AK Durable Supply Co. Plasma V2

Muizenberg’s finest foil sports purveyor, AK, have been quietly beavering away in their beautiful Victorian design studio and releasing some excellent products. It’s safe to say we were really impressed with the Tracer a couple of issues back, almost coming out of nowhere and aligning itself firmly with the some of the big guns from both a build and performance perspective. The Plasma now receives the same treatment being ported over to their new mast and fuse system in the V2, giving a fashionable high-aspect option in the range. Sizes come in 880, 1100, 1350, 1600 and 2050cm² respectively, with the larger sizes aimed at the downwind market.

As with the Tracer revamp, the format of the system has completely changed. The front wing now integrates the tapered mast socket into the rear half, so it’s all one monobloc piece, thus eliminating play in this ultra crucial juncture. It also allows this section to be as hydrodynamic as possible with no harsh edges to cause drag. The rear tailpiece of the alloy fuselage comes in three different sizes: 26.5, 31.5 and 36.5cm. This slots into the rear of the carbon front wing with another slight taper and secures with two M6 bolts. The tolerances here are impressively tight and once together it feels like one uniform structure with no play present. The stabilizers are made from CNC-cut G10 and bolt on with two more M6 bolts and have some pitch adjustment built which is set by tightening the screws when in position. Four stabilizer sizes are available in 160 through to 220. The one-piece tapered mast slots in with precision, and the taper mechanically squeezes any potential play out here effectively. M8 pan-head bolts attach the open toed mast foot which has flat rather than the usual apertures for easy on and off.

In the water, you’re in for a treat, and we felt immediately at home on the Plasma without much dialing-in time required; it’s noticeable how accessible this is to ride for a higher aspect foil. As with quite a few of the modern foils we’ve tested with larger spans, the stated size belies its power, and it probably rides a size up from expected in terms of lift. It’s efficient feeling and slippery though the water and has a playful character, and a noticeably extended speed range. The sweet spot in terms of speed is exceptionally wide ranging and it gives you plenty of feedback before it’s likely to stall, which it does relatively gently. At the very top end things remain very well behaved. The glide levels are another stand-out attribute – it seems to pick up speed from tiny bumps very effectively, and you’ll find yourself not needing to pump as much, and can rely on water reading and positioning in smaller bumps.

In its roll characteristics, which is where some of the high-aspect foils tend to lock out due to their span, we found it was admirably maneuverable. The lack of area and paddle in the heavily tapered tip meant it didn’t require much encouragement to initiate a turn, even in the larger sizes. For winging and foil assist use, the 880 really stands out as a massively practical size for nearly all conditions, a true desert-island foil, and the larger sizes are far more accessible than you’d expect. We’d love to see a size added underneath the 880 for more consequential conditions and lighter riders, and we’d put money on the fact there’s something in the pipes from South Africa.

Efficient and slippery through the water, like a greased eel, AK have done a great job of blending variables to produce a well-rounded and super accessible high-aspect foil with enough performance to keep the vast majority of riders on their toes and progressing, allowing them to ride faster and harder with little compromise.