The Alpinefoil story:
Birth of the Pierra Manta, Pumpfoil Reinvented
- Since 2007, Alpinefoil has been more than a brand; it is a commitment, a story woven with passion, craftsmanship, and an insatiable thirst for innovation.
- Nestled in the heart of the Alps, our company, with a dedicated team of just 8 employees, embodies a singular philosophy: to design and manufacture exceptional foils from A to Z. Far from Asian mass production, each piece is the result of technological investment in robotics and numerical control, where even the molds and tools for our robots are created in-house. It is this total mastery, this quest for excellence with no compromise on raw materials sourced exclusively from France and Europe, that gave birth to a new generation of foil: the Pierra Manta.
Pierra Manta:
- The Legacy of a Name The name "Pierra Manta" is a nod to three sources of inspiration: Mount Pierra Menta in Savoie, famous for its world-renowned mountaineering and endurance competition; the graceful Manta ray, the embodiment of a superb and serene glide; and finally, our deep roots in the Alps, the birthplace of Alpinefoil since 2007.
- Our Alpine lakes, fabulous playgrounds, are the ideal setting to discover this new dimension of pumpfoiling.
The Genesis:
- A Rider's Dream, a Quest for Long Distance
- The Pierra Manta adventure began just over a year ago, when Damien, our founder and a passionate rider over 54 years old in "normal" physical condition, discovered pumpfoiling. The appeal of this sport, a sort of surfing on flat water with a feeling of pure glide, was immediate and immense. However, a burning question remained: how, with standard physical fitness, could one achieve these long distances, going from dock to dock, like marathon athletes do? The frustration of not being able to keep up with younger and more trained riders sparked an idea: the solution had to be found through technique, not just endurance.
Beyond Empiricism:
- At Alpinefoil, design leaves nothing to chance. Far from empirical approaches or the use of generic aero profiles sometimes observed, we dove into an in-depth scientific quest. Over many months, our team conducted rigorous tests, successive prototyping, precise measurements, and advanced modeling.
- That winter, a decisive step was taken. We developed miniaturized electronic modules in-house—"DataLoggers" equipped with accelerometers and GPS—to dissect the behavior of the foils while pumpfoiling. How much energy is required? What are the glide, ascent, and descent angles? What is the amplitude of the movement, and above all, what energy is truly exerted on the board by the body? By analyzing mountains of data, we were able to target with surgical precision the direction to take to create the ultimate long-distance wing, accessible to everyone.
The Revelation:
- A New Hydrodynamic Formula
- The weeks of modeling were intense. We had to find the perfect hydrodynamic profile, capable of working in the right speed ranges while consuming minimal energy, all while offering maximum lift and unprecedented glide finesse. The goal was clear: to reduce the power and frequency of pumping to allow for rest phases and prolonged glide, without the wing losing its flight.
- After a promising first prototype that needed improvement at low speeds, we explored a new hypothesis, resulting in a formula that our CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) modeling confirmed as a major breakthrough. It is not only the profile that is unique, but also its ability to allow for disconcertingly easy dock starts and rock starts, making launches accessible almost anywhere.
The Pierra Manta:
- A Tangible Technological Innovation
- The day of the first test of the final prototype was a real "shock." The Pierra Manta was born, marking a clear technological breakthrough. This sensation of effortless flight, with an easy start and a smoothness in pitch management (the longitudinal tilt of the foil by the front leg, acting like power steering), was completely unknown until then in pumpfoiling. It allows for a more upright body position and perfectly centered pumping, limiting fatigue and opening the doors to long distances.
Low-Frequency Pumping:
- Efficiency at the Core The Pierra Manta, especially in size L, is optimized for pumping at around 90 pumps per minute, well below the usual 120 ppm. This approach requires a slight adjustment period but drastically reduces energy consumption, offering a prolonged glide with less effort.
A Unique Foil System:
The Hawk V3.1 Mast:
- Optimal Energy Transmission Unlike many foils on the market, our mast is positioned extremely close to the wing's center of thrust. This unique engineering minimizes torsional torque between the wing and the mast, ensuring a direct and almost complete transmission of the energy exerted. Our mast is a monobloc continuous-fiber construction, integrating UHM (Ultra High Modulus) fibers at over 400 GPa—the same carbon used by Hexcel for Airbus aircraft—guaranteeing maximum rigidity without mechanical failure.
The Fuselage and its Long-Term Compatibility
- Invented in 2010, our fuselage/wing connection, with its 4 staggered screws, offers exceptional torsional rigidity and automatic play compensation. This long-term vision ensures perfect compatibility between our current and future wings with older foils, a rarity in the industry, preventing obsolescence and frustration. A single Alpinefoil setup can thus be used for pumpfoil, wingfoil, downwind, surf foil, and kitefoil just by changing the front wing.
Boards Designed for Performance
- Our research revealed that up to 20% of pumping energy can be absorbed by board flex. Armed with this discovery, our latest board innovations are designed to minimize this loss, ensuring that every ounce of energy translates into glide.
Made in France, Unique Know-How:
- Alpinefoil Reliability Since 2007, Alpinefoil has used only the best materials, without compromise. This deliberate choice, combined with our complete mastery of the manufacturing chain, explains why our foils are probably the most reliable on the market. Even in the demanding activity of pumpfoiling, which can be particularly destructive to equipment due to the repetition of effort, the robustness of our products is unmatched. This is the price of excellence, of being Made in the French Alps, a guarantee of quality and durability for every rider.
Your Pierra Manta:
- A Personalized Experience
- To meet the needs of every rider, we have designed three variations of the Pierra Manta (Sizes L, M, and S), all benefiting from the same unique hydrodynamic profile. The wingspan, 1755 mm, is the only technical specification we disclose, as our technological lead is closely guarded. Choosing your Pierra Manta does not depend solely on your weight or age. A dedicated configurator on our website will guide you to the model perfectly suited to your physical characteristics and personal goals. Also, feel free to contact us directly for tailored assistance.
The Future of Glide is Here
- The Pierra Manta is not just an innovation; it is an invitation to a new era of pumpfoiling, making long distance accessible to the greatest number of people. We are immensely proud to share this "ultimate tool" with you, the result of an unwavering passion and cutting-edge engineering. Come and discover redefined glide, signed by Alpinefoil.
