Inbound: SABFOIL Leviathan BlackBird

SABFOIL expand their Blackbird philosophy with their new Leviathan line, designed for freeride, SUP, dock-start, pumping and downwind riding. Always an intriguing chat with the crew at SAB, so we popped them a few questions…

You describe the Leviathan Blackbird as part of the Blackbird philosophy, but aimed at a different riding experience. What was the starting point?

The starting point was very clear: maximize efficiency without sacrificing accessibility.

Leviathan was conceived to deliver exceptional glide and lift at low speeds, making it ideal for pumping, dock-start and downwind, while still offering a controlled and predictable ride for freeride and winging in light wind. The challenge was to preserve the unmistakable Blackbird DNA – active fuselage, clean connections, structural stiffness – while shifting the focus from top-end aggression to smoothness, flow and sustained efficiency.

Leviathan comes in four front wings. How did you approach such a wide spectrum of potential riders?

From the beginning, we wanted Leviathan to speak two different languages without compromising either.

On one side, we developed three more radical front wings (960, 1300 and 1400), designed for riders with high demands in pumping performance, efficiency and glide. These are fast, modern and highly reactive foils, created to push pumping to a new level, allowing experienced riders to connect longer sections, generate speed more efficiently and truly unlock the next step in their progression.

At the same time, we felt it was essential to stay true to a front wing that many riders already know well – a wing that helped define the discipline itself. This is where The 1350 comes in. Rather than being simply the “easy” option in the range, it represents a classic SABFOIL concept – a design riders have trusted for years and one that has become a reference point for pumping. With Leviathan Blackbird, that familiar feeling has been modernized and refined, with updated profiles, improved efficiency and a cleaner Blackbird identity.

The result is immediately familiar, forgiving and smooth, yet more efficient and polished than ever. Perfect for first dock-starts, relaxed freeride sessions or long, comfortable glides – while still carrying the heritage of a wing that shaped how we pump today. Different ambitions. Same Blackbird philosophy.

Your design and production happen entirely in Italy. How does that influence the final product?

Designing and producing everything in Italy allows for an extremely fast feedback loop. From CAD design to prototype, from the water back to the workshop, every step is handled in-house. Leviathan wasn’t designed on paper alone. It was molded, tested, refined and molded again, with direct input from riders and engineers. The result is a foil that feels finished, balanced and purposeful from the very first session.

SABFOIL often highlights its in-house prototyping. How crucial was that here?

It was fundamental. Leviathan required a precise balance between lift, glide and control. Small changes in profile, span or section thickness can dramatically affect pumping efficiency and downwind stability.

Being able to prototype quickly meant multiple iterations could be tested in real conditions – sometimes within days. That’s how the high aspect ratio was fine-tuned to achieve excellent glide without making the foil demanding or overly technical.

On-the-water testing seems central to the process for you guys. What were you looking for primarily out of this? 

We focused on real riding sensations: How early does the foil lift? How easy is it to maintain flight while pumping? How smooth is the glide in flat water and light swell? How forgiving is it during transitions and touchdowns?

Leviathan had to feel intuitive. Riders immediately noticed how little effort was needed to stay flying, especially during dock-starts and long downwind glides.

Fine-tuning with shims is part of the ecosystem for the Blackbird. How does it apply here?

Shims allow riders to personalize the feel without changing components. With Leviathan, small angle adjustments significantly influence pumping cadence, glide angle and front-foot pressure. This makes the range extremely versatile. The same wing can be tuned for relaxed cruising, technical dock-start sessions or efficient downwind runs – simply by adapting it to the rider’s style and conditions.

Performance numbers and marketing speak aside, how does Leviathan actually feel on the water?!

Effortless. It rewards smooth input, flows naturally through turns and keeps flying when other foils would stall. The glide is long and stable, encouraging riders to focus on lines, rhythm and technique rather than managing speed. This reflects SABFOIL’s vision: high-end performance that enhances the riding experience instead of complicating it.

SABFOIL often talks about “pro-level tech for everyone”. Does that apply here?

Absolutely. Leviathan uses the same Blackbird construction principles – monoblock full-carbon design, active fuselage and precision connections – channelled into a foil that is welcoming, efficient and genuinely fun. It’s loved by experienced riders for its pumping efficiency and glide, but equally rewarding for intermediate riders looking to progress with confidence and ease.