AFS Foils Whitebird 2025
Reviews / Downwind SUP Foil
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At A Glance
Downwind foiling is an exhilarating and ever-evolving discipline, and AFS has made a name for itself with innovative board designs that push the limits of what’s possible. The Whitebird has been in the range for a while but now includes three new sizes and shapes. It was inspired by the acclaimed Blackbird and designed for light wind wingfoiling, downwind, and small wave SUP.
The Whitebird DW boards are now available in 7’8" (130L) and 8’2" (145L) sizes; there is also a new 5’8” size in addition to the existing 6’6” and 6’8” sizes, the smaller of the three now “Mid Lengths” and the longer sizes are denoted as DW to help you understand the intention of the designs. The Whitebird is a board that promises accessibility, stability, and high-performance capabilities across multiple foiling disciplines. Whether you’re looking to glide effortlessly on a SUP downwind run, ride small waves with a paddle, or explore new horizons in light wind conditions on the wing, the Whitebird is built to handle it all.
We put the 7’8” Whitebird to the test over a couple of months, experiencing it across downwind SUP foiling, wing foiling, and SUP foiling in minor wave conditions.
At first glance, the Whitebird is a striking board. Its clean and functional shape immediately signals its downwind DNA. It’s sleek, lightweight, and purposefully designed, incorporating elements that prioritise efficiency on the water.
One of the Whitebird’s standout design features is its carefully balanced volume distribution. This plays a crucial role in its stability, whether you’re paddling out, setting up for a downwind run, or just standing on the board in choppy conditions.
The 7’8” model we tested has a volume of 130L and a width of 22 inches, making it an ideal choice for a range of riders. At 83kg, I found the dimensions of this board perfectly suited for me to practice flat water paddle up, learn a bit of DW SUP and give me plenty of volume to cruise with a smaller wing on lighter days.
The tail shape adds a surprising amount of stability, especially in displacement mode. Whether you’re waiting for the right wave, paddling in chop, or preparing to take off on a bump, the board remains solid underfoot, instilling confidence from the moment you step on.
Beyond its stability, the Whitebird’s shape is designed for efficiency and performance. The slippery hull design allows it to glide smoothly through the water, making it easy to paddle onto a wave or chase down bumps. The dropped deck gives you a closer connection to the foil, enhancing control and responsiveness once you’re in flight.
The tail rocker gives plenty of clearance when pumping, helping you to maintain speed and efficiency when transitioning between swells. The bulbous nose is a key feature that helps soften touchdowns, making the board more forgiving and preventing it from catching or nose-diving on accidental touchdowns.
AFS has also made a big effort in weight reduction, and the results are evident. The Whitebird is super light, making it easy to carry down to the water, handle in transitions, and manoeuvre on the foil. This lightweight construction doesn’t just add to the board’s performance—it enhances the overall experience, making everything from launching to riding feel effortless.
With all these design elements coming together, the Whitebird sets the stage for an intuitive, easy-to-ride, and high-performance foiling experience. But how does it actually perform when put to the test?
On The Water
The true test of any board is how it performs in real conditions, and the Whitebird did not disappoint. We took it out across multiple foiling disciplines—downwind SUP foiling, wing foiling, and light-wind SUP foiling—to see how it handled in different scenarios.
Downwind is where the Whitebird shines. Getting onto bumps was incredibly smooth, thanks to its efficient hull shape and excellent glide. Paddling up to speed felt natural, and once I found a small bump, the board responded beautifully. With a few strong paddle strokes, it accelerated quickly, allowing me to transition onto the foil without excessive effort.
Once up on foil, the Whitebird felt smaller than its size suggests, giving a highly manoeuvrable and responsive ride. The dropped deck helped me feel connected to the foil, making adjustments and corrections much easier.
Another standout feature was how forgiving the board was on touch downs. Thanks to the bulbous nose design, minor missteps weren’t met with aggressive stalls or nose dives. Instead, the board rebounded smoothly, allowing me to recover and get back up with minimal effort.
For anyone looking to learn downwind SUP foiling, the Whitebird is one of the best boards to progress on. It’s not super aggressive in its shape, but it has plenty of features to help you progress. It provides stability and glide for takeoff while still feeling agile and dynamic once airborne.
When it comes to wing foiling, the Whitebird continues to impress in light wind conditions. Getting up on foil can sometimes be a struggle, but the Whitebird made things effortless. With just a couple of pumps, the board lifted with ease, quickly transitioning into a smooth and controlled flight.
Once on foil, the Whitebird was stable yet highly manoeuvrable, responding well to subtle weight shifts and adjustments. Whether carving turns or simply cruising, the board felt playful and fun, making it a great choice for riders who enjoy a mix of relaxed riding and dynamic movement.
The Whitebird’s versatility extends beyond just downwind foiling and wing foiling—it’s also an excellent SUP foil board in smaller conditions.
On smaller waves, the Whitebird’s slippery shape and refined volume distribution made it easy to get onto a wave and up on foil early, well before it started breaking. Paddling in felt smooth and natural, and once up on foil, the board provided excellent control and flow.
Conclusion
The Whitebird is a standout board for riders looking to get into downwind SUP foiling, wing foiling in lighter airs, or SUP foiling in smaller waves. It’s accessible and stable for beginners yet dynamic and responsive enough for experienced foilers looking to push their limits. AFS has created a versatile, well-thought-out board that truly excels across multiple foiling disciplines with intelligent volume distribution, a forgiving yet high-performance shape, and an ultra-lightweight build.
If you’re in the market for a do-it-all foil board that makes downwind riding easier, wing foiling smoother, and SUP foiling more accessible, the Whitebird should be on your radar.
Whether you’re chasing bumps, carving turns, or just getting started in the world of foiling, the Whitebird is a board that won’t just meet your expectations; it will exceed them.
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By Rou Chater
Rou Chater has been kitesurfing for over twenty years, paddleboarding for the last six years, and was there testing the first wingsurfer from Naish in Tarifa when it arrived on the continent. He is passionate about riding waves and exploring new places. As the publishing editor, he oversees everything at Tonic but also our sister magazines IKSURFMAG and IMB. He's been on the water since he was born and has never looked back, in the winter you'll find him chasing swells in the Caribbean and during the summer he can be found all over Europe at various SUP, Kitesurf and Mountain Bike events getting features for the magazines.
