How it surfs
Foiling Magazine's interview with the AXIS team makes the 1099's status explicit: the company had not planned a size above the 999 in the v2 range, but as they put it, "the user community made it very clear that the original 1099, possibly one of the most successful AXIS foils to date and Guinness Record holder, also needs a successor."
That history is the reason to consider the original 1099 rather than dismiss it as the older generation. The v2 refines the outline for looser roll and adds ultra-high-modulus carbon at the wing-fuselage joint, but the base platform — the glide and pumping efficiency riders bought it for — is the original 1099's.
In practice it suits prone surfers who want to connect waves, SUP downwinders chasing bumps, and wing foilers riding marginal wind. If you mostly want to carve tight arcs, AXIS's BSC range is the better-matched family.
Volume & sizing chart
Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.
| Size | Volume | Rider weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ART 999 | 999 mm span | Lighter riders / smaller surf | Advanced |
| ART 1099 | 1099 mm span — 1144 cm² | All-round glide size | Intermediate+ |
| ART PRO 1201 | 1201 mm span | Heavier riders / downwind | Intermediate+ |
How it compares
| Board | Best at | Wave range | Aggregate score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis ART 1099 | Glide and pump | Prone / downwind / wing | 9.3 |
| Axis ART 999 | Tighter, faster turns | Prone / wing | 9.0 |
| Axis ART PRO 1201 | Low-end lift | Downwind / SUP | 9.3 |
Verdict
The glide-and-pump benchmark in the AXIS range. Buy it if you connect waves and chase distance; pick the BSC 890 instead if you mostly want to carve.