Laurent Borgna
Laurent Borgna is the designer behind the Takuma LOL foil range. After a successful collaboration as official designer on this range, he is now part of the product design team, and works on our board development. The LOL name of our hydrofoils comes from him.
Long time water sports aficionado, he’s had the chance to try out several sports, in particular kite and windsurf, before dipping his toes into the foiling world. His career as a rider allowed him to gather very specific knowledge about the gear, and his practice drove him to tweak his equipment himself to better adapt to his body type and to optimize his sessions. Product development addict, he constantly needs to adjust a product, he constantly needs to adjust products and improve them. He is very detail oriented, that’s what turns his designs into exceptional products.
Laurent is based in New Caledonia, he’s at the perfect spot to test out his designs in all conditions, whether it’s for downwind or surf or wing foil, all year round. His workshop is in his house, and he works tirelessly on new ideas, testing them out afterwards with the Takuma riders team all over the world to push trials further, in particular with Clément Colmas, who’s on site with Laurent and regularly tries out prototypes.
The Molokai adventure was very enlightening from a development standpoint. Clément snatched the third place, which allowed us to approach the performance side of the foil in downwind in the design process.
Laurent’s work on the LOL foils paid off : a resounding success with the foiling community, these products are perfectly adapted to various practices and allow a rider to evolve. He describes this range as very versatile and a good way of balancing everyone out. With a good low end power, but also very easily maneuvered, the range offers comfortable pumping and an incredible glide in the water.
Laurent tells us more about the range :
How did you end up developing the LOL range ?
First I want to say that the Takuma - LOL collaboration came to be from a random meeting with Cyril. At the time I was pretty experienced in kitefoil. The first thing was to determine if my kite knowledge could be transposed to surf foil. There are obviously some similarities, but also a few notable differences, particularly when it comes to the traction system. Then I wanted to imagine a new equipment that could evolve with someone’s level. I wanted something very accessible but still performing. Once the overall design was green lit, the big part of the project was to find solutions for each of the four fixations.
What are the key features of the LOL foils ?
The strong point of the LOL range is its versatility. It really balances everyone out.
• Low end power
• Maneuverability
• Pumping
• Glide
What advice would you give to set up the 1300 / 1600/ 1900 range in the best way ?
To really enjoy a foil to the maximum of its abilities, it seems essential to me to understand how it flies. The golden rule is to never counter the foil’s flight by overly pressing with your feet at the front or at the back. The natural 50/50 balance of these supports is adjusted with the board’s tilt during flight : a raised board induces too much pressure at the front, and a downward nose induces too much pressure at the back. The best thing to do is to adjust the mast/board angle accordingly.
Each stabilizer brings another behavior, stable and with a good support with the 300, and more free and elusive with the 270.
For the 1900, no shim is needed. But for the 1300 and 1600, I advise to use a 1,5 shim.
You’re up now !
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