Indiana Dolphin S

Indiana just released their new Dolphin range and after a few sessions on the Dolphin S, it’s pretty clear where this foil sits in the market. With a 9.5 aspect ratio, 720cm² of surface and an 827mm span, this foil lands right in that sweet spot between pure glide efficiency and carving ability. The more I’m riding foils between 9 and 10 aspect ratio the more I feel like this is the best compromise.

For this test I was riding the Dolphin S paired with the Dolphin Tail XS (135cm²), using it both winging and surf foiling in different conditions, from weak days to more powerful waves, to really see where this foil performs best. From the very first wave, what stood out straight away was the glide. Once you’re up and flying, the foil just wants to keep going and keeps carrying speed effortlessly. For a foil with that kind of aspect ratio, I was honestly surprised by how accessible it felt. Usually when you step into higher aspect territory, you lose a bit of that comfort and low-end security, but here Indiana managed to keep enough lift to make it feel safe and intuitive.

Takeoff wise, it’s not the earliest lifting foil I’ve ridden and you definitely don’t get that instant pop like lower aspect foils, but as soon as it starts flying it accelerates really quickly and becomes super comfortable under your feet. It feels natural straight away, whether you’re building speed with the wing or dropping into a wave. Where this foil really shines is in pumping and connecting sections. That’s probably what impressed me the most. The efficiency is super noticeable; every pump gives back energy and you don’t feel like you’re fighting to keep the foil alive. In surf foil especially, it makes linking waves or sections way easier and allows you to stay in motion without burning your legs too quickly. Same feeling with the wing in softer conditions, it keeps momentum so well that you can stay efficient with very light wind.

Carving-wise, this is where the Dolphin feels really balanced. For a 9.5 AR foil, the turns are smoother than expected and very controlled. It’s not a super loose or snappy foil – that’s not what it’s made for – but it draws beautiful surf-style lines with a lot of flow. You can push hard through the turns without feeling any instability or loss of control. It really gives that feeling of riding lines rather than just doing turns. One thing I really liked is how predictable the foil feels under your feet. The pitch stability is excellent and you always know where the foil is, even when accelerating hard or exiting turns with speed. That’s something I often look for because with some performance-oriented foils you can quickly feel like you’re on the limit, but here the balance between performance and control is really well done.

Speed-wise, you can clearly feel the low drag and efficiency of the design. Compared to more mid-aspect foils, the foil feels faster, cleaner through the water, and keeps accelerating naturally without hitting a wall too early. The top-end feels strong while still maintaining enough comfort to stay relaxed at speed especially when paired with the Indiana UHM mast. This is definitely not a beginner foil though. I would recommend it more for intermediate to advanced riders, especially if you’re already riding foils around AR 7 or 8 and want to step into something faster and more efficient without going full technical. For wingfoil, surf foil and even light downwind, it makes a lot of sense as a one-foil-does-it-all option.

What I really liked with this Dolphin S is that balance between performance and accessibility. It has that modern high-aspect DNA: fast, efficient and addictive in glide, but without becoming too demanding or technical. That’s probably its biggest strength. It gives you more speed, more glide and more efficiency, while keeping enough control and comfort to make every session fun. And those are usually the foils you end up keeping the longest.