GONG refreshes HIPE inflatable foil lineup with lighter, stiffer 2026 designs

GONG has pushed its inflatable foil line into a sharper 2026 shape, and the message is clear: the HIPE is no longer being sold as a compromise board. The refreshed range adds a new HIPE Like for accessible lightwind sessions, a completely redesigned HIPE Freefly, and a broader family that now runs from HIPE First and Learn through Perf, Diamond, Cruzader, Freefly and Pro. GONG says the full lineup is built to push performance, accessibility and versatility further than before.

That matters because the brand is leaning hard into what inflatable foiling does best. Riders get easier travel, simpler storage and a board that can be shared across different sessions and skill levels, while GONG argues the ride itself keeps closing in on hard-board territory. The company says the HIPE concept was a world first when it launched, and that its inflatable boards can reach performance levels close to rigid boards, up to 95%, thanks to the carbon plate under the board. SUPboarder has described that structure as 2.4 kg of prepreg carbon and two foam stringers.

The 2026 update is not just about weight. GONG says the new footstrap inserts sit flush with the deck pad for better strapless comfort and more adjustment options. The tail now uses a semi-rigid rail integrated more tightly into the shape to help water release, improve glide before takeoff and make lift-offs easier. The pad is wider across the useful standing area for more grip and comfort, while the board ends are softened and the bottom is flatter with a more pinched edge, changes meant to improve re-pop and clean water separation.

For buyers trying to match a board to the way they actually ride, the ladder is getting more useful. The HIPE First is aimed at riders learning wing foiling safely, with generous volume, width and a 5-inch thickness that makes getting on the board easier. The HIPE Learn is built for discovering navigation and first flights. The HIPE Perf remains the flagship and most versatile inflatable in the range. For riders chasing lightwind efficiency, the HIPE Like and the HIPE Cruzader point in the same direction, while the Diamond covers a more specialized part of the lineup. GONG also says the HIPE First in single-layer Woven Light saves around 800 g versus previous generations, while the HIPE Learn and HIPE Perf in Woven Fusion Light save up to 2 kg.

That is the real story of the 2026 HIPE refresh. GONG is not just trimming grams; it is trying to make inflatable foiling feel more deliberate for wing foiling, lowkite, freeride, freestyle, wave riding and ultra-light-wind use. For riders who want one board to travel, store and still perform across different conditions, the new HIPE lineup reads like a clearer upgrade path than before.