The DART Axis-Frank sup foilboard. Downwinding comparison with the Mako.

I have had an Axis Dart 130L (7'8” x 20.5") for one month now, using it for SUP foil downwinding, wingfoiling and learning to parawing. I simply love it and in no way have I found it a compromise over my 120L (8'6" @ 17") Axis Frank Mako for SUP foil downwinding. If anything, life is more comfortable on a stable 20.5” vs a much less stable 17” board. Before I got the Dart I had been riding my Mako for 6 months, with the primary focus being SUP foil downwinding and have found it fantastic. Fast to paddle and incredibly stable for 17”, with me at 80kgs (176 lbs) and 57 years old. I can paddle my Mako up in the messiest of bumps, notwithstanding that I do prefer bigger foils (Axis Fireball 1350). Wingfoiling the Mako upwind for a deflate in a big sea could be challenging with all that length at 8’6”. But its downwind performance was outstanding and ideally I should not have to wingfoil it so much, but I lack driving/drop-off logistics in the Bay of Islands. The problem I had with the Mako was when I tried to SUP foil surf it in small waves it was too hard to turn and very unstable trying to do so. Plus, when the Mako was side on to any kind of chop it was too unstable. Obviously I was trying to use it in conditions it was not designed for. However, I felt that a de-tuned Mako, with more stability and manoeuvrability would have been a better board for sup foil surfing, which is exactly what the Dart is. I also found the Mako did not like going across the wind when I was learning to parawing, which accentuated the lack of stability. The Dart has none of these problems, which is helping my parawing progression. Given I am not a serious downwind SUP foil racer, any downwind compromise of the Dart does not worry me. I also think in extreme washing machine bumps I would prefer paddling up the 20.5” Dart with all the benefit extra stability offers. Likewise, when needing to paddle due to insufficient bump energy, at certain times I have found the 17” deck problematic in getting my foot stance dialled in due to its narrow width. I didn’t have this problem on the Dart at 20.5”. For those who ride smaller foils, the extra board speed of the Mako may be required. However, for many aspiring downwind foilers who find 17” too narrow, the Dart will offer greater progression. Axis say: Meet the DART, a shorter, more playful SUP suited to a broad variety of conditions and ability levels. Our main goal was to keep the design as compact as possible while maintaining board speed and ease of take-off. A playful board capable of performing in a variety of conditions, while being easy to travel with. Thanks to its rocker line and bottom contours, the board accelerates effortlessly, making takeoff easy considering its dimensions. Another important aspect that we kept in mind was stability. Usually, shorter boards tend to be less stable, so we changed the bottom shape to be flatter in the standing area and tail, and increased the tail and overall width of the board With its stubbier design, the DART feels incredibly nimble while flying, allowing for more radical carves, better foil control, and it fits better into tighter bumps when downwinding, and in the wave pocket when surfing. Because of the added width, we were able to comfortably fit a concave deck to have a more “locked in” feel while riding. You will find some of the same features from the MAKO, such as the vertical rails and extra tail rocker for added stability, and displacement hull in the nose section of the bottom of the board to improve glide and acceleration. The DART is tailored to short-period bumps downwind runs and wave riding, but it also works very well as a light wind wing or parawing board. The compact design and wide range of use make the DART the perfect travel board that will allow you to make the most out of a broad variety of conditions. Axis will also be releasing the MINI DART, a new take on mid-length designs. This board was designed with parawinging in mind, but it will bring a lot of advantages to your wing and prone game. MINI DART sizes - 50L to 100L (6'4" x 20.5")