AXIS Foils Range Guide: Choosing the Right Foil in 2026
The AXIS Range looks vast, but it doesn't have to be confusing. Adrian and Evan - the masterminds behind the brand have a (sometimes annoying) tendency to keep older foils on the website and in the catalogue indefinitely - whereas most brands fade models out after a year or two - and this is something we find ourselves discussing with customers regularly.
They do this because there are people around the world who are huge fans of specific foils, and they want to make something for everyone. Rightly or wrongly, this is how the brand operates - hopefully we can clear the mud and help guide you towards the best foils for the most current disciplines.
In an extremely overly simplified way, for 2026 there are only 4x families of foils to consider for the bulk of an intermediate foilers collection - the PNG V2, the Fireball, the Tempo and the Surge. Argue as you might, but in our eyes the Spitfire and ART V2's have been surpassed by the Surge. The Fireball has surpassed the ART Pro and the BSC's and HPS are nigh on extinct now. We're talking about the best performing foils in the range for 2026. Thats not to say those other families weren't great - but they're being left behind by the latest and greatest in terms of performance.
To simplify things even further, and alienate ourselves a tad - for the vast majority of intermediate foilers in the UK, just get the Surge.
Most foilers in the UK are intermediate level wingers who want to ride some bumps with the wing flagged out, maybe glide between a couple of them, maybe do the odd jumps and ride around their local lakes dialling in their tacks and gybes. If you fit into this category, you will not be disappointed by the Surge - its awesome.
The PnG's are great to get up in absolutely nothing or learn to SUP Foil. The Fireballs are amazing if you're after masses of glide. The Tempo's are great if you want to smash about in the flats at the upper end of performance. For anything and everything else and even all of the above, the Surge will do the trick extremely well. Suss out your size break, pair it with an ultrashort advance+ fuselage and a Skinny Surf rear wing and you've got yourself a winning setup. This is 90% of what we've sold in 2026.
Oh, you want more information than that? Fine.
'Spitfire, ARTv2 or Surge?'
As already mentioned, the Surge has surpassed the other two in our opinion, and we rode all 3 plenty. The design is more current and massive gains have been made in performance. The Surge turns better than the Spitfire and yet has similar glide to the ART v2. The Surge breaches tips better in turns and it pumps easier than both other of these foils.
The negatives - the Surge isn't as fast as the ARTV2 and is probably more pitch sensitive than the Spitfire.
'Surge or Fireball?'
As mentioned above, the bulk of the time the Surge wins - purely down to what MOST UK wing foilers will benefit from most. If you're after something faster and with more glide but turning isn't too high up the priority list, Fireball wins here. Accessible performance in the open water is a nice way of putting it. For longer, 'flatter' bumps that we tend to see with open ocean swells - the Fireball has the speed and glide to keep up with those bumps without needing the power of a steeper wave like the Surge. Those style of bumps move to quickly for a surf foil to keep up with - the higher aspect ratio of the Fireballs is of massive benefit here.
If turning is of more priority than glide - go Surge. If you're riding shorter fetch, steeper waves - the Surge will sit on them perfectly. In other words, beach breaks.
The crossover might come from the inland wingers. The smaller Fireball's will be better for smashing about at a higher speed and gliding forever round turns. This can definitely be of interest to flat water riders, but if your intention is to be jumping - stick with the shorter span Surge and just accept the slower overall speed in order to keep your foil in one piece.
'What about beginner foils?'
This is where we look at the Spitfire, finally. Steady, progressive lift with a tonne of stability. We may see something else arrive later in the year to replace even this - but for now a larger sized Spitfire will do a great job introducing you to the sport after your first few glides at a school or on the SES beginner Packs.
Pair the 1030/1100/1180 with a short black fuse and 400/425/450 progressive rear if you're looking at getting into the sport. A 75cm Aluminium mast setup will work best. The bigger Surge sizes wouldn't be horrendous to learn on for those with some watersports background, but their lack of size/area and pitch stability means they should probably be left alone for most.