GA Poison 2026

Gaastra (GA) is one of those brands that really gives us the opportunity to test its gear over long periods of time, and the new Poison was no exception. After plenty of sessions in a wide range of conditions, we felt we had a solid understanding of what this wing is all about. The Poison is available in nine sizes, from a tiny 2.2m all the way up to a 6.2m, and for this review we spent our time on the 4.2m.

Construction-wise, the Poison sticks to traditional high-quality materials. The leading edge and strut are built from GA's Force-Tec Dacron, which feels robust, noticeably lighter and slightly stiffer than standard Dacron. The main canopy uses Teijin's VoltNova 3×3 ripstop, while the trailing edge is reinforced with VoltNova+, a double-ripstop material that feels significantly stiffer and more abrasion-resistant, helping the wing retain its shape over time. One of the first things that caught our attention was how compact the package is. This is made possible by GA's two-piece carbon pistol-grip boom, which can be quickly assembled or removed, making the wing much easier to pack and travel with than a fixed-boom design. Inflation is handled through two SUP-style valves and reinforcement patches are strategically placed throughout the wing. Overall, the Poison gives a very solid first impression. It feels exceptionally well built and ready to withstand years of use and abuse, exactly what we've come to expect from GA gear.

Our first session with the Poison happened on one of those days we're sure most of our readers can relate to. Wind and waves looked perfect, but we knew all would fade later in the afternoon… and, naturally, we had a hundred things to do before we could finally get to the beach. By the time we arrived, we could already see kiters a few kilometers downwind enjoying the opposite wind direction, while at our spot the Levante was still hanging on, accompanied by clean, highly surfable waves. We decided to commit, rigged the wing and started walking towards the water. Halfway there, we actually stopped to ask ourselves if it was even worth it as the wind was fading by the minute. But standing there in 30°C wearing a shorty made the decision much easier – we figured that, at worst, we'd get wet. As soon as we felt the first little gust, we popped onto the foil and headed upwind towards the best-looking peaks. We only managed to catch five or six long waves before the wind completely disappeared, but that short session told us a lot about the Poison.

The low-end performance immediately stood out. The wing generates power effortlessly in marginal conditions, while the wide, comfortable front handle and excellent drift make it incredibly easy to forget about the wing altogether while surfing. Instead of constantly repositioning it, we could simply focus on drawing lines across the wave. It was one of those sessions where everything just clicked, despite lasting only 20 minutes. Pure joy in tricky conditions. We're honestly smiling just writing these lines.

After that memorable (short) first session, we managed to put plenty more hours on the Poison in a wide variety of conditions. From proper wave riding to long downwinders, the wing consistently impressed us with its balance and ease of use. It delivers smooth, predictable handling while surfing, and its great drift allows you to focus entirely on the wave. At the same time, it provides plenty of power when waterstarting or accelerating after catching a wave, making it effortless to get back up to speed.

But what about the high end and freestyle? While the Poison is clearly happiest in its low and mid-range, it remains remarkably composed when the wind picks up. The canopy stays stable with very little flutter. Jumping performance is also surprisingly good, with clean lift and enough hangtime to make boosting fun. We didn't push the wing to its limits in freestyle, but it felt precise enough for rotations and basic tricks, while retaining a forgiving character that helps build confidence and makes progression easier, especially for less experienced riders.

So, who is the Poison for? It's a versatile wing that performs well across a wide range of conditions. Freeride and wave riding are undoubtedly where it shines the most, but it is also perfectly capable of handling occasional freestyle sessions. Its wind range is good, particularly at the low end, and its intuitive, forgiving handling makes it equally appealing to beginners looking for an easy wing to progress on and to intermediate riders who simply want to make the most of every session, regardless the conditions.