AWSI 2024: Blast, Prone, Dock 999, two new Skinnies and Power Blade paddles

Alongside the Fireball range and the PNG V2 1300, the September 2024 release brought two new Skinny rears, two downwind paddles, and three new board ranges. Here they are.

Skinny 358/30 and 358/25

We found that the new Fireball foil section has a different pump action and responds to a longer fuselage and a smaller rear wing. All of our downwind team riders from 60 to 95 kg were riding the 358/35, so we built smaller. The 30 chord seemed logical enough; the 25 chord looked crazy, and most of our riders laughed when they saw it, but both turned out to work great. The 358/30 pairs well with most riders for downwind on the Fireballs, the 358/25 with lighter riders. Both also work very well with the dock-start pump wings, where the low drag allows faster speeds and better turning.

Power Blade paddles

Two new downwind paddles, 80 and 70 square inches. The 80 has a 27 mm shaft in braid-woven carbon and a powerful blade shape suited to larger riders. The 70 has a 26 mm shaft, also braid-woven carbon, with a dihedral blade well suited to smaller riders.

Blast winging boards

Fast, narrow, efficient. The new Blast boards are quick to take off, with narrower outlines and longer lengths; the narrow width is great for tight turns into the face of swells. The deck pad has raised rails and grooves that move water off the pad quicker, for better grip and no slippage. Our winging race crew love the smaller sizes for their efficiency through the wind. Full carbon construction with PVC top and bottom, longer tracks, and Foil Drive approved. The Blasts pair well with the newer high-aspect front wings such as the Fireball and ART v2, which benefit from the higher take-off speed. Seven sizes, 5'1" x 19" (55 litres) to 5'7" x 25" (115 litres).

Prone boards

The evolution of the prone boards has been a massive team effort. The previous boards were great, and the new range takes a big step up, the biggest change being the pinched-in tail to help with touchdowns through the turns. Four sizes, 4'0" x 19" (24 litres) to 4'10" x 21" (44 litres), sharing one outline all the way through. The 4'1" at 26 litres has been a really good choice for towing or smaller rides on the prone. We have been loving the bigger sizes in smaller surf, floating over shallow sandbars, and the smaller sizes for those after the ultimate prone pump board with the least swing weight and the best feel between feet and mast. New deck pads and a new colourway keep the boards looking clean. They also pair well with a Foil Drive if you are after a smaller volume.

Dock 999

The new Dock replaces the Tray. A versatile shape, 999 mm x 455 mm (39.3" x 17.9"), great for dock, wake, kite and more, and perfect for complete learners through to pro pumpers. Two constructions: full carbon and a more economical red fibreglass version. The deck has a mellow nose rocker to help with touchdowns while getting going off the dock and to aid recovery on the pump, and a small amount of dish in the standing area to distribute your weight for the best pumping position. Both share the same feel underfoot with solid stiffness, and the width makes it really easy to land your feet at that critical moment.