sábado, 29 de febrero de 2020
Pat O’Connell Talks About Early Nike/Hurley Tension | The Lineup
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#Windsurf AFFAIRS OF THE HART | FIGHTING THE RUINATION
AFFAIRS OF THE HART | FIGHTING THE RUINATION
Harty asks can windies make an eco difference?
How you approach windsurfing is often a reflection of personality. The driven strive endlessly for the next level. The fastidious tweak, polish and keep diaries. The stressed use it as a healthy conduit for their obsessions. One very (on the surface) mild mannered guy I know, develops aqua Tourettes at the slightest mishap. You’ve never heard such a profane, and yet poetic, stream. Gurgling away in mid waterstart, he swears like the French – starting mild and then linking ever more abusive phrases into a shatteringly foul crescendo. He says his wife doesn’t like swearing – but he finds it strangely soothing, so windsurfing allows him to indulge in his eccentric hobby away from the house. He claims he’s not really angry; he just likes to get it out and thought the noise of the wind and waves would cover it up – but apparently not.
More recently someone said what he especially treasures is the sense of permanence and familiarity offered by his sailing spot. He says that hourly we are bombarded by such relentlessly catastrophic news (because bad news sells) that you’re made to wonder if there’ll be a world by the end of the week – no wonder people’s anxiety levels are through the roof. So whenever he gets back, light or strong wind, he goes straight to his local spot, gets out there, looks around – and when he sees everything is as it was when he left it, he breathes the fresh air and say: “no – it’s OK, it’s all a load of bollocks. The things that matter haven’t changed. Everything is fine!” I absolutely get that. I have my own touchstones at home and abroad. I enjoy travelling to familiar sailing spots. It’s like reconnecting with an old friend. A year away from Mauritius, I’ll sail out to the Manawa reef and immediately recognise the wave and its cheeky foibles – how it walls up gradually to look much meaner than it really is, how it peels slowly – but then how just as you’re about to enter the channel and congratulate yourself on a heroic ride, it spits out and swipes at you like a vengeful cat. I’d hate that to change.
But for me, the best place to gain some perspective and reset anxiety levels is Donegal. The secret of Donegal windsurfing has been leaking out gradually over the years, but this year was made public by the Red Bull Storm Chase event. The images of Jaeger Stone and the band wiping hail stones from their eyes and launching 40 foot into grey, pounding breakers weren’t exactly the ones the local tourist board would have chosen – but most understood that it’s not always like that.
To say it’s the place which time forgot is a bit patronising. There’s a thriving, vibrant rural community. But apart from a scattering of new bungalows on the hillsides, in the 30 years I’ve been going there, it has remained gloriously unravaged by ‘progress’ –saved by its geography, remoteness and caring locals. Cresting the hill that overlooks the beach of Magheroarty, the vista of the half moon beach, grassy dunes and lagoon behind, is so stunning that you can’t quite believe what you’re seeing. Like a stunning masterpiece, why would anyone want to damage it?
Photo. Harty turned eco warrior.
Sick Oysters
When you hear that your favourite sailing spot is likely to be ruined by developers, your first thought is a hotel complex, a marina or yachtsmen’s elite apartments. It would take you a long time to come up with herpes as a likely cause. It appears that the French oyster population has been ravaged by herpes. Oysters may be just salty snot to me and you – but they’re such a crucial part of the French culture and diet (as well as a cure for failing libidos) that they need an alternative source – and it appears that parts of the Donegal coast are perfect for the job. Hence a proposal has been submitted to turn Ballyness Bay, the beautiful high tide lagoon behind Magheroarty beach, into a massive oyster farm. It appears also that the process of granting licences was well under way before locals got wind of it. But they’re a relaxed bunch and surely wouldn’t mind? Well the will of the people was under-estimated. The ‘Save Ballyness Bay’ pressure group is made of hundreds of outraged locals who rightly claim the beauty of their locale is key to their mental health and heritage. The county’s major income comes from tourism and it’s beautiful North Atlantic coast. Oh yes – and then there’s the windsurfing. In some places our sport is suffered (a lot of vans parking badly and blocking the view) but here it is wholly embraced. The Loch Altan Hotel, from where I run my clinics, has seen a huge upturn in off season occupancy which naturally filters down to pubs and shops.
So before I know it I’ve been warmly kidnapped to help spearhead the movement and get local media coverage. The feeling with such eco movements is that the powers that be nod their heads in false agreement and sympathy, claim that they will take the concerns into consideration but in the knowledge that the deed is done with no doubt some interested parties making a tidy buck. But we misjudge the power of sport at our peril.
The Power of sport
Some 15 years ago in Gran Canaria there was a proposal to extend a harbour which would effectively ruin the waves at Mosca Point, one of the best waves on the east coast. It was thanks to demonstrations by surfers and windsurfers, led by Bjorn Dunkerbeck and the Moreno twins, that the project was abandoned.
It transpired the extension wasn’t really necessary and that some people were just going to benefit from a juicy EU grant. There’s progress and progress and sometimes we have to accept that certain concerns trump the needs of the adventurous windsurfer. The massive wind farms around such places as Tarifa and England’s east coast suck up some of our much needed energy, but if they reduce the global carbon content then hopefully windsurfers will support them gladly and just rig 0.5 m2 bigger. If the proposed oyster farms (the equivalent of 70 football pitches) in Ballyness Bay, one of the most beautiful freeride training spots in the world, were to be the financial saviour of a desperate local community, then you might have some sympathy. But they will create just 4 local jobs. Windsurfers of the world unite! (If you want to get involved with donations or the online petition – check out – www.saveballynessbay.com). Peter Hart – 8th October 2019
Main Photo. Harty’s Masterclassees signing the ‘Save Ballyness’ petition.
The post AFFAIRS OF THE HART | FIGHTING THE RUINATION appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Windsurf Magazine https://ift.tt/2I4GqzeVissla and Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro - Day 2
How Women in Surfing are CHANGING THE WORLD! | Khadjou Sambe, Transformed
How to Stay at The Top of the Rankings, Filipe Toledo's Mindset! | The Lineup
Perfect Perma-Dry Climbing In Vorarlberg, Austria | On The Road Ep.2
#Windsurf BWA Tiree Wave Classic 2012
BWA Tiree Wave Classic 2012
Windsurfers from across the globe will descend on the Isle of Tiree for
26th Year of the Tiree Wave Classic.
The Tiree Wave Classic is the most prestigious and longest standing windsurfing event in the British calendar, and after celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a record breaking 3 rounds of competition, it’s back at full strength again with the same team and format for 2012.
The event will play host to Britain’s best riders in Pro, Amateur, Masters and Women’s fleets with a fantastic prize fund guaranteeing the top Pro £1000 and a total prize fund of £5000 is cash and goodies across the fleets! Fanatic are looking for a hot new amateur rider and will be providing a Wave Board to the amateur judged to deserve it most at this event and Cornwall (must attend both)! It will be an unmissable, adrenaline fuelled week of competition and entertainment set against the stunning cultural backdrop of Tiree. Who will pull the Scottish Broadsword from the sand this year?
Andy Groom, event founder said “ It was great to have guests like Nik Baker, Tommy Armstrong and Duncan Coombes among other past legends for the 25th Anniversary and this year is set to carry on in the same light. We had a fantastic event in 2011 and I don’t doubt the 26th year will be just as exciting and closely fought on the water”
Simmer rider Ben Proffit, the 2011 BWA and Tiree Champion, said: “I absolutely love taking part in this event – for me its one of the highlights of the year and can deliver any conditions. Last year was super close in the Final with John Skye and this event could decide who is in the driving seat for the championship, bring it on!”
Organisers Pura Vida Boardriders have confirmed they will host Tiree Wave Classic right through to 2014 and promise to deliver an outstanding event once again. Jim Brooks-Dowsett, Event organiser said: “Tiree is one of the windiest locations in the UK, and the waves can be awesome! So many people have discovered the island through windsurfing and October usually delivers some wild conditions , Pura Vida Boardriders are stoked to be involved again and working closely with the local community on the island!”
As well as the usual entertainment you can expect, Tommy Armstrong is back to give us ‘Big Tuesday’ and warm up the closing party with this years AC/DC Covers Band ‘Forever Young’. The Glasgow bang are already known for their performance at Scottish Wind Fest and are set to rock out the closing night in Tiree!
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland, said “We are delighted to be supporting the Tiree Wave Classic once again this year, which will see some of the world’s top windsurfing talent travel to one of scotland’s most picturesque islands. It is great to see the increasing attraction of Tiree as a water sports destination as it has certainly proven over the years to be a perfect stage for this event. Windsurfing is one of the most exciting events on our annual sporting calendar, which really captures the imagination of spectators and helps to showcase Scotland to the world.”
For more information on travel and accommodation please visit the website. There will be special offers and group Bed, Breakfast & Dinner at the Hynish Centre. Many have shared houses and van’s in the past to keep costs down so get booking! To encourage more women to make the journey we are offering half price entry to this and the Cornwall comp as well as some serious prizes, so spread the word and hope to see you there! The SWA members will also get half price entry, as will any youth sailors.
Calmac ferries are kindly supporting us once again, and have kept their reduced prices for all journeys running till the end of 2012. Just book over the phone, or online and make sure you make the most of the fantastic deals for Camper vans if you have one! www.calmac.co.uk
Registration is now open including the online discount that only applies if you register before the event so log on and sign up now!!
Date: 13th – 19th October 2012, www.tireewaveclassic.co.uk, all enquiries: tanya@puravidaboardriders.co.uk
Event Host –
Pura Vida Boardriders.
Supported by Tiree Lodge Hotel, Heineken, Wild Diamond, CalMac Ferries, Beachbum Beanbags, The Chocolate Brownie Company.
The event is funded by EventScotland and Argyle & Bute Council.
EventScotland
EventScotland, the national events agency, works to promote Scotland as the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting sporting and cultural portfolio it helps to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy through events tourism.
The year of Creative Scotland 2012 will spotlight and celebrate Scotland’s cultural and creative strengths on a world stage and is a Scotish Government initiative led in partnership by EventScotland, VisitScotland, Creative Scotland and VOCAL.
More information and resources to help businesses engage with Year of Creative Scotland are available at https://ift.tt/32uyX5T
The post BWA Tiree Wave Classic 2012 appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Windsurf Magazine https://ift.tt/2T3Y24Amiércoles, 26 de febrero de 2020
Kelly Slater's Hawaiian Offseason, Joel Tudor wins Noosa, Dylan Graves Explosion Salad | SURF BREAKS
It's ON! Day 2 of the SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay
It's ON! Day 3 of the SLO CAL Open at Morro Bay
Vissla and Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro
Pro Surfer Takes a Rugby Player For A Surf Session | w/ Siya Kolisi & Jordy Smith
Why Baby Fish are eating Microplastics? Jamison Gove On WSL PURE | One Ocean presented by Outerknown
Quebec S3 Winter Triathlon World Cup 2020
martes, 25 de febrero de 2020
Red Bull Rampage 2019 FULL TV EPISODE | Red Bull Signature Series
#Windsurf FREERIDE FOILING VIDEO FROM W.A.
FREERIDE FOILING VIDEO FROM W.A.
If you are thinking of foiling, watch this video for some inspiration as Jesper Orth and the Slingshot windsurf crew from Perth, Western Australia chart their progress from painful crashes to riding wind swell like you have never seen ridden before – a must watch and definitely looks like a whole truck load of freeride fun!
The post FREERIDE FOILING VIDEO FROM W.A. appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Windsurf Magazine https://ift.tt/2VlFn5OLogan Dullien | The Lineup | WSL Podcasts
lunes, 24 de febrero de 2020
JAWS BIG WAVE SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS | WSL Highlights
#Windsurf DEFI WIND SUPERSTARS | JAPAN 2020
DEFI WIND SUPERSTARS | JAPAN 2020
Check out the second part of the Defi Wind Japan 2020 from Miyako-jima with some of the best windsurfers in the world fighting it out in epic races!
Via thedefiwind
The post DEFI WIND SUPERSTARS | JAPAN 2020 appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Windsurf Magazine https://ift.tt/396QeUYdomingo, 23 de febrero de 2020
#Windsurf 95L CROSSOVER BOARD TEST 2020
95L CROSSOVER BOARD TEST 2020
REDEFINING EXPECTATIONS
95L CROSSOVER BOARD TEST 2020
Test Editor Tris Best // Second Testers Joe North, Dan Hallam & Alex Green.
Photos Tris Best //
Test location Rhosneigr, Overcombe, Ringstead & Kimmeridge.In windsurfing, the hunt for versatility in performance is nothing new. Ever since the excitement and freedom of short board windsurfing (or funboarding as it used to be known) took hold, the desire to find a board for all conditions has become an eternal quest. There have been some notable exponents along the way, and as new disciplines emerge, new directions in design have crystallised. There is of course always the risk that, in asking too much during the design brief stage, a product becomes the master of its own demise, fulfilling the undesirable motif of “Jack”, being ‘okay’ in all trades yet a master of none. It’s a place that will ultimately only lead to an end destination of mediocrity and historical obscurity.
This test was originally published in the January 2020 issue.
For 2020 the crossover category is as well contested as ever, with some fantastic boards available in this year’s lineup. The one notable omission is the JP Freestyle Wave – a board line with category-defining heritage. Unfortunately it just wasn’t available in time for this test, but watch out for the catch up test online at windsurf.co.uk in the near future. In years past we’ve written at length during this test intro about the crossover classification. Are these boards in actual fact all freewave designs? Is freestyle-wave still possible, or it is a misnomer in today’s accepted design statutes? Without extending this intro out into a lengthy narrative, we thought the best way to open was to define some categories. So here goes:
Freeride: The largest discipline and ultimately the most important for the sport’s longevity. The most important attributes of freeride design are very simple – ease of use, forgiving nature and most of all fun, demanding little technical input from the rider.
Wave: Arguably the most iconic discipline, making it where most want to get to! In general, the more curvature in a board’s outline and rocker-line, and softness in its rails, the stronger its turning credentials, but to the detriment of its early planing, speed and straight line stability.
Freestyle: New-school stunts and tricks done on any water state from flat water to waves. Popping the board clear of the water to execute a freestyle transition is very different to jumping for height in the discipline below.
Bump and Jump: A term used for a long, long time in the sport. There are not many better feelings in the sport than getting long floaty air-time. Speed and control are the key ingredients for achieving height when the ramps are asking to be hit!
Freewave: Insert the word ‘free’ to depict an easier, more user-friendly personality. A freewave board has a definite wave sailing bias, yet has the early planing and speed to mix it up in sub-standard wave riding conditions.
Blasting: Load the board with a big sail, lock it down and push all its power into the board. Extending upon a board’s freeride aptitude, if it is to prove a coastal blasting stalwart, it needs genuine outboard strap positions and the ability to house a more upright fin as a minimum.
In the reports for each board we will outline their attributes and where they fit in relation to these disciplines. The key ingredient to all of it though is you – your sailing style and ambition. Where are you in your windsurfing career? Where do you intend to use the board and what conditions are you likely to encounter? Answer these questions honestly and you’ll have a clearer picture on which board here is a match for you when you start to delve in.
FINDINGS
With developments progressing in board design, one of the most marked evolutions occurring in the wave market is the migration for most onto larger boards. Multi-fin setups have allowed bigger boards to still perform on the wave face, meaning you can make your life easier by having more volume under your feet to cope with invariably gusty or fickle conditions. The modern big wave board can plane earlier, feel looser and also be incredibly forgiving and easy to use compared to older designs. If this is so, then why not simply go down the large wave board route? For many, it’s a valid question… and if they’re solely interested in wave sailing, the large wave board makes a very strong case.
So what’s the argument for considering a crossover contender? Well, the first point to make is that many of these crossover boards perform superbly on a wave face. So much so that you’d be forgiven for repeatedly checking to make doubly certain you didn’t click into your dedicated wave machine by accident! There are some limitations there, but read the individual reports to find out more. As a generalisation, crossover boards tend to have less rocker, so plane more readily and reach faster speeds. All bar one of them here sport central Powerboxes, giving them the extra versatility of being able to take a larger more powerful fin for extra drive and straight-line security. (The Starboard is the only one using a US central box … yet covers all bases by supplying the larger central fin as standard!) And all of the crossover boards offer inboard and outboard strap positions, giving rise to the option of experimenting with setup to cater for varying conditions. So if your local spot isn’t blessed with regular clean waves to ride, or steady planing wind strengths, it might be worth considering one of these crossover platforms, making that vanilla session more fun and memorable.
SUMMARY
We start with the standout high wind freeride contender – the RRD Freestyle Wave – it is just so easy and user-friendly that you can’t help but enjoy the ride. Effortless to sail, it is super comfortable, yet surprised us with its wave riding potential thanks to its unique tail shape. At the other end of the scale is the Simmer Quantum – a stunning all-round wave board, which is nonetheless accessible and accommodating for the inexperienced or sub-standard wave days. Not far behind are the freewave archetypes – the Quatro Power and Goya One. Both exude obvious wave heritage in their performance, the Quatro super smooth and fluid, the Goya wonderfully crisp and responsive. Both have get up and go, and offer more drive than a typical wave board, but when asked to carve up a face they showed just how potent a modern crossover board can be. That leaves the all-rounders in the group. The Fanatic and Severne both take design influences from their respective brand’s development down the compact wave board route. Both position the rider right at the back of the board, providing a direct connection with the fins. The Freewave from Fanatic is assured and confident in nature, with its more drawn out plan shape, whereas Severne’s Dyno is fast, compact and captivating to ride. The 3S+ is a great addition to the
Tabou lineup, with a smooth and unassuming riding style, only to come alive when you demand more from it. And finally there’s the Kode from Starboard – a large rider’s wave board, or powerful coastal blaster. Whatever you ask of it, it willingly obliges. And when you consider it is supplied with two quality G10 fin sets, it certainly offers real value for money.
uk.otc-windsurf.com
THE LINE UP
The post 95L CROSSOVER BOARD TEST 2020 appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Windsurf Magazine https://ift.tt/2STlIsc#Windsurf GOYA ONE 3 PRO 95L 2020 TEST REVIEW
GOYA ONE 3 PRO 95L 2020 TEST REVIEW
GOYA ONE 3 PRO 95L
2020 TEST REVIEW
VERDICT
Placed by Goya in their wave category and for good reason, the One is nevertheless a fast, exciting and above all user-friendly board to get on with, giving it real freeride potential to explore. Its crisp controllable nature makes it a dream to exploit any coastal environment, its ease of use and performance range providing masses of appeal, from active intermediate right up to the professional.
THE LOWDOWN
The One retains its place in the Goya lineup as their thruster configured freewave offering, designed to be their crossover contender for wave, freestyle and freeride sailing. The series encompasses four completely new shapes for 2020, stemming from 85 to 115 litres and produced solely in the brand’s Pro carbon/S-glass construction. Using unidirectional and biaxial carbon as well as glass patches for additional strength in various areas, the technology incorporates a complete high density foam wrap that Goya call the Hyper Skin HD. It provides rigidity to the board’s structure and is said to result in them being “a third stronger, stiffer and lighter than conventional boards”. Over the Hyper Skin HD, the board is then wrapped completely with S-Glass, before being finished in an attractive neon red and blue colour scheme, set off with metallic red gloss rails. It is certainly a classy looking specimen, its low shoulders, tapered rails and pin-shaped nose exaggerating the perception of a long and narrow outline, giving it a gunny appearance. All four sizes in the range are supplied with MFC thruster fins (including Mini Tuttle covers for the side fins), dual density deckpads bearing inboard and outboard strap options to cater for rider preference and style, and an additional MFC strap should you wish to double up in the rear.
BRAND CLAIM
“The new parallel outlines improve agility and comfort on longer, choppy runs, while the resulting added tail area improves stability, early planing and comfort. All sizes now come with a swallow tail. A slightly lower entry rocker allows the board to naturally glide into a plane. The volume in the new One 3 Pro is more equally distributed along the board’s profile, to create a more stable and evenly planing hull.”
PERFORMANCE
Stepping onto the One 95 initially, it feels narrower and sits lower in the water than most, yet the balance and stability is there, the board taking a 6.0m sail without issue. Deliver the power and it accelerates purposefully, rising to the surface and hunting in the pilot’s chosen direction. Shifting weight rearwards, it is easy to locate the One’s straps, the rider’s stance placed further forward on the Goya than on other boards, providing a real sense of comfort and composure. It also allows the board to glide through lulls well, keeping low to the surface and maintaining its trim well. We did try the One in flat water blasting guise, with two back straps and a large single fin, and whilst it performs admirably, we couldn’t help but think it was a bit wasted. Like asking Pavarotti to sing a rap! That’s because we’d already tried the Goya around a coastal break and knew just what it was capable of. With the thruster fins supplied in place, the One is a wonder to use. The ride is fast and crisp, the board feeling so planted and dependable underfoot, you can plough power into it and charge around to make the most of what’s around you. It points at impressive angles, the fins and rails bestowing bags of traction to really push and drive against. Reaching the lineup faster than most, the One then wowed us with its wave riding ability. It redefines what is possible on a freewave platform, providing masses of useable drive from bottom to top and feeling much smaller and sharper than its quoted size would suggest. It is hard to pinpoint the main contributing attribute as the design is so clean and has many subtle details. Whatever it may be, there’s a real harmony to its form, making it easy to get on with for the progressing rider, whilst inspiring the experienced to sail with more animation and assertion. Supremely controllable in the most challenging seas, it offers so much connection and feel through the carve (be it on a wave or gybe), that it’s addictive. And in the time we had it, we simply couldn’t find its limit.
VITAL STATS
Volume (Quoted): 95L
Length: 228.8 cm
Width: 59.4 cm
1ft off: 39.9 cm
Bottom shape: Subtle vee with double concave throughout, finishing in straight vee in the tail.
Weight (‘Naked’): 6.44 kg
Fins: MFC Freewave 21 cm (Power) + 2 x MFC TF RTM 10 cm (MT)
Sail Range (Quoted): 4.2-6.0m
Sizes Available: 86,95,105,115.
Price: £2099
Other boards in this test:
THE LINE UP
The post GOYA ONE 3 PRO 95L 2020 TEST REVIEW appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Windsurf Magazine https://ift.tt/3a0jzRm#Windsurf SEVERNE DYNO 95L 2020 TEST REVIEW
SEVERNE DYNO 95L 2020 TEST REVIEW
SEVERNE DYNO 95L
2020 TEST REVIEW
VERDICT
A design that shows no sign of ageing, we were once again amazed at how well the Dyno changes its character with a simple change in fittings. From fast, user-friendly wave playmate to powerful coastal charger, it can make the most of all eventualities.
THE LOWDOWN
Short and narrow, the Dyno’s design remains unchanged for 2020, barring a graphic update and is now supplied with larger fins (1.0 cm greater on the central and 0.5 cm more on the side fins). We tested the 95 back in 2018 and were impressed with its versatility and new-school feel. Its form remains quite unique amongst the group – visibly the most identifiable with the compact wave concept, albeit time and familiarity has softened its edginess. Retaining width in the shoulders and tail (easily boasting the widest 1ft off measurement in the group), the Dyno’s parallel outline is said to reduce drag without affecting stability, whilst improving speed and manoeuvrability. The extra width in the tail is complimented with extra volume stuffed under the rider’s feet, creating a pronounced dome to the rear deck, before falling off quickly to the wingered hips in the rails and a squashed diamond tail. The Dyno’s underside is no less busy, with a deep vee and pronounced double concaves running throughout, creating a spine that runs along the board’s centreline, extending the board’s rocker-flat as its entry rocker is pushed forward. The intention is to maximise speed and acceleration, without compromising ride comfort through chop. It is also said to make it easier in rail to rail manoeuvrability, whilst increasing tail rocker in the rear for grip during transitions. The rails themselves are particularly sharp and defined in the tail, before becoming very tucked and rounded towards the bevels in the nose. Produced using the brand’s compression moulding technology, the layup has been beefed up for 2020 to provide more durability without increasing overall weight. The fittings supplied are well thought out, with deeper contoured deckpads and the Hex4 tool supplied fixing all components in place, including their excellent self-branded Velcro straps and G10 fins.
BRAND CLAIM
“Based on the Nano wave-board, the Dyno brings compact efficiency to the freewave arena.”
PERFORMANCE
Used with inboard straps and the supplied thruster fins, the Dyno 95 is no slouch at getting going, the width and volume in the tail encouraging early migration rearwards, and early release. Accelerating quickly, it has a lovely loose and fluid riding style, responding quickly to changes in foot pressure, whilst feeling as compact and controlled as a board 10 litres its junior. It is also noticeably quick and will punch off any approaching ramp at will, for some serious rocket air. A real weapon for sinister onshore conditions, you can fly downwind and away from trouble, confident that you have the drive and speed to recover the ground and charge upwind on demand. The rider’s stance and fin boxes are placed right at the rear, offering a real sense of feel and connection through the tail. It gives the Dyno a definite back foot biased wave riding style, holding its speed instinctively through the bottom turn and motivating the rider to push harder through the back foot for a tight energetic redirect. It’s a lot of fun to use around a break, the Dyno’s speed and dynamism capable of injecting life and enjoyment into otherwise vanilla days. In severe conditions the tail width is noticeable in both a straight line and transition, particularly for the lighter pilot, yet moving the deck plate a little further forward softened the ride and raised control levels once again. Shifting the straps into their outboard positions, we partnered the Dyno with a large single fin (as much as a 32 cm suggested by Severne) for some high wind coastal blasting. Take care to choose the fin wisely – with the fin boxes so far back, we found a more upright fin reduced the number of spin-outs experienced as we loaded the tail. Releasing and flying on its fin, yet retaining a sense of control and compact composure, the Dyno makes an
excellent coastal blaster if the rideable waves have disappeared.
VITAL STATS
Volume (Quoted): 95 L
Length: 226 cm
Width: 59.5 cm
1ft off: 43.4 cm
Bottom shape: Vee with bevels in the nose, to vee with double concave to the tail, (the vee massively pronounced thanks to a raised centreline) finishing in straight vee in the tail.
Weight (‘Naked’): 6.44 kg
Fins: Severne G10 21 cm (Power) + 2 x Severne G10 12.5 cm (slot+)
Sail Range (Quoted): 4.7-6.5m
Sizes Available: 85,95,105,115.
Price: £1899
Other boards in this test:
THE LINE UP
The post SEVERNE DYNO 95L 2020 TEST REVIEW appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Windsurf Magazine https://ift.tt/2Td5A3N#Windsurf QUATRO POWER PRO 94L 2020 TEST REVIEW
QUATRO POWER PRO 94L 2020 TEST REVIEW
QUATRO POWER PRO 94L
2020 TEST REVIEW
VERDICT
A board that can’t help but bring a smile to your face, the Power pro is a big user-friendly wave board, whose calm serene nature belies its dynamic accessible carving prowess.
THE LOWDOWN
The “Power Pro” has been updated for the new season, with four sizes in the new lineup, the smallest 86 litre sibling said to possess some tail kick, whereas the larger siblings’ rockers are near flat in the rear. The idea is to increase the length of the rocker flat between the rider’s stance, which combined with the lower entry of the nose rocker, increases the Power’s stability, early planing ease and speed. Wide in the shoulders and narrow in the tail, the Power has a rounded outline, with a full rail profile further forward before tapering to a decidedly thin squashed tail. It also has an interesting bottom shape, incorporating a mix of concave along its length before ending in vee in the tail. Clean and uncomplicated in its sanded neon blue colour scheme, it is produced in the brand’s Pro ‘customised carbon’ construction, and comes complete with four quality MFC straps (with the option of inboard and outboard positions), KT signature dual density deckpads and resin transfer moulded MFC fins. The fin fixings have been chosen specifically to mitigate any tuning fuss or hassle – simply screw them in and go. And as with the Goya, the Quatro now comes with a central Powerbox, opening up the ability to vary the fin quickly as desired, including larger fins for straight-line work. You can then refine your stance on the board according to style, with shaper Keith Teboul suggesting a further forward position for earlier planing and stability, or further back for quicker turns and response.
BRAND CLAIM
“The Power Pro sports the fastest tail rocker in the new range, milking that extra bit of naturally aspirated early planing and fast glide over the other boards. While the Power Pro is still super agile, you’ll notice right away that it’s easier to reach your proper position in the wave fast enough. You’ll be there in time, instead of wishing you were.”
PERFORMANCE
Short and round, the Power Pro carries weight well and feels comfortable underfoot at rest. It responds effortlessly as the wind increases and requires little rider input or finesse to accelerate onto the plane, the straps easy to locate in their relatively forward position on the board. Encouraging an upright posture, the Power is incredibly comfortable and willing; like a long-lost faithful friend, it feels familiar and dependable, ready and poised to do your bidding. It can also adapt to your style – push power into it and it will accelerate to greater speeds, or sail in a more upright relaxed fashion and it will glide through lulls, or cruise unflinching through violent gusts, doing nothing to put the rider off their game. In a wave environment, this constant dependable character could be put to great use, punching out through fluky winds, yet retaining its manners when the next squall hits. In cross-onshore waves, the Power Pro was a master for making the most of the conditions. The rails bite instinctively once initiated, the thin tail biting in and helping to grip whilst the fins provide the drive through the arc. Push hard and the power could be redirected at impressively tight angles, all the while feeling smooth and dynamic rather than demanding more from the rider. A true large wave board in nature, it has a flowing and friendly style, welcoming the rider to push harder but equally happy just dancing through the break if desired. On flat water the Power Pro has an easy planted riding style, releasing early and covering distance in comfort. Whilst not necessarily a blasting matador, it is a great tutor for the progressing intermediate, particularly suited for those that have designs on learning to ride waves in the future.
VITAL STATS
Volume (Quoted): 94 litres
Length: 227 cm
Width: 61.5 cm
1ft off: 39.3 cm
Bottom shape: Flat in the nose, with a subtle mono-concave starting by the shoulders and extending through the mid-section, becoming double concave by the front straps and vee introduced in between the straps, to become flat vee in the tail.
Weight (‘Naked’): 6.42 kg
Fins: MFC Freewave 21 cm (Power) + 2x MFC TF RTM 10 cm (MT)
Sail Range (Quoted): 4.2-6.0m
Sizes Available: 86,94, 105,115.
Price: £2099
Other boards in this test:
THE LINE UP
The post QUATRO POWER PRO 94L 2020 TEST REVIEW appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Windsurf Magazine https://ift.tt/2Vi9E5i#Windsurf FANATIC FREEWAVE TE 95L 2020 TEST REVIEW
FANATIC FREEWAVE TE 95L 2020 TEST REVIEW
FANATIC FREEWAVE TE 95L
2020 TEST REVIEW
VERDICT
Quick to release, smooth to accelerate and effortless to control, the FreeWave is as easy to get on with as it is on the eye, giving it an excellent range of use and rider appeal.
THE LOWDOWN
The all-new “FreeWave” series is “designed to shine” according to Fanatic, offering five sizes and three different construction options to suit every purse. There’s even a ‘budget friendly’ graphic on the brand’s website board finder to depict the sliding scale between the three technologies. An evolution of last year’s FreeWave STB, the new designs have a similar outline, with parallel rails in the mid-section and a pulled-in nose and tail. The diamond nose has been smoothed over to the point of becoming nigh on rounded at first glance, whereas the width is retained in the tail (giving it one of the widest one-foot off readings in the group), before finishing in a well-proportioned swallowtail. One of the more significant refinements in these 2020 FreeWaves though is a faster, flatter rocker-line, and this 95 litre certainly demonstrates that, with next to no tail kick evident. Yet, like its predecessor, the stance of the rider and fin boxes are placed well back on the board, said to provide more manoeuvrability, control and response. More wave/manoeuvre-oriented in the two smaller sizes, and flat-water/bump and jump biased in the two larger sizes, this middle sibling is said to be the most versatile, happily fulfilling all roles. In Team Edition (as tested here) and Textreme technologies it comes supplied with MFC thruster fins, “Premium straps” and dual density diamond-grooved deckpads, whereas the standard BXF version comes with Fanatic’s standard straps and a single G10 fin, with blankers for the side slot boxes.
BRAND CLAIM
“An evolution of the Stubby outline blended with our legendary FreeWave DNA, the all new 2020 FreeWave is the true chameleon – ready to adapt and excel in all conditions.”
PERFORMANCE
Stable and settled underfoot at rest, the FreeWave responds willingly when power is delivered, requiring little input or encouragement from the rider to release onto the plane. One of the longest boards in the group, its length is accentuated further by the rider’s stance being placed further back on the board than most. Nevertheless, setup with inset straps for use in waves initially, the fittings are easy to reach and provide a clean secure connection to the board. Accelerating smoothly, it provides a naturally fast and loose ride, the fins providing plenty of traction to drive and push against. It allows the rider to cover distance in confidence, pushing through lulls and negotiating through confused seas, the rider’s stance directly over the tail for a real sense of connection and manoeuvre response. In a wave arena this rearward geometry accounts for a lot of the FreeWave’s character. Heading out, you can really make the most of the board’s speed and looseness, hitting ramps and releasing easily for expressive aerial antics. On the wave it responds best to a back-footed riding style, driving hard through the tail to make tight pivotal transitions back up the face, before slamming through the back heel, the board extended out in front of you to be redirected by the face. It is this same quality that makes it a great tutor for the novice wave rider, holding its speed and rarely stalling through the turn, even when direction is hesitant or weight distribution is mistimed. Taking it out in overpowered conditions, the FreeWave’s drawn out length and geometry does make it feel larger and more clattery over harsh chop, its wave riding more forced than others in the group. But for making the most of typical UK coastal conditions, the Fanatic is a delight to get on with, its ease and manners helping to flatter the passive and inspire the enthusiastic. Used with a larger single fin (28-30 cm) and outboard straps, the FreeWave can reach a very respectable straight-line speed on flat water, flying well on its fin, whilst its control and turning capabilities once again shine through in the corners.
VITAL STATS
Volume (Quoted): 95L
Length: 230 cm
Width: 61 cm
1ft off: 41.7 cm
Bottom shape: Vee with double throughout, although the double concave is pronounced in the mid-section, the vee becoming pronounced in the tail, finishing in straight vee.
Weight (‘Naked’): 7.06 kg
Fins: MFC TF RTM 20 cm (Power) + 2 x MFC TF RTM 12 cm (Slot)
Sail Range (Quoted): <6.2m
Sizes Available: 75,85,95,105,115.
Price: TEXTREME £2399 | TE £2099 | BXF £1759
Other boards in this test:
THE LINE UP
The post FANATIC FREEWAVE TE 95L 2020 TEST REVIEW appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Windsurf Magazine https://ift.tt/2Pk4m5u#Windsurf SIMMER QUANTUM 95L 2020 TEST REVIEW
SIMMER QUANTUM 95L 2020 TEST REVIEW
SIMMER QUANTUM 95L
2020 TEST REVIEW
VERDICT
Large wave boards have come a long long way in recent years, this Quantum a prime example of just how captivating, yet easy and practical they can be. Its blasting engine may not be as naturally aspirated as some crossover designs in the group, but if wave riding is your primary focus, look no further.
THE LOWDOWN
The Quantum is Simmer’s “one board for all conditions”, and whilst it is a wave specific design, it is included here as a benchmark to gauge where large wave boards sit next to freewave/crossover designs. It was also readily available at the time of testing, whereas Simmer’s 2020 Helix freewave design was still in production. Said to be loose and dynamic in smaller waves, the new Quantum has been refined for more range and performance in the bigger surf too, its ‘effective volume distribution’ allowing the rider to get away with using a bigger board than normal, without losing any drive through tight radius turns. The 95 has very clean and flowing lines, its rounded outline retaining width in the shoulders and mid-section, before drawing in to a narrow swallow tail in the rear. The rails are hard in the tail, but tuck early and soften completely by the mid-section, inline with the mast track. On the underside the Quantum exhibits quite an interesting mix of double concave washing through an extended mono-concave, before finishing in flat vee in the tail. And as with the Flywave tested last month, the Quantum is produced in the brand’s Pro construction, with a PVC sandwich stringer through its centre, which is said to act as a spine. It combines with the various carbon and glass layups to produce their Electric Flex technology – offering flex and stiffness when and where it is required. The board is then finished with a Hot Coat layer – using the desired pigment in the outer epoxy gel coat, thereby locking in the colour and keeping the board looking fresh for longer. The 95 comes supplied with three Simmer straps, each being double screwed to eliminate any twist, and sit atop the dual density diamond grooved pads. The last ode to the board’s quality are its fins, coming supplied with a carbon thruster set, each with a honeycomb core to ensure they’re light and performance oriented.
BRAND CLAIM
“The 2020 Quantum is designed to perform in all types of wind swell type wave sailing. Although it excels in onshore conditions, it is actually the most versatile wave board in the range, featuring a huge performance register and super easy sailing in any type of wave. Thanks to the five carbon slot boxes you can tune the board for a huge spectrum of conditions, from light wind to high wind and from onshore to side-shore. The Quantum is able to adapt and thrive in any environment.”
PERFORMANCE
With similar dimensions to the other boards in the group, the Quantum feels no less balanced and stable as you step on. Similarly, it releases smoothly and easily as power is delivered, the footstraps easy to locate on the centreline as you progress down the board. Being a wave specific board, the fin boxes are placed further in from the tail, making them situated under the rider’s feet more. As a result, the Quantum has a real rail to rail feel – the rider always consciously connected with the rails and fins. It also has a wonderfully planted and composed nature, as if you can throw the proverbial kitchen sink at it, weather wise, and it won’t do anything untoward. We had the chance to use the boards in some pretty challenging conditions, and have to say we were mightily impressed by the top end control exhibited by the Quantum, always retaining its balance and manners. On the wave the 95 felt much smaller than its quoted size, turning beautifully and fitting into some tight pockets. Its rails just seem to lock into place, thriving on being driven purposefully through the turn, before switching instinctively to the other rail as if on autopilot. It’s a lot of fun to use, and all this performance comes at the behest of little rider input, giving it wide user appeal. Using a wave board in a blasting role on flat water seems a bit of a futile thing to suggest, and a thruster fin setup is certainly not the most efficient. As a coastal blasting board, the Quantum planes early, points well and offers plenty of drive for aerial antics. It may not have the speed or adaptability of others here, but its user friendliness makes it accessible for most, and if your heart is set on riding waves of any shape or size, then you won’t be disappointed.
VITAL STATS
Volume (Quoted): 95L
Length: 227 cm
Width: 61 cm
1ft off: 39.8 cm
Bottom shape: Double concave in the shoulders, becoming mono-concave with a wash of double concave all the way to the tail, with flat vee behind the fins.
Weight (‘Naked’): 6.71 kg
Fins: Simmer BT200 Carbon (Slot) + 2 x Simmer M105 Carbon (Slot)
Sail Size: 4.2-5.9m
Sizes Available: 75,80, 85,90,95,105,115.
Price: £2099
Other boards in this test:
THE LINE UP
The post SIMMER QUANTUM 95L 2020 TEST REVIEW appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Windsurf Magazine https://ift.tt/2T9hcEL#Windsurf STARBOARD KODE FLAX BALSA 95L 2020 TEST REVIEW
STARBOARD KODE FLAX BALSA 95L 2020 TEST REVIEW
STARBOARD KODE
FLAX BALSA 95L
2020 TEST REVIEW
VERDICT
Maintaining the Kode’s reputation as a true all-rounder, the 95 has masses of user appeal, from coastal blaster to the heavier rider’s wave weapon. Compact, lively and adaptable, it is a very good-natured board to get on with.
THE LOWDOWN
The Kode 85 was tested in the wave board category last month and we were taken aback by its capabilities in a wave environment. It could transform a day of coastal slop into an exciting playground and make cross-onshore waves a choice day with its early release, ease and practicality. So we had high hopes for the 95 as well! Short and wide, it has a stubby outline, with its squared off nose and squashed diamond tail. The deck is flat in the nose and around the mast track yet heavily domed in the rear, accented even more so with the thick dual density deckpads. On the underside, the 95 parades a wealth of pronounced vee and double concave, giving it something of a spine along its centreline, said to better its rail-to-rail response and blasting control in challenging seas. Produced exclusively in the brand’s eco-conscious construction Flax-Balsa, which uses natural end-grain balsa, the board is lightweight and comes with four natural rubber Yulex straps and two G10 fin setups, giving extra value for money. And as with its smaller sibling, the 95 has colour coded guides on its mast track and fin boxes, to help tune the board according to the conditions and manner in which it is being sailed. With a definite tow-in to its star box side fins it would be interesting to see if this larger sibling could still mix it in the wave arena as competently as the 85.
BRAND CLAIM
“The brief for the new Kodes was to deliver the best onshore wave board yet excel in freeride, freewave and freestyle as the Kode legacy demands. To achieve these objectives, the Kode shape was shortened in both nose and tail for added manoeuvrability, while avoiding any loss in acceleration or speed. The increased bottom vee shape further adds manoeuvrability in the waves, giving a sharper acceleration in the gusts and more smoothness in rough waters.”
PERFORMANCE
Set for use in flat-water blasting mode initially, the Kode feels compact and easy underfoot, accelerating quickly once pushed off the wind. It instantly feels lively and alert, the 28 cm fin supplied providing ample drive to push against, whilst the deckpads offer a ridge to lock the back heel against, with the outboard straps encouraging the rider into a committed stance. Load it with power and the Kode becomes a real gem for coastal blasting, feeling balanced and affable at all times, whilst spurring the rider on to trust it as they dance their way out through the breakers. Hit a ramp and it projects freely into the air, feeling smaller than its quoted volume and snug as the rider compresses for more height. It has a versatile nature; sail it at half speed and it won’t protest, but you get a real sense that there is more under the bonnet to explore. Moving the straps inboard and changing the fins to the thrusters supplied alters the feel and response of the Kode, whilst still retaining its easy forgiving mannerisms. There is plenty of volume under the back foot for a bit of pop and freestyle trickery if that’s your bag (taking the thruster fins out for good measure), although you may be well served to add a dedicated freestyle fin for good measure. On the wave the Kode keeps its speed through the turn well, using a mix of rail and back foot pressure through the fins to vary the carving angle. In marginal cross-shore or cross-on conditions, it was a lot of fun and glided serenely from rail to rail. As the conditions increase, it did begin to feel quite big underfoot, the width and dome in the tail dictating the story as you begin to feel the ride is more forced than fluid. Nevertheless it keeps its speed and will undoubtedly find favour with heavier riders, who can maintain their dominance through the turn.
www.star-board-windsurfing.com
VITAL STATS
Volume (Quoted): 95L
Length: 225 cm
Width: 61.5 cm
1ft off: 41.2 cm
Bottom shape: Pronounced vee with double throughout, finishing in flat vee in the tail.
Weight (‘Naked’): 6.97 kg
Fins: Drake FreeWave 28 G10 (US) / Stone Surf 19 G10 (US) / 2 x Natural Wave 11 G10 (star box)
Sail Range (Quoted): 4.5-6.5m
Sizes Available: 85,95, 105,115.
Price: FLAX BALSA £1775
Other boards in this test:
THE LINE UP
The post STARBOARD KODE FLAX BALSA 95L 2020 TEST REVIEW appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Windsurf Magazine https://ift.tt/3a04WNP#Windsurf RRD FREESTYLE WAVE LTD Y25 96L 2020 TEST REVIEW
RRD FREESTYLE WAVE LTD Y25 96L 2020 TEST REVIEW
RRD FREESTYLE WAVE
LTD Y25 96L
2020 TEST REVIEW
VERDICT
A high wind freeride exemplar with an extra trick up its sleeve. It may mean extra cost, but that extra set of thruster fins is worth every penny.
THE LOWDOWN
The Freestyle Wave has been a big hit for RRD over the years and forms an integral part of the brand’s Free Line range, alongside the popular Firemove and Firestorm. Dressed in their distinctive Y25 ‘monochrome and orange’ graphics, the 96 is available in three different constructions, this LTD version being the middle offering, supplied with a K4 single fin whilst possessing the side slotboxes, should you prefer a thruster setup. Wide and voluminous in the square nose and shoulders, it has full rails forward of the mast track, yet thins and tapers quickly towards the tail, highlighted by having the narrowest one-foot-off measurement in the group. As with the Wave Cult tested last month, the FSW also boasts large defined wingers in the tail, enabling the tail to adopt a narrow rounded outline for improved manoeuvrability. It comes supplied with four heavily Velcroed straps, which require time and persistence to set correctly, yet once adjusted provide excellent connection. There are inboard and outboard strap options, albeit the double back strap positions are still very much over the board’s centreline. With plenty of rocker flat in its tail and mid-section, the 96 adopts a visibly fast rocker line, yet exhibits the FSW’s now signature nose kick, turning upwards late to lift the board’s nose and shoulders high.
BRAND CLAIM
“The Freestyle Wave is your everyday board. The most versatile board in our range will always make you rejoice whether if you are riding it in flat water or waves. What you get is an excellent planing, easy-going pure pleasure fast ride and great manoeuvrability.”
PERFORMANCE
The winning formula of RRD’s Freestyle Wave series over the years has been to provide maximum reward and return for minimal demand of technical input. The definitive plug and play board. Well, the Y25 96 continues in much the same vein. Balanced and dependable off the plane, it can take a 6.5m sail with ease and responds the instant power is delivered. Used with the K4 fin supplied, there is plenty of drive and traction to push against through the tail, meaning that even the slightest weight transfer onto the back foot makes the board express its interest in releasing. It will flatter the progressing intermediate and make them feel like a champion, the board accelerating smoothly, feeling lively yet controlled underfoot. Whether single or double back strapped, the rider’s stance is more upright and over the board, rather than locked in and pushing hard. Nevertheless, it reaches a very respectable speed, the shoulder and nose flying high, whilst the back of the board retains constant contact with the water, poised and ready to change direction under any change in foot pressure. Peerlessly comfortable and relaxing to sail for hours and cover great distance on, whatever the sea state, it glides through lulls beautifully and possesses plenty of volume and support forward of the mast track during tacks. In the past our reservations of the Freestyle Wave was of its wave riding capacity, feeling a little stiff and stubborn to redirect round tight corners. This latest incarnation largely addresses this with the distinct tail redesign. You’ll have to go out and buy yourself a set of thruster fins, but it is certainly worth it, as it transforms the 96’s nature from directional and dependable, to much looser and more flowing through the turn. Push confidently through the tail in the bottom turn and the 96 bites crisply, the fins gripping and projecting the board back towards the wave, before the narrow rounded tail allows the board to transition smoothly from rail to rail and snap back to face down the wave. A great companion for hassle free fun, the new tail shape has bestowed the FSW with an extra dimension.
VITAL STATS
Volume (Quoted): 96L
Length: 228 cm
Width: 62 cm
1ft off: 38.3 cm
Bottom shape: Flat in the nose, to slight vee with double in the shoulders, the vee becoming more pronounced by the mid-section and in the tail, whereas the double remains subtle.
Weight (Naked): 6.76 kg
Fins: K4 3SW FSW 28 cm (Powerbox) + 2 x thruster slotboxes.
Sail Range (Quoted): 4.5-6.7m
Sizes Available: 78,84, 90,96,104,114.
Price: BLACK RIBBON £2491 | LTD £2224 LTE £1823
Other boards in this test:
THE LINE UP
The post RRD FREESTYLE WAVE LTD Y25 96L 2020 TEST REVIEW appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Windsurf Magazine https://ift.tt/38VJzNk#Windsurf TABOU 3S+ CIF 96L 2020 TEST REVIEW
TABOU 3S+ CIF 96L 2020 TEST REVIEW
TABOU 3S+ CIF 96L
2020 TEST REVIEW
VERDICT
A fantastic freewave all-rounder, whose ease of use and practicality belie its potency when pushed. A one board solution with masses of range – its broad suggested sail size range is not an exaggeration!
THE LOWDOWN
The 3S Plus range was introduced last year as a complete range of new-school compact crossover designs sitting alongside the more established ‘3S Classic’ designs of previous seasons. Whilst the three Classic boards championed the merits of the single fin setup, the four boards in the Plus range all came supplied with thruster fins, aimed squarely at the freewave sector. There is no change to the lineup for 2020, apart from a new blue and orange colour scheme and the introduction of Carbon Innegra Flex (CIF) as the brand’s premium construction option. Looking at the 96 in more detail, its outline is full and rounded, with width retained in the tail and shoulders to extend the length of its parallel mid-section. There is plenty of rocker flat in the board, before the nose rises quickly for a bit of kick at the end. The tail of the board is quite the feature though, with pronounced wingers feeding distinctly tapered rails in the swallow tail. This thinning of the tail would result in a significant reduction in volume and float, were it not for a mound mushrooming up through the centre of the board, around the central finbox and under the back deckpad. Supplied with MFC thruster fins, four Velcro straps and soft, thick dual density deckpads, like the Da Bomb tested last month. The 3S+ benefits from six front strap options in the inboard position, to account for differing wave riding stances and styles.
BRAND CLAIM
“We experimented a bit with the new 3S+ and came up with a great mix of a modern tail and a more classic nose that allows both fun on the straights and in manoeuvres.” Fabien Vollenweider.
PERFORMANCE
We tested the 3S+ 106 last year and summed its review up by saying it was, at last, the board that was missing in the Tabou range. If anything, this 96 litre version of the 3S+ simply goes on to cement that belief we have. It has a very calm user-friendly and passive character when you first step on, but ask more of it and it simply delivers. Feeling stable and voluminous underfoot at rest, it can carry weight easily, its wide shoulders and tail providing the ease and stability to mask over any clumsy footwork. It has genuine inboard and outboard strap positions, which combined with a fin change can dramatically alter the nature of this board. Set with inboard straps and the MFC thruster fins supplied, the 3S+ responds willingly as a gust arrives and it’s turned off the wind, accelerating smoothly. As with the Da Bomb tested last month, the Tabou deck pads and straps are some of the softest around, offering great comfort, but similarly need to be adjusted correctly, otherwise they can feel sloppy, reducing the sense of security and feel available. Naturally fast and efficient, the 3S+ is large yet dependable at all times, cranking upwind and being easy to manoeuvre around a break or through transitions. The part that really surprised us with the 96 was its performance in the waves however. Unwaveringly well-mannered to the point of being quite understated, when you drop it down a face and ask it to turn, you can’t help but be taken aback by the fantastic amount of grip available through its rails and drive through its fins. Push hard on the next ride and it rewards your input with interest. Keeping its speed through the turn, we did find the tail’s width noticeable on the cut-back, requiring more time to set the rail and more energy to really execute expressively … but such is the ease and energy of the bottom turn, that asking to do it again is no hardship. Changing the straps to outboard positions and fixing an efficient 30 cm fin in place, the 3S+ becomes a blasting advocate, capable of flying on its fin whilst
furthering its top speed.
www.star-board-windsurfing.com
VITAL STATS
Volume (Quoted): 96L
Length: 229 cm
Width: 61 cm
1ft off: 40.9 cm
Bottom shape: Rounded vee in the nose, to double with slight vee to the front straps, where the vee increases, becoming flat vee in the tail.
Weight (‘Naked’): 6.95 kg
Fins: MFC TF/FW_200 G10 (Power) + 2 x MFC TF 11 RTM (Slot)
Sail Size: 4.2-6.6m
Sizes Available: 86,96, 106,116.
Price: LTD £1799 CIF £1999
Other boards in this test:
THE LINE UP
The post TABOU 3S+ CIF 96L 2020 TEST REVIEW appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Windsurf Magazine https://ift.tt/38SOBdv#Windsurf TEAHUPO’O | REDEMPTION DAY
TEAHUPO’O | REDEMPTION DAY
Charles ‘Charliboy’ Vandemeulebroucke is an expat French windsurfer who has made Tahiti his home and lives for big days at the island’s infamous break – Teahupo’o. He tells us about the highlight session of this year’s season.
Words Charles ‘Charliboy’ Vandemeulebroucke // Photos Pauline Le Meur & Charles ‘Charliboy’ Vandemeulebroucke
So far 2019 has been a really good season for waves in Tahiti. For 4 months in the prime season there was many big and clean swells. There is not many options with these kind of swells, as only a couple of breaks can handle that size with tow-in surfing sessions for those that want to chase the biggest waves! The wind has been not too bad with a good synchronicity with the peak of the swells. Not a lot of windsurfing sessions, but most of the time unforgettable days – quality not quantity.
Usually May and June are great and July and August a bit stormy, but there was not too much of that this year. September started out super well with an out of control big windsurfing session on the first week. I’ve had some memorable moments this year like an unsuccessful mission out at sea with Kevin Pritchard, the biggest wipeout of my life and many other good days with friends, but the highlight was a crazy day in August, that day I will never forget!
MASSIVE
I was hungry for a massive Teahupo’o day and during the second week of August the forecast really picked up. Thursday was set to be huge with a very west swell and stormy winds and then Friday more fun, with the swell going down a bit. I work as physiotherapist and osteopath and I have my own business; I had a lunch break on Thursday just long enough to go to ‘Chopes’ (a.k.a Teahupo’o). Going for a big windsurf session at Teahupo’o during your lunch break is a nerve-racking experience and to stand any chance of success, everything would have to be perfectly prepared.
SETUP
So on Wednesday night, after a long day of work, I rigged my magic 4.7 Goya Fringe in the garden and checked my special big wave custom board by master shaper Keith Teboul, the perfect combo to tackle big Teahupo’o.
The board is a 2019 82 litre quad custom Quatro in ‘Ultralight Pro’ construction with personal graphics that I love. Its size is 7’6” / 228.6 cm long and 56.6 cm wide. Keith has evolved the bottom shape and rails to get extra control and speed during carves and it’s insanely fast and versatile, a perfect blend of rocker and outline shape for me at 82 kgs. I love this board! My height is 1.75 metres, but the distance from my front to back strap is super wide for control. I don’t have the precise dimensions of the shape; if you really want to know that level of detail you’ll have to hack Keith’s computer! I normally use a MFC K300 quad set with 9 cm side fins and 13 cm main fins for hollow waves, but if it gets bigger and faster like Jaws I sometimes go with the MFC QS RV1 set. For sails I use the Goya Fringe, a 3 batten wave sail, it’s light, neutral and stable and works super good in down the line conditions with the 90% Goya 400 mast. I’m lucky to have the famous skinny diameter Goya carbon wave boom and pair it with 28’’ harness lines spaced close together; allowing me to play with the sail whilst still being hooked in. I used to use 30’’ lines years ago, but I quickly realized I was destroying my hands; it seems that my arms are not that long, even with the boom at shoulder high! That is my perfect setup for big and fast waves; it takes time to find out all these different settings as big wave riding by it’s infrequent nature doesn’t give you a lot of training or tuning time! For more all-round conditions and contests I also use a custom thruster board with 4-batten Goya Banzai sails in 5.0, 4.5 and 4.0 sizes.
BIG THURSDAY
Big Thursday lived up to its name! The waves were thundering in and I could already hear them from my office. But I was stuck in work until 12 and then when I eventually got free at 1 p.m. I got stuck in traffic from roadworks. It wasn’t the ideal start and left me little time to go to my house, get my gear and jet ski, go windsurfing and still make it back to work in time after my lunch break.
Stressed and tired I opted to play it safe and rather than sail decided it was a day for watching not riding. A tough decision on what to me was the biggest ‘easily sailable’ day I’ve seen at Teahupo’o. But when things aren’t going the right way, it’s better to listen to the message being sent! It was the kind of session where you needed time to get ready and rest, watch the waves and be able to acclimatize. Teahupo’o is not a place where you want to be disrespectful! It was a good call, the wind was gusty and sets around 25 feet, not a day for a warm up! Even so, I went back to work with a deep sense of frustration and disappointment.
FUN FRIDAY
Come Friday I was working like planned when my friend and windsurfing mate Gael Vaast sent me a text at 9 a.m. – “Swell is great, west and powerful, and wind is here already. Kauli just got the most insane barrels of his life! – just go!” (Kauli Vaast is Gael’s son, a young pro surfer who won this year’s trials event for the pro surfing contest at Teahupo’o!)
Immediately I switched off everything – A.C., phone, patients and brain and drove back home straight away. I parked the car, grabbed my gear and jumped on the jet ski for the 5 minute trip to the break; 45 minutes after receiving the text message I was in the channel with professional big wave surfer and Red Bull athlete Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca who was training at Teahupo’o for the trials event of the pro surfing contest.
SHOWTIME
The waves were between 2.5 and 3.0 metres with a couple of bigger sets. There was a lot of west to the swell angle, which makes the bowl hollower and gives it its famous hollow and gnarly shape. The sky was crystal clear and the wind holding steady at a perfect 17 knots side-offshore – it was showtime!
I anchored the ski to the buoy in the channel and realized I’d forgotten my floatation. I have 2 different kinds of floatation – a CO2 inflatable vest and a foam impact suit. Inflatable devices are meaningless in Teahupo’o as you wouldn’t even have time to pull the trigger; you just want to float and be protected as much as possible … dead or alive! So I built my own floatation device made of a shorty wetsuit filled with foam from 2 sailing school life vests – it feels bulletproof, ha ha !! Unfortunately I would have none of them today as I had been hurrying too much! Lucas and I had a 3 hour session on our own, watching and screaming at each other’s waves. Lucas got about 30 barrels and I had some really intense and committed rides that day. It was crazy it was just us two out considering the crowds normally around at that time of the year, I guess the pro surfers were taking some rest before the heats of the pro contest at the weekend.
I came back home slowly, arriving a bit before sunset and ended up falling asleep in the garden beside my equipment – redemption day done!
“ The waves were thundering in and I could already hear them from my office.”
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