Compact V3 Foilboard

Performance & Feel

The V3 is built around the same idea as the V2: concentrate the volume into a short, compact shape, keep the swing weight down, and you get a board that performs without dragging size into the equation. What's changed is where AK have taken that idea.

The narrower outline is the most significant shift. Less width reduces drag before take-off and improves sub-planing glide, so the board slips into flight more efficiently. But it also means the V3 is more demanding on the surface than the V2, and riders stepping across should factor that in when choosing their size. The increase in tail rocker pulls the nose up naturally on foil, which removes the need for shimming on most foils: a practical change that simplifies setup across different systems. More nose rocker and a pulled-in nose are the freestyle-specific changes: when you're doing quick low rotations, the nose no longer catches, which is exactly where the V2 would catch you out at the critical moment. The smaller sizes were developed alongside Xavi Corr, the Junior World Champion, and are explicitly aimed at freestyle performance. The larger sizes open it up to heavier riders or those who want the Compact shape in a more manageable volume.

Active Carbon replaces Carbon Innegra as the construction, which means the top deck, core and load plate follow the same architecture as the Nomad V2 and Phazer V4. A full Active Carbon top deck covers a fused EPS core, with a wood sandwich in the standing areas and the heavy-duty high-density load plate carrying the foil load directly to the deck. It's stiffer and more direct in response than the Innegra blend, with the impact resistance coming from the construction method rather than the fibre itself.

Everything else that made the Compact shape work carries over: the high apex rail that gives you the stability of a wider board on the surface and the carving ability of a narrower one once you're flying, the wide nose keeping volume up front for directional stability and confident landings, the concave deck keeping you connected to the foil, and the kick tail for a clean release on take-off and reduced drag when pumping. The V3 is not for riders still building their foil confidence. If that's where you are, the Phazer range is the better call. For riders ready to push harder, the V3 gives you a more capable platform to do it.

Key Features

• Active Carbon construction: full Active Carbon top deck over a fused EPS core, with wood sandwich standing areas for stiffness and low weight
• Heavy-duty foil connection: high-density load plate carries the foil load directly to the top deck for a direct connection between foil and rider
• Narrower outline, increased thickness: reduced width improves sub-planing glide; thickness maintains volume and keeps swing weight low
• More tail rocker: pulls the nose up on foil, removing the need for shimming on most foil setups
• More nose rocker, pulled-in nose: stops the nose catching during quick low rotations
• High apex rail: stability of a wider board on the surface, carving ability of a narrower one on foil; hard release in the tail, softer in the nose
• Wide nose and parallel outline: volume up front for directional stability on the water and confident nose-up landings
• Concave deck: buoyancy placed higher on the rails for a stable platform; lower centre of gravity for better foil connection underfoot
• Kick tail: tilts the nose up for clean water release, reduces tail drag when pumping
• Single concave mid-section into hard tail rails: fast water release on partial touchdowns
• Rounded nose and softer rail entry: touchdowns recover cleanly without the nose sticking
• GORE Auto Vent: equalises internal pressure and manages moisture