At F-ONE, we’ve always been passionate about creating new ways to enjoy the water. Foiling has opened up endless possibilities, and the K-Wing, with its associated model the PLUME, is only the latest evolution in this journey.
We’ve put together this FAQ to help answer your questions, clear up doubts, and share why we’re so excited about this new discipline. Dive in, discover all that the PLUME has to offer and join us in this new chapter.
First of all, why? What is a K-Wing?
We’ve embraced downwinding from the start. While the wing has been the go-to tool for its depower abilities, its large surface can obstruct movement and vision. SUP foil downwind, which uses a paddle, offers complete freedom but requires advanced skills, making it a fairly niche discipline. Pocket wings have recently gained traction for their upwind capabilities but come with limited wind range, depower abilities, and accessibility.
We’ve nonetheless explored these challenges to make downwinding more intuitive and accessible. After delving into a wide range of solutions, we decided to throw ourselves wholeheartedly into the development of our first K-Wing model, the PLUME.
The goal with the PLUME was to create the ultimate freefly tool, something that feels almost weightless. Right from the first prototype, we knew we had something very special in our hands. Since, the PLUME has evolved into something much more than just a new model within our wing range; it has become a completely unique experience on the water, and therefore a different sport in our minds.
The PLUME indeed marks the beginning of a new discipline, K-Wing, and we are excited to finally introduce it to you.
It is worth noting we have also been exploring pocket wings at the same time, and have developed the FRIGATE, which we’ll dive into separately.
What is the PLUME ?
The PLUME is the perfect hybrid of a kite and a wing. Light as a feather, it is F-ONE’s most freeing creation yet. The glide of a kite, combined with the comfort and practicality of a wing you can hold at arm’s length, creates a new riding sensation.
By eliminating the strut and reducing the leading edge, the PLUME is compact and stays light yet stable, avoiding the common issues wings face when freeflying, like dipping into the water or feeling cumbersome. Its C-shape also enhances visibility, letting you stay more connected to your surroundings.
This innovative design benefits from a wide wind range, and is also remarkably easy to handle, making it accessible to everyone, from seasoned downwinders to kids learning on an inflatable board at a school.
All in all, these unique attributes make the PLUME the best downwind and freefly weapon on the market today.
How does the PLUME actually feel?
The PLUME is extremely intuitive and easy to use. It’s stable, comfortable, and offers an upwind angle comparable to a wing. It pulls you forward gently without straining your arms, and while a harness may be used, it’s not necessary thanks to the light bar feel and smooth forward traction.
You can pick it up in seconds and understand how to work it without needing much explanation. Power management and steering is super easy, with small movements of the vertical bar letting you adjust your position or change direction effortlessly.
It’s almost akin to using a joystick; you get exactly the power you need, and the depower is fantastic as well. Most of the time, you can control the K-Wing one-handed, though going upwind with extra power might require two hands.
For downwind runs, it drifts smoothly in front of you and responds instinctively when going upwind. It’s also seamless during transitions, particularly when grabbing the front handle and getting into the freeflying position.
All in all, the PLUME is light, easy to carry, and effortless to handle in all conditions, making it a joy to use.
What is the wind range?
The PLUME has an impressive wind range, typically spanning about 15-20 knots.
For example, a 4.2 m² PLUME is comfortable in winds from 20 to 35 knots. It’s versatile enough to handle strong gusts without feeling overpowered, keeping you comfortable and in control.
For your first sessions, we recommend trying to go out in conditions around 20-25 knots, as these are ideal for learning. Either way, with the PLUME, you can easily adjust to varying wind speeds, making it reliable and flexible across different conditions.
I’m not interested in downwinders. Can I still use the PLUME?
Yes, the PLUME isn’t just for downwinding! When freeriding, the sensations it provides are much lighter than those of a wing, for a similar performance. The PLUME is therefore a great tool for simply going back and forth, comfortably jibing and foiling, even in flat waters.
Which boards and foils do you recommend?
We recommend a board with a long and narrow shape that offers good glide for the take-off. Therefore, what would work best with the PLUME are MIDLENGTH-type boards, or any of our SUP DW models. That said, a CROSSOVER or even a SURF PRONE could work well too depending on the conditions and the level of the rider.
All foils work with the PLUME, but to start off in this sport and get used to these new sensations, we recommend foils with a larger surface area, such as our SEVEN SEAS 1300 or 1500, or a SK8 over 1000 cm².
How does a K-Wing compare to a wing?
The K-Wing offers a different experience compared to a wing, each having its strengths depending on your riding style and goals.
The wing stands out for its low-end and ability to pump efficiently for take-off, allowing the use of smaller boards. The K-Wing can be pumped, especially at take-off, better than a kite but indeed less efficiently than a wing. The low end of the PLUME is a bit more technical than a wing’s as well.
However, the PLUME feels much lighter, less bulky, and much less troublesome especially when flagging during freefly or downwinders.
Both perform equally well upwind and are easy to use, so your choice comes down to preference. The PLUME’s ease of use, large wind range, and safety features make it ideal for beginners, strong wind enthusiasts, and wave riders who need quick transitions. It’s versatile but again will require a MIDLENGTH-type board for take-off, as you can’t pump a K-Wing like a wing.
How does a K-Wing compare to a pocket wing?
Compared to a pocket wing, the PLUME offers a smoother, more intuitive experience. While a pocket wing is still the top choice for experienced downwind riders seeking high performance, the PLUME brings comfort, ease of use, and versatility to the table.
The PLUME delivers power more smoothly, with fewer bridles to tangle and a lightweight, inflatable structure that makes it safer and easier to handle. It has a wider wind range, a better depower, and provides such a light bar feel and forward traction that you virtually never need a harness.
Naturally, the K-Wing cannot be packed away as compactly as a pocket wing, but it does remain a great middle ground, combining the practicality and lightness of a pocket wing, with added comfort and simplicity.
What is the best option between a wing, a K-Wing, and a pocket wing?
Overall, a K-Wing is much easier to handle than both a wing and a pocket wing. However, it all depends on your spot, conditions, and what you enjoy most.
If you want to spend as much time on the water as possible, having a mix of wing, pocket wing and K-wing in your quiver may actually be the best option. For example:
- A wing for light winds (around 12 knots)
- A K-Wing for waves or strong winds
- A pocket wing for downwinding
- And maybe even a kite for bigger waves!
This diverse range of options will allow you to tailor your gear to every condition, creating a more dynamic and personalized experience.
How does K-Winging position itself compared to other disciplines?
Below is a scale that allows you to imagine the freedom of movement, comfort and sensations that each discipline provides during a downwind/freefly:
It looks like a kite, why don’t you just call it one?
The K-Wing is part of an exciting evolution in the foiling world. While it may look like a kite to some, its design and functionality are entirely different.
Unlike a kite, which pulls hard into the sky and demands constant control, the PLUME offers something truly special: a sense of freedom as it flies on its own, disconnected yet perfectly responsive. It can be held effortlessly at arm’s length, allowing for true freefly and an unmatched experience across a range of conditions.
Skepticism is natural, and many riders had their doubts before giving it a try. But once they experienced our K-Wing on the water, they saw how unique, intuitive and fun it really is.
The best way to understand the difference is to try it for yourself. You might be surprised at how much you love it.
