GA Pure Team

If you had asked us to name our favorite wings from last season, the GA Pure Team would undoubtedly sit near the top of that list. So, it was hard not to smile when we unpacked a few boxes from Gaastra (GA) and found the latest version among them. GA typically spoils us by letting us borrow their gear for extended testing periods rather than just a few days, giving us plenty of time to get a real feel for the equipment. The Pure Team is available in sizes ranging from 3.7 to 5.7 m, and our test wing was the 4.2 m model.

Like its predecessor, one of the Pure Team's standout features is the use of 80X UPE laminated material throughout the frame. This ultra-stiff and exceptionally lightweight material contributes significantly to the wing's performance. The canopy combines a 2×2 ripstop fabric across most of the central section with a more durable 3×3 ripstop panel in the trailing edge. Inflation is handled through separate SUP valves for the leading edge and strut, while strategic reinforcements are found throughout the wing. The overall impression is that GA has pursued performance in every detail. One feature we particularly appreciate on the Pure Team, and across the almost entire GA wing range, is the two-piece carbon grip. It takes only a minute to install and just as little time to remove when packing away. This allows the wing to fit into a remarkably compact bag, something we always appreciate given how much gear we constantly have around.

Our first session took place in our typical local conditions: light and gusty wind at the launch spot, building into much stronger and more consistent wind once we reached the right area. It didn't take long to identify a couple of standout characteristics, especially when compared to the initial impressions we get from testing other wings. The first thing that struck us was how direct the Pure Team feels and how efficiently it generates power. Its low-end performance is excellent, but it's not just about raw grunt, it's about how that power is delivered. The power transfer is virtually instantaneous, something we particularly noticed during transitions, when exiting a wave or while recovering from a trick. As soon as we positioned the wing to generate power, it translated effortlessly and immediately into forward drive on the foil. Simply put, it makes winging feel easier.

The second standout feature became apparent within the first few hundred meters: its impressive upwind angle and speed. While this isn't a dedicated race wing, it probably gets as close as possible to race-wing performance without sacrificing versatility. It delivers outstanding upwind efficiency while remaining equally capable across a wide range of riding styles as we would discover later across different sessions.

Speaking of versatility, as a freeride wing the Pure Team offers everything we look for. It combines a huge wind range with excellent top-end speed, all while remaining comfortable and easy to control. The handling stays composed even when heavily powered, with no noticeable trailing-edge flutter and a very balanced feel throughout the wind range.

Although it isn't specifically designed as a wave wing, it performs remarkably well in wave-riding conditions. Its ability to enter very fast into the wave, combined with its low weight and excellent neutral drift when flagged out, makes it a pleasure to ride on small to medium-sized waves. Add the instant power delivery when it's time to reconnect with the wing and ride away and you have a wing that is far more capable in the surf than its design might suggest.

In freestyle, the Pure Team delivers explosive lift, though it takes a few attempts to fully unlock its potential. As mentioned earlier, this wing naturally rides a little faster than other wings, so dialing in the timing for take-offs and pop required some adjustment. Once we adapted, however, the reward was huge: massive boosts, impressive hangtime and excellent control throughout the jump. Even when landings don't go exactly as planned (which is often the case for us), the Pure Team makes recovery remarkably easy thanks to its instant power delivery. A quick repositioning of the wing is all it takes to regain speed and ride away cleanly. When it came to more technical freestyle tricks, we found what is arguably the wing's strongest characteristic. The Pure Team feels incredibly responsive, rotating with lightning-fast precision and reacting instantly to rider input. It gave us a level of control and predictability that made advanced maneuvers feel natural and intuitive. In fact, we must admit, during the last months, whenever freestyle conditions lined up and we had the chance, the Pure Team quickly became our absolute go-to wing.

Who is this wing for? Progressing riders will appreciate its easy handling, excellent low-end power and wide wind range. Freeriders will enjoy its speed, efficiency and all-round versatility, while more advanced riders will discover a wing capable of performing at a very high level across multiple disciplines. It is equally comfortable carving waves, cruising long distances, pointing high upwind or even dabbling in light racing conditions. Freestyle riders, meanwhile, will love its powerful lift, hangtime and exceptional precision during tricks.

Living in a location where conditions can change dramatically from one day to the next, we value equipment that can adapt to whatever the session demands. Throughout our time with the Pure Team, it consistently delivered, whether we were testing, freeriding, surfing or pushing our freestyle progression. And for us, that is the definition of a truly complete and versatile wing.