INBOUND: AK Nomad

We were big fans of the Nomad on its first outing, so when this second generation of their mid-length foilboard landed recently, we were quick to buzz the team in South Africa…

The Nomad comes in two different constructions, Active Carbon and Carbon Plus. Can you tell us about these constructions, and what tech is involved?

The Carbon Plus construction features a full carbon sandwich construction on both the top and the bottom of the board. This technology features a glass layer around the lightweight core, fusing the high-density foam layer on the top and bottom of the board. This is then finished with a full carbon layer, top and bottom. Our biaxial carbon fiber has been optimized to ensure the best combination of responsiveness, strength, and weight reduction.

The Active Carbon construction features a full carbon deck with carbon reinforcing around the foil section on the bottom deck. There is a lightweight wood sandwich top deck, which creates an extremely strong and stiff standing area. The 45-degree carbon orientation generates active torsional reflex, for immediate response to rider input. The heavy-duty foil connection carries the load of the foil and provides direct feedback from the foil to the rider.

Let’s talk about the variations, as the dimensions differ between the two right?

We have only selected three sizes that feature the Carbon Plus construction. These three sizes have a corresponding board in Active Carbon with the same volume, but the dimensions have changed slightly. The Carbon Plus boards are narrower and longer than the Active Carbon models, making the Nomad Carbon Plus optimized for high-performance riding. The Active Carbon models are more user-friendly with their increased width, making the board a more stable platform.

And we understand you’ve optimized the Carbon Plus version to be as light as possible?

With the Nomad Carbon Plus, we’ve reduced the weight wherever possible. From its full carbon construction to removing the handles and footstrap inserts, these boards are extremely lightweight without compromising durability.

We’re seeing the mid-length sector really grow at the moment, what differentiates your offering from the rest of the pack?

We really set out to develop a one-board quiver. In its second iteration, the Nomad focuses on being extremely versatile, as well as offering a second generation of refinement. The 46L size is a favorite for surf and wing performance, the medium sizes (55L and 75L) are ideal for wing and Foil Drive systems, while the larger sizes (95L+) are ideal for lightwind winging, downwind SUP, and wave SUP.

We have worked closely with our various team riders and testers to really optimize the width and length of the new Nomads, giving these boards exceptional gliding capabilities and unmatched performance. The Nomad is offered from 46L up to 135L, meaning we have an offering for all riders, no matter their skill level or weight.

Why do you think the mid-length concept is proving so popular, and how does it work for complete novices?

The mid-length concept is becoming very popular because the paddling speed on these boards is unmatched thanks to the increased length and reduced width. This allows the rider to catch even the smallest bump, which is very beneficial during a downwinder or when surfing small waves. Mid-length boards also perform really well for winging in the lightest wind conditions. These boards plane incredibly easily, allowing you to get on the foil in the lightest wind with your wing, or on the smallest bumps on the open ocean.

Tell us the kind of rider who’s going to get the most out of the Nomad…

The Nomad is our mid-length all-arounder that is incredibly versatile. Surf foiling, paddle ups, SUP foiling, downwinding, and winging, the Nomad will help you connect with the glide with intuitive ease.

We understand you’ve tested the Nomad with Foil Drive… It looks like the perfect shape. And where do you stand on this emerging discipline?

The smaller sizes on the Nomad were developed through consultation with the Foil Drive team, and we have tested the smaller-size Nomads with a Foil Drive, where they perform exceptionally well. The increased length and reduced width of the Nomad means these boards plane very easily and have exceptional gliding capabilities, making it perfectly matched with a Foil Drive.