This issue came up in another discussion on the foiling forum but since it is off the main topic I wanted to share here. Apparently, stripes on the Armstrong foils may scare sharks although this would unlikely be relevant for most of the foilers.

www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/07/shark-attack-wetsuit/397772/

I don't think scaring sharks is very pc these days. May have to cover those stripes up so as to not offend.

I think the idea came from sea snakes which are stripped and poisonous. But any white stripes that keep a big low aspect wing from looking like a baby ray is probably good.

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Sandman1221 said..
I think the idea came from sea snakes which are stripped and poisonous. But any white stripes that keep a big low aspect wing from looking like a baby ray is probably good.

It looks like the link indicates that kitesurfer Hamish Jolly had a dinner talk with Harry Butler, naturalist who suggested this phenomena. Jolly subsequently worked with neurobiologist Nathan Hart and the industrial designer Ray Smith to come up with this design. It is interesting that idea was developed by a water sportsman.