The interview is with Adrian Roper, co-founder of AXIS, discussing their latest advancements at the AWSI Show 2024. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key points discussed:

New Art V2 Wing:
The Art V2, based on the Spitfire and Art Pros, offers a 10 aspect ratio similar to the original, but its key feature is the improved taper. This design allows for better turning by enabling the wing to roll more easily. The wing combines the efficiency of the original Art with better maneuverability, making it more fun to ride. Notably, it features a straight median line, meaning the thickest point of the foil section is aligned evenly across the wing. This design improves balance and control at higher speeds, making it more predictable and easier to ride.
Fireball Wing:
This new wing was designed with downwind racing in mind, particularly in Hawaii. The Fireball features a high-camber foil design, meaning the wing has more curvature to create lift. However, the design maintains low drag by having a very narrow wing. The camber line, a key aerodynamic feature, was discussed in detail. Roper explains that many confuse the reflex (hollow trailing edge) with camber, but they are different. The Fireball, with a 13 aspect ratio, has great low-end performance (ease of getting up) and high-end speed. Roper shares that Per Stanlick rode it as fast as 143 km/h and as slow as 3 km/h on a foil, demonstrating its wide range.
Pump and Rear Wing Dynamics:
The Fireball’s pumping technique is unique compared to previous wings. Instead of an oscillating pump, it requires a flat, rhythmic tapping motion. This wing works best with a longer fuselage and a smaller rear wing. AXIS experimented with ultra-small rear wings, initially as a joke, but found that even their tiniest 600 cm² rear wing performed well.
Additional Wings and Tail Sizes:
The discussion touched on other wings, including the PNG 1300, which has been in the AXIS lineup for years and is ideal for learning downwind foiling. AXIS refreshed the wing with the same foil section as the Fireballs but made it better at turning and breaching. The reflex on these wings adds more lift but also more drag. However, AXIS balances these factors using their proprietary simulation tools, allowing them to test various foil sections before physical production.
Foil Customization:
For riders of different weights and skill levels, AXIS offers a wide range of wings, rear wings, and fuselages that can be mixed and matched. Roper explains that heavier riders can go down one or two sizes on the rear wing, while lighter riders might prefer smaller rear wings for more aggressive performance. The discussion also highlighted the importance of tail size in tuning the foil setup, with smaller tails providing less drag and more speed, but potentially at the cost of stability for some riders.
Fuselage and Mast Innovations:
AXIS revamped their fuselages, making the front section thicker for a better connection to the front wing, and adding a sacrificial zinc anode to prevent corrosion. The back of the fuselage was made thinner to reduce drag during pumping. They also introduced a new “Psycho Short” fuselage, a very short design for extreme performance, especially in low-drag, high-pumping scenarios.

Roper explains the importance of balancing bend stiffness and torsional rigidity in mast design. The layout of carbon fibers, with alternating layers of unidirectional and 45-degree woven fibers, provides the best performance. For larger wings, like the 1900 span wing, stiffer masts are required to handle the increased forces. AXIS is working on even stiffer masts for larger wings to improve turning and performance in such setups.
Mast Variants:

Throughout the interview, Roper emphasized AXIS’s commitment to constant innovation, pushing the boundaries of foil performance, and offering a wide range of customization options for riders of all skill levels and preferences. Whether it’s downwind racing, pumping, or surfing, AXIS provides high-quality, highly-tuned products designed for optimal performance in specific conditions.
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