Slingshot Foiling S/S 2026 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Foiling S/S 2026
Brand: Slingshot
Interviewee: Elliott Tauscher, Wind Marketing Manager

How was the 2024 market?
2024 was a transitional year across the industry. While we saw a slowdown in overall consumer spending compared to the post-COVID boom years, rider enthusiasm remained strong, especially in key markets with consistent wind. We focused on building long-term value through product innovation, athlete-driven storytelling, and tightening our retail partnerships.

How are stock levels compared to a year ago?
We’ve done a much better job aligning our production with real demand. Compared to 2023, stock levels are healthier and more balanced, especially as we refined our forecasting and phased launch strategy. We’re in a good position to support retail without overloading shelves.

What sport is driving the most demand at the moment (kite, wind, wing, surf…) and why?
Wing foiling continues to grow with a wide range of riders, from first-timers to downwind addicts, and we’ve seen strong traction with products like the SlingWing NXT and Flow Craft V2. That said, New School Big Air has been a standout category for us. With Jeremy Burlando winning the GKA World Title on the Code NXT and younger riders like Zac Adams on the rise, we’ve cemented ourselves as the brand leading the next generation of Big Air progression.

Foils

Which of your 2025 foil set ups have sold best and why?
Our 2025 foil success has been driven by the versatility and performance of our Glide and Flow wing series in One-Lock, each tailored to distinct riding styles. The Glide series is a favorite among surfy, playful riders looking for responsive turns and smooth control, while the Flow series has become the go-to for downwind and Parawing foilers seeking maximum glide, efficient glide and low-end lift. Across both categories, the introduction of our Flair stabilizers has been a game changer, offering riders a quick way to fine-tune their performance with tighter carves and enhanced control. What’s tied it all together is the One-Lock foil platform, our revolutionary screw-free system that makes setup and swapping components fast, clean, and totally intuitive. Riders are loving how easy it is to travel, tinker, and build their ideal setup without the hassle of bolts or tools. It’s all about progression made simple.

What are the main trends in foil construction, materials and design?
Simplicity and stiffness are driving innovation. Riders want fewer parts, faster setup, and more control, all without compromising performance. We’re seeing a shift toward modular, tool-free systems like One-Lock that reduce drag and increase confidence. Materials-wise, stiffer carbon layups and precision fit tolerances are becoming the norm, not the luxury.

What are the highlights of your 2026 foil offer?
2026 is all about expanding our One-Lock ecosystem. We’re launching new front wings and tail wings optimized for different disciplines, from dock start to performance downwind, all built on the same intuitive platform. We’ve also refined our foil sizing and naming structure to make it easier for riders to find the right setup. The goal is simple: high performance, low friction, and a plug-and-play experience that works for everyone from first pump to full-send down the M2O.

Foilboards

Which of your 2025 foil boards have sold best and why?
The Flow Craft V1 and Hope Craft V2 have been our strongest performers in 2025. The Flow Craft V1 is a compact, volume-forward board built for versatility across disciplines, from Foil Drive to parawing, prone, and downwind wing foiling. Its easy water starts, nimble feel, and balanced outline have made it a favorite among progressing riders. On the kite foil side, the Hope Craft V2 continues to lead the charge with its lightweight construction, responsive handling, and refined rocker profile. Both boards speak to the growing demand for purpose-built shapes that blend stability, efficiency, and fun across a range of foil applications.

What are the main trends in Foilboard construction, materials and design?
We’re seeing a strong shift toward mid-length foilboard shapes across all disciplines. These streamlined outlines reduce drag, improve water flow, and make it significantly easier to get up on foil, especially in low-speed or choppy conditions. Once flying on foil, the narrower width allows riders to lean harder into carves without catching rails, unlocking more aggressive and fluid turns. We’ve also reduced board thickness in key models to enhance foil feedback and give riders a more direct, connected feel from their feet to the foil. This blend of easy pop-up performance and refined maneuverability is shaping the next evolution of foilboard design.

What are the highlights of your 2026 foilboard offer?
For 2026, we’re expanding the performance spectrum of our foilboard lineup with two standout shapes. The Flow Craft V2 brings a refined mid-length outline built for performance winging, parawing, and prone wave foiling. It offers effortless pop-ups, seamless glide, and powerful carves for riders chasing flow in the bumps. The all-new Glide Craft V1 rounds out our range with a more accessible shape—still mid-length for easy starts, but with added width and stability to help newer riders transition from knees to feet with confidence. Together, these boards showcase our commitment to intuitive designs that meet riders where they are and help them progress faster.

Any noteworthy efforts towards sustainability?
Sustainability is an ongoing commitment for us. While performance and innovation remain at the forefront, we’re taking meaningful steps toward more responsible production. We’re optimizing packaging to reduce waste, increasing our use of recyclable and reusable materials in product transit, and designing gear with long-term durability in mind. so riders replace equipment less often. Additionally, by launching our One-Lock™ foil platform, we’re creating a modular, screw-free ecosystem that allows riders to update and upgrade components without replacing entire setups.

How will you support retailers to sell your 2026 products?
We’ve built our new 4-phase launch playbook to better equip retailers and build momentum from the inside out. Support includes:

Early seeding of athletes and creators to generate real-world content ahead of launch
High-impact asset packages
Dedicated product walkthroughs and training sessions
Homepage banners, PDP copy, and paid ad retargeting support
A focus on coordinated launch timing to create unified brand presence across channels

We’re also actively investing in in-person demo programs and community engagement reps to close the sales loop through real-world product experience.

Key Products:

Flow Craft V2:
The Flow Craft V2 is turning heads across the globe. Loved by advanced wing and parawing riders, it delivers instant lift onto foil, insane glide, and effortless and immediate control. The mid-length shape makes water starts automatic, while the thinned-down profile keeps you locked into every carve. Whether downwinding or wave-chasing, this is the board that’s raising the bar in performance foiling.

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One-Lock Foil Platform:
The One-Lock™ Platform is the world’s first screwless modular foil system. Featuring our Intra-Locking and latch technology, it provides a bombproof, drag-free connection that assembles in seconds. Built with our strongest layups and optimized for performance across all foil disciplines, One-Lock sets a new standard in simplicity, stiffness, and innovation. One system. Zero screws. Total performance.

Flare 24cm Mapped

SlingWing V6:
The SlingWing V6 is the pinnacle of wing design, lighter, stiffer, and more responsive than ever before. Built for effortless power delivery and efficient pumping, it delivers unmatched balance through all wind ranges. Whether you’re carving waves or cruising on flat water, the V6’s intuitive handling and superior drift performance make it the ultimate wing for any foiler.

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