The BGD Epic Freestyle is a vivid answer to pilots who want to combine safe EN/LTF-B cross-country flying with progressive freestyle and SIV training. Based on the much-loved Epic platform, this “Spin Doctor” adds energy, precision and forgiveness, becoming a compact school of glider control for ambitious recreational and budding acro pilots.
Epic Freestyle in brief
Certified EN/LTF-B with a flat aspect ratio of 5.0, the Epic Freestyle sits in the sweet spot between comfort and dynamism. Available in five sizes (XS–L, 21–29 m² flat area) with certified weight ranges from 50 to 125 kg, it offers a trim speed around 38 km/h and a top speed of about 50 km/h, with a best glide of 9 and minimum sink near 1 m/s. This is a genuine everyday wing that seamlessly moves from thermalling and XC into stalls, spins, SATs, Helis and the transitions in between.
Design Philosophy and Pilot Target
BGD has positioned the Epic Freestyle as the “wild child” of the original Epic: playful, colourful and ready to push your limits, yet grounded in the safety and predictability of an easy EN-B. It is particularly appreciated by SIV and acro instructors because it allows students to train advanced manoeuvres with a generous safety margin. The handling is tuned to be fun and energetic, but if the pilot’s timing is off, the wing tends to “look after” them, stopping excessive shooting and reverting to typical EN-B behaviour.
Compared with the more XC-focused Epic 2, the Epic Freestyle is clearly oriented towards skill-building. It is the logical choice if your priority is learning stalls, spins, SAT to Heli, Spin to Heli, Misty, Mactwist and other transitions, while still retaining the ability to soar, thermal and go on cross-country missions when conditions align.
Technical Highlights
Stability, Feedback and Spiral Behaviour
A key safety feature is the impeccable spiral behaviour: during extensive testing across inclinations and sink rates, the wing demonstrated a strong tendency to exit spirals by itself, an unusual advantage in this category. Progressive stability is engineered using BGD’s simulation tools, giving a solid, calm centre and softer, more communicative tips. The glider “talks” to the pilot, encouraging skill development while helping to prevent and anticipate deflations.
Structural Innovations
Chord Cut Billow (CCB) technology shapes the leading-edge panels in 3D, eliminating excess fabric and wrinkles, which improves aerodynamics and profile stability. Triple finger diagonals distribute loads across the chord, reducing bias loading and increasing durability, especially towards the thinner trailing edge. Weight-optimised ribs further reduce mass without sacrificing strength, resulting in a robust yet reasonably light structure across all sizes.
Lines, Materials and Hardware
The canopy uses Porcher Skytex 38 g/m² fabric on both top and bottom surfaces and Skytex hard-finish 40 g/m² internally, balancing longevity with weight. Liros DC, DSL and TSL lines combine unsheathed and sheathed Dyneema for efficiency and robustness where needed. The risers use 13 mm Kevlar/nylon webbing, and Harken pulleys and BGD’s Snap Lock magnet/lock system on the brake handles provide secure, intuitive handling on the ground and in the air.
On-Site Package and Versatility
Each Epic Freestyle comes as a complete package: paraglider, riser and inner bags, compression strap, rucksack, repair cloth, stickers, a small BGD gift and a manual card. Multiple sizes have dedicated certificates, test reports and line plans available for serious pilots and schools who want detailed documentation for SIV and acro training fleets.
Who Should Choose the Epic Freestyle?
The Epic Freestyle is ideal for pilots who already fly confidently in the EN-B range and want to refine glider control with acro and SIV manoeuvres, while keeping a single wing for everyday thermalling and moderate XC. For riders whose primary focus is distance and XC efficiency, the Epic 2 is more suitable; for those hungry to master stalls, spins and transitions with an accessible margin of error, the Epic Freestyle stands out as a modern benchmark.
Next Steps: Learn More and Order
For detailed technical data, certificates, manuals and the latest media, visit the manufacturer's website. To receive personalised advice, check sizing for your all-up weight and order your BGD Epic Freestyle equipment package, contact Paragliding4.me and let their specialists configure the ideal setup for your progression.