Behind The Design: FLOAT

The Float is a completely new wing in the Duotone range. What’s the idea behind it, and what disciplines does it cover?

Ken: "The Float was designed to bring wave and downwind performance back into focus. While our best-selling Unit evolved into an all-round wing, we wanted to create something specifically tailored for pure surfing and gliding. To achieve this, we worked closely with our top wave riders Jeffrey and Finn Spencer, who bring years of expertise from their home base in Maui’s world-class conditions. Their input was instrumental in refining the drift, stability, and precise control needed for seamless carving on waves and effortless downwind runs."

How has the Float been tailored for wave performance?

Ken: "The Float has been specifically designed to enhance wave performance, ensuring optimal control, maneuverability, and efficiency in dynamic conditions. Following design points were important here:

• Low sweep angle in the leading edge improves

  luff stability, allowing the wing to drift naturally when flagged out, making it easier to focus on the wave.

• Moderate dihedral for a balanced feel, providinga smooth blend of stability and responsiveness that suits both aggressive turns and relaxed down-the-line riding.

• Light front canopy tension enhances roll control, allowing for intuitive handling when carving through waves and making micro-adjustments mid-ride.

• Wide, stiff leading-edge handle offers precise maneuverability, ensuring direct input from the rider translates into instant response, crucial for quick transitions and wave positioning.

• Neutral lift while luffing contributes to fluid turns and seamless transitions, reducing drag and maintaining speed without unnecessary lift and better flow.

• Low weight construction eliminates unnecessary materials like windows, reducing overall bulk and improving drift for easier handling in variable conditions."

What handle/boom setup does the Float use?

For the Float we use only the Fusion Boom design keeps weight minimal and makes handling intuitive, making it a great choice for both experienced downwind surfers and also beginners/intermediates.

Who will love the Float?

The Float is a top choice among wave and downwind riders who prioritize smooth, effortless gliding. While it doesn’t match the speed of the Unit or cater to freestyle tricks, it excels in flow, stability, and drift. Its lightweight design and balanced handling make it ideal for riders who want a wing that stays controlled and predictable while luffing, allowing them to focus entirely on the waves or long downwind runs. Whether carving clean lines or cruising with minimal effort, the Float delivers an unmatched riding experience for those who value fluidity over raw power. It’s also a good choice for less experienced riders learning the basics.

How did you balance durability with weight?

Ken: "Our goal was to make the Float as light as possible without relying on exotic or costly materials. We used trusted Dacron and ripstop materials but removed the heavier Dacron from the center of the leading edge, opting instead for a slightly larger diameter to maintain stiffness. Additionally, we eliminated the windows, as its material adds significant weight. Wave wings are mainly luffed, so windows offer no real benefit here."

Loose or tight canopy - what’s the approach?

Ken: "We discovered that while high canopy tension improves speed and stability when sheeted in, it can reduce stability when luffing. Though we’ve known this for years, we fully leveraged it while developing the Float. It features low canopy tension in the front, allowing the canopy to luff freely when sheeted out. This luffing creates drag and stability. At the same time, we maintained a strong leech tension for solid pumpability and power. The canopy tension also varies by size - larger Floats have more front tension to keep the draft from shifting in gusts, while smaller sizes have significantly less front tension. The result is excellent low-end power, a broad angle-of-attack sweet spot, and a surprisingly forgiving feel."