PPC Zen Mid-Length

The mid-length foil board market is booming as riders search for the perfect balance of length, width, and volume. New Zealand-based PPC has nailed the formula with the Zen Series – a lineup designed to simplify your quiver with a true do-it-all shape.

The range includes five lightweight sizes: 4’9 × 20” (55L), 5’1 × 20.5” (65L), 5’6 × 21” (75L), 5’11 × 21” (85L), 6’4 × 22” (95L). The 4’9-5’1 models are ideal for prone foiling, the 5’1-5’6 sizes hit the sweet spot for winging and Foil Drive, while the 5’11-6’4 boards offer maximum stability – perfect for winging, parawinging, or all of the above. We tested the 5’11 (85L) model across a variety of sessions – from small prone days and nuking wing-wave sessions, to parawing downwinders and even some SUP foil – and it handled everything with ease.

Each Zen is built using PPC’s signature molded core construction – a process which produces insanely light, stiff and durable boards. Unlike traditional builds where the box is glassed in post-shaping, PPC bakes their extra-long 13” track directly into the molded core, then wraps it in carbon. The result is a featherweight board with a rock-solid, direct connection through to your foil.

Stepping onto the Zen felt instantly natural, thanks to its surf-inspired outline and rounded pintail. It's easy to bond with this shape, every detail reflecting hands-on testing and refinement from PPC founder Sam Loader and his team. They've carefully tuned the volume distribution and rocker profile of these boards with the intention of finding the perfect mix of stability, paddle-power, lift-off and responsiveness. The Zen's factory deck grip is exceptional quality, keeping your feet firmly planted, and the foot strap inserts are thoughtfully placed and numerous.

In prone mode, the 5’11 paddled like a mini-mal yet stayed nimble like a shortboard – ideal for those ultra-small, glassy days. The low swing-weight of the Zen was also quite noticeable, and made it very easy to find its rhythm and pump back out to the sets.

As a wing board, it impressed with its all-round stability, pop-up, and agility on the water. The strategic volume PPC has built into the front of the board does well to improve control, especially when driving through the front foot to get on foil. The stiff, lightweight construction made carving and pumping intuitive, and it holds a well-balanced momentum during sharp turns down the face, making it perfect for wingsurfing.

Swapping the wing for a paddle, the Zen also performed surprisingly well in SUP. Unlike long, narrow, traditional downwind boards, this compact surf machine – with enough wave power behind it – has a really nice shape for SUP stroking into and around waves, not to mention going all out with aggressive turns in the pocket.

These same attributes also helped during a parawing downwind run, where we found it easy to handle the changing winds and flat spots on the taxi out to the wind-line. Once up and foiling with the wing packed away, it carved through the bumps like a menace.

The 5’11 Zen strikes a rare balance between stability and performance. It’s light, stiff, and solidly stable underfoot, yet nimble for its size. Whether you’re traveling light or trimming down your quiver, this board’s versatility meant we could switch between prone, SUP and wind disciplines without changing a thing – a true one-board quiver for the surf-inspired foiler.