Windfoil
Slingshot Wizard Windsurf Board Review [This Board RIPS]
Jan
Slingshot continues to make waves with their progressive foiling freeride boards which are far removed from the racing side of foiling.
The brand’s Wizard product line has a strong following with riders looking to fly back and forth, carve and push boundaries of maneuver orientated windfoiling, and all manner of foiling antics.
The brand’s trend is for super compact boards with SS’s Wizard being no different.
The Wizard line has shorter lengths and reduced nose area than most traditional windsurf boards which drastically reduces swing weight and provides more direct foil control while halting the effect of wind gusts that serve to push the front of the board around once up and flying.
It’s also very light being constructed with high-grade carbon. As with all carbon boards, care should be taken to keep them in optimum condition so no heavy-handedness during transport and rigging, and we recommend getting a foil board bag to protect it.
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We took the Wizard 125L out onto the water (the Wizard v3 130L is the successor) and here’s what we thought.
Once on the water, the Slingshot Wizard 125’s short length becomes apparent. Stand in front of the sweet spot and it WILL nose dive. This requires riders performing off foil moves – such as tacks – to slightly tweak their technique – you’ll need to be quicker around the mast so rider agility is key.
It’s the same when attempting to taxi and take off. Trusting in the Wizard 125’s design, and the width underfoot at the back of the board is best course of action. Don’t lean too far forwards and pilots will soon be in the air – and extremely early at that!
Combined with the Slingshot Hoverglide foil and Infinity 76 front wing this is one of the earliest take-off machines we’ve used to date. Especially with smaller sails in lighter wind.
Having gotten airborne the benefits of such a nimble sled become apparent. Foot strap positions, the board’s thick and wide tail plus the illusion of almost being ‘nose free’ above the brine combine to deliver a unique feel.
And it’s this experience that becomes addictive. Obviously the act of windfoiling itself is one that keeps riders coming back but it’s the optimised performance of the Wizard that’ll keep you hooked. It’s pretty unique among windfoil sleds.
Additionally, there’s the progressive nature of the Wizard. While flying back and forth – mowing the lawn – is perfectly applicable once you fancy you’re poised for all manner of foiling transitions, jumps, and general flight tomfoolery that you’ve possibly seen some riders indulging in.
Brand Manager Wyatt Miller is certainly one of those advancing the genre and it’s boards like the Wizard 125 (and its smaller siblings) that will take you to this realm if you so wish. Check out Wyatt’s video under, explaining the differences between the Slingshot Wizard 103, 105 and 125L:
Wyatt Miller explains the differences between the Wizard 103, 105 and 125L
Slingshot is really leading the way with progressive shapes and windfoiling wisdom. Aiming firmly at the freeride market with a gentle shove towards the progressive end of the spectrum, having learnt those foiling fundamentals, Slingshot’s Wizard 125 covers the bases and takes you there with style.
Riders will need a period of familiarisation but once this has been completed who knows what level of foil riding the Slingshot Wizard 125 will elevate you to.
Wizard v2 vs Wizard v3
New for 2021 is the Wizard v3 product line which makes some changes from the model reviewed above, and we think for the better. The Wizard further cements itself as a go-to option for new windsurf foilers.
The first change is new sizes which are 130L, 114L, and 90L.
The 130L is the successor to the 125L. It’s the ideal board for the average windfoiler. It’s 10cm shorter and 1cm more narrow, but ~2cm thicker for added volume. This makes it even easier to uphaul and transport.
The 114L replaces the 105L, and it’s aimed to be a more lively and fun ride. It’s the same height, 10 cm more narrow, and 2cm thicker.
The 90L board is only 147cm long (just under 5 feet) and was 3 years in development. It’s a great board for shredding with sail or wing, though you probably want to be an advanced foiler before getting this one in the water. Uphauling won’t be easy!
What else is new and very noteworthy is all the new footstrap placements available. Responding to the riding style of riders and the emergence of wingfoilers, they’ve added center backfoot straps and further forward front straps for the two smaller boards.
About the tester:
Tez Plavenieks is founding editor of Windsurfing UK Magazine.
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