AFS HM Carbon Mast

The AFS HM Carbon Mast is a high-modulus carbon foil mast built by AFS, the French foil brand that has been producing hydrofoil equipment since 2009. Sitting in the middle of the AFS mast lineup between the HR and UHM options, the HM mast uses high-modulus carbon fiber—a material rated at roughly 1.5 times the stiffness of standard carbon—to deliver a lighter, thinner profile without sacrificing rigidity. The mast is offered in 80 cm and 85 cm lengths and uses the brand's Fuselink connection system for attachment to the fuselage. Each mast ships with a hardware kit and a protective mast cover, and AFS backs it with a three-year manufacturer warranty.

The mast body features a two-zone shape. The lower, submerged section uses a narrower chord and thickness tuned for reduced drag and improved glide, while the upper section progressively widens toward the plate to create a stiff junction with the board. This tapered transition is designed to preserve the foil assembly's overall inertia while keeping the underwater profile as clean as possible.

• Available lengths: 80 cm, 85 cm
• Chord (min): 120 mm
• Thickness (min): 15 mm
• Weight (80 cm): 1.9 kg
• Weight (85 cm): 2.1 kg
• Construction: Full high-modulus (HM) carbon
• Connection system: Fuselink
• Included: Hardware kit, protective mast cover
• Warranty: 3 years

AFS positions the HM mast for intermediate to advanced riders who want a meaningful step up from aluminum or standard-carbon masts without moving to the brand's top-tier UHM option. Its thinner profile compared to the HR mast translates to less underwater drag, making it a practical upgrade for riders who have moved past the learning phase and are looking for more speed and a livelier feel underfoot.

The two available lengths map to different discipline mixes. The 80 cm version suits riders who split time roughly evenly between surf foil and wing foil, and it also serves dockstart, downwind, and wake foil use. The 85 cm length is oriented toward riders who spend the majority of their sessions—around 60 percent or more—on a wing, with the extra height providing additional ride height and tolerance that benefits wing-foil pumping and upwind angles. Both lengths remain short enough for prone and SUP foil crossover.

Within the AFS mast range, the HM sits between the HR mast—a slightly thicker, more affordable carbon option aimed at progressing riders—and the UHM (Ultra High Modulus) mast, which uses an even stiffer carbon layup and a thinner profile for maximum performance. Riders stepping up from the HR will notice reduced drag and a lighter swing weight, while those eyeing the UHM are typically competitive or advanced downwind paddlers chasing the smallest possible cross-section.

In the broader market, the AFS HM competes with other mid-to-upper-tier carbon masts in the 80–85 cm range from brands like Axis and Unifoil. Its Fuselink connection keeps it within the AFS ecosystem, so buyers should confirm fuselage compatibility when mixing components. For riders already on AFS foils, the HM mast is a straightforward performance upgrade that slots neatly between the brand's entry-level and flagship carbon options.