Will be doing more light wind winging, small wave sup and occasional downwinder.
Anyone tried the gong inflatable crusader?

Most of the reports I have seen is on the Gong Facebook group "GONG Galaxy Group", which seems to attract much more new riders than forums.
This said there are two topics on them on the Gong Forum itself:

One for the strapless version (lighter):
www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=179&t=15775

One for the strapped version:
www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=179&t=15977

From what I gather, reports are similar to most of the boards of this type:
- It is a game changer for everybody, as it allows foiling in less wind or less waves. I never read anyone disappointed.
- Less nimble in the air than shorter boards, but not so bad as the tips are narrow
- non-foiling balance on glassy is OK, but quickly very hard with chop
- this can be mastered easily with a wing, but it is quite hard with a paddle. For SUP foiling, bigger sizes are recommended
- It takes off nearly as early as a rigid cruzader, but differently: the inflatable version will rely a bit more in playing with pumping for a cork effect, while the rigid can just glide onto flight

My 7-6 will be here soon and my mate got a 6-6 . My plan is air travel with 7-6 to Hamilton Island Sup DW and ding , my mate light wind Ding . Watch this space for our light wind ding session together. Props to Patrice I reckon he has hit the nail on the head with these.

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Piros said..
My 7-6 will be here soon and my mate got a 6-6 . My plan is air travel with 7-6 to Hamilton Island Sup DW and ding , my mate light wind Ding . Watch this space for our light wind ding session together. Props to Patrice I reckon he has hit the nail on the head with these.

Hey Prios,
Just got home from Big Island. Moving over for good in December. Was thinking the 7'0" strapped version for all disciplines at 93 Kg.
If you get down to Yamba before December or I could meet you up the coast for a short test. I will get mine delivered to Hawaii as will be using up my baggage allowance on other gear.

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colas said..
Most of the reports I have seen is on the Gong Facebook group "GONG Galaxy Group", which seems to attract much more new riders than forums.
This said there are two topics on them on the Gong Forum itself:

One for the strapless version (lighter):
www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=179&t=15775

One for the strapped version:
www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=179&t=15977

From what I gather, reports are similar to most of the boards of this type:
- It is a game changer for everybody, as it allows foiling in less wind or less waves. I never read anyone disappointed.
- Less nimble in the air than shorter boards, but not so bad as the tips are narrow
- non-foiling balance on glassy is OK, but quickly very hard with chop
- this can be mastered easily with a wing, but it is quite hard with a paddle. For SUP foiling, bigger sizes are recommended
- It takes off nearly as early as a rigid cruzader, but differently: the inflatable version will rely a bit more in playing with pumping for a cork effect, while the rigid can just glide onto flight

Thanks ??

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goggo said..

Piros said..
My 7-6 will be here soon and my mate got a 6-6 . My plan is air travel with 7-6 to Hamilton Island Sup DW and ding , my mate light wind Ding . Watch this space for our light wind ding session together. Props to Patrice I reckon he has hit the nail on the head with these.

Hey Prios,
Just got home from Big Island. Moving over for good in December. Was thinking the 7'0" strapped version for all disciplines at 93 Kg.
If you get down to Yamba before December or I could meet you up the coast for a short test. I will get mine delivered to Hawaii as will be using up my baggage allowance on other gear.

For sure no worries

Loving the HIPE Cruzader winging in light winds!

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FoilColorado said..
Loving the HIPE Cruzader winging in light winds!

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Nice video. Light wind videos are funny-3 seconds of interest and then a big yawn and turn the channel (no offense)

Got my Cruzader wet today , just flat water paddle up .

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Piros said..
Got my Cruzader wet today , just flat water paddle up .

?feature=shared

Nice vid - good to see you getting knackered for the love of the sport! What would you say is the reason the Duotone board felt (and looked) more comfortable in the air?

Thanks , it was lighter, bit shorter and boxes further forward . With flat water starts having your foil too far forward is a disadvantage to launch but once you are up it's all good .

Thanks Prios,
Great fun winging in Yamba today, over cooked, will recover at work tomorrow.
Welcome down here anytime before mid-december.
The 7'6" Gong looks the goods for versitility, could I backpack a foil and crusader on my FJR 1300 on the big island?

Amazing job Piros thanks. I'm on the same Cruzader with Fluid XXLT wing and I'm running out of patience trying to get the thing on foil. It's good to someone like me who's not 21 making it work with a bigger foil setup.

Goggo yes it will all fit in the Gong backpack but it still really big 100% oversize luggage . Too big for a bike I reckon .
Windbot that Axis 1300 is definitely the best wing for flat water paddle ups , I'll do it again in a couple of weeks with smaller foils when I get some of my paddle strength/fitness back . Yeah old guys can do this , I turned 60 yesterday

Happy belated birthday.

Cheers

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Piros said..
Goggo yes it will all fit in the Gong backpack but it still really big 100% oversize luggage . Too big for a bike I reckon .
Windbot that Axis 1300 is definitely the best wing for flat water paddle ups , I'll do it again in a couple of weeks with smaller foils when I get some of my paddle strength/fitness back . Yeah old guys can do this , I turned 60 yesterday

Turn 57 on Friday, after work session at Whiting was fun. SE sessions at Green point will be close to solo, need some other riders down here!

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goggo said..

Piros said..
Goggo yes it will all fit in the Gong backpack but it still really big 100% oversize luggage . Too big for a bike I reckon .
Windbot that Axis 1300 is definitely the best wing for flat water paddle ups , I'll do it again in a couple of weeks with smaller foils when I get some of my paddle strength/fitness back . Yeah old guys can do this , I turned 60 yesterday

Turn 57 on Friday, after work session at Whiting was fun. SE sessions at Green point will be close to solo, need some other riders down here!

On my way

Select to expand quote

Piros said..
Goggo yes it will all fit in the Gong backpack but it still really big 100% oversize luggage . Too big for a bike I reckon .
Windbot that Axis 1300 is definitely the best wing for flat water paddle ups , I'll do it again in a couple of weeks with smaller foils when I get some of my paddle strength/fitness back . Yeah old guys can do this , I turned 60 yesterday

The smart money was on the Duotone and DC. That you got the Gong out of the water was beyond impressive!

Got the 7-6 on the water today with the ding . Great test as it was only 10 to 12kn when I was setting up and lit up to 20kn soon after. Very over powered on my new Slick D/lab 6m and Axis 1030 Spitfire BUT everything all worked well including the board . I left in a few nose dive shots where I punched through . I'm an uphauler and this thing was A grade hard to start on plus I normally have no issues starting switch but today I had heaps. I'll neber take this in the ocean for Sup or Ding but it did it's job today in the calm water. I also loaded it hard in turns and man this thing is solid .

?feature=shared

Here's 210lbs Max (Gong team rider) on the inflatable, Droid 6m, Sirus XL 136cm.
He's going after that video in 3-5 knots.
He won the around the island race 7min ahead of long boards, Starboard IQ foils, in sub 10 knots Mammoth race in Toronto last week.

I tried the set up and can almost flying in 3-5 knots with occasional gusts to 7 knots with his 4.5, then fully flying with a few pumps with his 6m. Board speed 11-12 knots in such conditions.

www.instagram.com/reel/CxD7PwEOMQw/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Could you foiled with your army DW board in the same conditions you've tried @drlazone?

Yes, slightly different take off, more like flat water paddle up with the Armstrong, a bit less sticky.
The Gong is was combination of flat water pop up and inflatable bounce start.
Mind you Armstrong 7'2 107L 20?, Gong 7'6 130+L 21".

I've got my Cruzader 7-6 for sale I'm going 7-10 for the Sup side of things . It's in the wing boards for sale section if anyone interested

@Piros:
What's your weight?
I (92 kg) too have the 7'6 and it's ok for winging, but for supfoiling i also think about getting the 7'11 instead.
I guess for winging the 7'11 won't be too big and sluggish.
That was my concern when i had to choose between 7'6 and 7'11 at my first order.
But after several sessions i think the 5" more in length and 1,5" in width won't hurt the agility too much.

I'm 88 kegs & Yeah the extra length is no real penalty for winging , the mast is so far forward it takes 2 feet off the swing weight .it's more the extra width I'm after for Supping the 7:6 is fine for the ding.

Do you think a 95kg intermediate winger/not very experienced SUP surfer could learn to SUPfoil on the 7'11"?
No plans to downwind and would be in small clean conditions. Would also use for very light wind winging in surf.

The only downside to the Gongs is the round rails , which takes away some stability but yes you will be fine on it to learn on the 7-11 however a hard body board with squarer rails will be easier.