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Axis Foil Stoke!!

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Created by eppo > 9 months ago, 8 Nov 2018
Alysum
NSW, 1024 posts
8 Dec 2019 10:05PM
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Had a long session with the 680 foil today. I'm struggling to keep the pitching stable. It wants to breach quite a bit and I find I have to press on the front foot so much on/off with quite a few touchdowns too. The 75cm mast is all the way at the back of my SS Dwarfcraft 4"6 board and I was certainly not overpowered with the kite size. What am I doing wrong? Should I get a 90cm for choppy Botany Bay for more margin ?

eppo
WA, 9372 posts
8 Dec 2019 7:26PM
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What you weigh ?
how far forward was the mast set.

Alysum
NSW, 1024 posts
8 Dec 2019 11:00PM
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eppo said..
What you weigh ?
how far forward was the mast set.


80Kg. Mast set maybe 0.5cm forward from the back.

eppo
WA, 9372 posts
8 Dec 2019 8:27PM
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ah you did say where you had it. When you say you were not overpowered is that relative to your normal riding on say and SB or surfboard? What kite you on? Take it as far back as you can. Bend your knees. It's a feel thing. You will learn to anticipate to gradually push down rather than at the last second when it's too late.
aim to keep the board just above the water... even if you slap it a bit. Give you more time to adjust. As the big K said to me, yoga lunges not just front foot down. Move your whole center of gravity forward and back.

Kamikuza
QLD, 6493 posts
8 Dec 2019 11:27PM
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Alysum said..
Had a long session with the 680 foil today. I'm struggling to keep the pitching stable. It wants to breach quite a bit and I find I have to press on the front foot so much on/off with quite a few touchdowns too. The 75cm mast is all the way at the back of my SS Dwarfcraft 4"6 board and I was certainly not overpowered with the kite size. What am I doing wrong? Should I get a 90cm for choppy Botany Bay for more margin ?


Move the center of gravity of your stance forward. Get your back foot at least above the mast, if not behind it, and keep moving your front foot forward until you've got equal pressure on both feet, like you've jumped down the stairs.

If you're "pressing" your front foot, you're doing it wrong. You want to move your CoG forward and aft with side lunges, by bending your knees and moving your hips forward without bending sideways at the waist. Further back the rear foot is, the easier it is to push off it onto the front foot. Honest.

You can move your mast back and forward, or you can move your stance over the mast. It's the same thing.

And ... go faster. Foils will pitch up as they approach a low-speed stall, and behave much better at higher speeds.

We have 50-60kg guys here riding 2,500cm2 wings. Even if you include all their gear, they won't be much above 90kg.

Alysum
NSW, 1024 posts
9 Dec 2019 7:31AM
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Great advice. Thank you gents.

TomKites
WA, 17 posts
17 Dec 2019 7:04AM
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Axis question-
I'm a foil noob coming from directional and looking at starting out on an Axis foil. I will only be kite foiling so looking at the K-series 600 with a 68cm mast.
Question for the group - has anyone learned on this set up and have any tips on the set up / board choice? Right now considering a Duotone Free to keep the cost down.
Secondly does anyone have any comparison of Axis and Zeeko foils?
Cheers - looking forward to sharing the Axis stoke.

eppo
WA, 9372 posts
17 Dec 2019 7:50PM
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Mate learnt and till uses the duotone free board. Nothing wrong with it. He learnt on the k series as well. No a problem. Get it, get out there. All good.

daniel_y
WA, 92 posts
17 Dec 2019 8:34PM
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I learn't on the K series (530 + 600 wings) with North Freefoil board.
Board was good for learning, but ended up upgrading after about 3 months to a full carbon board.
The 600 wing would be perfect to learn on and is awesome fun for freerding once you hone in your skills a bit.

Alysum
NSW, 1024 posts
18 Dec 2019 9:25AM
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I think it's still better to learn on a bigger surf type wing, your progression will be much quicker than on a high aspect wing. It's a shame the K and S series are incompatible otherwise it would make wing choices much easier for kiting.

eppo
WA, 9372 posts
18 Dec 2019 7:29AM
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Yeh true. The 680 is a great size to learn and progress on but the 600 would do the job.... it's not far off the mark. You gotta keep up a lot of speed on the 530, I never liked it. But the 600 should be about right I reckon. Yeh it is a shame they aren't compatable but maybe the K series fuselage construction etc can't handle a larger wing.

Kamikuza
QLD, 6493 posts
18 Dec 2019 7:29PM
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I had a K-series, was my third foil in maybe my third season? Can't remember. Had it for about a year then sold it when I demoed the 720 and ended up with an 820.

IMO unless you're going to learn strapless from day one, you'll want a board with tracks. You'll probably find it easier to learn with a front strap (and safer IMO with only a front strap) and you won't be moving your feet around much, so until you find your preferred balance point you'll want to move the mast right back, then inch it forwards until you're perfectly balanced...

I'd off my Axis Ride for cheap, but shipping would kill the deal


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eppo said..
Yeh it is a shame they aren't compatable but maybe the K series fuselage construction etc can't handle a larger wing.


That's the idea -- the "shovel mount" of the S-series fuselage gives a more solid mount to prevent the wing twisting on the fuse. They're not too expensive though IIRC and the new fuselages can mount on all thickness of masts. Apparently!

Alysum
NSW, 1024 posts
18 Dec 2019 10:44PM
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Correct I'm on a 19mm mast and swapping for a 16mm mast when it's available at the shop. But you can only use the 16mm up to the 820 wing from what I've heard.

Kamikuza
QLD, 6493 posts
19 Dec 2019 12:55AM
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Alysum said..
Correct I'm on a 19mm mast and swapping for a 16mm mast when it's available at the shop. But you can only use the 16mm up to the 820 wing from what I've heard.


Lot of leverage in those wider wings. You'll want the rigidity. IMO

daniel_y
WA, 92 posts
19 Dec 2019 12:44PM
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What do you guys reckon is going on here?



Appears to be corrosion of some sort about 4-5cm from where the mast joins the fuselage.
Foil about 1 year old, but washed after every use.

Kamikuza
QLD, 6493 posts
19 Dec 2019 8:14PM
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daniel_y said..
What do you guys reckon is going on here?



Appears to be corrosion of some sort about 4-5cm from where the mast joins the fuselage.
Foil about 1 year old, but washed after every use.


You've got the mast on upside down and WTF did you hit?

That's the plate's collar leaving a bit of wear on there. Axis logo to the board.

daniel_y
WA, 92 posts
19 Dec 2019 8:37PM
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Ah, good spot - feel like a tool now haha.
Does it actually matter if the mast is upside down? (obviously assuming the leading and trailing edges are still facing the correct way).

The ding in the trailing edge is from dropping the mast in the carpark when packing up

Kamikuza
QLD, 6493 posts
20 Dec 2019 8:56AM
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daniel_y said..
Ah, good spot - feel like a tool now haha.
Does it actually matter if the mast is upside down? (obviously assuming the leading and trailing edges are still facing the correct way).

The ding in the trailing edge is from dropping the mast in the carpark when packing up


Won't matter, but you'll wear the logo off. The anodizing on my mast is wearing thin, getting bare in the LE. Water is abrasive


I'd flip the mast to get that ding out of the water

Alysum
NSW, 1024 posts
22 Jan 2020 8:43AM
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www.instagram.com/tv/B7mErAVnyFf/?igshid=rej04tp19pr2
Great to see a smaller 660 new design wing for the S series.

KPSS Used
NSW, 372 posts
Site Sponsor
22 Jan 2020 11:00AM
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We have the 660 in demo for anyone in Sydney to try out :) Also 1 carbon mast arriving (a few more backordered)

MrFreeze
289 posts
22 Jan 2020 2:07PM
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eppo said..
Disclaimer: I am a complete and utter dribbling kook, with that "I am the Water Boy" vacant wide eyed stare; when it comes to foil gear knowledge...and (was) not a great deal better on the water. So, this highly uninformative review is more about the fast progressive and stoke I have experienced since this Monday, on the new Axis foil/board combination (note at the time of writing it is Wednesday night after my third session).

Background: I had one session on a Liquid Force happy foil (did a major 8 month groin injury jumping in the Dongora chop, so sold it), and two sessions on a Konrad Versa foil (60cm mast) borrowed from Jason at Westoz / WA surf. Needless to say I wasn't foiling much and spent 95 percent of the time crashing at speed from height, punching, pissing and moaning (I do believe I even had a Rocky "ADRIAN!!" ) moment at one stage in the water; frustrated at my own dysfunctional impotent incompetence.

I was told it is hard to learn, but I was not prepared for this utterly despondent frustration.

Then suddenly I had a few successful 50-100m foil runs on the Konrad, so in true middle aged man kook form, I bought myself a spanking brand new Axis Surf/Sup foil (75cm mast) and a Minimal Volume (145cm - MV) Axis board from Jason. Jason recommended the smallest 680 wing so knowing ****e from clay, that is what I got.

What can I say about it? Well it has a beefed up mast and fuselage, all components are engineered with extreme precision piecing together seamlessly, the carbon wings are wonderfully crafted and.. Bahahahahahhaha, who I am kidding. .

It is super shiny and sparkles refracted red rainbows in the Sun.

So picking it up from the WA Surf / Westoz Demo day on Saturday at the Pond (wholly fck I counted 45 kites at one stage and apparently it had all settled down by then), this has been the summarised journey.

First session (Monday): Horrible wintery 12-23 knot WSW wind on my 8m rebel - I was desperate:

- Some Ventilated Crashes, but far less than on the other two foils.

- A few horror out of control speed run crashes (as the wind gusted above 20 and I'm a major kook).

- I went so far upwind it took me most the time just getting back. But a few 300m or so runs.

Realising I can get and stay up on the foil at much slower speeds without stalling, allowed the above crashes to be far more controlled.

Second session (Tuesday) (16-20) again on my 8m rebel - too much wind again but I'm was super keen:

- Ventilated a few times, but knew it was coming and fell in water with ease; saved most by applying front foot pressure.

- Out of control speed runs were mainly controlled. a few hard lessons from trying to push the speed beyond my capability.

- This time I really had to scratch my head on how to get back.with shallow water upwind and downwind of me, floating 1.5km out near Point Grey (that was just two tacks by the way!) I was extremely puzzled by this upwind dilemma. Had to ride the board on the surface for half the time trying to get back downwind to avoid downwind speed crashes.

Third session (Wednesday) (13-17) on 10m rebel and the whole reason I am writing this pointless and uninformative review:

- Not one ventilated or other crash. In-fact not one ventilation!

- Not one uncontrolled speed crash, and foiled carved downwind with ease (Had to keep an eye on my son learning his unhooked surface passes and hence crashing a lot).

- Apart from changing feet, the board and myself did not touch the water for a good hour!

- I could now foil with control!

I even started doing the foil pump thing, whilst riding at the kite. I started doing increasingly more aggressive S carves.

Eventually I had the stability and confidence to look around and admire the view. I started to feel the foil and the board became increasingly irrelevant. To top it off a dolphin came swimming alongside me (underwater)... freaked me out at first until I just relaxed ... what a buzz. I kind of felt as if I was the dolphin or some weird transcended ****e like that, gliding with no friction.

Going downwind also allowed me to start cranking the speed up and heel over - pointing at crazy angles upwind. What a rush! Not race foil fast, but damn well fast enough for me.

Take Away from this pointless gibberish:

- 3 days, 3 sessions in (and only one of these was ideal foiling conditions really) and I'm foiling the entire time except for changing direction (can go toe-side sort of, but switching feet..not yet).

- This cannot be due to my extraordinary kiting kinaesthetic skills; if anything it takes me a long time to learn any new skill to be honest. I am also no spring chicken and crashes, they bloody hurt now, especially the next day.

- The foil is super stable and intuitive which allowed for fast progression. I can't wait to hit the ocean and fine some swell next session.


But essentially the most important take-way is:

The new axis foil is Red, Shiny and it Sparkles - Glistening Red Refracted Beams of Gliding Joy.














Hmmmmm, kite gear in the kitchen and lounge room. How did you swing that with the cheese and kisses Sir?

Alysum
NSW, 1024 posts
24 Jan 2020 9:57AM
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What foil board are most of you using with Axis ?

I'm riding a SS DW 4"6 which is ok, but the track is too far forward, so my front foot is in front of all strap holes (I don't use straps though but it would be nice to be able to put a half strap).

Don't think I've ever seen anyone with an Axis Kink or Tray board, would be keen to hear some opinions on something a little shorter than my 4"6, a little lighter, floaty enough and some nose rocker for those oops touchdowns (surf and flat water kite only).

Kamikuza
QLD, 6493 posts
24 Jan 2020 4:20PM
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Alysum said..
What foil board are most of you using with Axis ?

I'm riding a SS DW 4"6 which is ok, but the track is too far forward, so my front foot is in front of all strap holes (I don't use straps though but it would be nice to be able to put a half strap).

Don't think I've ever seen anyone with an Axis Kink or Tray board, would be keen to hear some opinions on something a little shorter than my 4"6, a little lighter, floaty enough and some nose rocker for those oops touchdowns (surf and flat water kite only).


I've got a Ride I don't use any more, a Surf Catbon I use all the time and a Dwarfcraft 3'6" I haven't used cos it needs a repair.

I ride all of then with the may all the way forward, and would like the Surf to give me another inch or two cos my back foot gets perilously close the back of the board...

If you can try a smaller board for a good long session. Start on a day you've got enough power, then drop it on the surface. I think you'll be surprised how small you can go before it makes it unrideable...

dafish
NSW, 1631 posts
24 Jan 2020 9:56PM
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Kamikuza said..

Alysum said..
What foil board are most of you using with Axis ?

I'm riding a SS DW 4"6 which is ok, but the track is too far forward, so my front foot is in front of all strap holes (I don't use straps though but it would be nice to be able to put a half strap).

Don't think I've ever seen anyone with an Axis Kink or Tray board, would be keen to hear some opinions on something a little shorter than my 4"6, a little lighter, floaty enough and some nose rocker for those oops touchdowns (surf and flat water kite only).



I've got a Ride I don't use any more, a Surf Catbon I use all the time and a Dwarfcraft 3'6" I haven't used cos it needs a repair.

I ride all of then with the may all the way forward, and would like the Surf to give me another inch or two cos my back foot gets perilously close the back of the board...

If you can try a smaller board for a good long session. Start on a day you've got enough power, then drop it on the surface. I think you'll be surprised how small you can go before it makes it unrideable...


I have a kick pad at the end of my Carbon Co Nang. I alway have a brake for my back foot knowing where the end of the board is. Being able to ride in light winds has so much to do with technique too, especially in getting a small board out of the water and on plane immediately in one loop swoop. If you can't generate enough power with that then there just isn't enough wind. I am talking about a strapless situation here, with a bigger board and straps you can generate enough speed to eventually get lift on just about any wind.

Kamikuza
QLD, 6493 posts
25 Jan 2020 12:18AM
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dafish said..

Kamikuza said..


Alysum said..
What foil board are most of you using with Axis ?

I'm riding a SS DW 4"6 which is ok, but the track is too far forward, so my front foot is in front of all strap holes (I don't use straps though but it would be nice to be able to put a half strap).

Don't think I've ever seen anyone with an Axis Kink or Tray board, would be keen to hear some opinions on something a little shorter than my 4"6, a little lighter, floaty enough and some nose rocker for those oops touchdowns (surf and flat water kite only).




I've got a Ride I don't use any more, a Surf Catbon I use all the time and a Dwarfcraft 3'6" I haven't used cos it needs a repair.

I ride all of then with the may all the way forward, and would like the Surf to give me another inch or two cos my back foot gets perilously close the back of the board...

If you can try a smaller board for a good long session. Start on a day you've got enough power, then drop it on the surface. I think you'll be surprised how small you can go before it makes it unrideable...



I have a kick pad at the end of my Carbon Co Nang. I alway have a brake for my back foot knowing where the end of the board is. Being able to ride in light winds has so much to do with technique too, especially in getting a small board out of the water and on plane immediately in one loop swoop. If you can't generate enough power with that then there just isn't enough wind. I am talking about a strapless situation here, with a bigger board and straps you can generate enough speed to eventually get lift on just about any wind.


My DC has a kick pad, and I want at least something to tell me I'm getting near the end of the board....but a stock pad

True with light wind technique. I've found with the Surf that if I just can't get up, I probably could on the Ride but ... I'd be heading straight back to shore anyway cos that's my bottom end anyway.

It's literally a couple of knots eh -- like a switch has been thrown, suddenly it's all ok.

KBGhost
QLD, 260 posts
26 Jan 2020 10:35AM
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Alysum said..
What foil board are most of you using with Axis ?

I'm riding a SS DW 4"6 which is ok, but the track is too far forward, so my front foot is in front of all strap holes (I don't use straps though but it would be nice to be able to put a half strap).

Don't think I've ever seen anyone with an Axis Kink or Tray board, would be keen to hear some opinions on something a little shorter than my 4"6, a little lighter, floaty enough and some nose rocker for those oops touchdowns (surf and flat water kite only).



You won't have seen a Tray because they're only starting to ship a week or two ago, fresh product. I don't think
The kink sold many, at least in Oz.

I've had 4 sessions on my Tray 94 with 70cm mast and 545 wing now. Loving it, highly recommend for your wish list. I posted a review and pics in the short board thread.

drsurf
NSW, 177 posts
27 Jan 2020 2:26AM
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Select to expand quote
Alysum said..
What foil board are most of you using with Axis ?

I'm riding a SS DW 4"6 which is ok, but the track is too far forward, so my front foot is in front of all strap holes (I don't use straps though but it would be nice to be able to put a half strap).

Don't think I've ever seen anyone with an Axis Kink or Tray board, would be keen to hear some opinions on something a little shorter than my 4"6, a little lighter, floaty enough and some nose rocker for those oops touchdowns (surf and flat water kite only).


Hi Alysum.
I've been using the 110cm Axis Tray for a while now and have already sold some as well. I have one 125cm model left in stock until the next shipment.
I'm 65kg and mainly use Flysurfer Peak4 kites with a surf foil such as the Moses 679 pictured below and I'm very happy with the Tray. It's very light but well constructed with plenty of footstrap positions if required. Foil tracks are set right back in the board making it great for large surf foils. I previously had an Axis MV125 which I also enjoyed and have a couple of these for sale with a good discount. Coming from a board 15cm longer than the Tray made no difference with regard to touchdowns as the Tray has a wide nose and bounces back easily if you whack the back of a wave. The width makes it easy to get going in light winds where you may need to build up some speed with the board to get foiling. Turning is great with such a light board as the swing weight is so little you feel really connected to the foil. Pumps well too.

I can't really fault the Tray, it's only a choice between sizes and the pricing is very good for a carbon board under 3kg. Love the Moses foils too. Have been using the Moses 633 surf foil but sold that and am waiting on a replacement of the same. In The meantime I'm using the Moses W679 which is smaller in surface area than the 633 but higher aspect. Feels faster and is very manoeuvrable on the 82cm mast. Didn't warm to it at first but it's now starting to grow on me now that I have adjusted it to myself and the board. Was out on this combo with a 5m Peak4 kite in 7 to 10 knots yesterday and had fun with no-one else out except for another kiter on a surf foil and 5m Peak4 And he was 20kg heavier than me! And being Australia Day, the beach had a lot of LEI kiters hungry to get going but needing more wind.
Picked up to 10 to 15knots later and everyone had fun. Makes for a great Australia Day, kiting at the local beach on a hot summer day, very patriotic


Alysum
NSW, 1024 posts
29 Jan 2020 4:21PM
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I was able to demo the tray 125 and wow what a super stable board with weight distribution/foot placements just right for axis foils! I was amazed how well it reacted to touchdowns without any issues.
Water starts are so easy thanks to the width.
The only thing I disliked is the very thin deck pad which is a tad hard on the heels after a couple of hours. Not sure how durable it is especially in white, only time will tell. Not a big deal though.
Think I'll eventually get the 110cm.

Alysum
NSW, 1024 posts
23 Mar 2020 12:19PM
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Has anyone tried the new S series 66 wing for kite foiling ?
Keen to know the differences with the 68. Faster ? Tighter turns ?

Kamikuza
QLD, 6493 posts
23 Mar 2020 11:59AM
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Select to expand quote
Alysum said..
Has anyone tried the new S series 66 wing for kite foiling ?
Keen to know the differences with the 68. Faster ? Tighter turns ?


Yes, brilliant. Had a demo for a month after which I bought it....truth be told is decided to but it within a few minutes of riding.
I had a bag full of wings (1020, 900, (secret), 820, 750, 680, 660), fuselages and stabs to play with and ended up with 660 + short fuselage + 370 stab.

Rode a 680 for a session, had that familiar feel of all the S-series wings, except smaller

660 really is a bit special. Hard to explain without sounding like an advertisement or a flowery twat...

Carves hard and is more yaw stable through the turn. Pushes back hard, just feels great.
I found the short fuses a bit twitchy for speed runs (and I hit a plastic bag on an attempt and damaged the board ) but the low end is as good as the 820. Can slow it right down and still ride swell.

Glide is really good, certainly no worse then the 750. Could ride for miles on the harbor swell with little from the kite.

Low wind range is impressive. One session, it was me and 10m Switchblade and 660 + 110cm tray, and a wee lassie with the same foil but a Surf Carbon board (more volume) and 9m Enduro. We both ran out of wind at much the same time.

I got an 820 wing too because it's like a comfy pair of slippers but I dunno how much use it'll get...!



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"Axis Foil Stoke!!" started by eppo