PPC Wings Compared: Surge vs Blend vs X-Blend vs the M1 Family
PPC Foiling, developed by Sam Loader and his team in New Zealand, builds one of the clearest wing ladders in the sport. As the official European importer we ride them all, so here is the whole range in plain words, from most affordable to full race.
Surge: the balanced powerhouse
The Surge earned its name: a sudden powerful forward movement. A flat profile and small diameter leading edge make it stiff, fast and full of lift, while the drop in the centre tube keeps flight balanced and neutral. Luff it in a wave or a manoeuvre and it follows you with little input. Four well placed handles, harness line pigtails included, Japanese Teijin cloth. Sizes 2.8 to 5.8. Currently from 360 euros in the sale, which makes it the best value entry into a serious wing we know of.
Blend: lighter, softer, smoother
The Blend is the Surge's softer sibling: even lighter, with a smoother, pull-along power delivery. The reduced weight and smaller span suit lighter and less powerful riders, and while it is a great freeride wing it really excels in downwind and wave conditions where you want the wing light in the hand when flagged out. Sizes 3.3 to 6.8.
X-Blend: the Blend, sharpened
The X-Blend adds thin custom X-Ply panels right next to the centre strut, giving more direct power while keeping the Blend's light weight and balance, the two weigh virtually the same. Bonus from the material choice: it can be folded and packed without risk of splitting. Sizes 3.3 to 5.3.
M1: the flagship
The M1 is the uncompromising performance wing. Its frame uses Dyneema cuben fibre, a material from racing sailboats, allowing smaller tube diameters at high inflation pressure (12 PSI). The canopy is a non-stretch waxed MK cloth previously found in Americas Cup sails. The result is a very tight canopy with a deep profile that flattens towards the tips, plus dual carbon handles. Sizes 3.0 to 6.5.
M1-X: the M1 for waves and freestyle
Loved the M1 but found it a bit heavy or grunty? The M1-X keeps the stiff Dyneema frame but uses a lighter canopy, so it flags out and parks exactly where you want it while riding waves. Full carbon ergo boom handles. Sizes 3.0 to 7.0.
M1-L: performance at a friendlier price
The M1-L keeps Dyneema at the loading point of the leading edge and uses Dacron for the rest of the frame, cutting cost without losing the crisp, snappy canopy PPC is known for. Slightly softer feel than the M1-X, same full carbon ergo handles. Ideal both as high performance on a budget and as a first serious wing. Sizes 3.0 to 7.0.
The race wings
Above all this sit the racing machines: the M1-R SDS semi dual skin and the Sonic FDS full dual skin, World Sailing approved and ridden by Sean Herbert to 3rd place at the Wingfoil Racing World Championships in Sardinia. Sizes up to 8.0 for the light wind race courses.
The quick answer
Best value and first wing: Surge. Light rider, waves and downwind: Blend or X-Blend. Performance all-rounder: M1-L. Wave and freestyle performance: M1-X. No compromises: M1. Racing: M1-R or Sonic FDS. Several of these are heavily reduced right now in the sale, and one-off demo wings from 280 euros are in Demo and Used Gear.