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After a good stretch of windy and relatively wavy days of testing here in southern Europe, the Medusa Pro line up by SABFoil has left me with the impression of it having set new standards in the foil industry. It is that good. These wings are designed for advanced riders seeking high-performance gear capable of excelling in various wind conditions. The Medusa Pro line is marked by its high aspect ratio design, which offers a refined blend of speed, stability, and control, catering to the entire range of foil sports.
Riding them, and it’s the unique blend of speed, versatility, and accessibility for a wide range of riders that got me so excited and enthused about these products. At first, I must admit that I was a bit skeptical to receive a product that is primarily utilized by pro wingfoil freestylers, as my skills in freestyle pale by comparison to what the pro freestylers are capable of. But these foils immediately proved me wrong. In fact, even if everything in these wings was originally designed to maximize freestyle capabilities, what is interesting for the non-pro foilers is that the same characteristics that made these foils so good for progressive freestyle moves also make them automatically excellent choices for a much wider audience. Great for freestyle, yes, but also for freeride, freerace and even to surf foil.
To get into more technical details, those freestyle-oriented features like the thinner profile, the reduced surface/volume ratio and augmented aspect ratio make these wings outstanding for freeride and freerace as well. And as I learned with my tests, the wings' pronounced dihedral angle and tip profiles enhance stability at high speeds (making them suitable for both professionals and casual riders alike to set new personal speed records while safely keeping control of the foil), while the nose design retracts the aerodynamic lift center, further improving turning and carving capabilities – making this foil excellent for surf foiling as well in its bigger sizes.
I had the chance to test the three sizes: 869, 769, 669. These wings are built to excel in various conditions and deserve a detailed description for each of them.
The Medusa Pro 769 and 869 wings feature a high aspect ratio (8.84), a design choice that prioritizes efficiency and speed. This design is complemented by a meticulous attention to the foil's thickness and profile, which is aimed at minimizing drag while maximizing lift. The wingspan of these models –854 mm for the 869 and slightly smaller for the 769 – allows for greater stability at high speeds, which is crucial for maintaining control during aggressive maneuvers.
The 869 model is an incredibly versatile foil suitable for almost any condition, a good all-rounder freeride foil, also providing stability and maneuverability in waves as well (given its impressive recovery and control capabilities, even in critical wave sections), the 769 model offers exceptional speed and control, starting from 15 knots of wind, showing its ability to enhance jump height and maintain speed, crucial for executing complex freestyle maneuvers.
A separate note must be dedicated to the Medusa Pro 669: with its 548cm2, this is simply the fastest and most loose, and the most maneuverable foil I have tested. A real weapon for wingfoiling and an absolute favorite.
The construction quality is in line with SABFoil's reputation for producing robust and durable equipment. The wings are crafted using a carbon composite material, ensuring a lightweight yet rigid structure that can withstand the stresses of high-speed foiling. The surface finish of the Medusa Pro wings is smooth and optimized to reduce water resistance, contributing to their overall performance in varying water conditions.
I paired all three of these front wings with the 83cm-long carbon mast that has been optimized to have the maximum trans versatility between different disciplines. Fuselage options vary depending on rider preference, we tested these front wings with the F663K fuselage that provided maximum maneuverability. While the choice for the stabilizer depends on the rider’s style, with options ranging from Flat for maneuverability to Reverse for speed and Gullwing for control, we generally rode the Reverse stabilizer for this test which provided the perfect combination of responsiveness and control.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an advanced enthusiast, these wings deliver unparalleled versatility and performance, making them a worthy investment for anyone serious about their foiling experience. However, beginners are advised to start with less advanced models like the regular Medusa or Tortuga lines before progressing to the Pro versions. All in all, I can safely say that the Medusa Pro foils are an excellent “go-to” choice for intermediate foilers seeking a balance between professional-grade performance and unthreatening user-friendliness.
