Armstrong Foils Surf Board 2024
Reviews / Surf Foil
2,520
Dive into our overview below, and be sure to return for the complete review soon.
At a Glance
I originally learned to prone foil on the Armstrong FG. It was a fantastic board for gripping prone foiling but mainly designed for winging. So, when I heard that Armstrong had a 100% surf-dedicated foil board, I was super excited to get my hands on one!
The Armstrong Surf Foil Board has a fresh outline and is designed to deliver highly responsive performance while being easy to paddle. Its shape resembles classic surfboards. The board has a buoyant nose design and a super flat rocker line with a slight nose kick.
Underneath, the subtle double concave to V-tail bottom contours have been shaped to promote efficient water flow and minimise surface stick on takeoff. The aft-positioned carbon foil tracks are integrated directly into the board’s dual I-beam stringers, creating a seriously tough board that lasts just as long as the rest of Armstrong’s range.
Armstrong has equipped the Surfboard with a meticulously designed deck grip featuring micro-cutouts for maximum traction and easy foot repositioning. A full-width kick pad at the rear offers enhanced grip and clear foil track placement markings, which I like because they assure you where your foot is when you pop up. The board also features foot strap inserts, which are a nice addition if you want to wing on the board or throw some flips!
Available in sizes ranging from 20L (3’11) to 48L (4’11), the Armstrong Surf Foil Board caters to various rider weights and preferences, ensuring a perfect fit for every surfer. I went for the 32L 4’5 “board. It sits nicely in the middle of the range and suits my ability—it has enough litres to get me up on foil while being small enough to pump and carve to my heart’s content.
As is standard with Armstrong, it comes with a high-quality board bag to keep your board looking as good as the day you bought it.
On The Water
For context, I mostly rode this board with the HA880 and 795 Performance Mast. I had several excellent sessions during testing, including some clean 2-foot days with short-period swells and epic prone downwinders in longer-period swells.
The first thing you notice about this board is its speed when paddling out. That extra buoyancy in the nose helps you keep your chest up and glide through the water efficiently. I’m all for that because the more energy you save when paddling, the more energy you have to give when you’re up on foil!
As mentioned above, the board has a flat bottom shape with subtle double concave to V-tail bottom contours. On take-off, with relatively little effort, it almost skips across the water and helps you gain speed to pop onto the foil. It’s honestly got to be the best experience I’ve had regarding take-offs with a prone foil board, and it’s an absolute joy to use! Some of you might be wondering if the nose dives when paddling in due to the shallow rocker - fortunately, Armstrong has thought of that and added a pretty steep rocker section right at the nose of the board. I found it to be super effective in its job, and once I was balanced, nose-diving wasn’t an issue.
Now, onto the fun part—flying on foil! I had tons of time to experience this during those prone downwinders. There’s nothing quite like spending 5 - 10 minutes riding ocean bumps and swells downwind, and the Armstrong Surf Foil Board only added to the experience. It felt super light and stiff under my feet, making both connections and control an absolute breeze. Even at 32 litres, it felt like I was riding a dock start board!
I found myself running my mast quite far back in the tracks; I can’t quite explain why, but the board felt well-balanced, and my feet were in a natural position while I was up on foil. The deck grip did precisely what it should have, allowing me to maintain grip while making micro adjustments as I carved and pumped my way downwind.
Summary
Armstrong has done it again; They’ve created an exceptional board that is bound to stand the test of time. Its paddling and take-off speed make it an excellent choice for beginner and expert riders alike, and the size range offers an option for everyone.
I’m confident that it’s the most user-friendly and fun-prone board I’ve tested. I highly recommend that you try it!
Videos
For more information visit Armstrong Foils
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By Jack Galloway
