The wing – the trend – the overload
If you’re a wing enthusiast and you’re clicking through the internet and scrolling up and down the social media, you’ll have noticed that there’s a huge hunger for content and every company and team rider is producing videos like there’s no other topic.
In all the flood of content, I eventually wondered how many companies there are that make wings. So I started with the traditional brands that came to mind and then worked my way through the internet to see if I had forgotten anyone. Every time I thought I had found them all, another one came up. That’s why I decided to stop my search after I found 40 labels and draw a conclusion.
40 labels with 4 – 5 Wings are 160 – 200 different wings
When you consider how young the sport still is, you almost get chills down your spine at such numbers. We remember the days when SUP emerged, the number of SUP manufacturers was not nearly as large. It took a good 9 years for SUPs to show up in big box stores. I don’t think we will see wings in big box stores anytime soon but the price war will start very soon, if it hasn’t already. Currently, the prices for wings are in the EUR 680 – EUR 1100 range, depending on the size. However, I have also seen suppliers with prices in the EUR 399 – EUR 650 range.
The main question I ask myself is: How good can such a flood of merchandise be for the sport, the industry and the consumer?
My main concern here is the consumer, because it is the consumer that sustains the industry and the sport. Our common goal is to get as many people as possible excited about something new. We brought many new people to water sports thanks to SUP who now also consume the corresponding media (i.e. Stand Up Magazine). Actually, the large selection and the often associated price war is good for the consumer, if there is but a big BUT would be. Too much choice can also be quite confusing. The almost overwhelming number of tests and How To videos can quickly lead to sensory overload. Of course, I’m sure that especially in Germany the consumer is bombarded by various print media with tests and buying guides, where you can, if you have read everything blindly on the Internet or in the store buy something.
However, if you are new and just want to start with the sport, you do not have to worry about small details yet. The most important thing is that you know at what wind speeds you go into the water and then buy a wing in the appropriate size and pay attention to good workmanship. Everything else will be added when you buy the 2nd wing. Anyone who loves the sport will definitely own 2 – 3 wings.
In the meantime, watch my video and read the various articles I’ve already written about it. The big Wingspecial from summer 2020 here.
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Mehr erfahren
- Starboard x Airush (Thailand)
- Hot Wings / Sails (Maui)
- Armstrong (New Zealand)
- SIC (Maui / France)
- Cabrinha (Maui)
- Wingride (Maui)
- F2 (Germany)
- Ensis (Switzerland)
- F-ONE (France)
- GunSails (Germany)
- Vayu (Germany)
- Wingrider (Germany)
- BRM – BoardRidingMaui (Maui)
- Duotone (Germany)
- Naish (Maui)
- North
- Infinity (USA)
- Slingshot (USA)
- PPC – Pacific Paddle Company (Neuseeland)
- Gong (France)
- RRD (Germany)
- Reedin (France)
- Ozone (England)
- Unifoil (USA)
- Ocean Rodeo
- Gaastra (Germany)
- NSP (Thailand)
- 425pro (France)
- Switch
- HB Surfwing
- SeaFlight by Norden (Germany)
- Ullman
- Eleveight
- Mistral (Holland)
- Sroka (France)
- PWRFOIL
- Dragonfly (Maui)
- FU – Foil Unknown (Australia)
- Aztron (China)
- SPG – Signature (South Africa)
*** Country info is without 100% certainty and could not always be traced exactly
In fact the same is true for foil companies, I counted and will present the number in the coming days.