SUNOVA Aviator Wing and custom foilboards : the review with Sven Mayer

After the Aviator Downwind Elite and the new Carver, we continue our world tour of SUNOVA foil boards with the Aviator Wing… with a twist: custom modifications! To tell us all about it, we asked the lucky owner of this custom Aviator Wing: Australian rider and wingfoil enthusiast Sven Mayer. Tall rider and big SUNOVA fan, he trusts Marcus Tardrew to offer him the right modifications for all his SUNOVA boards. Sven tells us all about his SUNOVA Aviator Wing, a board which “excels in waveriding, freestyle, and freeride disciplines” and the process of ordering a custom board… you could have one too!

Hi Sven! First of all, can you introduce yourself and tell us where you wingfoil ?

Hey there, I’m Sven, and I’m absolutely frothing about foiling in all its forms. My journey began a few years back with kite foiling, swiftly transitioning to winging. I’ve also developed a strong affinity for tow-in and prone foiling. During our winter months, when the Seabreeze isn’t as reliable, we tend to engage a lot more in tow-in activities.

I’m fortunate to call Western Australia, specifically Perth, my home. Here, we’re truly fortunate to experience incredible Seabreeze conditions from November to March – it’s truly a blessing! However, during the winter months, we’re gifted with solid swells that are perfect for tow-in and prone foiling adventures.

Most of my wing foiling escapades take place to the north of Perth, where we’re surrounded by some phenomenal spots that are just perfect for this exhilarating sport.

Photo : @yeewbeauty

You told us you ride SUNOVA custom boards, so tell us, what’s your connection with SUNOVA ?

Absolutely, I’m a huge fan of the Sunova custom boards. I’m lucky enough that the foil shop in North Freo has been incredibly supportive of my passion. It’s quite exciting, especially considering that Marcus Tardrew, the mastermind behind the Sunova Casey range, is a part of that team. This connection makes it incredibly convenient for me to acquire the perfect board tailored precisely to my requirements.

Photo : @yeewbeauty

By the way, why choose custom? What modifications do you ask for?

As a 6.6ft guy weighing around 110kg, standard-sized boards don’t accommodate me well. I prefer narrower boards for their superior performance on waves and easier to get flying. My Aviator wing board measures 4.10, 61.7 liters, and 21.5 inches wide. We customized it to be skinnier than the stock ones, adding more volume to the front. This adjustment was aimed at facilitating easier lift of the nose out of the water, allowing me to start pumping it up. It works remarkably well.

I’m eagerly awaiting my Carver, intended to be my board for light wind conditions. It’s sized at 6.2 with 80 liters and a width of 20 inches. We anticipate that the additional length and liters will make it easier to take flight in lighter winds. I also plan to use it for prone downwind rides with the foil driver.

What’s the ordering process like for a SUNOVA custom board?

Living in Western Australia, particularly in Perth, makes acquiring custom Sunova boards quite convenient, thanks to Marcus working at the Foil Shop in North Fremantle. Many frothers here opt for custom orders. Typically, the shop sends emails to their previous customers, specifying the deadline for placing orders for custom boards. Following that, it usually takes 2-3 months to receive your tailored board. For those uncertain about their preferences, Marcus is always available to assist. I usually have specific dimensions in mind concerning length, liters, and width. I then collaborate with Marcus, and then he’ll do his magic :-). I’m truly grateful to have Marcus and the shop guiding me in creating the ideal board. Given my height and weight, finding the perfect foiling equipment isn’t easy, but with their help, it’s become possible.

Photo : @yeewbeauty

So tell us about your SUNOVA Aviator Wing custom: what size it is and in which conditions you use it in?

My Aviator measures 4.10 in length, 21.5 inches in width, and holds 61.7 liters, it is my sinker board. I typically start using it around 18 knots, primarily in wave conditions. I appreciate its size; it feels akin to a prone board beneath my feet. Maneuvering it from rail to rail is effortless—it’s incredibly easy to swing around. Moreover, it’s quite enjoyable to use on flat water for jumping. The board offers superb pop for initiating jumps, and it smoothly releases straight after landing, making it exceptionally easy to handle.

Photo : @yeewbeauty

Can you tell us about its shape?

It retains the same shape as the stock boards, with slight modifications for enhanced performance. We narrowed it slightly to allow for more agility in tight turns. Additionally, the rails are a bit thicker since we took some width off to achieve a volume of around 60 liters. We also added volume to the nose, aiding in easier lift out of the water. The board’s outline provides me with the sensation of riding a smaller prone board—it’s truly an exhilarating experience.

Photo : @yeewbeauty

What do you like about this board, how does it feel on the water?

Its narrowness adds to the thrill on waves, giving me the sensation of riding a 35-40 liter prone board, as I mentioned earlier. Moreover, during jumps, it feels incredibly light beneath my feet. Initially, I grappled with the cut-off nose—coming from a surfing background, I lean towards traditional surfboard shapes :-). However, ultimately, I’ve come to believe that for jumping, having the nose cut off provides easier lift-off and safer landings, outweighing my initial preference for classic surfboard shapes.

Photo : @yeewbeauty

For whom would you recommend this SUNOVA Aviator Wing?

I believe the Aviator is an ideal board suited for a wide range of riders. Its larger sizes cater well to beginners and intermediate riders, offering ample width and volume, providing an excellent starting point. On the other hand, the smaller sizes, akin to sinker boards, offer tremendous enjoyment for intermediate to pro-level riders. In my opinion, the Aviator Wing excels in waveriding, freestyle, and freeride disciplines.

When considering the Carver, it might be more suitable for downwinding and waveriding during lighter wind conditions, as opposed to the Aviator Wing, which thrives in various conditions and riding styles.

Photo : @yeewbeauty

I’ll leave you with the last word?

The rapid growth of this sport is truly astounding. Each passing month brings something innovative. I’m absolutely thrilled to be a part of this evolving journey.

A year or two ago, there was a craze for short, wide boards with ample volume. Now, the trend is shifting towards longer and narrower boards. Similar transformations are happening in the Downwind scene, with boards becoming super narrow, like a toothpicks :-). The pace of change in this field is simply incredible. I’m genuinely excited about what’s on the horizon and the direction this sport is taking.

I must also highlight how good the whole foil community is. There’s an abundance of support and assistance from everyone involved. Whether you have queries or seek guidance, posting in forums or social groups you’ll get 100 of answers totally stoked :-). It’s an amazing collective spirit!

Feel free to reach out to me on my socials, specifically on Instagram @sveny_foils. If you have any questions or just want to say hello, I’m more than happy to help or chat!

Thank you Sven for sharing your passion and feedback on the SUNOVA Aviator Wing!

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