Dakine Cyclone V2

Founded in 1979, Dakine’s roots have always been intertwined with windsports. Introducing some of the first adjustable straps, harnesses, and other windsurfing and kite accessories, Dakine has held its own as one of the sport’s most trusted brands. Continuing that legacy, Dakine has also been a strong presence in the wing scene, especially with their release of the upgraded Cyclone V2. The V2 has undergone thoughtful enhancements, including improved power distribution and balance. Its smaller wingspan also improves handling and sets the stage for easy control in waves.
Using the latest materials, the V2 showcases a high tenacity dacron leading edge, nano tech ripstop canopy, TPU windows, and kevlar wingtip reinforcement. The wing also features soft padded hard handles that are easily removable. For our tests, we paired the 5 meter Cyclone V2 with the Dakine Shock wing vest, Hanger hook, and Solo Wing harness line. Pairing this with our standard 65 liter wingboard and mid-aspect foils, we took this wing out in a range of conditions between 12-20 knots.

As we unboxed this new wing, we were excited to see a buckled top flap style backpack with plenty of room to easily unpack and pack the wing for day to day use. There was actually even more room for other accessories like the impact vest and for a wing pump on the side. Pumping up the wing, the inflation guide on the leading edge recommends 10 psi of pressure, which is relatively higher than other 5m wings of its class ensuring a super-stiff air frame. With the Sprint Inflate Valve system, we quickly inflated the wing, and at 10psi, the wing feels super solid and stiff, which only gets better with the direct feeling of the hard handles. The Deep Lake colorway also stands out both on the beach and is clearly visible way out on the water.

Our first impressions were very positive. With a powerful and connected low-end grunt to get up on foil, the handles were mounted in the perfect place to maintain strong upwind angles. They also extend far enough to make adjustments and trim in more or less power depending on varying gusts. Dakine’s leading edge handle features padding on the dacron, protecting the rider’s knuckles from getting scuffed and making the wing a breeze to freefly with in downwind conditions as well as in waves. With increased stiffness and canopy tension, the Cyclone V2 has tons of pop, making jumps in lighter winds possible and with minimal deformation under load. The strategically placed windows offer a clear view of surroundings for both safety and situational awareness during more crowded sessions.

Using the Shock Wing vest and Solo Wing harness also added significant improvements to our experience with the Cyclone V2. Of course, having the vest padding and protection for high speed impact enhanced our confidence and provided safety. The vest’s integrated webbing and low profile hook also extended our sessions by both preventing the usual arm fatigue that comes with winging and offered much harder upwind angles.

Overall, the Cyclone V2 delivers on all fronts, catering to riders seeking a powerful yet lightweight feel and performance in a broad range of wind conditions. It is especially suitable for riders looking for a stable freefly wing to take out in waves or to progress in freestyle.