AXIS PNG 1310

From the get-go, AXIS produced a well-engineered heavyweight base system and have never been afraid of making some boundary pushing, high span hydrofoils. The PNG range has always been a benchmark of accessibility in the AXIS range, with the PNG 1150 quietly becoming the pump foiler and lightwind winger secret weapon. Reacting to market demand, they’ve decided to up the span another 160mm into the colossal PNG 1310. Whilst firmly topping the PNG range, the 1310 has a completely revised foil section.

Its thicker profile means it bolts straight onto the red S-Series fuselage; AXIS have changed things up here as well, providing an ‘Advanced’ version, bringing the mast 40mm closer to the fuselage. In practice, combined with the 1310 it seems to reduce its pump cadence and improve general maneuverability. We paired it with the progressive 425 rear wing, which offered a pleasant balance of stability and pumpability. Pumping the 1310 is as easy as it gets with only a gentle swipe of the legs required even for a heavier rider. It also gives you plenty of time to recover if you do feel you’re starting to stall out. That ease of recovery from low down the mast is perhaps one the most important design attributes for someone learning to pump foil and wanting to extend their repertoire.

Although you need to be mindful of what the 1310 is designed for, it will still go round a corner with a little management, and much better than you’d expect, albeit a much wider one than your current go-to surf foils from the range.

It’s perhaps slightly out of its design remit, but in the spirit of testing we paired with a light framed modern materials wing. We managed to get going comfortably and consistently in six to eight knots with a board just over positive buoyancy. It made for a far more entertaining session than expected, allowing us to ride the tiniest bumps of water and pushed the fringes of what’s possible in light wind conditions. For someone that’s spent the whole winter testing sub 1000cm2 high aspect foils, this was a refreshing change, and really made you have to retrain your steering inputs.

The lift characteristics are definitely early but manageable and not too abrupt, meaning for a pensive learner who’s not keen on building speed before takeoff it could be a good choice. We attempted some flat-water paddle ups with a short standard SUP foil, and had some success getting to foil that we truly weren’t expecting. We started achieving lift after a burst of four or five well timed paddles and even got some decent pump runs in.

We also had a play with the 1310 with a bungee in some river current. Where previously the HPS 1050 would be our go to for this slightly fringe activity, the 1310 made the whole process far more accessible with lower current speeds, and much less technique was required to get the board out of the water. What we would recommend with the 1310 is you really want to be on the HM Power Carbon mast to maximize the control you have over such a wide span of foil. This seems to translate more subtle bodyweight inputs accurately and banish most of the flex from the system.

Particularly for more full-sized humans and those in the formative stages of pumping and downwinding, the early lift of the 1310 is going to be a powerful ally that could make or break your continuation in the sport. Is it too big and niche I hear you ask? Nah, it’s got more application than you think, particularly for the heavier rider where you sometimes fail to proportionally scale your equipment compared to your more whippety mates.

The 1310 combined with the Advanced fuse definitely cement AXIS among the most versatile and complete foil ranges on the market. If straight line pumping, dock starting or downwinding is on your goals list, you’ll make your progression happen much more rapidly and easily with this mighty foil. RB