AK Foilboard Collection: Secrets of the Shapes.
Interview with foilboard designer, Clinton Filen.
Hydrofoiling has opened up and allowed us to utilize the smallest waves and onshore conditions, bringing a new sensation to performance surfing. The AK foilboard collection will have you exploring the limits from surf foiling, open ocean downwinders, to freestyle wingfoiling, and beyond.
This year, we introduce the Arcade pump foilboard, and the Nomad, a lightwind wingboard and downwind crossover foilboard to the range. The legendary Phazer and Compact see refinements made to their profiles and sizes, delivering an even more refined ride…
Let’s jump straight into it; what was the overall design approach for the new range?
It’s a completely unique sport that has so many facets to it, and will continue to evolve. One aspect is the application of foils onto specific watercraft, and the second aspect is the versatility of foils and the increased number of riders who want to explore all aspects of foiling. I would say this is where we are focusing.
The AK foilboard range has continued to evolve along with the sport, but at the center, the Phazer remains our super versatile crossover range that centers around surf foil shapes in the smaller sizes, which crossover into kite, pump, and wing. The mid-sizes are very wing focused, and the largest 3 sizes cross over between wing and SUP.
Sitting in the range below the smallest Phazers is the new Arcade, which is optimized for pump, tow, and wake foiling. The new Nomad explores light wind gliding in the wingboarding space, while crossing over into paddle up, downwind, and even Surf SUP, all the way through to small wave prone in the smallest size. The Compact remains our dedicated wingboard in the range.
What have been the key changes in the Compact and what is the outcome of these changes?
The Compact has become narrower, with more tail rocker, and a more pulled in nose. The reduced width increases the sub-planing glide, the tail rocker pulls the nose up while on the foil, negating the need for shimming on most foils, and the pulled-in nose minimizes the nose catching during quick low rotations more typical to freestyle riding. You do lose some stability with the reduced width, but typically the Compact is aimed at the intermediate to advanced riders, where stability is less critical.
The smaller sizes are very freestyle oriented as we worked with Junior World Champion, Xavi Corr, on these. In the larger sizes, we worked to create a shape that was more oriented toward the heavier rider, or the light-wind rider who requires something very “compact”.
What are the key differences between the Compact and the Phazer?
The Compact prioritizes maneuverability through its short length, narrow width, and low swing weight. The Phazer focuses on combining carving, gliding, and maneuverability. If you review the comparison of the Phazer 5’4” to the Compact 4’8” below, you can see a clear difference.
Key Size Comparison:
Model Vol. Length Width Thickness
AK Phazer 76L 5’4″(162.5cm) 25″(63.5cm) 4.1″ (10.5cm)
AK Compact 74L 4’8″(142cm) 23.25″ (59cm) 4’7″ (12cm)
What have been the key changes in the Phazer, and what was the thinking behind these?
For the Phazer, we have continued the focus on improved carving, and optimizing glide relative to each board size.
For the tail area, you will notice we have pulled the tails in, specifically along the bottom edge. The board has more of a surf round tail, which makes the board more intuitive on touch down, especially during carving. We have removed the step tail on all of the v4 shapes, increasing the effective waterline length to help with glide.
We have also increased the tail rocker by around 1.5 degrees to avoid the need for a 1.5 degree shim on the base plate. We originally tested a 1.5 deg channel for the foil, but found the full rocker change minimized mast ventilation during loaded touch downs.
We added more thickness and volume in the nose in order to keep the nose of the board up during restarts and minimize any chance of nose diving. There is also a bit more convex on the bottom deck in the nose area to improve glide.
Where does the Surf crossover start with the Phazer?
The 46L is a good size for an 85- 90kg rider to learn on. Possibly the new 55L for a person that is over 95 kgs.
Where does the SUP crossover start with the Phazer?
Typically, the 110L is ideal for the average 85kg rider, although a lighter rider could use the 90L.
What is the key concept behind the all-new Nomad?
The Nomad concept was centered around building the ultimate light wind wing board, but versatile enough to use as a surf, paddle-up, and downwind SUP. We knew that if we could get a certain amount of glide speed, you would be able to pop up onto foil. We also wanted a board that was very comfortable off foil as we believed that anybody who was chasing light wind would most likely spend a fair amount of time off foil.
How does the Nomad differ from the larger size Phazers?
The Phazer is an all-around shape focused on combining carving, gliding, and maneuverability. In comparison, the Nomad is all about connecting with the glide.
If you compare the 110L Phazer to the 115L Nomad below, you will see the major difference in the length and the width.
Key Size Comparison:
Model Length Width Thickness Vol.
AK Phazer 5’10″ (178cm) 28.5″ (73cm) 4.6″ (11.8cm) 110L
AK Nomad 7’0″ (213.3cm) 23″ (58.4cm) 5.4″ (13.8cm) 115L
How does the Nomad differ from a Downwind SUP?
We knew we could get even more glide from an even longer and narrower board, but our key point was making a wingboard with crossover capabilities. One of our design fundamentals is to “make everything as multifunction and versatile as possible, without undermining the core function”. So, we optimized the length so that once you were up on foil, the Nomad is still a very fun and playful board to pump around on.
The Nomad also has footstrap inserts, which makes the board a lot easier to use for the intermediate rider when winging, and much easier to go really fast. We have also added deck reinforcing for the increased durability needed when winging.
How does it fair as a downwind SUP, paddle up, or prone board?
Many of the characteristics you are looking for in a downwind SUP or a paddle up board, specifically the glide, is consistent with the Nomad design, so it is very capable. From a surf SUP perspective, it is still short enough to surf comfortably, although the only limitation would be the width in terms of stability for beginners or early intermediates.
Tell us about the new Arcade?
The Arcade focuses on meeting the demands of the rider looking for a pump, tow, and wake foil board. We focused on a very compact geometry that was ideal for a rider that either had a major secondary power source, such as a boat or ski, or a rider that was 100% focused on pump foiling.
Considering that this board might live in a boat or on a dock, we also wanted something durable, which is why we’ve made it available in the bombproof Duratech construction.
What are the key differences between the Arcade and the smaller Phazers?
The Arcade is our shortest board in the range by a long shot. It is 9 inches shorter than the smallest Phazer, and this very minimalist platform allows you to be completely over the foil at all times, minimizing any swing weight. The wider nose and tail also creates more of a freestyle platform, although the rounder bottom maintains a good level of carving and helps with touch downs.
The Arcade is over an inch thinner than the smallest Phazer, getting you closer to the foil for better stability. This is possible due to the reduced volume as the board is not designed for surfing. The Arcade only has offset front straps and does not feature V straps. This configuration is more typical for tow foiling.
Finally, the Arcade is built in our Duratech construction, this improves the durability of the Arcade for use with boats, personal watercraft, and starting docks, where a carbon board would be more fragile.
Key Size Comparison:
Model Length Width Thickness Vol.
AK Phazer 4’3″ (130cm) 19.25″(49cm) 2.8″ (7.1cm) 30L
AK Arcade 42″ (108cm) 17.7″ (45cm) 1.45″ (3.7cm) 12L
Learn More: AK Foilboard Collection