Riding the Slingshot Flow Craft 70L Wingfoil Board

Published on 1 October 2024 at 21:40

Winging It Watersports Review: Riding the Slingshot Flow Craft 70L Wingfoil Board

 

Wingfoiling has become one of the most exhilarating water sports around, combining the freedom of surfing, the speed of wind sports, and the innovative spirit of foiling. The Slingshot Flow Craft 70L Wingfoil board is designed for those who seek to push the limits on the water. After spending a few sessions with this board, here's a deep dive into what it offers and whether it's worth adding to your quiver.

 

First Impressions

When you first lay eyes on the Slingshot Flow Craft 70L, the board immediately gives off a "performance-driven" vibe. It's compact, sleek, and loaded with features that signal it’s built for speed and control. At 70 liters, this board is aimed at intermediate to advanced riders, though more experienced beginners could certainly take it on once they’ve built up some confidence.

The shape is distinct. It is 5foot 2 in length and at 23.5 inches wide, it has a relatively narrow outline, which immediately hints at the high level of agility it’s going to deliver. The deck is recessed, which lowers your center of gravity for better balance, and the tail and rails are sharp and clean, suggesting strong water release for quicker lift-offs.

 

 

On the Water Performance

 

Take-Off

One of the standout characteristics of the Flow Craft 70L is how quickly it lifts off. The recessed deck really comes into play here, and the compact shape allows the board to respond immediately to power from the wing. It feels like you need minimal effort to get onto the foil, even in lighter winds.

The volume distribution is cleverly done, offering enough buoyancy to handle choppy conditions without feeling bulky underfoot. This board clearly wants to fly more than float, and the moment it does, you can feel the difference.

 

Stability and Control

For a 70L board, the Flow Craft offers a surprising amount of stability. Slingshot’s design really shines here, balancing enough width in the right places to give you control but without sacrificing the performance aspects. You will see, at 85kg, it is a low volume board for me, but is very accessible.

Once you're up on the foil, the board's responsiveness is outstanding. The narrow outline allows you to make tight turns with precision, making it ideal for wave riding. The control feels intuitive—there’s no fighting the board when transitioning from one rail to the other, which is something I appreciated when navigating swells or carving upwind. I have never had such long flagging out rides, the board entices you to lean it over and link turn after turn.

 

Speed and Glide

The board’s ability to pick up speed was particularly noticeable during my sessions in moderate wind conditions. The lightweight construction and low drag of the shape helped me accelerate quickly, and once airborne, the Flow Craft carries speed effortlessly. It's clear that the streamlined design, combined with the stiff carbon construction, minimizes drag and maximizes glide.

Even at higher speeds, the board felt solid underfoot. Unlike narrower boards in my quiver, It didn’t become twitchy or unstable, which is crucial when riding fast downwind or pumping through lulls in the wind.

 

Maneuverability

One of the key features of the Flow Craft 70L is its excellent maneuverability. This board loves to carve. The combination of its compact design and responsive feel makes it a blast to ride in waves. Whether you're banking hard turns or adjusting to changes in swell, it handles transitions smoothly and feels playful underfoot.

For advanced riders, the board's agility opens up a lot of possibilities for freestyle tricks. It’s light enough to jump easily and has a solid platform for landing. The recessed deck adds to the stability, giving you confidence when you need to land on a moving foil in choppy conditions.

 

Durability and Construction

The construction quality of the Slingshot Flow Craft 70L is excellent. Slingshot has used a mix of carbon and fiberglass in the board, which makes it incredibly stiff while keeping the weight down. After several sessions in varied conditions, the board showed no signs of wear—this is definitely built to last.

The deck pad is comfortable, grippy, and provides plenty of traction, even when riding bare foot. The handles on the board is well placed, making it easy to carry, and the inserts for foot straps are well-placed.

 

Who is this Board For?

The Slingshot Flow Craft 70L is an excellent choice for intermediate to advanced wingfoil riders. It offers a blend of speed, control, and maneuverability that’s hard to beat. For someone progressing beyond beginner boards and looking to push their skills into more challenging conditions—whether it's wave riding or improving freestyle tricks—this board is a perfect fit.

That being said, if you’re a beginner who’s already comfortable with balance and control on a wingfoil, probably lower in weight than 70kg and you’re ready for a challenge, the Flow Craft 70L could be a great step-up board.

 

Pros:

  • Quick takeoff: Low drag and recessed deck make getting on the foil a breeze.
  • Responsive and agile: Ideal for wave riding and carving.
  • Light and durable: Carbon and fiberglass construction keeps it light without sacrificing strength.
  • Stable under speed: Handles high-speed riding with confidence.
  • Price: As with any performance wingfoil boards, it’s price reflects being great value for such a performance oriented board.

Cons:

  • Not for absolute beginners and early progressors: The 70L volume can feel unstable if you’re just starting out.

 

Final Verdict

The Slingshot Flow Craft 70L is a wingfoil board built for riders who want to take their foiling game to the next level. It’s nimble, fast, and responsive, delivering an adrenaline-pumping experience on the water. Whether you're looking to carve waves, nail jumps, or simply enjoy the feeling of flight at higher speeds, this board will give you the tools to do it.

If you’re serious about wingfoiling and looking for a board that can keep up with your ambitions, the Flow Craft 70L should definitely be on your radar.

If in the UK, Contact Winging It Watersports on 07538 129501 for best value Slingshot deals.


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