]

.......Now, what made the brands all say, "wait a second, maybe that is worth another look".  Was it Flash's video?  It is a likely candidate.

Here is what Ken told me. (We are old friends)

He started prototyping wings and testing openly in Maui, because he believed downwind foiling was a great application.

But nobody else was on board, not even Duotone. He even talked to Tony about it the Gorge, but Tony blew it off.

Ken kept making prototypes and having fun. Eventually people did take notice and so did Duotone.

Then the race was on to get production going between all the brands. Probably social media helped it blow up faster.

[PonoBill]

I assume the neighbor Ken Winner is talking about is Alan Cadiz--he lives across the street from Ken. That's how Alan got the prototype wings that I used.

[jondrums]

So, what is the best way to get a Duotone wing in California?  TJ @ BigWinds?  Or maybe a shop on Maui?  Anyone know, because I want to know where the confounded buy button is.

[Admin]

Interesting though, that the first production wings (from anyone) have yet to arrive and that the ETA's are all pretty much the same.    There is a big dose of Run DMC, of course.  I'm the king of rock, there is none higher, Suckah MC's should call me sire.  The upside is that it is clear that these are all very functional as a starting point.  Riders are doing well on all of them.  If the sport sticks (and I think it will) there will be a lot of product advancement.  I wonder if you wont see roll handles, for instance.

[PonoBill]

They need some work on where the leash attaches as well. Having the wing beat you to death while you're trying to sort out your shit after a fall is not constructive.

[supunk]

The buy button is appearing in the UK. Have just ordered a 4m Duotone and considering ordering a 2m as well.

[Lazz]

Just pulled the trigger in Germany for a 3 and 4 m Duotone primary for SUP use and then learning Foiling.
The Wing  price not include the boom, have to ordered separately, that's pretty interesting and makes a quiver price lower.

Duotone Foil Wing 4m    € 580,00
Duotone Foil Wing 3m    € 539,00
Duotone Foil Wing Boom. € 119,00