Aidan Nicholas interview- M2O race, Armstrong Foils range, wing foiling in the Gorge at AWSI 2024

Aidan Nicholas was at the Armstrong booth at the 2024 AWSI show in Hood River and I had the opportunity to interview him.  We talk about the 2024 M2O race he won by a big margin,  the Armstrong equipment he uses for racing and freestyle, wings, boards, foils, and riding in the Gorge the days before the show.  

In an interview at the AWSI 2024 show, Aidan Nicholas, fresh off his victory in the Molokai to Oahu race, discussed his race strategy, equipment choices, and lessons learned from competing. He described how tricky the race was due to variable wind conditions, requiring tactical decisions to maintain speed. Aidan highlighted his use of an Armstrong 580 foil for improved glide and the importance of multiple jibes to gain ground during the race. He also emphasized the role of his 7-meter wing in maintaining power during lighter winds, allowing him to bear off and keep momentum.

Aidan talked about his setup, including using a small 48-liter board during the race, though he mentioned a larger 65-liter board would have been more suitable in light wind sections. He also discussed the critical role of foils, noting his preference for the MA625 foil in everyday conditions and the 580 foil for races. The interview covered various technical aspects of wing design, board volume, and foil dynamics, with Aidan stressing the importance of a balanced setup for maximizing performance in racing and downwind conditions.

He also gave insight into Armstrong's new alloy rig, designed for a more affordable entry into high-performance setups without sacrificing durability, thanks to features like titanium fittings. This new alloy rig is a more budget-friendly option compared to traditional carbon setups, but with slightly lower performance.

Armstrong Foil Gear is available at Blue Planet shops on Oahu.

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[christoph]

very nice diskussion .. so nice the way you ask and discuss

[lateampizza]

Robert do you have try parawing ? It was nice to make a video 🎉

[Finn-ygzx]

It’s interesting that he wasn’t using the DWP foil. DWP is suppose to be all about speed and the glide. Also don’t see hardly anyone using the DWP downwinding in the gorge. It’s all HAs. Maybe Armie needs to update the DWP?