MAST LENGTH: 60, 94.5 CENTIMETERS / BOARD MODEL: GALAXY
BOARD LENGTH: 4’8” / BOARD WIDTH: 56” / VOLUME: 20.2 LITERS
FOIL PERFORMANCE
The Impulse is Liquid Force’s crossover kite, surf and wake hydrofoil model. The larger and wider wing has rapid and efficient lift. The Impulse delivers a ride that is very stable and generates some driving speed. It was one of the surf foil wings that had access to decent speed while still maintaining its low speed carving ability. The test team rode the shorter 60 centimeter mast length and it performed perfectly in shallow conditions. The Impulse was one of the surf foils that performed very well behind the kite at moderate speed and the wing doesn’t top out as quickly as some of the other more dedicated surf and SUP wing designs. This is a foil you want in your quiver for carving up waves behind a kite that can also crossover into wake foiling or SUP or surf. It has slightly less lift than some of the jumbo foils, but the Impulse might be the best crossover foil of the test from kite to surf/SUP/wake.
DECK PERFORMANCE
The Galaxy board was one of the lighter foil decks in the test which has its own advantages for getting down to the beach, manoeuvring the foil in the water and also for jumping. There are a lot of great things about the Galaxy that test team riders loved in addition to its crisp feel underfoot and optimum weight. The overall shape and length is great for riding with straps or without. The rails are thin enough to sink the rail and tip the deck for strapless water starts. The Galaxy also has nice concave on the deck and very comfortable EVA foam for great grip. Overall, Liquid Force nailed it with this foil board with the right shaping on the deck and bottom and nice light weight construction. The Galaxy will suit the aggressive beginner to the advanced level rider that wants a board they won’t outgrow anytime soon. A great evolution in shape as well as the construction which is lighter and higher performance than the molded compression, or sandwich wood core construction boards which may be lower priced and durable, but have the drawback of that extra weight.
