Just picked up my 'wing specific' board .. a SMIK 5'3" 91L .. not much info yet on the WWW, so I will fill in what I can.

As there is no decent sea breeze for a while, I will make do with a first impression.

Solid .. no surfboard PU or ultra light carbon 'ping pong' feeling. 6.6kg my unit. Bottom handle feels spot on and absolutely necessary to bail out quickly from shore breaks.

Foot pad feels grippy 'dry' and with my rough abrasion test, feels it will last a while. No vent bung to bother with.

I threw in a few photos for anyone keen. FYI , I am a 10+ session wing beginner (64kgs) and not linked to any brands etc. Though had a few helpful emails from Scotty himself.

My previous starter board were a JP 6'8" Sup Foil (wood) and then a Fanatic 6'4" Sky Sup CST (2019).

Will update how the board goes once it hits 15 knts on the river.

Very nice!
Is it really a custom build? Because there's a production range coming out soon.

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Alysum said..
Very nice!
Is it really a custom build? Because there's a production range coming out soon.

This is a production board, 3 sizes (unfortunately, the smallest one 5'0" 89L much thinner profile was already sold out). I got mine today from Sylvia (super helpful) at the Stand Up Surf Shop at North Freo, Perth. I think winging is definitely "happening" .. all the good boards are selling out as soon as they get into the stores. I basically had to rush to the store after getting the cash from selling off a longer Fanatic 6'4" Sky SUP.
SMIK sizes
5'0" x 26" 89L
5'3" x 27" 91L
5'6" x 28.5" 100L

Black deck and no Goretex vent, now that's a good combo, particularly in a WA summer

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Pacey said..
Black deck and no Goretex vent, now that's a good combo, particularly in a WA summer

I have same concerns too. Would have to be quick to pack up and less after sailing chat

That's not ideal for sure since black absorbs heat Maybe the valve is not needed with the construction used ?

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Pacey said..
Black deck and no Goretex vent, now that's a good combo, particularly in a WA summer

I was thinking exactly the same. Especially for the sake of a $20 goretex valve (and probably $5 for a manufacturer).

Probably won't be long before that black deck pops under the WA sun. If it was my board I'd retrofit a valve for sure.

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Livit said..

Pacey said..
Black deck and no Goretex vent, now that's a good combo, particularly in a WA summer

I was thinking exactly the same. Especially for the sake of a $20 goretex valve (and probably $5 for a manufacturer).

Probably won't be long before that black deck pops under the WA sun. If it was my board I'd retrofit a valve for sure.

Look forward to your report stanley

with a white bottom which is normally whats looking at the sun with a foil attached I'm sure it won't be problem

Board strapped to roof in exmouth sun with the bottom up on the boat wasn"t an issue

how many of you put a 5 ft board on the roof of your car though. It's only the wing specific boards that are this cool looking. (pun intended)

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scott mckerc said..

how many of you put a 5 ft board on the roof of your car though. It's only the wing specific boards that are this cool looking. (pun intended)

I've got my new-ish pink Smik wing foil board on the top of my car right now, was only wondering a few days ago why it didn't have a vent.

Scotty, might be worth considering symmetrical front footstrap plugs in future as well, had to put in my own strap inserts


On a positive note, love the board!

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scott mckerc said..

Livit said..

Pacey said..
Black deck and no Goretex vent, now that's a good combo, particularly in a WA summer

I was thinking exactly the same. Especially for the sake of a $20 goretex valve (and probably $5 for a manufacturer).

Probably won't be long before that black deck pops under the WA sun. If it was my board I'd retrofit a valve for sure.

Look forward to your report stanley

with a white bottom which is normally whats looking at the sun with a foil attached I'm sure it won't be problem

Board strapped to roof in exmouth sun with the bottom up on the boat wasn"t an issue

how many of you put a 5 ft board on the roof of your car though. It's only the wing specific boards that are this cool looking. (pun intended)

Why take the risk for a few $ though?

I am really curious about this as I am building one at the moment and quality valves aren't easy to get locally.

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Pacey said..

scott mckerc said..

how many of you put a 5 ft board on the roof of your car though. It's only the wing specific boards that are this cool looking. (pun intended)

I've got my new-ish pink Smik wing foil board on the top of my car right now, was only wondering a few days ago why it didn't have a vent.

Too bad we couldn't do the black and pink SMIK wingy team ride at Foilville today mate .. test#1 done and I will be practicing again when the next breeze hits again

Ok ... finally some decent breeze for Perth ..


... so SMIK test#1 report @10am session

Was 14-18knts. Went out on my weak side and after some minute feet shuffling, a few back hand pump of my Naish 4.0, I was on foil! .. super thrilled as this SMIK 5'3" is a full 1 foot shorter than the 6'4"S SUP I last used (that board 4 sessions in total actually).

pardon quality (cheap $19.99 Amazon chinese cam clamped to strut handle #1)

.. some initial findings,

much easier to control board pitch
was actually easier to pump up to foil (not sure why)
when not foiling, points a little lower than the 6'4"
board nose bounces up more readily from minor touchdowns
bottom handle is priceless!
.. also paintwork is nice and grippy to climb back on

It was a sunny day (max 31C forecasted) on the beach but as suspected, it was board bottom (white) facing the sun so I was not too stressed about the board heating issue. Also I found shade hhh ...





so overall, very happy board upgrade. I think this is my lifetime #15 wing foil session but 3rd board, 2nd foil and wing. I suspect this will be #keeper setup for now HHH .. next jibing!

Looks good ! Now you just need a better wing kite than that Naish

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Alysum said..
Looks good ! Now you just need a better wing kite than that Naish

will be shopping 'soon' enough ... bought a cheap 'new old shop stock' in case I am a real kook initially and start stabbing the wing

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stanley71 said..

Pacey said..

scott mckerc said..

how many of you put a 5 ft board on the roof of your car though. It's only the wing specific boards that are this cool looking. (pun intended)

I've got my new-ish pink Smik wing foil board on the top of my car right now, was only wondering a few days ago why it didn't have a vent.

Too bad we couldn't do the black and pink SMIK wingy team ride at Foilville today mate .. test#1 done and I will be practicing again when the next breeze hits again

Sorry I missed the sail Stanley, too much work on unfortunately. See you there next time there is some breeze

Other parts are 'evolving' but the SMIK a #keeper so far .. likely even a possible SUP foil (in light off-shore days) and a 'taster' prone foil board (though 26" is a little wide to paddle)

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stanley71 said..
Other parts are 'evolving' but the SMIK a #keeper so far .. likely even a possible SUP foil (in light off-shore days) and a 'taster' prone foil board (though 26" is a little wide to paddle)

Don't be too hasty selling the old Naish wing, they are an awesome high wind wing, I've had mine out in 35 knots. Low end is pretty crappy but once above 20 knots I prefer it to my newer Naish wing

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stanley71 said..
Other parts are 'evolving' but the SMIK a #keeper so far .. likely even a possible SUP foil (in light off-shore days) and a 'taster' prone foil board (though 26" is a little wide to paddle)

Very nice looking combo ! Still waiting on my board....

Try moving your mast forward, especially with the 1200 wing.
More lift, less swing weight and more responsive.

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robbo1111 said..

stanley71 said..
Other parts are 'evolving' but the SMIK a #keeper so far .. likely even a possible SUP foil (in light off-shore days) and a 'taster' prone foil board (though 26" is a little wide to paddle)

Don't be too hasty selling the old Naish wing, they are an awesome high wind wing, I've had mine out in 35 knots. Low end is pretty crappy but once above 20 knots I prefer it to my newer Naish wing

oh .... the JET 1650 on the way to a nice bloke in ACT so I have a brand new HA1240 at a discount to any high speed wing punter with a Naish system

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stanley71 said..

robbo1111 said..

stanley71 said..
Other parts are 'evolving' but the SMIK a #keeper so far .. likely even a possible SUP foil (in light off-shore days) and a 'taster' prone foil board (though 26" is a little wide to paddle)

Don't be too hasty selling the old Naish wing, they are an awesome high wind wing, I've had mine out in 35 knots. Low end is pretty crappy but once above 20 knots I prefer it to my newer Naish wing

oh .... the JET 1650 on the way to a nice bloke in ACT so I have a brand new HA1240 at a discount to any high speed wing punter with a Naish system

I meant the 4m Naish wing

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Alysum said..

stanley71 said..
Other parts are 'evolving' but the SMIK a #keeper so far .. likely even a possible SUP foil (in light off-shore days) and a 'taster' prone foil board (though 26" is a little wide to paddle)

Very nice looking combo ! Still waiting on my board....

That SMIK well designed .. so far working very well for my winging progression and the prone crew is even asking me to try to prone it to get a 'taste'

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robbo1111 said..

stanley71 said..

robbo1111 said..

stanley71 said..
Other parts are 'evolving' but the SMIK a #keeper so far .. likely even a possible SUP foil (in light off-shore days) and a 'taster' prone foil board (though 26" is a little wide to paddle)

Don't be too hasty selling the old Naish wing, they are an awesome high wind wing, I've had mine out in 35 knots. Low end is pretty crappy but once above 20 knots I prefer it to my newer Naish wing

oh .... the JET 1650 on the way to a nice bloke in ACT so I have a brand new HA1240 at a discount to any high speed wing punter with a Naish system

I meant the 4m Naish wing

Ah! In fact, will give it another go .. we have 20knts+ forecasted over next few afternoons. Maybe I will mod the handles with EVA tubes like the Unit .. so nice.

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hilly said..
Try moving your mast forward, especially with the 1200 wing.
More lift, less swing weight and more responsive.

... once I get hold of that 1200

Had a few SB'ers asking how the board is doing. So, after 3 months in the water ...

Yes, structurally still solid after many hours in the Perth sun (including a few days baked in my car under the sun due to my negligence). Only wear and tear is black paint being scratched off here and there by my waist leash swivel and being moved around in car parks etc. Decking still 'as new' .. I don't use booties.

Not yet ready to move down the length just yet, so hopefully it will serve a full season before being a backup board or finding a new home.

In its high wind setup ...

It is a really nice looking board!!! Did you burnt yourself yet? I had a JP Sup Foil and the edges are black. I picked it up after a while it was on the beach in a hot sunny day and my side hips paid the price big time LOL!

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NordRoi said..
It is a really nice looking board!!! Did you burnt yourself yet? I had a JP Sup Foil and the edges are black. I picked it up after a while it was on the beach in a hot sunny day and my side hips paid the price big time LOL!

Hhh .. out of the water, board is cool so ok. Getting into the car after removing foil, never had that problem maybe because the board is so small and narrow, I think I never really touch any black part of the board as most of the board's bottom is white. Love it .. its the only part of my setup that I have not changed. So its mainly

SMIK 5'3 + Armstrong hs1550/cf1200 + unit 5/echo 3 ... sorted for 12-30+knts river or ocean

Hey Stanley.
Good to see you out there on the river the other morning. That was me on the Naish/Armstrong and Sunova combo. Quick question about your SMIK board, what are the dimensions for the tracks, ie distance from tail to back of track? I'm riding my Armstrong right up the front of the tracks on my 5 foot wingboard. You might benefit from sliding your Armstrong foil forward more if that's how you normally ride in the pic above. Pete.

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baldy123 said..
Hey Stanley.
Good to see you out there on the river the other morning. That was me on the Naish/Armstrong and Sunova combo. Quick question about your SMIK board, what are the dimensions for the tracks, ie distance from tail to back of track? I'm riding my Armstrong right up the front of the tracks on my 5 foot wingboard. You might benefit from sliding your Armstrong foil forward more if that's how you normally ride in the pic above. Pete.

Hi Pete. Did a quick tape measure, it's 20cm from tail to back of tracks. Yeah, I have been slowly knocking the mast forward and see how it affects my stance and jibing too. Tks for the tip mate and maybe see you again the next morning Easterlies.

the board still going strong
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