FreeWing AIR V5

I recently had the opportunity to test the all-new FreeWing Air V5 in Cape Town. I tested the 4.5m size of the wing in flatwater on my familiar board and foil setup. The FreeWing Air is a high-performance wing offering a versatile and user-friendly experience for riders of all levels. The FreeWing brand is a collaborative development between Starboard and Airush.

The FreeWing Air is ideal for various conditions making it an all-round performer, from beginner-friendly flatwater cruising to high-performance wave riding and freestyle maneuvers. The latest version emphasizes improved efficiency, increased rigidity, and better handling. Key design features include a stiffer frame, enhanced leading-edge geometry for better lift and control, and refined window placement for improved visibility. These updates ensure smoother power delivery and greater stability in gusty conditions.

Upon inflation, the first thing that caught my attention on the FreeWing Air V5 was the unique canopy cloth. The Ultra X canopy is an ultra-lightweight three-layer laminate resembling the famous Airush load frame, designed to distribute loads across the wing for increased responsiveness and durability. Featuring a total of four windows, two are located on each side of the strut to allow the rider to keep an eye on the water, and they worked well. The window nearest to the strut is placed horizontally, while the window closer to the wingtip is in a vertical orientation. There are not a lot of scuff guards along the leading-edge of the FreeWing Air, so in that regard the wing seems to have minimalistic reinforcing placed only where critically needed. The trailing edge features three battens per side to increase the stability of the canopy. Other appealing features include a full-length boom handle and a waist leash.

If the FreeWing Air V5 existed in the animal kingdom, I would liken it to the humble honey badger, as it embodies the characteristics of adaptiveness, minimalist, and strength. My first session on this wing was down at my local watering hole with what I would typically call high-end conditions for the 4.5m wing with winds between the 20-30 knot range. However, I was most pleasantly surprised to find out that the 4.5m handled very well in the top end of the power range. I went back-to-back with my personal wing for a reference on power, which did indeed confirm that the wind was strong.

Inflating the wing, I noticed that the FreeWing does not make use of a one-point inflation system, so much like a first generation kite, you need to inflate the strut and the leading edge separately, which is unusual for me, but having only one strut, I suppose it is not that much additional effort, and I would add in that it likely contributes to a more even weight balance of this wing. This spills over into my second finding: this wing is seriously well balanced. Walking down to the water’s edge, the wing was handling beautifully in the gusts. I was very pleased that this wing came with a waist leash, which is in my opinion the gold standard of how we should be connecting to wings. The boom handle is a much-welcomed feature too, although it did make packing the wing away a little bit of a challenge.

Getting into the water with the wing, I found flipping it over in the strong winds to prepare for my first water starts nice and easy, with the wing hardly as much as fluttering, which instills confidence when riding in slightly over-powered conditions. I was easily able to get onto foil with my first attempts, it was very natural to adapt to the power delivery of this wing. Even though I was well-powered, I did not feel like the wing was particularly heavy on the arms and depowering the wing worked well without any instabilities, such as wind hitting the top side of the canopy which can happen with some wings when over-powered.

Jumping and riding out of landing worked beautifully, I cannot fault the wing on its intuitive and adaptive performance. Flagging the wing out for some downwind pumping runs also worked like a charm, and re-engaging the wing after a flag out was an easy process. I cannot emphasize enough how beneficial the boom handle is. Being able to slide your hands over into position makes it so much easier to water start, tack, gybe, and of course do some one-handed riding.

I was able to test the FreeWing again later in the week at the same location, but this time the wind was light. I would typically have gone for my 5m, with wind around the 10-15 knot range. Walking the wing down to the water’s edge was once again a treat, with the well-balanced design floating gracefully, with the wind keeping it hoisted. On the water I was impressed by this wing’s light wind capabilities, water starts were effortless and the wing kept its shape very well, generating good power when pumping onto foil. Tacks and gybes were all consistently easy, which is noteworthy in light wind.

Overall, the lightweight, well-balanced, and stiff airframe of the FreeWing Air V5 delivers an exceptional blend of performance and versatility. Its unique Ultra X canopy ensures durability and responsiveness, while the boom handle enhances control and comfort. Whether tackling strong winds or light breezes, the FreeWing Air V5 delivers smooth power, responsive handling, and easy adaptability – making it a top contender for riders of all skill levels.