The Gong shaper, Patrice Guenole, made a video out of a Q&A session on these new Downwinding SUP boards.
French with English subtitles.

He says that the first batch of boards were made only for the pros, but they made also bigger and easier models as they realized that these boards could be useful even for people that will never do downwinds (because of the logistical challenges), for the days where there is just not enough wind, not enough waves,...

He thinks these "DW boards" will become to tiny foil boards what longboarding is for shortboarding.

He says that for his 100kg, a 7'6" x 19"1/2 x 135L is similar in balance for SUP paddling with a NFA XS: 9'0" x 28"3/4 x 110L
And a 7'6" x 22"1/16 x 150L is similar to a 9'0" x 30"1/2 x 120L

He also says that he is able to take off SUP-foil paddling on the flats for the challenge, but at 47 he is "too old for this sh1t" to enjoy it.
(see: www.instagram.com/p/Co9tlMQoPik/ )

A very interesting discussion, that is not Gong-specific as I think it can apply to all this kind of boards. Please add similar discussions / info / articles from other shapers & riders here

And he is working also on specific foil wings for using these boards on the flat.
Wings that can pump easily but still be maneuverable.
Here is a prototype of what could become a model named "Sirus": 186cm span and 15 aspect ratio (with other sizes)

His words:

"I wanted a pumping shape that concentrates the lift in the core of the foil and remains manageable.
There is nothing worse than a wing that you have to fight with to make it go where you want.
It induces losses of energy and therefore also distance.
So I designed a range of Front Wings dedicated to foiling on flat water but still maneuverable.
For example you can drive this Sirus 186 a bit like a Fluid H 122, in a bit less reactive but without feeling stuck.
The pumping is however from another world. It glides like a Fluid but 10 times longer.
The Vmax in pumping is very surprising but correlated to the ratio of 15.
The thick profile allows to fly almost without speed. As soon as you paddle a little bit you can feel the nose rising in SUP.
It is obviously a wing for expert riders, but what a joy to have flat days when you have this Sirus."

Is there any more information on the Cruzader? I am becoming a believer in these shapes for MORE than downwinding.

I have built a 'Copycuda' and have found it GREAT for winging, and for catching BIG waves early. I haven't been able to test it out in small conditions because we have been getting hammered in Northern California with nothing but BIG waves lately. Meaning 8 feet is small and 22 feet (at the buoys) has been big.

It has taken 3 weeks to learn how to stand on it semi-comfortably 7' 6" x 21" x 6" @ 128 liters but the weight is wonderful. Lightweight XPS build at 9 lbs 12 ounces, 4.4 kilograms.

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Beasho said..
Is there any more information on the Cruzader? I am becoming a believer in these shapes for MORE than downwinding.

You have, on the Gong forum and Facebook group.
Most of the interesting posts on FB are copied onto the forum (it is hard to find any past info on FB), so the main source is:
www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=145&t=15411

The reports from other than the Guenole family (Patrice & Malo) are in the posts:
www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=145&t=15411&start=15#p171247
www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=145&t=15411&start=15#p171368
www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=145&t=15411&start=30#p171617




Also, the new foil front wings "Sirus" to go with the DW boards are described at: www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=15614

I don't really SUP, but I want one of these for light wind winging and to learn prone foiling or possibly even SUP foil someday.
My only hesitation is that I'm heading back to the windsurfing conundrum of a board for every condition and needing to store/transport them all.

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Grantmac said..
I don't really SUP, but I want one of these for light wind winging and to learn prone foiling or possibly even SUP foil someday.
My only hesitation is that I'm heading back to the windsurfing conundrum of a board for every condition and needing to store/transport them all.

+1
I got a Dockstart board, a Prone and a Wing board.I use all 3.

And i want a lightwind Wingfoil board to venture far Upwind/Dw ,max 6feet with canoe tail that would double as a Prone "cheater" board,for long paddleouts and getting in early.

Car is feeling smaller :)

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mcrt said..

Grantmac said..
I don't really SUP, but I want one of these for light wind winging and to learn prone foiling or possibly even SUP foil someday.
My only hesitation is that I'm heading back to the windsurfing conundrum of a board for every condition and needing to store/transport them all.

+1
I got a Dockstart board, a Prone and a Wing board.I use all 3.

And i want a lightwind Wingfoil board to venture far Upwind/Dw ,max 6feet with canoe tail that would double as a Prone "cheater" board,for long paddleouts and getting in early.

Car is feeling smaller :)

I still have more than a half dozen windsurf boards......of course I've only used wave boards or foils for a few years now. Maybe time to say goodbye to a few.

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Grantmac said..

I still have more than a half dozen windsurf boards......of course I've only used wave boards or foils for a few years now. Maybe time to say goodbye to a few.

What's old is new again. www.instagram.com/reel/CpdaEnRoWey/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Hdip said..

Grantmac said..

I still have more than a half dozen windsurf boards......of course I've only used wave boards or foils for a few years now. Maybe time to say goodbye to a few.

What's old is new again. www.instagram.com/reel/CpdaEnRoWey/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

I'll take a good day windsurf wavesailing over any other water sport. Simply amazing.