Foil deske
Foil boards are designed to lift you above the water using a submerged hydrofoil wing, reducing drag and creating a smooth, almost silent glide.
Whether you’re wing foiling, pumping without wind, or linking open-ocean swells downwind, the right foil board is the foundation of stability, control and progression. Choose your discipline and discover the model that matches your riding style.
Choose Your Foil Board
Different foil disciplines call for different board shapes and designs. Below you’ll find three main categories of foil boards — each built with a specific purpose, riding style and progression path in mind.
WHAT ARE FOIL BOARDS?
Foil boards are boards equipped with an underwater wing (hydrofoil) that lifts the board above the water’s surface once you gain speed. Instead of gliding on the water, you rise above it — reducing drag, increasing efficiency and creating a completely different sensation of movement.
Foiling represents a new generation of water sports. It combines balance, water dynamics and aerodynamic principles, allowing you to ride with wind power, on ocean swell, or even without external force — depending on the discipline.
Because of this versatility, foil boards are now used across several distinct riding styles, each with its own purpose and character.
Types of Foil Boards
Different foil disciplines require different board shapes, volumes and design features. Below you’ll find the three main types of foil boards — each built for a specific riding style and water condition.
Wing Foil Boards
Wing foil boards are designed for riding with an inflatable hand wing. This is currently the most popular form of foiling, combining wind power, lift above the water and dynamic carving on swell or open water.
Wing boards are suitable for both beginners and advanced riders. They allow for progressive learning and perform across a wide range of conditions — from light wind sessions to stronger, more demanding days.
Pump Foil Boards
Pump foil boards are designed for rider-powered foiling — generating lift and forward motion through body movement and foil dynamics, without wind, waves or a sail.
This is a more technical discipline where balance, timing and precise control of lift are essential. The focus is on rhythm, efficiency and understanding how the foil generates glide.
Pump foiling is best suited for experienced foil riders who want to refine their skills, improve board control and deepen their connection with foil mechanics.
Downwind Foil Boards
Downwind foil boards are designed for open-water riding, typically travelling with the wind and ocean swell. Their shape supports early lift, efficient acceleration and stability over longer distances.
This discipline focuses on connecting bumps and swells, linking waves and covering extended stretches of open water with flow and momentum.
Downwind foiling offers a unique sense of freedom on the sea and larger bodies of water — combining endurance, glide and ocean awareness.
Choose the Right Foil Board with Expert Guidance
Buying a foil board is more than choosing a model — it’s a decision that directly impacts your progression, safety and long-term enjoyment on the water. Different disciplines — wing foil, pump foil or downwind — require different volumes, shapes and selection approaches.
At Bananaway, we offer personal guidance when choosing your foil board, based on your experience level, body weight, skills and goals. We help you understand the differences between board types and direct you to the category that makes the most sense for your riding style and ambitions.