The AMOS Cypher: A Foil Board Designed by Dave West to Make Downwinding Easier

The AMOS Cypher: A Foil Board Designed by Dave West to Make Downwinding Easier

Buy Your Cypher HERE

A Board Designed with Purpose

The AMOS Cypher, created by Dave West, isn’t just another foil board. It’s the result of years of real-world experience, testing, and a deep passion for helping others succeed in the fast-growing sport of downwind foiling (DW).

Dave’s mission was simple: design a board that removes the unnecessary barriers to entry that so many face when learning to downwind foil. Far too often, new riders are forced onto boards that are too small, too narrow, and simply not user-friendly—turning the already challenging process into something overwhelming.

The Cypher was built to solve this. Whether you’re starting your first DW run or pushing for peak performance, this board offers the stability, paddle-up ease, and reliable performance needed to make your downwind journey enjoyable—not frustrating.

From Dave’s Vision to the Water

Dave West has spent years deeply immersed in the foil world—not only as a passionate rider but also as a creator and educator. The Cypher was born directly from watching too many riders struggle unnecessarily on the wrong gear.

“When Amos asked what board I wanted to design,” says Dave, “I was all in on creating a beginner-friendly DW board that actually works for real people.”

But while the Cypher is designed to support newer riders, it doesn’t sacrifice performance. Dave made sure that as riders progress, the Cypher continues to deliver—capable of handling performance downwinding, surf, and even light-wind winging.

Performance Meets Versatility

The Cypher lineup bridges the gap between beginner-friendly stability and advanced on-foil performance. The larger sizes, like the 8'6, are optimized for easy paddle-ups and smooth progression, while the 7'0 and 7'4 versions lean toward performance SUP foiling. These smaller models feature a tail kick for tighter turning and fewer touchdowns, paired with a flatter rocker line for excellent glide and responsive foot control.

Dave also made sure the Cypher is versatile beyond DW. Thanks to its longer, stable outline, it doubles as an excellent light-wind wing foil board—a rare combo that adds value for multi-discipline riders.

Intelligent Design for Real-World Use

Dave’s experience shines through in the Cypher’s smart balance of width, length, and volume. Unlike many boards on the market that are too thin and narrow for practical learning, the Cypher is intentionally wider for stability but retains a thinner profile that keeps you connected to the foil.

This combination makes the board fast and efficient through the water while giving you the confidence to paddle up consistently—even when fatigued. As Dave often points out, “The board you can paddle up at the start of your run is different from the board you can paddle up at the end, when you’re tired. The Cypher bridges that gap.”

Tested. Proven. Fast.

Dave’s own sessions back it up. Riding the 8'6 Cypher paired with a Code 680R and 135R, he hit his fastest-ever downwind speed at 1:50/km—an impressive result, especially considering his weight of 95kg, where paddling up smaller foils has traditionally been a challenge.

He’s also pushing boundaries using the 7’4 Cypher paired with a Parawing, exploring exciting new combinations for wing-assisted downwinding—showing how versatile and future-proof this board really is.

Who’s the Cypher For?

The Cypher was designed with a wide range of riders in mind:

First-time downwind SUP foilers looking for a forgiving and stable board to kickstart their journey.

Intermediate riders who want a board that keeps up as their skills progress.

Advanced riders over 90kg chasing smaller, faster foils but still needing reliable stability for paddle-ups.

Matched with the right foil, the Cypher makes it easier to learn, progress, and enjoy every session.

Built by AMOS. Crafted to Last.

Partnering with AMOS Shapes, renowned for top-tier craftsmanship, was a natural choice. Manufactured in Australia under the eye of Amos himself, the Cypher blends lightweight construction with exceptional durability.

Dave was adamant about hitting the sweet spot between performance weight and real-world toughness. “I’m rough on gear,” he admits, “and I can say confidently these boards can take a hit and keep performing.”

Dave’s Journey: Why the Cypher Exists

The Cypher reflects Dave West’s broader mission in foiling: help people work smarter, not harder. Through his YouTube channel, coaching, and now through the Cypher, Dave aims to accelerate the learning curve for anyone drawn to the magic of DW foiling.

“Foiling changed my life,” Dave says. “But too often, I’ve seen people held back by poor gear choices. The Cypher is my answer to that. A board designed to help you unlock the joy of downwinding faster, without the usual frustration.”

The Future of DW Foiling

Dave believes we’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible in DW foiling. Where boards used to evolve every six months, the sport has now matured into longer, more stable shapes—8 to 9 feet being the new standard.

At the same time, foil technology is accelerating rapidly, with ultra-high-aspect foils like the AR16+ demanding boards that are stable enough to handle the increased speed and glide. As more people join the sport, the gear needs to meet them where they are—not leave them behind.

Final Thoughts

The Cypher is more than a board—it’s a tool designed by Dave West, in collaboration with AMOS Shapes, to help more people access the magic of DW foiling. Whether you’re just starting or refining your craft, this board delivers the stability, versatility, and performance to make every session a success.

What AMOS Says About the Cypher Wing / Parawing

The Cypher Wing / Parawing was designed to fill an important gap in our lineup—the mid-length range between the Kruzer and our SUP sizes. This board is all about offering riders the perfect middle ground: enough volume to make getting up on foil easy, but with a smaller, more agile shape that improves performance once you’re flying.

When we designed this board, the goal was clear—deliver stability, easy takeoffs, and excellent on-foil performance, all while keeping the deck low to maintain that connected, locked-in foil feeling. Early wing boards were often way too short, unstable, or overly wide. The sport has evolved, and so has our approach to board design.

The Cypher Wing / Parawing is slightly shorter than the SUP version, featuring a forward-placed foil box and refined foam distribution for balanced handling both on the water and in the air. With lengths that improve stability and widths ranging from 19.5 to 21 inches, this board strikes the ideal balance between user-friendliness and high-performance maneuverability.

Built from years of hands-on experience, testing, and real-world feedback, the Cypher Wing / Parawing is available in three dialed-in sizes to suit a wide range of riders.

Key Features:

Foil Tec 15.75” / 400mm Tracks for strong, secure foil mounting

Foil Tec six-piece wide traction pad for maximum grip

Leash plug for security in all conditions

Air vent to protect the board from heat and pressure changes

Lightweight vacuum-bagged carbon construction for strength without excess weight

Reinforced deck to handle the extra pressure from winging

Balanced design
optimized for both wing and parawing disciplines

This board is the result of countless hours on the water, tweaking, testing, and refining. Whether you're winging in light wind or chasing efficiency with a parawing setup, the Cypher Wing / Parawing delivers the perfect combination of stability, glide, and maneuverability.

For more information visit:

@dave_west_foils
@amosshapes

Buy Your Cypher HERE

 

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