Wing ENSIS SCORE V2 4.5m² Tested by Loulou

Louis's Review: ENSIS SCORE V2 Wing Foil Wing

Rider Profile:

Rider experience: intermediate level. Body size: 1.75m / 87kg.

I've primarily ridden 5m wings from various brands, spanning high-end to entry-level models: Duotone Echo V1, Ozone Wasp V1, Eleveight WFS V2, Gong Neutra, and Gong Droid.

Unboxing:

The wing is perfectly finished. It features strategically placed reinforcements and large windows that prove to be incredibly well-positioned. On the scale, the wing shows a very light weight of 2.1kg (measured with a luggage scale, so not perfectly precise, but it's the lightest of all the wings I've had the opportunity to weigh).

Comparing it with the Duotone Slick 4.5, the surface area looks roughly the same.

The wing comes with a very practical leash.

During inflation, I encountered a small surprise: the valve is completely different from what I'm used to, and my Duotone pump's nozzle didn't fit. This just goes to show the importance of testing your gear calmly beforehand! The one pump inflation is very quick and easy thanks to the two connectors that inflate the central strut. The inflation system is ultimately very good, and the valve is especially practical for deflation.

The only real risk is misplacing the adapter, either at the bottom of your bag or forgetting it entirely. But with a little organization, you'll manage! (Personally, I keep a spare cap in my van!)

Riding:

This wing is immediately intuitive. Its taut trailing edge delivers excellent bottom-end power for pumping, without the unpleasant sensation of an overly flat wing that can overpower you when sailing upwind in windy conditions.

When pumping, the wing feels incredibly powerful and lively. For me, this 4.5m² wing performs like a 5m² from other brands. If you're looking for a quiver with just one wing, this 4.5m² is exactly what you need. It's powerful enough for light winds and perfectly suited for sailing in 20 knots and more.

To install the harness line, simply position it between the front and rear handles; it works perfectly, even though no specific attachment point is provided. The handles have a rather thin diameter, but what initially threw me off was a slight slipping sensation. I quickly resolved this with a good handful of wet sand and some elbow grease: the materials were brand new and still had a coating that made them slippery. A quick rub with damp sand did the trick, and I was good to go!

The wing is incredibly playful and stable on the water. Its stiffness provides excellent upwind performance. For downwind glides and pumping in waves, the wing remains stable in a neutral position, and the very stiff front handle allows for precise control. Switching between surf mode and cruising mode is intuitive and seamless.

When you're jibing, the wing effortlessly positions itself above you. This gives you ample time to switch your hands. During a transfer, the wing never pulls you backward.

Regarding the windows, I consider them a necessary element for safe riding (especially on busy wave spots like the La Baule bar). Some Wings have almost useless windows, forcing you to constantly look under the Wing. This is not the case with the Score, and that's a great thing!

This wing is a real favorite for me and will be my go-to wing for this winter.

For strong winds, you'll obviously need a smaller wing, but for the progressing rider looking for a do-it-all wing that excels in every aspect, I highly recommend this ENSIS Score 4.5m².

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