Let’s start with the new ART 999 v2. This is the frontwing/foil every wingfoiler that is progressing in to jibes, coming down from a larger learner foil, should consider! It has all the ingredients to make the next step down. With a surface area of 1038m2 this might look like a big step down in size, but it really is what you want to try.
As the Axis Foils ART version 2 has been out for 3 months now, it’s time to share my thoughts about these 3 frontwings and also compare them a bit to the Spitfire range and ART v1.
Axis ART 999 v2
The ART 999 is currently the largest size. (a 1099 did come out later)
For me the low end of this new version is great. It gets me going in the lightest of winds real quick. I found the frontwing excels in the 10 – 20 knots conditions range. When the wind would pick-up, I felt I really wanted to use a smaller size. It wouldn’t go much faster. Something the v1 one did and it’s range of use felt a bit larger. But the v2 does give much more overall control and especially a better pitch control.
As mentioned, this is the frontwing every wingfoiler progressing from a learner foil should want. I’ve had people not foiling for that long yet, test this foilm and they were sold. It’s an very easy and forgiving frontwing that delivers enormous glide.
On the wave it turned much better than I expected. Compared to the Spitfire, it is not as surfy and snappy. But it still turns surprisingly quick and it feels very smooth and easy. Because of the enormous glide, you don’t need to work as hard as you would need to do with the Spitfire to connect faster and slower sections of a wave. Making it an easier wing for learning to foil in waves.
Also because of its early lift, glide and turnability I found it pairs well when using the Foil Drive on small days and doing DW runs.
With prone foiling it’s a go to foil if you like to be in control of your take off and after your ride connect with a new waves. It pumps very well and had enormous glide. But still turns really well.
For most starters it pairs well with a 350 progressive rearwing and an advance ultra-short fuselage.
Axis ART 939 v2
The ART 939 has a surface area of 900m2 and this size for me was a much better overall size for most conditions wingfoiling. It still gets me on the foil quick, I can go faster with this one and with it jump higher. While the recovery on the jumps go flawless and the release from the water is very smooth.
Riding small swell, I could easily glide along (while doing absolutely nothing) and this size feels more alive than the larger 999.
Axis ART 879 v2
For me, the ART 879 with a surface area 790cm2 is where the magics really comes together. Still I can get it going in low winds. But this one feels so much faster than the larger models. It feels really amazing when going for those big jumps, and it comes along with fast swells really well. Also It gets me going as fast a Spitfire 840, but it feels much faster. I did need a bit more swell to keep the glide going while doing absolutely nothing, but combined with some pumping and moving around it would still come along on 40cm micro bumps. As it is smaller in size, it needs a bit more speed on everything. That’s why it’s not a beginners foil for those over 70kg.
Conclusion
The ART is the frontwing you need if you like to start to wingfoil in waves. Especially if you like long glide swellriding and connect things smoothly. It really feels at home in swell with shorter periods and choppy conditions like we have in the Northsea. For long faster swell with less turbulence, the Art pro might work better. And you want the Spitfire when you want to ride more powerful waves towards the breaking part, where a limited wingspan and more direct control works better. If you now own a foil over 1300m2 and like to make a next step. Have a look at the Art 999 v2. More experienced riders will like the smaller sizes.