Armstrong’s MA Mk II foil promises smoother carving and wider speed range

Armstrong has put the MA Mk II Front Foil on sale at $799.99, and the pitch is clear: keep the carve, widen the usable range, and make the board feel calmer underfoot when the session gets fast or messy. The core question is how much that extra stability changes riding on the water. Armstrong’s answer is that it should buy earlier confidence in turns, fewer compromises between low-end and top-end speed, and a foil that can handle winging and surf foiling without constantly asking the rider to work around its limits.

The company calls the MA Mk II the evolution of its Mid Aspect front foil and says it delivers ultra forgiving pitch stability, an incredibly broad speed range, and seamless rail to rail carving. Armstrong also says the new section brings lower takeoff and stall speeds than the prior MA while keeping the original foil’s carving character. The range runs from 490, 590, 690, 790, 890, 990, 1190 and 1390 cm2, and Armstrong says the aspect ratio stays at eight across the lineup.

That shape change is the real story. Foiling Magazine noted that the MA Mk II carries more span than the original MA1000, has more thickness across the span, and uses a reduced trailing-edge concave. In testing, the foil felt especially sure footed through turbulence and more forgiving in critical bottom turns, including a Foil Drive session in head-high waves and strong outgoing current. The magazine also said the original MA series, which came out two seasons earlier and was associated with Cash Berzolla, already had a rare blend of speed, carving feel, and recovery after breaching the surface.

For riders, the sizing guidance tells the same story in practical terms. Armstrong says people coming from an HA often go up one size in the MA Mk II to keep similar bottom end while getting more maneuverability and pitch stability. Riders moving over from the original MA are generally told to go down one size for similar comfort and stall speed, or down two sizes if they want more responsiveness and top speed in powered conditions. That puts the Mk II in a narrower lane than pure glide or pure looseness, but closer to a one-foil solution for riders who want to surf hard, wing in mixed conditions, and still trust the foil when the line tightens.

Armstrong also backs the build with premium pre-preg Toray carbon construction, its A+ system, a protective cover, and both 28.5 mm and 19.5 mm stainless screws with a titanium barrel nut. The package is aimed at riders who want the foil to disappear underfoot, leaving them with one job: draw the line they want, not fight the equipment.