TOP 3 PRODUCTS IN 2024
What items made the biggest impact on the water in 2024?
Our Big Winds’ staff shares their three favorites.
NICK WATTS
Shipping and Receiving Manager
Winger, Kiter, Stand Up Paddler, Hockey Hobbiest
NICK’S #1 FAVORITE
2025 Duotone Unit D-Lab 3.5
One wing to “wooh” them all! Incredibly powerful, lightweight, and controlled. A quiver shrinker, and thank goodness (it’s not cheap). But “twoo wuv” — worth every penny!
NICK’S #2 FAVORITE
Ride Engine Airbox Electric Pump
Saves time, hassle, and sweat. All conceivable pump valves included. But be warned: Once you’ve pushed that button, there’s no going back to hand pumpin’.
NICK’S #3 FAVORITE
Quatro Glide Air Inflatable SUP 11’6″
A summer day with friends, a cooler, and a remote beach — this SUP unlocks all of it, and the windsurf sail insert doubles as a sturdy drink holder (ask Nick).
CONNIE OZIMEK
Co-Owner, CFO, Wetsuit Manager, Lessons Director
Windsurfer, Winger, Master Baker, Mom
CONNIE’S #1 FAVORITE
2024 Duotone Super Hero
No gust is too much, not even in the Gorge. Massive wind range. I rig once, and that’s it. Even when it howls, my grip stays relaxed, and I keep on keeping on!
CONNIE’S #2 FAVORITE
Prolimit Oxygen 5/3 Wetsuit
So much heat, so little hassle. Prolimit’s Thermal Rebound lining came from NASA space blankets. It’s Free-X zipper came from the heavens. Sliding in and out of this suit is easy.
CONNIE’S #3 FAVORITE
Armstrong High Aspect 1080 Front Wing
Got me on the water in light winds for a quiet session. Kept me on the water in rocking winds riding a 3.0. More water time means more progression. I improved riding this wing.
DILLAN DALLESANDRO
Lessons and Rental Manager
Windsurfer, Winger, New Downwind SUP Foiler
DILLAN’S #1 FAVORITE
Lift Florence 110 and 130 Front Wings
Speed, glide and reactivity. These foils require an “A” game, but for a lightweight rider like me, it’s refreshing to ride a small foil that’s fast, nimble and controlled no matter the conditions.
DILLAN’S #2 FAVORITE
Goya Custom Quad 68 Liter
The best Gorge board I’ve ever owned. Crazy mix of smooth grippy comfort, and lively agile fun. I’m 135 pounds, and I can’t get blown of this board. 3.0 – 4.5 sails – it covers it all.
DILLAN’S #3 FAVORITE
Armstrong XPS Handheld Wing
My favorite wing for riding swell because it’s stays behaved when parked no matter how active I get on a swell. It also rips upwind so I can do it all over again, and again, and again.
PHOTO CREDIT: KAIBEARSPORTS
AERON FORD
Shop Floor Manager
Winger, E-foiler, Dock Foiler, New Downwind SUP Foiler and Kiter
AERON’S #1 FAVORITE
Armstrong Mid-Length 65
My light-wind sinker. My double overhead swell ripper. It’s hard to put a finger on what it does best. And looking forward it won’t get easier, as it will be my prone, pocket wing and, perhaps, my foil assist board. So cool.
AERON’S #2 FAVORITE
Solite 3mm Custom Pro 2.0 Internal Seam Boots
Yes, booties. No shame here. I ride year round, and have worn through the Big Winds’ bootie rack. These are my favorite for warmth and comfort. Heat ’em up in hot water for a molded custom fit unlike any other.
AERON’S #3 FAVORITE
Prolimit Predator Impact Vest
I breathe easy wearing this, and not just because of its fit. I broke ribs wing foiling last summer. A long recovery had me sampling every impact vest under the sun. This one softens blows best.
EDDY PATRICELLI
Co-Owner, Marketing Manager
Windsurfer, Winger, New Downwind SUP Foiler
EDDY’S #1 FAVORITE
Goya One 12 77 Liter Windsurf Board
The lightest windsurf board I’ve ridden in two decades. And miraculously, one of the easiest on my knees and ankles. Leaps onto a plane, into the air, and plenty fun for swell slashing and more …
EDDY’S #2 FAVORITE
Hyperfreak Fire 4/3+ Wetsuit
This suit replaced any need for a 5/4 wetsuit, even when I downwind SUP foiled with it right through winter. It’s a fuzzy, flexible furnace. It has simplified my cold-water quiver, and extended my riding season.
EDDY’S #3 FAVORITE
Duotone Slick Handheld Wing
Its boom convinces me that I’m actually windsurfing (not winging). And that’s a good thing. But what I like most is the Slick’s steady, between-the-hands power delivery. It feels like a windsurfing sail. Cue riding confidence.
TJ GULIZIA
Co-Owner, SUP, Kite, Wing Manager
Downwind SUP Foil Pioneer, Winger, Kiter,
TJ’S #1 FAVORITE
Armstrong High Aspect 880 Wing
My go to foil for downwind SUP foiling and winging. Paired with the Performance Mast, the TC60 fuse, and the Dart 140 tail, the HA’s got serious play time in the river this summer! Most used size? Probably the HA880 but I love them all!
TJ’S #2 FAVORITE
Duotone Slick Wing
I logged lots of time upwinding on this wing because my adjustable Quickblade Stingray 65 paddle can be its boom. So my downwind SUP foil runs involved an e-bike, a backpack, and a 3.5 wing (no car, no shuttle, no bridge toll). Gotta love it.
TJ’s #3 FAVORITE
Kaohi INVIZ leash
First off, huge shout out to Roy and Karen for just being awesome people to work with. We love you guys! The INVIZ leash was our #1 seller here at Big Winds for a reason: It’s so lightweight you don’t even know your wearing it; exactly what I want in a board leash.
MARK AMES
Co-Owner, Founder, Windsurfing Manager
Windsurfer, Windsurf Foiler
MARK’S #1 FAVORITE
Goya One 12 85 Liter Windsurf Board
Light, lively, smooth versatility. Checks all Freewave boxes at a very high level.
MARK’S #2 FAVORITE
Goya Banzai Max Pro Carbon Wave Sails
Light, smooth and so quiet. Max comfort and range.
MARK’S #3 FAVORITE
O’neill Heat 3/2 Back Zip Wetsuit
Easiest to get in and out of back zip wetsuit – period. The Technobutter 3 and Firewall 3 adds comfort and warmth.
RICK GENTZKOW
Digital Manager
Kiter, Kite Foiler, Surfer
RICK’S #1 FAVORITE
Appletree Malus Domestica Carbon Kitesurf Board
Light, chop-eating, wave smashing magic board. You can do no wrong.
RICK’S #3 FAVORITE
O’neill Hyperfreak 2mm Chest Zip Long Sleeve wetsuit.
Travels light. Comfort and warmth in a huge range of water temps with less bulk.
