Pocket Pro carbon 88 x 43

Alpine Foil | DK1499 + Pocket Pro | Pump Foil

Pocket Carbone 88 x 43 - 100% Pumpfoil

• A unique double-concave deck design, specifically engineered for pumpfoiling.
• Concave deck wraps around your feet for superior foil control.
• One-piece carbon US rails (the first board where the rails aren't glued internally—the rails are the board!).
• Anti-slip deck specifically formulated and developed by Alpinefoil, offering grip without an abrasive effect.
• One-piece carbon construction using HEXCEL prepreg carbon (European-made carbon, used by Airbus), pressed at 135°C, making it insensitive to sun exposure.
• Central core made from closed-cell honeycomb structure (prevents water absorption), AIREX brand (world leader, Swiss-made).
• Ultra-light: 1.4 kg.
• Very low rocker hull for a neutral pumpfoil position.
• Width: 43 cm, allowing easier pivoting of wide-span foils.
• Length: 88 cm, a length designed to offer the best compromise between control, responsiveness, and weight for pumpfoiling.

A new, ultra-innovative Pocket kitefoil, 100% made in France.

The Pocket 88x43 embodies the extensive experience Alpinefoil has in designing and manufacturing carbon foils, a expertise cultivated in their factory nestled in the heart of the French Alps. Building on this knowledge, Alpinefoil made its mark on the industry in 2019 by being the first manufacturer to design and produce a pocket board using the same sophisticated manufacturing technology as its foils.

This pre-impregnated, press-cured technology offers significant advantages, enabling the creation of complex 3D shapes (concave, inverted rails, etc.) with precisely controlled thickness. The result is increased lightness (approximately a 30% gain) combined with strength far superior to traditional liquid resin constructions. While some manufacturers have since adopted this approach for certain models, Alpinefoil stands out by overcoming a major challenge: the perfect integration of US rails. Traditionally, these rails are glued inside the board, creating a potential weak point at the bond.

Since the launch of the Pocket 98x45, Alpinefoil has developed an innovative process that allows them to manufacture the carbon rails directly inside the board, forming a monolithic unit. On Pocket boards equipped with US rails, these rails are the board. This level of strength, rigidity, and lightness is unmatched. This significant advancement is the result of a unique demolding process, overcoming the complexities posed by rail undercuts, which were theoretically considered impossible to achieve.

Furthermore, the manufacturing process ensures a carbon fiber mechanical connection between the deck and the hull, preventing delamination—a common problem with other models.

However, the true innovation of this board lies in its shape. An in-depth postural study, focused on the practice of pumping, allowed us to identify potential improvements and integrate genuinely innovative concepts. Building on its experience in creating the first kitefoil boards with concave decks, Alpinefoil sought to amplify the feeling of connection with the board and the sensation while riding. Unlike a convex deck, a concave deck allows for better board perception through the toes and heel, particularly sensitive areas of the body. This approach has, incidentally, been adopted by most brands on the market.

For the Pocket 88x43, the goal was to further accentuate this sensation by designing a narrower concave around the feet, allowing simultaneous contact of the heel and toes with the deck at the front foot. Therefore, two concaves were created to "wrap" the foot and dramatically increase sensation in this highly sensitive area, while also promoting a more aligned pelvic movement with the walking axis, thereby reducing lower back pain by limiting spinal torsion.

The rider's feet are not placed on the central axis of the board, but slightly off-center. For example, for a goofy rider, the front foot is positioned on the inner quarter (backside) and the back foot slightly on the outer quarter (frontside). This advantage of decentralized positioning is to increase leverage for initiating turns, especially with wide-span wings. Consequently, a significant width of 43 cm (on the small Pocket) has been maintained to optimize this leverage.

The board's central axis rises very slightly, subtly, to better feel your positioning on the board without causing discomfort. This shape was ergonomically studied to provide the expected benefits without the drawbacks observed during previous experiments with central EVA pad bulges, which were deemed unpleasant.

The feel of this board is simply unique. From the very first moments, you experience an immediate connection with the foil; sensations are amplified, and steering precision is even more pronounced. My first impression when I tested this board was that I had changed foils. I felt a significant gain in precision and instinctively knew where my body was positioned on the board. After a few tries, you realize it's very difficult to go back to a board with a conventional deck.

UNDERSTANDING AND OPTIMIZING PUMPFOIL BOARD FLEX

After conducting an in-depth study of pumpfoil boards, I realized that almost all models available on the market exhibit significant deformation at the interface between the board and the mast during intense pumping sequences. The forces endured are truly enormous. Through tests performed in slow-motion video and working frame by frame, I was able to accurately measure this flex. What particularly struck me was that even boards constructed from carbon, known for their rigidity, sometimes deform in an impressive manner.
When I started developing the Pocket Pro Carbon prototypes, this observation quickly became apparent: not all the energy provided by the rider is transmitted to the foil; a significant portion is dissipated in the flex of the board itself. This causes, unexpectedly, a noticeable loss of efficiency – you feel that the effort is not fully returned.
I therefore decided to completely rethink the design of the board. My objective: to limit the flex to maximize energy transfer. In the new version, I revised the design, including the central rail of the double concave, the molded, non-glued monobloc carbon rails, and the addition of a reinforced construction in high-modulus carbon fibers completely change the game. The result? The board is so rigid that the flex is almost non-existent.
In action, the difference is striking: you feel that the energy, far from being absorbed by the board, is immediately redirected towards the foil – the board returns an unprecedented dynamic. This optimization makes it possible to obtain up to 20% less energy to supply during pumping, because every movement really counts. It's a real change in sensations and efficiency on the water!

Thanks to several possible types of finish

• RAW OUT OF MOLD:

The "raw out of mold" finish refers to the state in which the board comes directly from its mold after manufacture, without sanding or adding additional protection. At this stage, the surface retains all the small traces and possible imperfections related to the molding process, offering an authentic and raw appearance. This finish is mainly intended for users who wish to carry out the finishes themselves, such as sanding, applying an epoxy glaze, paint, non-slip and anti-UV varnish. It allows you to benefit from a high-performance carbon product at a reduced cost, while leaving great freedom of customization to DIY enthusiasts.

• RAW OUT OF MOLD + ANTI SLIP

The so-called "out of mold" finish with the addition of sanding on the deck and application of a non-slip stands out due to an additional intervention compared to the "raw out of mold". Here, after demolding, the top of the board is carefully sanded, then covered with a non-slip coating to improve grip under the feet. This step makes the board directly functional in use, while keeping possible small porosities on the surface, visible both on the bottom and on the top. The structure remains solid, however, the board can be used without worry upon receipt. The visual aspect simply shows a less neat finish compared to a fully finished board, but this does not alter the gliding qualities and robustness of the product in any way.

• FINISHED WITH PAINT + VARNISH

Finally, the so-called "painted and varnished" finish requires a succession of meticulous steps. After demolding, the board is completely sanded, then an epoxy glaze is applied. This glaze then receives new sanding, which corrects small molding defects with an epoxy varnish. This sanding is carried out with great care to control the weight of the board. Then comes the painting and decoration phase, personalizing the appearance. A non-slip developed especially by AlpineFoil is applied to the top to guarantee the best possible grip, without damaging your wetsuits while swimming. Finally, the board is covered with a special carbon anti-UV varnish, both on the upper and lower part, then the final touch consists of a very fine water sanding (grain 2000) on the hull, to obtain a finished surface condition.