SIC Maui Kunalu: the new downwind/light wind board as seen by Ludovic Teulade

We were waiting for it! After spotting it at the SIC Maui booth during the Défi Wing, we were eager to know more… SIC Maui’s new foilboard, the Kunalu, is finally available since this summer! This downwind/light wind-focused board was missing from SIC Maui’s range and is designed for downwind SUP foiling and wingfoiling in light wind. To introduce it, we called on the talented rider Ludovic Teulade. While he’s a SUP race champion, he’s also passionate about foiling, whether with a paddle or a wing. Ludo even participated in the development of this new board by testing numerous prototypes, as well as in creating the new front wings that come with this launch. For TotalWing, Ludo gives us a review of the Kunalu, talks about its features, and shares his advice on choosing the right board size!

Hi Ludo! We wanted to talk to you about the Kunalu, SIC Maui’s new downwind foilboard. It’s exactly the board that was missing from their range, right? Can you tell us about its shape?

Hi everyone! Yes, we were all eagerly waiting for this specific downwind/lightwind board, and here it is! We took our time with the team and Mark to test several prototypes to see what worked best and what would meet our expectations.

The shape is based on a very streamlined outline, and personally, I find the board beautiful! There are several features:

• A flat hull that offers great primary stability out of the foil and reduces drag on the foil.
• A nice pin tail with a cutout that improves the natural rocking motion without adding too much drag.
• An advanced wide point that ensures stability while paddling, especially for accelerating before takeoff.
• Tapered rails towards the deck to improve lateral stability and prevent the rail from catching during sharp turns.
• The foil’s track is positioned forward, giving the sensation of a shorter board and improving maneuverability!
• A good volume towards the rear with a thinner nose, which ensures buoyancy at the back and reduces the rotation rate at the front.

Can you give us a quick review of the Kunalu for wingfoiling?

This board is magical for wingfoiling! First, it’s great for light winds, allowing you to take off in almost no wind, giving a new dimension to the sport! You can use smaller, more agile, and playful foil wings, even in light wind, or reduce the wing size when you want to go upwind with the wing and come downwind on a SUP foil. The pad is super comfortable, and there are no strap inserts because, honestly, you don’t need them! The board is very maneuverable despite its length, thanks to the positioning of the US tracks and its narrow width. You immediately get great glide, which helps a lot, and the nose shape makes it very responsive when pumping and pressing hard on the front foot. It lifts itself up and greatly assists in takeoff.

Since the beginning of summer at my Y Plage base, I’ve almost only been using this board when I have a bit of free time! I know I’m going to have fun no matter the conditions. I’ve also tested the board in strong winds with a small race foil, and it works great, even with 25-knot crosswinds.

The Kunalu comes in three sizes: 7’6, 7’11, and 8’4. Which one(s) have you tried? What advice do you have for choosing the right size?

Yes, there are indeed three sizes that suit different builds and uses. I’ve tried them all. First, you need to be sure of the activity—exclusively SUP downwind, wing, or both?

For SUP downwind, I recommend the 7’6 for riders up to 75 kg, the 7’11 up to 85 kg, and the 8’4 for heavier riders! Don’t be afraid of the length and volume on these shapes, as it doesn’t get in the way at all. Also, if you’re hesitating between two sizes at an intermediate level, I would suggest going for the larger one. It’s better to be stable and comfortable when starting SUP downwind foiling if you want to take off in tricky conditions with cross chop and swells.

Can you tell us about its SFL construction? It’s similar to the SUP Race boards, right?

Yes, it’s somewhat similar to SUP race boards. We have custom carbon PVC construction with rails and vertical blocks. This design guarantees unmatched strength and durability. The boards are surprisingly light, strong, and rigid, making them a joy to ride, in addition to having a great finish.

And how is the Kunalu in SUP foiling?

An absolute joy! Personally, I started SUP foiling quite early, about 4-5 years ago. Back then, we were taking off on very short and wide wing boards. Now, with these new shapes and the Kunalu, it’s a whole new world! The accessibility and performance are incredible. I have so much fun because I know I’ll be able to take off easily in any conditions. The comfort and feeling underfoot are fantastic! The board’s maneuverability and stability are amazing. You can even now have fun using small foils in big conditions to push for race performance and carve hard on bumps as if you were on a wave!

SIC also released two new front wings, the Slash HAR FW in 1100 and 900. Have you had a chance to try them? In what disciplines and conditions?

I participated in the development of these wings, so I’ve used them quite a bit already. Like the Kunalu’s game-changing shape, the new high-aspect wings complement it perfectly. The wings feature high aspect ratios (9.75 for the 1100 and 9.61 for the 900), offering exceptional glide, high-speed capability, and improved pumping ability. The flat dihedral design enhances agility in turns and reduces drag, allowing smoother acceleration and higher speeds.

The 1100 offers confidence and ease in small conditions while maintaining good maneuverability and average speed. My personal favorite is the 900, which allows you to reach high speeds while keeping comfort and great maneuverability. I now use it for downwind, surf foiling, and in small conditions with the wing!

And for the second half of the 2024 season, what are your plans?

After a great summer at Y Plage, I plan to return to SUP race and SUP foil events! I’m thinking of participating in the Fort Boyard Challenge and the Crozon Foil Festival, two great downwind events that I really enjoy, no matter the discipline. After that, I’ll focus on the French Championships in Saint-Raphaël and the World Championships in Florida at the end of November! And, of course, there will be plenty of surfing and wingfoiling between all these events!

Thanks, Ludo, for your answers! And to find out more about the Kunalu, click here!

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