At Five-O, we believe the ocean isn’t just our playground—it is our responsibility. As wing foilers, we are intimately connected to the wind and waves, yet the equipment we rely on has historically come with a heavy environmental price tag. For far too long, water sports equipment has been in direct opposition to the future of the sensitive marine environments in which we pursue our passion.
We are changing that narrative. By rejecting the industry status quo, Five-O is pioneering a new standard where elite performance and environmental stewardship work in tandem.
The core of our sustainable innovation lies in our material selection. We have moved beyond the industry’s conventional reliance on fossil-based resources by using Dyneema® for both our airframes and canopies. This decision isn’t just about going green; it is about superior engineering.
Virtually Zero Stretch: Traditional wing materials like Dacron (polyester) suffer from “creep”—permanent deformation under sustained load—which causes wings to lose their aerodynamic shape over time. In contrast, Dyneema® boasts near-zero stretch, ensuring that the carefully engineered profile of your Five-O wing remains crisp and responsive for thousands of hours of use, far outlasting standard polyester alternatives. Our wings typically experience less bagging out than their mainstream counterparts.
Hydrophobic Performance: Anyone who has handled a wet wing knows the struggle of added weight. unlike nylon spinnaker cloth, which is known to have a higher water uptake, or Dacron, which relies on chemical coatings that degrade to repel moisture, Dyneema® is inherently hydrophobic. It resists moisture absorption, preventing water weight gain and mold growth. This means your wing stays light and agile, even after a heavy session in the surf.
Unmatched Durability: The ocean is an abrasive environment. Dyneema® fibers offer the highest abrasion resistance of any commercial plastic, making them significantly more durable than traditional sailcloths. This durability solves a critical environmental issue: waste. By building gear that resists UV degradation and mechanical fatigue, we ensure our wings stay in the air and out of the landfill.
Light weight Materials: Of course this will feel better in your hands and, due to Dyneem’s hydrophobic properties, our wingfoil wings won’t gain weight. But think of shipping as well as your journey to local spots. Less weight = marginally carbon footprint
Of course there are several areas of performance gain, but the importance of sustainability must not be underestimated. Conventionally used materials are known to bag out, lose their hydrophobic coatings (into the water) and stretch to a point that they no longer serve their intended purpose. By using Dyneema our commitment to sustainability was just starting.
Our Dyneema® isn’t just strong; it’s responsibly made. Dyneema’s USA based plant uses ‘bio-circular’ feedstocks derived from wood and pulp industry by-products. This manufacturing process, powered by 100% renewable electricity, generates 3.76 tonnes less CO2 emissions per metric tonne of fiber compared to standard production methods.
Dyneema is not just giving Five-O wing foil wings superior performance and longevity but is also reducing environmental impact in marine sporting goods manufacturing . We feel that this is just the start of our sustainable practices journey.
The water sports industry is plagued by overproduction—warehouses full of unsold gear that eventually becomes waste. At Five-O, we refuse to contribute to this problem. We have engineered a manufacturing model based on a manufacture-to-order philosophy. We require a minimum of 30% pre-sales for any given product before we ramp up production. This disciplined approach minimizes overstock and ensures that every wing we build has a rider waiting for it. In this respect, consumers are our partners in environmental protection.
Small manufacturing runs of low stretch, sustainable water sports equipment , designed to stand the test of time is one of our sustainable options to reduce FIve-O’s environmental footprint and safeguard the playground of water sports enthusiasts and marine life in general
We do not believe in “fast fashion” for the ocean. You won’t see Five-O releasing minor tweaks or new colorways every season just to render your current gear obsolete. We only launch a new product—like the Dynamo v2 or Pocket Wing V2 series—when there has been a fundamental breakthrough in performance born from years of design cycles and rider feedback.
We may be guilty of putting principles before profits but our home base is on the shores of Molokai and we believe in delivering the best water sports experience with less environmental impact
By choosing Five-O, you are investing in equipment that is built to last, designed to perform, and engineered to protect the ocean we all love.
