Matt Nuzzo tests the Armstrong Ultra High Aspect 1270 foil in small, choppy ocean conditions, sharing impressions on its smooth takeoff, glide, and stability. The video focuses on how the large foil performs for pumping and cruising in less-than-ideal flat water conditions.
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Transcript (lightly edited for punctuation and clarity)
Matt Nuzzo: this thing is a weapon.
So, I'm starting out with the 1270. It's the biggest one in the UHA range because I haven't ridden anything like this. I've ridden some performance foils and some other brands’ foils like this, but from Armstrong, never ridden something this big. It’s kind of fun starting at the outliers, and today it’s totally flat out there. There are little micro bumps, a little south wind, so I’m going to rig this up. I’m really just going to try and go for a workout. That’s kind of one of the beauties of Foil Drive—go out here for a half an hour, drive around, pump, glide, see how it feels, see how it works, and see if I can get some good rides in. All right, let’s get this thing rigged up.
Locked in. This thing’s ridiculous. Mid-winter, enjoying it. Beautiful night. It’s a pretty warm day today. In wintertime we get blasts of cold, blasts of warm. Today it’s in the 60s. Water temps mid-50s, so just put a 3/2 on, no boots. Just going to try and stay on top of the water rather than in the water. Got the 170 Surf tail. Been surfing that tail a lot, so I’ve got a good feel for it. I’m not expecting this foil to turn at all, and if I can’t pump on this 1270, I should just quit. Definitely chilly on the peak. Should have brought the boots, but not going to be out here long, so might as well get some cardio action doing some pumping.
Pretty smooth takeoff for this foil actually. Kind of surprising. It’s definitely edgy, like it wants to go in one direction. I’m picking up these little bumps here and there, and it definitely wants to go one direction, but fairly smooth power band. The lift off the water was not spiky at all.
There’s a little bump. With a big foil that low in the water, it’s easy to get knocked off. It kind of grabs the water. I’m going to turn and just go downwind now, hop on a foil so I can get this thing a little more in control. Oh wow. Yeah, feels good. No pumping. It’s like the less you do, the better. A little glidy. Very buttery.
This thing is wild. Good way to test it out on the ocean. What looked like a flat ocean actually had a lot of cross chop coming from all directions. With a foil that has this much span, it picks up all those little things, so it’s definitely a little wonky and weird. I also haven’t foiled a ton lately, but it was really nice to get out there. It has really nice smooth glide and a real progressive takeoff.
I’ve ridden a bunch of the midsize ones of these, which have been exceptional for just pumping, staying up on foil, getting in that sweet spot and going. I’m actually really intrigued to try this more in real flat water, real glassy days. Want more reviews? Reach online at realwatersports.com or give us a call at the shop.
See you guys on the water for the next one.
Is the Armstrong HA 1270 the ultimate light-wind/flat-water machine?
Today we’re taking the biggest foil in the Ultra High Aspect (UHA) range out for a "cardio session" in some mid-winter micro-bumps. With the ocean looking nearly flat and a slight south wind, it was the perfect opportunity to rig up the Foil Drive and see if this 1270 "sucker" lives up to the hype.
Paired with the 170 Surf Tail, the goal was simple: get out there, stay dry, and see just how much glide we could squeeze out of these conditions.
