Windsurf MagazineGA POISON 5.2 2021 TEST REVIEW

GA POISON 5.2 2021 TEST REVIEW

THE VERDICT

Pumping the GA Poison up to at least 8 PSI, it provides soft balanced power and instant de-power to make the most of all conditions. There’s little to dislike of the Poison and plenty to enjoy!

THEY SAY

“An incredibly light construction and feeling make the brand-new Poison the perfect choice for wave and swell wing foiling as well as riding in extremely low winds. Nevertheless, it’s very stable and easy to handle in higher winds due to the redesigned struts and handle positions, which allows you to get out and wing foil in all kinds of conditions.”

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WE SAY

The Poison sits alongside the windowed Cross in the GA wing series, as their lightweight option, ideal for all-round use but in particular for riding waves and swell. This is the second-generation wing from GA, with significant effort taken to focus on bottom end power and parking stability, as well as minimizing weight. As a result, the Poison has enlarged struts compared to its predecessor, with a soft dihedral vee through the leading edge and a relatively loose canopy. There are just three handle options provided on the central strut (along with a harness line mounting point), with very little visual markings in its clean and minimalist styling. The recommended inflation value isn’t even noted on the wing, yet the info offered by the UK’s own Ross Williams on the brand’s website suggests an inflation value of 8 PSI – relatively high for tubes of this diameter. Inflation takes place through a single airlock valve, the central strut self-inflating through an adjoining tube. The leash supplied is of the elasticated webbing variety and the rucksack bag supplied has lots of room to house the Poison back in, even if you roll it up poorly, which we have to say is a fairly frequent affair if you’re in a rush, the central strut taking an age to deflate!

Using the Poison on the water, the first noteworthy point is its weight, feeling very light and easy in the hands. The second is just how soft and flexible its handles are, particularly when jumping onto the Poison, having used others in the group. It’s another wing where the PSI value squeezed into the tubes makes a marked difference in its performance, so go for that extra plunge on the pump to maximise pressure. Light-wind performance is good if not explosive, the Poison’s solid frame only held back by the softness imparted by the loose canopy. Once going though, the GA is super light and stable in flight, the handles in just the right position to offer plenty of comfort and session longevity. The handles do take a little getting used to if you’re experienced with stiffer options, yet the reduced number makes transitions clean and uncomplicated. In strong winds the wing’s stability remains and it de-powers effortlessly when eased out, allowing it to be repositioned smoothly during manoeuvres. Parking stability is also excellent, the Poison sitting and flying neutrally whilst requiring little input or adjustment from the rider. For those that want hassle-free enjoyment at a very reasonable price, the Poison is a great option to consider.