Armstrong A+ System Downwind Performance Front Wing

The Armstrong A+ System Downwind Performance Front Wing is a purpose-built high-aspect-ratio foil designed for open-ocean SUP downwind racing. Developed by Armstrong Foils using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and real-world waveform data collected in Hawaii's interisland channels, the DWP line targets elite-level glide efficiency and top-end speed. The wing is part of Armstrong's A+ System, which uses a hexagonal carbon fuselage with a titanium internal spine and modular hardware for tool-free assembly of mast, fuselage, front wing, and stabilizer. Three sizes are available — the DW685, DW755, and DW930 — spanning 685 to 930 cm² of wing area.

Armstrong shaped the DWP outline with swept wingtips, minimal curvature, and a high-camber yet thin overall section profile that varies from root to tip. A subtle anhedral-to-dihedral shape increases pitch and roll stability as speed climbs, helping the rider maintain control during fast open-water runs without the wing feeling locked in at lower speeds.

• DW685 Area: 685 cm²
• DW685 Span: 960 mm
• DW685 Aspect Ratio: 13.55
• DW755 Area: 755 cm²
• DW755 Span: 1000 mm
• DW755 Aspect Ratio: 13.0
• DW930 Area: 930 cm²
• DW930 Span: 1100 mm
• DW930 Aspect Ratio: 13.0
• Construction: Toray intermediate and high-modulus carbon fiber
• Hardware: Titanium barrel nut, stainless steel countersunk screws with titanium coating
• Mounting System: Armstrong A+ System (HEX connection)
• Included: Protective cover and polycarbonate Pro shims for pitch tuning

Armstrong positions the Downwind Performance line squarely at expert-level SUP downwind riders chasing competitive performance in open-ocean conditions. The wing was validated at race level — Armstrong team rider Oskar Johansson rode DWP foils to a podium finish at the Molokai2Oahu World Championship. Riders who are comfortable linking bumps across long downwind runs and who prioritize glide carry and top-end speed over low-speed forgiveness will find the DWP in its element.

Within the three-size range, the DW930 offers the most low-end lift and is the most accessible for lighter conditions or heavier riders stepping into high-aspect downwind foiling. The DW685, with its higher aspect ratio of 13.55 and smaller area, suits lighter or more skilled riders seeking maximum speed in consistent swell. The DW755 splits the difference. Armstrong notes the line maintains enough low-end lift for race starts in milder conditions despite its speed-oriented profile, but these are not learning foils.

The DWP sits alongside Armstrong's HA (High Aspect) and MA (Mid Aspect) front wing families within the A+ System ecosystem. Where the HA range — available from 480 to 1180 cm² — balances surf, wing, and downwind versatility across a broader skill spectrum, the DWP is a specialist tool tuned almost entirely for downwind efficiency and straight-line glide. The MA series, meanwhile, targets powered-up disciplines like winging and tow-in surf with a lower aspect ratio and more playful turning characteristics.

For riders already on Armstrong's A+ System, the DWP is a direct add-on — the shared fuselage, mast, and stabilizer hardware means swapping between an HA wing for surf sessions and a DWP wing for downwind runs requires only changing the front foil. Competing high-aspect downwind wings from brands like Axis and KT occupy similar territory, but the DWP's aspect ratios of 13.0 to 13.55 place it among the highest in the segment.