Rider: 78kg, normally strapless surfboard
Board on test: Konrad Versa Foil
Kite: Eleveight WS 2018, 7m and 9m
Disclaimer: I do not work for Pro Kite or Konrad Versa Foils or for anyone in the kite business, however I am open to offers and happy to support good products and great customer service in the kite industry.
Ladies and Gents
I have recently purchased a Konrad Versa Foil from James at Pro Kite in Kurnell, NSW and thought I would provide a short review for newbies and those looking to buy a foil.
I have been kiting since around 2005, having initially learnt in Europe and spent till around 2011 on a twintip and then moved to a strapless surfboard I had almost no experience in using a foil apart from a couple of hours, mostly porpoising and crashing in around 2012 in the Dominican Republic.
I moved to Australia? Northern Beaches in the last 18 months and have spent many a Southerly on a surfboard thoroughly enjoying it and many a NE having less fun and seeing the foilers zipping a long at great speed. After talking to a few of these foilers, all sharing the stoke, I decided to to look to purchase and invest some time in one.
After posting an ad on a FB kite group looking for a 2nd hand foil, James from Pro Kite reached out to me and offered an opportunity to demo the Konrad Versa Foil. I immediately took him up on his offer and went over to Pro Kite in Kurnell to pick up and demo this setup at Botany Bay.
On first viewing, the product look aesthetically pleasing and the components, aluminum mast and G10 foils all appeared very well engineered. The foil kit comes with a 40cm, 60cm and 90cm mast and having already given foiling a go 5 years previously I though hell I?l jump straight to the 90cm mast - not the best idea however after porpoising my way through the afternoon on a 7m and around 25kts of wind I started to feel, certainly on one tack that I was starting to get it and it appeared a lot easier then my attempt years previously - I was sold.
I went back had a coffee and long chat with James and bought the full Konrad Versa Foil package, board with the 3 masts and headed back to the northern beaches waiting for the chance to go out in the next NE. I didn't have to wait too long for a 15kt NE to come around and I went out thinking lets start at the beginning with the 40cm mast, remembering that until now I have probably spent 4 hrs total on a long mast and was mostly struggling.
Unboxing and setting up the foil from its padding carry case is a breeze and it all the components bolt together very easily, added the board and a front footstrap and 20mins later I was out riding on the 40 cm mast - sooooooooooo easy, couldn't believe it I was riding both directions a little bit of porpoising however because you low on the water you just glide back on and continue. Spent the best part of 40 mins on this mast and came in and did a quick swap to the 60cm mast and back on the water.
The 60cm mast certainly makes it some what harder however I was already comfortable with the glide, it was now just the additional height and slightly splashier come down that I had to manage but by the end of the 1 hr I was getting some long runs in on both tacks and feeling super stoked with my purchase.
Since then I have been on a surf trip to WA where I took the foil along, only rode it for probably a couple of hours (mostly surfed) over 3 sessions in pretty strong wind and choppy conditions however on every session i felt an improvement and the comfort on the 60 cm mast.
Back on the Northern beaches I went out again this week, was thinking about moving up to the 90cm mast but instead decided to remove the front footstrap. Removing the front footstrap definitely added a little complexity on the water start however once you get the front foot positioning it all slots into place and I was very quickly back to the level with my footstrap and even catching some of the bumpy landings no problem. Ended a 2 hr session with a couple of attempted tacks on the flat, getting my feet close, however all in all totally happy with my progress.
Overall I have had around 6 sessions on the Konrad Versa Foil totaling around 6 - 8hrs and although I? still a complete kook, I? enjoying the learning curve of every session and on windy days even struggling to make the choice between the surfboard and the foil - next step 90cm mast.
I strongly believe that i have learned more and progressed much further on the 3 mast setup then I would have if I had started on the long mast and I have less bruises to prove it. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or give James a call at Pro Kite, I highly recommend the Konrad Versa Foil setup and he seems very happy to chat on all levels of kiting with many a tips on foiling.
On a final note, ignore the level of abuse you?l get from your strapless surf mates on taking up foiling - they will all join the revolution at some point 
www.prokite.com.au
www.konradboarding.com/products/versa-foil/
The board itself looks a lot like the 2016 cabrinha double agent
( dimensions , rail thickness, grip and quad fin option ).... foil looks different though
The board is the same as the double agent as it seemed like a good place to start.
The foil was designed from the ground up in Australia.
Not a bad idea .... I had a double agent and it is a good board particularly for learning to foil..... it's a good size for helping on the touchdowns yet low volume and thin enough on the rails to sink it when water starting.
Good fun in small waves with the fins in too
iv also been on the versa all week. its a beautiful foil with high quality material.
i like that you can still ride it slow and do your tacks and foot changes. you can pull some nice speed on it too. i think the fastest i clocked was 20knots, probably could go faster in the flats.
its also 100% silent, no hum or whistle what so ever.
quite fun in the waves/swell, you can back the speed off and cruse along on the swell without stalling.
my favorite feature of the versa is the bag it comes in, its awsome. perfect for the weekend worrier that has to pack his foil down after every session.
im no expert in foiling but i dont think i will outgrow this foil any time soon.
Good on you. Great review of what looks like a nice foiling set up. Glad you're enjoying the journey and making solid progress. The short mast system is a winner and the 60cm comes in handy for shallower spots. I'm using my 60cm this week in the Augusta (Blackwood) river mouth.
What is the actual board made of? I have heard that there has been some buckling issues and it will be addressed in a new build. Just curious, looks like a great package.
Understand the board is a similar construction to a wakeboard, wood core with glass.
In terms of boards buckling, James recently provided an update to myself and other customers saying that there had been a couple of boards that had snapped due to incorrect manufacturing specs and that these would all be replaced in February with the new Versa 2 Boards.
In terms of durability mine has been fine and I have certainly crashed tested it plenty however saying that a mate of mine did snap his and has been provided a replacement. Feels like this board issue is all in hand and being addressed swiftly, I for one am looking forward to the Versa 2 board in February, this will be a more conventional low volume surfboard / foilboard design.
I have seen the new board specs and they look sick! Can't say much more but I'm excited, can't wait to get my hands on one!!!!!!!!!!!
Board specs and designs have been shared with retailers stocking the product.
The Versa 2 will have dual fin box mounts for foil position adjustment, FCS fins and real bamboo laminate construction. It can be ridden as a small surfboard with the kite as well keeping with the Versa function.
If you have not ridden the Konrad foil you should give it a go, it's in the top few alloy foils in the market for sure!
Select to expand quotedafish said..
What is the actual board made of? I have heard that there has been some buckling issues and it will be addressed in a new build. Just curious, looks like a great package.
Yes my friends buckled broke in the first 2 hours of use got a refund and bought a slingshot board
Just a quick update as per my previous review of the Konrad Versa Board and Foil, I have now moved up to the larger of the three masts - 90cm We-hey!!!
Since my last post on the 23rd Jan I have probably had another 3 or 4 sessions of around an hour or so in both choppy and super smooth conditions and although not tacking or gybing the foil I was feeling pretty comfortable on take off and riding, even learning to start to pump the foil to get going quicker. Although confident I was still crashing a fair amount when the foil either cavitated or the board hit the water.
Yesterday I moved up to the 90cm mast, what a difference immediately noticed that the board was easier to ride and actually more forgiving as now you have more time to control the height of the mast and space between board in the water and cavitating - much better and more fun riding. The only item i found harder with the additional mast height, was it feels like the additional weight or maybe drag of the mast makes water starting more difficult, especially on my bad (goofy) side. Had two session of around an hour or so each yesterday and was starting to get more proficient on water starting at the end, however the riding was better and more fun, even the added height does not feel off putting as you feel in total control of the foil.
Overall I am 100% supportive of this method of progression, gradually in your own time moving up the mast range from 40 through 60 to 90 cm has meant an enjoyable and relatively pain free learning curve, certainly much more pain free then my previous experience of jumping on to a full mast foil.
To add further verification to my thoughts on this method of progression a mate of mine picked up his board, also a Konrad Versa Foil a few weeks after me and also moved on to the 90cm mast this week, he's been out three times this week and the bugger has over taken me on the progression curve!
Oh well c'est la vie will make sure I get out today, next step the gybe.....!
I purchased the Versafoil as well and love it. As a foil beginner (although been kiting for over 20 years), I tried a couple of other foils but there's a few things that make me super happy with my decision.
First, you get different mast lengths with the pakcage and can steadily progress the 90cm one. That makes learning SO much easier.
Secondly, I love the bag and eye for detail in the design and look and feel. Top notch Australian design and product.
Third, it goes so smooth. No noise, realy easy to get your comfort up, goes upwind like a maniac but downwind is suprisingly easy as well.
If there's anyone who's been land kiting (buggying), give it a go. The kite technique is very similar to that. No friction; once you start rolling, you keep going. I love it that after all those kite years, the sport is still progressing in big steps.
Nice one fellas.
Iv also tried a few adjustments. I look that bottom fin off and it really freed up the carving ability in the waves, was a lot looses and super fun. At speed tho it is a little too lose and skatie.
The choc under the back wing gives it so much more lift. And really suits my style. Without the choc you need a lot more back foot pressure.
The first boards had a problem with the manufacturer leaving out some key components to the layup which resulted in some of the boards breaking.
The good news is everyone who has Versa will be getting a no questions asked Versa 2 board. This should be landing in Australia by early March.
The Versa 2 will have dual fin box mounts for foil position adjustment, FCS fins and real bamboo laminate construction. It can be ridden as a small surfboard with the kite as well keeping with the Versa function.
