The Flux V1 enters the Ozone wing line up at the top of the tree, pick of the litter in Performance, technology and innovativeness. The industry bar has well and truly been raised, this wing is a monster. Given the choice, I don't want to use anything else.
This model best suits those riders after the upmost performance and who want to power round their spots as quick as they can, or jump as high as possible. Working with Ex World Champion Kite foil racer Johnny Heineken has also made it very apparent that this wing works perfectly on the wing race circuit in the right hands.
Design and Performance
The more budget friendly and beginner/intermediate friendly Fly wing was the first in the Ozone range to have been designed with the new wing focused module on their proprietary design software - OzCAD. The Flux is the next instalment from this module and takes things to another level in terms of both performance and materials. This new module allows Ozone to design wings with tighter canopies and more preloading to allow them to withstand the forces put on them in use and remain tight. This tightness allows for more response from the wing while handling, meaning its right there with the power exactly when you need it. While tight, there are tighter canopies on the market - and a little bit of flex in the canopy allows it to soak up gusts better and give each model a better wind range of use.
The Flux wants to drive forward - all the time. Upwind its a machine, and the thing wants to tack all day long. It rolls overhead in the tack with ease and makes the entire process so easy and clean. The use of lighter weight and stronger Dacron on the leading edge and strut allows for a mega light structure that is also stiffer and less likely to deform under the load of higher winds.
The Canopy is a mix of two - a lighter weight triple weave makes up the bulk of the canopy for better weight, while a heavier weight sits on the leading and trailing edge for better strength where its needed. The panels are then laid horizontally to reduce material stretch overall - the Ozone build quality is as ever, top notch.
Handles
Our first time using hard handles, its hard to see why we were so unsure of them before. They're thin, light, comfortable and easy to find when coming out of tacks and gybes. Perhaps a little more cumbersome while handling on the wave face than soft handles, but thats easily personal preference - and something most people won't need to worry about. The overall benefits of the handles seems to outweigh any negatives we can think of. Will we see soft handles make a come back at all we wonder - perhaps on more wave specific models?
Overall
While not a difficult wing to use, this model definitely suits more intermediate riders who have gotten to grips with a solid pumping technique for the lighter winds and are looking for something more performance orientated - its not just going to sit back and do all the work for you!
For those who spend most of their time on a wave face, the New Flow from Ozone could be a better option. When flagged out on the depower handle the Flux can be a little unsure of itself, preferring to be powered up. On the wave as you might imagine, this is less than ideal - and it takes an experienced rider to make sure this wing stays out of your way in our predominantly onshore or cross wind directions. The Flux is a high performance wing, designed mainly for blasting around and racing.
Its obviously at the upper end of the price range for a wing, but you won't be disappointed if you choose the Flux V1. This is a seriously competitive wing for the 2023 market.
For more info, check them out HERE
