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Sizes Available: Mast 90cm, Wingspan 65cm
Sizes Tested: Mast 90cm, Wingspan 65cm

Naish Says:

The Thrust WS 1 was developed with Robby Naish to be the ultimate easy access fun foil system. Thanks to its modified delta platform, it launches early, provides excellent flight stability, yet never becomes unmanageable at speed. Featuring a larger version of the integrated rudder developed for their kite foil, the WS system tracks well, while remaining responsive and intuitive for turns and maneuvers. The long fuselage””which adds stability””has been modified to move the mast back, making it possible to use the Thrust WS 1 with existing slalom and freeride boards. Naish’s unique stabilizer adjustment system allows the entire setup to be optimally tuned for individual riders. The medium (70 cm) extruded alloy mast can be retrofitted to any style box system. Naish is very pleased to introduce cutting edge technology that brings excitement and fun back to windsurfing at the bottom end of the wind spectrum.

Visit for more info: www.naishsails.com/product/thrust-ws-1-foil/

Tkb Says:

One of the most interesting foil kiting products of the test was the Naish Thrust WS 1 with its noticeably low-aspect style front wing that delivered a very stable and slow foil-up speed ideal for beginning and someone’s first foray into surf. This product falls under the windsurfing category at Naish (WS 1 vs KS 1) but was sent to exemplify Naish’s modular foil system which crossed three platforms: kite, windsurf and surf/SUP. One of the key questions that prospective foilboarders ask is which model is best for learning, and the answer to that question depends on what you think is important for those first sessions. If the answer to that question is slow foil-up speed and stable slow reaction to steering inputs then the WS 1 is your wing. With probably one of the slowest foil-up speeds of the test you really don’t need much speed for the foil to begin creating lift, so when something goes awry the resulting crash isn’t a high motion blur of near misses and intense impact.

In terms of input and response, the WS 1 felt very stable and measured; the foil doesn’t react aggressively fast so you have a better chance to correct a mistake or progressively piece together longer rides earlier in the process. The roll axis on the WS 1 felt the most active of the three steering axes and feels really stable on the pitch axis which will help beginners with maintaining height and hopefully avoiding the unfortunate porpoise pattern. It’s true this foil doesn’t go very fast, so if speed is your eventual goal you will probably have to trade out wing sets to the KS 1, but if freeride carving and surf is your long game, or if you’re a heavier rider, this foil will take you quite a ways before you feel you’ve outgrown its tempered input/response and need to move on to to Surf Thrust wing.

With its slow foil-up/down speed the WS 1 allows you to match the speed of waves and chop for fun carving.  Although the WS 1 is far from an aggressive surf foil in its turning speed and turning arc, its still nonetheless a great platform to indoctrinate you into the world of foilsurfing. Everyone has their opinion on what works best for the various modes of foilboarding, but to our knowledge, the WS 1 is the first foil product inadvertly geared to the beginner kiteboarder without compromises.


 

Want more gear reviews all in one place? Read detailed and objective reviews on the 30 kite models and 33 board models that Tkb and freeride testers reviewed for the 2018 Freeride Gear Review Guide.