Armstrong A+ System Tail Wing

We spent last week at Real staying in Watermen's retreat, more on that in a full review. The staff were so helpful every time we were rigging or just walking around.

With my wife, we both use the same foil setup, and newer FG boards one side apart. When we talked with Nick, Matt, Brendan about upgrading our Surf 205 tail while using the HA780. They all recommended the Speed 180. So into the store and out with two new Speed 180's. What a great move. It is so smooth, more stable, faster, extends the glide, easy on foil, forgiving with blue shim in waves. We now have our setup for 2025.

Hats off to Armstrong for making a lineup that offers a easy way to progress in the sport. For stabilizers/tails we have now used CF 300, HS 232, Flow 235, Surf 205, Speed 180. It just keeps getting better as you progress. And the quality is the best I see in the market.

Thanks Armstrong and Real Watersports for making it fun and easy.

Having owned all of the Armstrong tail wings at this point (yes I have a problem), I've fully transitioned to just using the newest ones and they are all a nice improvement. The Surf 205 and Flow 235 tails are a nice improvement over the HS232 tail. They feel like a reduction in drag which results in a faster forward speed. I mostly use the Surf 205 tail for prone and wing foiling, but will use the Flow 235 when prone foiling if I want to have a little bit more tail wing to help with pump performance.

The Speed 180 is a must have to pair with any V1 or V2 High Aspect front wings. The super thin tail reduces drag considerably and really opens up the full potential of the high aspect wings. The Speed 180 is my go to out of the three HA tails. I find it to be a good balance of speed but also stability for how I like to ride and at my weight of 190lb. The Dart 140 is incredible and really loosens up the feel of the foil. I don't prefer this for prone foiling because I'd rather have a little more pump performance, but for tow foiling or winging its great. The Glide 220 is the bigger one in the range and best paired with a larger front wing if you want to purely maximize glide and pump and okay sacrificing turning.

I have been riding the HS232v2 with the CF950v2 and just switched to the Surf 205 tail. It is definitely faster, was fine on the low end of wind range/water starting etc. Much more maneuverable, carving, even in light-ish conditions was great and overall the board seems to have more ‘play’ in as a result.

Upgrading a tail wing is a inexpensive way to transform your foiling experience especially for a intermediate or advanced rider.

The HA 195 absolutely is the tail wing you want to be riding with HA front wings. The HA wings go fast and with the HA195 I feel more in control at high speeds. The HA wings feel more in tune and stream lined and I'm certainly able to crank heavier turns. For kite foiling I can go mach speeds HA525 paired with a HA195.

The Vtail (FV200) is a weapon paired with a HS front wing. I was so stoked when I started riding it with my go to 1050 in surf. It certainly loosens the whole set up and reacts on a dime which has pushed my riding. It is not the tail wing for a beginner (more sensitive to pitch changes) and does takes a bit of time to get used to but I'd highly recommend for a good foiler.

If you are riding one of the HA front wings, it is a MUST to get the HA195 to pair with it. I have been riding the HA925 and HA1125 front wings for surf foiling for a while now and have always liked them. I recently tried the HA195, and it really transforms the feel of the wing. My first session took some adjustment as it definitely feels different when pumping, but once you get adjusted to it, its a huge improvement. The wing is noticeably faster and snappier, and I'm able to wrap around my high speed turns faster and with more power. Such a good upgrade. Don't ride the HA lineup without the full experience, get the HA195 tail.