The Evolution masts are the result of engineering-based design. Just as a low-aspect surf foil looks different from a kite foil race wing, masts too can be optimized for different speeds and styles.

No. We have designed Evolution Cedrus to manage the loads from the biggest riders and foils. This being said: large foils are slow. The unanimous feedback we received before designing Evolution masts was a desire for better performance at speed. Evolution masts are designed for performance. They will work fine with larger foils, which are typically used for dock-starting or very light wind foiling at low speeds. But many of the masts designed and optimized for these forms of foiling are very thick, heavy, slow, and shorter length. Please understand that pairing a longer Evolution mast designed for high speeds with big foils designed to go slow may not yield the best performance. Please contact us to discuss your desired use case if you have concerns.

Ventilation occurs when air trapped between the water and the mast gets sucked down to the foils and causes loss of lift and subsequent crashing. It is typically associated with higher speeds, more aggressive angles of attack relative to the wind, and when the rider is more healed over. To prevent ventilation, Evolution Wind features a patented, longer chord length section to keep flow attached where the mast pierces the water. This longer chord length does result in a slight drag increase, but is the most effective way to make a ventilation-proof mast. Making the mast thinner only reduces ventilation resistance slightly, with minimal reduction in drag. Chord length is the best way to prevent ventilation, and is the technique used by all modern America's Cup and Sail GP foils, even at the expense of drag.

While Evolution Wind is the first foil mast to feature a patented ventilation-resistant water piercing region, we have not had any reports of ventilation with Evolution Surf either. We can't guarantee that it won't ever ventilate, because based on first principles of fluid dynamics, the shorter chord length (lower drag) region will experience flow separation before Evolution Wind's longer chord length. This sport is moving extremely fast, with riders constantly pushing boundaries, but for 99% of riders we can't imagine ventilation being an issue with Evolution Surf.

We're all beginners in this sport, but in all seriousness, the benefits of a stiffer, stronger, lower-drag mast will be appreciated more by beginners than advanced riders. It seems counter-intuitive but it's the truth: Experts in their field can rip anything, while beginners need the stability and performance of better-designed equipment to progress.

The marine environment is very tough on equipment, especially in places like Hawaii. We strongly recommend no matter where you live and ride to rinse and dry your mast after use, and to not leave adapters connected for extended periods of time. This being said, the mast is based on an 8 year-old design, the materials of which have been validated and proven under the most abusive customers without a single failure. See our owner's info page for more detailed care and use instructions.

Contrary to popular belief, mast thickness is far less important than other brands or riders will claim. In fact, chord length has twice the relative impact on drag due to it's influence on wetted area. Cedrus masts feature a 16mm thick profile throughout the majority of the length, but the performance of a mast is dependent on so much more than a single number. Evolution masts are the result of extensive multidisciplinary optimization efforts among engineers with 20-40+ years of experience in fields ranging from aerospace to automotive to America's Cup. Cedrus is faster, stiffer, and stronger than OEM masts through engineering and design, and the proof is in the riding.

Aluminum is a more efficient material at managing the complex loads of the board mount. Carbon suffers from a state of stress called "interlaminar tension" when the fibers are bent and curved at the interface to the board. This is why other brands' carbon masts get so big at the top. By machining aluminum instead, we can make the mount stronger, lighter, and cheaper than if it were molded directly into the mast. The aluminum mount is also removable, which is great for travel. It is shimmed at our facility for a tight fit to your mast, so you don't need to worry about screws loosening.

We use intermediate modulus fiber in a toughened epoxy prepreg form sourced from local aerospace suppliers and manufacturers. This material is stronger than high modulus grades of carbon fiber, and more consistent, stiffer, and stronger than wet-layups. It is also in-line with our core values of responsible manufacturing. Cedrus achieves industry-leading stiffness through proprietary design and engineering of the mast, not by relying on the material modulus.

No, the length of the mast is set at the time of assembly using our patented process. This allows us to manufacture nearly infinite lengths and achieve our industry-leading strength.

Most likely, yes! We have repaired many masts due to impact with the bottom or unsuspecting sea-life. Another benefit to our patented architecture is the easy repairability of rubber edges, or replacement or broken/bent adapters. If needed, the bottom of the mast can be machined flat again after impact-induced damaged. All masts feature stainless-steel threads that can be repaired or replaced in the event of damage.

Sure, but please read the site FAQ before contacting us.