New to the Tushingham range last year, the
Wedge is their specialist freestyle sail, available in
only two sizes – 5.8m and 6.6m. Sitting neatly
alongside the Storm (which has been completely
redesigned for 2006 – look out for the review next
issue!), the Wedge is aimed for more
instantaneous response and acceleration,
providing the impetus for that next trick. Built to
their usual high standards, it incorporates all the
attention to detail you’d expect on a Tushingham,
including their new alternating batten pocket
system, intended to ensure the sail’s symmetry
on both tacks.
Rigging and Set
There is a large range of tuning adjustment
available on the Wedge, playing the outhaul
according to the downhaul. On minimum setting
it requires little downhaul, with evidence of preshape
in its bottom section and twist in its top
two panels. Applying more downhaul, the leech
opens progressively and the sail’s profile flattens
off, particularly above the boom.
Ride and Handling
On the water, the Wedge accelerates onto the
plane positively, the extensive play in the luff-tube
and Dacron luff panel allowing the sail’s skin to
stretch and adopt a powerful profile. It’s a very
upright sail in appearance thanks to its minimal luff
curve, whilst the high centre of effort pulls the rider
over the board – an excellent position from which
to enter manoeuvres. That said, the clew eyelet
has been positioned low, raking the boom back at
an angle and providing excellent control in variable
winds. Tuned for strong winds, the Wedge remains
perfectly behaved and is very comfortable for long
periods of use in harsh environments, the sail’s
breathable nature absorbing much of the impact
from chop. Light and balanced in the hands, it has
a very manoeuvrable nature; whilst we wouldn’t
say it’s sharp or immediate in response, it goes
neutral as the battens push back round the mast,
making it easy to reposition before the power
returns smoothly. A fun and enjoyable sail for
manoeuvre-oriented sailing, the Wedge has the
ease, control and handling to cater for freestyle
through to light wind wave sailing.
For: Easy manoeuvre handling across a very
impressive range.
Against: Not the most efficient in a straight-line for
freeride drag racing.
Verdict
The Wedge combines that now distinctive
Tushingham feel (soft, easy and superbly
controllable), with excellent handling and
useable power to make it a very fun and
practical sail for manoeuvre-oriented sailing.
2 Mayıs 2009 Cumartesi
Severne Blade 6.2m
The Blade is Severne’s power wave sail designed
around the demands and aggressive riding style
of Scott McKercher. Impressed with the
performance of the 4.7m and 5.3m versions
tested earlier in the year, we were interested to
see how the 6.2m handled, being the largest in
the range. Built to withstand considerable abuse,
it utilises the brand’s new aramid reinforced
Metalex-II material, along with various grades of
Kevlar x-ply to give it a very bold eye-catching
appearance on the water. Well-engineered with
excellent attention to detail (including the latest
fold-over seaming in the foot), it incorporates
everything you expect from a high-quality product.
Rigging and Set
With a good tuning range on both downhaul and
outhaul, the Blade boasts masses of pre-shape
throughout and requires significant outhaul
tension to allow the main two battens to rotate
smoothly. Loose in the top two panels, the leech
is tight in its mid-section irrespective of the
tension applied.
Ride and Handling
Supplying masses of constant forward drive, the
Blade has a stunning bottom end, capable of unsticking
the most stubborn hull. The centre of effort
is incredibly low and forward in the draft,
transferring every bit of power directly to the board,
leaving the sail to feel perfectly balanced in the
hands. The clew eyelet is also very low,
encouraging the rider into a very locked and
commanding stance, ideal for covering great
distances. In severe conditions, the Blade’s
stability remains rock-solid, the effort not shifting
for a moment, and sailing through a gust you can
physically feel the sail accelerate in the hands,
pinning the board down to maintain control in
confused sea states. Providing such constant
energy, the Blade is best suited for more decisive
riding styles, never once going neutral or letting
the rider cruise at half speed. This is the same in
transition, the sail’s low-down power lending it to
expressive carving manoeuvres, rather than ‘on-off’
flicky stunts associated with ‘new-school’ freestyle.
For: Low-down drive, balance and control over an
impressive range. Durability to handle the harshest
surf break.
Against: Constant power and high-energy return
may unnerve the intermediate.
Verdict
The Blade is a sensationally stable sail,
providing constant balanced power over a
massive wind range. Ideal for decisive riding
styles, it can be used to great effect in any sea
state, with the straight-line comfort to match its
superb wave riding capabilities.
around the demands and aggressive riding style
of Scott McKercher. Impressed with the
performance of the 4.7m and 5.3m versions
tested earlier in the year, we were interested to
see how the 6.2m handled, being the largest in
the range. Built to withstand considerable abuse,
it utilises the brand’s new aramid reinforced
Metalex-II material, along with various grades of
Kevlar x-ply to give it a very bold eye-catching
appearance on the water. Well-engineered with
excellent attention to detail (including the latest
fold-over seaming in the foot), it incorporates
everything you expect from a high-quality product.
Rigging and Set
With a good tuning range on both downhaul and
outhaul, the Blade boasts masses of pre-shape
throughout and requires significant outhaul
tension to allow the main two battens to rotate
smoothly. Loose in the top two panels, the leech
is tight in its mid-section irrespective of the
tension applied.
Ride and Handling
Supplying masses of constant forward drive, the
Blade has a stunning bottom end, capable of unsticking
the most stubborn hull. The centre of effort
is incredibly low and forward in the draft,
transferring every bit of power directly to the board,
leaving the sail to feel perfectly balanced in the
hands. The clew eyelet is also very low,
encouraging the rider into a very locked and
commanding stance, ideal for covering great
distances. In severe conditions, the Blade’s
stability remains rock-solid, the effort not shifting
for a moment, and sailing through a gust you can
physically feel the sail accelerate in the hands,
pinning the board down to maintain control in
confused sea states. Providing such constant
energy, the Blade is best suited for more decisive
riding styles, never once going neutral or letting
the rider cruise at half speed. This is the same in
transition, the sail’s low-down power lending it to
expressive carving manoeuvres, rather than ‘on-off’
flicky stunts associated with ‘new-school’ freestyle.
For: Low-down drive, balance and control over an
impressive range. Durability to handle the harshest
surf break.
Against: Constant power and high-energy return
may unnerve the intermediate.
Verdict
The Blade is a sensationally stable sail,
providing constant balanced power over a
massive wind range. Ideal for decisive riding
styles, it can be used to great effect in any sea
state, with the straight-line comfort to match its
superb wave riding capabilities.
Rushwind Move On 6.0m
The Move On is Rushwind’s crossover sail,
designed for use in the manoeuvre-oriented
disciplines of wave, freestyle and freemove. With
all the structural strength you’d expect in a
modern sail, an emphasis has been placed on
providing uncomplicated enjoyable performance,
giving the Move On a clean functional
appearance. Physically light, it is quite a tall
looking sail on the water, thanks to its minimal
luff-curve and short boom length, being the only
6.0m we had on test that is recommended for
use on a 460cm mast.
Rigging and Set
Easy to rig, the Move On depends largely on
downhaul, requiring only a minimal amount of
positive outhaul tension. Setting conventionally, it
has quite a flat profile, with just a hint of shape in
its bottom section, the leech twisting
progressively whilst the bottom two battens retain
rotation around the mast.
Ride and Handling
Easy and neutral at idle, the Move On’s battens
pull away from the mast as the wind increases,
taking up the play in the luff-tube to adopt a much
deeper profile. Accelerating smoothly to a
comfortable cruising speed, the sail’s centre of
effort is positioned high in the draft, pulling the
sailor into an upright stance over the board.
Feeling light and balanced in the hands in its wind
range, the Move On is an ideal freemove sail for
tutoring the intermediate/competent sailor into
planing conditions and techniques, combining a
dependable progressive power delivery with easy
handling. In well-powered conditions, however, it
does begin to show signs of fatigue, the sail’s
stability compromised as the centre of effort creeps
to the trailing edge – a movement that no amount
of retuning seemed to halt. As such, the Move On
is best suited for marginal/comfortably-powered
conditions, where its early planing and easy
manoeuvrable nature can be fully appreciated.
For: Price, rigging ease and freemove potential in
marginal/comfortable conditions.
Against: Poor top-end stability. Awkward to roll!
Verdict
The Move On is a straightforward freemove sail
ideal for intermediate sailors progressing into
planing conditions, looking for as much ease
and enjoyment on the water, without any time or
hassle spent rigging.
designed for use in the manoeuvre-oriented
disciplines of wave, freestyle and freemove. With
all the structural strength you’d expect in a
modern sail, an emphasis has been placed on
providing uncomplicated enjoyable performance,
giving the Move On a clean functional
appearance. Physically light, it is quite a tall
looking sail on the water, thanks to its minimal
luff-curve and short boom length, being the only
6.0m we had on test that is recommended for
use on a 460cm mast.
Rigging and Set
Easy to rig, the Move On depends largely on
downhaul, requiring only a minimal amount of
positive outhaul tension. Setting conventionally, it
has quite a flat profile, with just a hint of shape in
its bottom section, the leech twisting
progressively whilst the bottom two battens retain
rotation around the mast.
Ride and Handling
Easy and neutral at idle, the Move On’s battens
pull away from the mast as the wind increases,
taking up the play in the luff-tube to adopt a much
deeper profile. Accelerating smoothly to a
comfortable cruising speed, the sail’s centre of
effort is positioned high in the draft, pulling the
sailor into an upright stance over the board.
Feeling light and balanced in the hands in its wind
range, the Move On is an ideal freemove sail for
tutoring the intermediate/competent sailor into
planing conditions and techniques, combining a
dependable progressive power delivery with easy
handling. In well-powered conditions, however, it
does begin to show signs of fatigue, the sail’s
stability compromised as the centre of effort creeps
to the trailing edge – a movement that no amount
of retuning seemed to halt. As such, the Move On
is best suited for marginal/comfortably-powered
conditions, where its early planing and easy
manoeuvrable nature can be fully appreciated.
For: Price, rigging ease and freemove potential in
marginal/comfortable conditions.
Against: Poor top-end stability. Awkward to roll!
Verdict
The Move On is a straightforward freemove sail
ideal for intermediate sailors progressing into
planing conditions, looking for as much ease
and enjoyment on the water, without any time or
hassle spent rigging.
North Sails Duke 5.9m
Reading the literature provided, it is clear that
North Sails have big hopes for the 2006 Duke,
pitching it squarely at the tricky crossover
wave/freestyle market. Designed for use in any
environment, the whole range (4.2m-6.9m) can be
rigged on a 430cm, making it a very practical
option for the travelling windsurfer; and whilst
particular effort has been taken to reduce its
apparent weight during sailing (including a
reduced batten count and revised twist pattern) its
structural strength is ensured through North’s use
of high quality materials and attention to detail.
Rigging and Set
The 5.9m Duke has a great deal of pre-shape, the
depth of which can be set by playing the outhaul
against the downhaul to display a very impressive
tuning range. Using the accurate VTS increments
provided, the leech twists off smoothly as more
downhaul is applied, whilst the two bottom
battens retain significant rotation, irrespective of
the amount of outhaul tension.
Ride and Handling
With its full profile, it came as no surprise that the
Duke generated good steady constant drive in
marginal conditions, the combination of Dacron
and x-ply in its luff-panel making it very pumpable,
feeling soft yet precise in the hands. The centre of
effort is around head height, pulling the rider up
into a manoeuvre-oriented stance, whereas the
clew eyelet is low, allowing the rider to lock the sail
in and cover distance without trouble. Feeling
supremely compact and light in the hands (due in
part to its short boom length), the Duke provides
the power and inspiration to explode into
manoeuvres; indeed, it is one of the few preshaped
sails we would quite happily use for
freestyle, the softness in the sail dampening down
the battens’ rotation, making it smooth and subtle
so that the power doesn’t become overbearing
mid-transition. In over-powered conditions, the
Duke can be retuned to exhibit its exceptional
stability, remaining balanced and focussed at all
times. Suiting any rider style, ability and weight,
the Duke is a stunning all-round contender.
For: Precise useable power, light handling and
exceptional wind range.
Against: To get the most out of the Duke you have
to be prepared to experiment with its set.
Verdict
Combining constant power with light balanced
handling, the Duke is one of the most versatile
and practical sails around, capable of putting its
hand to any discipline, from freeride to wave
riding. It comes highly recommended.
North Sails have big hopes for the 2006 Duke,
pitching it squarely at the tricky crossover
wave/freestyle market. Designed for use in any
environment, the whole range (4.2m-6.9m) can be
rigged on a 430cm, making it a very practical
option for the travelling windsurfer; and whilst
particular effort has been taken to reduce its
apparent weight during sailing (including a
reduced batten count and revised twist pattern) its
structural strength is ensured through North’s use
of high quality materials and attention to detail.
Rigging and Set
The 5.9m Duke has a great deal of pre-shape, the
depth of which can be set by playing the outhaul
against the downhaul to display a very impressive
tuning range. Using the accurate VTS increments
provided, the leech twists off smoothly as more
downhaul is applied, whilst the two bottom
battens retain significant rotation, irrespective of
the amount of outhaul tension.
Ride and Handling
With its full profile, it came as no surprise that the
Duke generated good steady constant drive in
marginal conditions, the combination of Dacron
and x-ply in its luff-panel making it very pumpable,
feeling soft yet precise in the hands. The centre of
effort is around head height, pulling the rider up
into a manoeuvre-oriented stance, whereas the
clew eyelet is low, allowing the rider to lock the sail
in and cover distance without trouble. Feeling
supremely compact and light in the hands (due in
part to its short boom length), the Duke provides
the power and inspiration to explode into
manoeuvres; indeed, it is one of the few preshaped
sails we would quite happily use for
freestyle, the softness in the sail dampening down
the battens’ rotation, making it smooth and subtle
so that the power doesn’t become overbearing
mid-transition. In over-powered conditions, the
Duke can be retuned to exhibit its exceptional
stability, remaining balanced and focussed at all
times. Suiting any rider style, ability and weight,
the Duke is a stunning all-round contender.
For: Precise useable power, light handling and
exceptional wind range.
Against: To get the most out of the Duke you have
to be prepared to experiment with its set.
Verdict
Combining constant power with light balanced
handling, the Duke is one of the most versatile
and practical sails around, capable of putting its
hand to any discipline, from freeride to wave
riding. It comes highly recommended.
Neil Pryde Search 5.8m
The Search is Neil Pryde’s most powerful wave
sail, designed primarily for making the most of
typically on-shore European conditions.
Described as combining excellent early planing
with dependable top end stability, it is said to
have a wide wind range, making it the all-round
sail of choice for the larger members of the Neil
Pryde team. Made to Pryde’s usual high
standard, it is an attractive looking sail, with
improved detailing for the new season, such as
an easy access tack fairing and the brand’s own
strap-on to hold the rolled sail in place. Having
found the 5.4m Search very much freeride in
nature when tested in Tenerife, we were
interested to see how its larger sibling would fare.
Rigging and Set
Setting with a staggering amount of pre-shape,
the Search has a fairly tight mid-leech, only falling
away significantly in the upper panel with the
mini-batten present. With a short boom and
relatively little luff curve, it is quite a tall looking
sail, requiring moderate downhaul before finetuning
it on the outhaul.
Ride and Handling
Providing a steady constant forward drive, the
Search further benefits from a lot of play in its luff
tube, letting it breathe and adopt a particularly
deep profile as the wind increases. The centre of
effort is low and forward, transferring the power
effectively to the board, and forcing the most
stubborn hull from the water. Once going, it is
supremely balanced in the hands, and comes into
its own when used in confused coastal conditions.
When many other sails begin to misbehave, the
Search continues to drive the board forward,
pinning it down whilst its soft nature absorbs much
of the shock from chop, allowing the rider to
maintain their ideal stance. Not the most efficient
or rapid through the air, it nevertheless has a very
impressive natural range, dealing with variations in
wind strength superbly. For such a full-bodied sail
it also feels surprisingly compact and manageable
in transition (thanks largely to its short boom
length), the constant power making it ideal for the
heavier sailor or more decisive riding style.
For: Low-down manageable power ideal for
handling the harshest coastal conditions.
Against: Lighter sailors will find the constant drive
overbearing in transitions.
Verdict
Feeling much more all-round in this larger size,
the 5.8m Search combines manageable power
with balanced handling and excellent manners,
making it a joy to use in harsh sea states.
sail, designed primarily for making the most of
typically on-shore European conditions.
Described as combining excellent early planing
with dependable top end stability, it is said to
have a wide wind range, making it the all-round
sail of choice for the larger members of the Neil
Pryde team. Made to Pryde’s usual high
standard, it is an attractive looking sail, with
improved detailing for the new season, such as
an easy access tack fairing and the brand’s own
strap-on to hold the rolled sail in place. Having
found the 5.4m Search very much freeride in
nature when tested in Tenerife, we were
interested to see how its larger sibling would fare.
Rigging and Set
Setting with a staggering amount of pre-shape,
the Search has a fairly tight mid-leech, only falling
away significantly in the upper panel with the
mini-batten present. With a short boom and
relatively little luff curve, it is quite a tall looking
sail, requiring moderate downhaul before finetuning
it on the outhaul.
Ride and Handling
Providing a steady constant forward drive, the
Search further benefits from a lot of play in its luff
tube, letting it breathe and adopt a particularly
deep profile as the wind increases. The centre of
effort is low and forward, transferring the power
effectively to the board, and forcing the most
stubborn hull from the water. Once going, it is
supremely balanced in the hands, and comes into
its own when used in confused coastal conditions.
When many other sails begin to misbehave, the
Search continues to drive the board forward,
pinning it down whilst its soft nature absorbs much
of the shock from chop, allowing the rider to
maintain their ideal stance. Not the most efficient
or rapid through the air, it nevertheless has a very
impressive natural range, dealing with variations in
wind strength superbly. For such a full-bodied sail
it also feels surprisingly compact and manageable
in transition (thanks largely to its short boom
length), the constant power making it ideal for the
heavier sailor or more decisive riding style.
For: Low-down manageable power ideal for
handling the harshest coastal conditions.
Against: Lighter sailors will find the constant drive
overbearing in transitions.
Verdict
Feeling much more all-round in this larger size,
the 5.8m Search combines manageable power
with balanced handling and excellent manners,
making it a joy to use in harsh sea states.
Naish Boxer 5.8m
The Boxer has had quite a makeover for the new
season, with a distinctive new appearance and
unique outline that makes it instantly
recognisable on the water. The wave/freestyle sail
of World Wave Champion Kauli Seadi, it
combines a very high foot shape and short boom
length with a large leech area to make it a very
top-heavy foil. Finished with Naish’s excellent
attention to detail, it is a well-engineered and
durable sail, with particular effort being made to
reduce its physical weight without compromising
its structural integrity.
Rigging and Set
There was some inconsistency in the length mast
the 5.8m was recommended with, so we tried it
on both a 400cm and 430cm. Whilst the lightest
sailor may get away with it on a 400cm, most
would benefit from using it on a 430cm. Setting
conventionally, the Boxer retains rotation in its
bottom two battens, both promoting a bit of
shape in the sail’s profile. Requiring significant
downhaul tension, it prefers quite a loose leech
irrespective of the wind strength, being tuned
predominantly on the outhaul.
Ride and Handling
Incredibly light and neutral at rest, the Boxer
accelerates progressively onto the plane as the
wind increases, the luff tube and thin Dacron luff
panel allowing the sail to breathe and take shape.
Once going, it feels very compact and alert in the
hands, the two larger x-ply luff-panels locking the
tension in the foil and making it skin-tight,
providing the sailor with precise instantaneous
feedback. The centre of effort is very high and
forward in the draft, yet by using the bottom clew
eyelet, the boom is raked back low, making it easy
to lock down for comfortable straight-line cruising.
Not surprisingly, however, it’s in manoeuvreoriented
sailing that the Boxer really excels. Crisp,
reactive and sensationally flicky, it is a dream to
use for freestyle, going completely weightless midtransition,
whilst the battens rotate smoothly and
subtly as it is sheeted in on the new tack. With a
large natural range it retains its manners in severe
conditions, allowing the rider to concentrate on his
own performance rather than worry about
controlling the sail.
For: Supreme handling, feeling beautifully light
and responsive.
Against: Heavier, less sensitive sailors may find the
bottom end lacking.
Verdict
Inspiring the rider to try that next trick or
transition, the Boxer is fantastic fun to use and
comes highly recommended for manoeuvreoriented
sailing in any environment, from flatwater
to idyllic down-the-line.
season, with a distinctive new appearance and
unique outline that makes it instantly
recognisable on the water. The wave/freestyle sail
of World Wave Champion Kauli Seadi, it
combines a very high foot shape and short boom
length with a large leech area to make it a very
top-heavy foil. Finished with Naish’s excellent
attention to detail, it is a well-engineered and
durable sail, with particular effort being made to
reduce its physical weight without compromising
its structural integrity.
Rigging and Set
There was some inconsistency in the length mast
the 5.8m was recommended with, so we tried it
on both a 400cm and 430cm. Whilst the lightest
sailor may get away with it on a 400cm, most
would benefit from using it on a 430cm. Setting
conventionally, the Boxer retains rotation in its
bottom two battens, both promoting a bit of
shape in the sail’s profile. Requiring significant
downhaul tension, it prefers quite a loose leech
irrespective of the wind strength, being tuned
predominantly on the outhaul.
Ride and Handling
Incredibly light and neutral at rest, the Boxer
accelerates progressively onto the plane as the
wind increases, the luff tube and thin Dacron luff
panel allowing the sail to breathe and take shape.
Once going, it feels very compact and alert in the
hands, the two larger x-ply luff-panels locking the
tension in the foil and making it skin-tight,
providing the sailor with precise instantaneous
feedback. The centre of effort is very high and
forward in the draft, yet by using the bottom clew
eyelet, the boom is raked back low, making it easy
to lock down for comfortable straight-line cruising.
Not surprisingly, however, it’s in manoeuvreoriented
sailing that the Boxer really excels. Crisp,
reactive and sensationally flicky, it is a dream to
use for freestyle, going completely weightless midtransition,
whilst the battens rotate smoothly and
subtly as it is sheeted in on the new tack. With a
large natural range it retains its manners in severe
conditions, allowing the rider to concentrate on his
own performance rather than worry about
controlling the sail.
For: Supreme handling, feeling beautifully light
and responsive.
Against: Heavier, less sensitive sailors may find the
bottom end lacking.
Verdict
Inspiring the rider to try that next trick or
transition, the Boxer is fantastic fun to use and
comes highly recommended for manoeuvreoriented
sailing in any environment, from flatwater
to idyllic down-the-line.
Gaastra Remedy 6.0m
The Remedy is promoted by Gaastra as the ‘one
sail that can do it all’ – quite a bold statement
backed by the fact that it is Matt Pritchard’s sail of
choice when competing in Super-X, the most
diverse discipline around today. Eye-catching
with its new graphics, it remains quite a hybrid
sail in its structural layout, drawing upon
elements from various quarters. With a
manoeuvre-oriented configuration below the
boom, it then has a decidedly freeride outline
above the boom, incorporating five battens to
enhance its top end stability. Finished with
excellent detailing, including their fold-over
seaming and foot beading that extends beyond
the clew, it is a very well engineered sail.
Rigging and Set
Possessing quite a lot of luff curve, the Remedy
needs a fair degree of downhaul, making all the
battens completely pull away from the RDM used.
At rest, the sail sets flat with only the slightest
amount of shape evident, and whilst there is a lot
of skin tension in the body of the sail, the leech
twists off progressively along its length.
Ride and Handling
Rather than providing constant low-down power
like a pre-shaped foil, the Remedy remains flat and
neutral at idle, only inducing power as shape is
pulled into it. With a small Dacron luff panel and a
lot of play in its luff tube, it has a soft yet precise
nature, the leading edge breathing whilst the high
skin tension in the rest of the panels make it feel
crisp and reactive in the hands. With an excellent
natural range on one setting, the Remedy
accelerates to an impressive top speed,
comfortably locking down to cover ground and
efficiently dealing with fluctuations in wind strength.
It has stunning top end stability, never pulling the
rider’s stance out of shape, whilst its behaviour in
manoeuvres is exceptional, going completely
neutral once sheeted out to enable effortless
repositioning. As a one-only sail to cover all
disciplines, from freeride blasting right through to
light-wind wave sailing, it is one of the finest
examples yet, and comes highly recommended.
For: Wind range, handling, efficiency and top end
stability.
Against: Heavier or more forceful sailors may find
the Remedy’s bottom-end grunt lacking.
Verdict
Breathable yet precise; light and manoeuvrable,
yet supremely stable; easy yet high-performing
… the Remedy is one of the most versatile and
complete 6.0m sails we have ever tried and
comes highly recommended.
sail that can do it all’ – quite a bold statement
backed by the fact that it is Matt Pritchard’s sail of
choice when competing in Super-X, the most
diverse discipline around today. Eye-catching
with its new graphics, it remains quite a hybrid
sail in its structural layout, drawing upon
elements from various quarters. With a
manoeuvre-oriented configuration below the
boom, it then has a decidedly freeride outline
above the boom, incorporating five battens to
enhance its top end stability. Finished with
excellent detailing, including their fold-over
seaming and foot beading that extends beyond
the clew, it is a very well engineered sail.
Rigging and Set
Possessing quite a lot of luff curve, the Remedy
needs a fair degree of downhaul, making all the
battens completely pull away from the RDM used.
At rest, the sail sets flat with only the slightest
amount of shape evident, and whilst there is a lot
of skin tension in the body of the sail, the leech
twists off progressively along its length.
Ride and Handling
Rather than providing constant low-down power
like a pre-shaped foil, the Remedy remains flat and
neutral at idle, only inducing power as shape is
pulled into it. With a small Dacron luff panel and a
lot of play in its luff tube, it has a soft yet precise
nature, the leading edge breathing whilst the high
skin tension in the rest of the panels make it feel
crisp and reactive in the hands. With an excellent
natural range on one setting, the Remedy
accelerates to an impressive top speed,
comfortably locking down to cover ground and
efficiently dealing with fluctuations in wind strength.
It has stunning top end stability, never pulling the
rider’s stance out of shape, whilst its behaviour in
manoeuvres is exceptional, going completely
neutral once sheeted out to enable effortless
repositioning. As a one-only sail to cover all
disciplines, from freeride blasting right through to
light-wind wave sailing, it is one of the finest
examples yet, and comes highly recommended.
For: Wind range, handling, efficiency and top end
stability.
Against: Heavier or more forceful sailors may find
the Remedy’s bottom-end grunt lacking.
Verdict
Breathable yet precise; light and manoeuvrable,
yet supremely stable; easy yet high-performing
… the Remedy is one of the most versatile and
complete 6.0m sails we have ever tried and
comes highly recommended.
Ezzy Wave 6.0m
Having tested the 2006 Wave SE in sizes 4.7m
and 5.2m, and been very impressed with the
performance range given, we were intrigued to
see if the SE had the same potential in its larger
sizes. With identical build and attention to detail
as its smaller siblings, the 6.0m is certainly built
to take some punishment, including a new foot
cloth containing double the Spectra yarns, an
extended tack fairing, and not a panel of
monofilm in sight! It all adds up to a very distinct,
robust and quality looking product, but how
would it fair against its less hardcore rivals?
Rigging and Set
Not surprisingly, there is a massive amount of preshape,
the 6.0m adopting a full-bodied camber at
rest. Requiring only moderate downhaul tension,
the battens completely de-rotate from the
recommended RDM, adhering to Ezzy’s now
trademark endo-batten concept, designed to
ensure the sail’s symmetrical profile on both tacks.
Retaining a fairly tight mid-leech, the SE has a
reasonable tuning range, relying on adjustment
through the outhaul rather than downhaul.
Ride and Handling
Combining the efforts of its forced camber with
some extra shape (due to a significant amount of
play in the luff tube), the Wave SE is incredibly
powerful, providing constant forward drive that
pushes the most stubborn board onto the plane
with ease. Its breathable nature makes the SE feel
soft and forgiving, absorbing the impact of harsh
chop and enabling the rider to cover distance
comfortably. Stable and composed in its top end, it
never complains or hinders the sailor’s stance, yet
demands a more locked and committed riding style
in severe winds, the forced camber not allowing the
rider to come up for air and adopt a more upright
posture. In manoeuvres, it responds best to a more
positive style – although in no way physically heavy,
its constant drive means that it feels somewhat
solid in the hands, never going neutral or tolerant of
indecision. Whilst making the SE less appropriate
for intricate freestyle stunts, the constant drive is a
welcome for many, powering round gybes before
the battens rotate smoothly.
For: Constant dependable power across an
excellent wind range.
Verdict
The Wave SE offers constant, balanced and
dependable power over a massive range. Suiting
sailors with a decisive riding style, it is ideal for
coastal blasting, bump-and-jump or light-wind
wave riding, and is sure to provide years of service.
and 5.2m, and been very impressed with the
performance range given, we were intrigued to
see if the SE had the same potential in its larger
sizes. With identical build and attention to detail
as its smaller siblings, the 6.0m is certainly built
to take some punishment, including a new foot
cloth containing double the Spectra yarns, an
extended tack fairing, and not a panel of
monofilm in sight! It all adds up to a very distinct,
robust and quality looking product, but how
would it fair against its less hardcore rivals?
Rigging and Set
Not surprisingly, there is a massive amount of preshape,
the 6.0m adopting a full-bodied camber at
rest. Requiring only moderate downhaul tension,
the battens completely de-rotate from the
recommended RDM, adhering to Ezzy’s now
trademark endo-batten concept, designed to
ensure the sail’s symmetrical profile on both tacks.
Retaining a fairly tight mid-leech, the SE has a
reasonable tuning range, relying on adjustment
through the outhaul rather than downhaul.
Ride and Handling
Combining the efforts of its forced camber with
some extra shape (due to a significant amount of
play in the luff tube), the Wave SE is incredibly
powerful, providing constant forward drive that
pushes the most stubborn board onto the plane
with ease. Its breathable nature makes the SE feel
soft and forgiving, absorbing the impact of harsh
chop and enabling the rider to cover distance
comfortably. Stable and composed in its top end, it
never complains or hinders the sailor’s stance, yet
demands a more locked and committed riding style
in severe winds, the forced camber not allowing the
rider to come up for air and adopt a more upright
posture. In manoeuvres, it responds best to a more
positive style – although in no way physically heavy,
its constant drive means that it feels somewhat
solid in the hands, never going neutral or tolerant of
indecision. Whilst making the SE less appropriate
for intricate freestyle stunts, the constant drive is a
welcome for many, powering round gybes before
the battens rotate smoothly.
For: Constant dependable power across an
excellent wind range.
Verdict
The Wave SE offers constant, balanced and
dependable power over a massive range. Suiting
sailors with a decisive riding style, it is ideal for
coastal blasting, bump-and-jump or light-wind
wave riding, and is sure to provide years of service.
Buying a six-metre sail
Buying a six-metre sail is not as straightforward as it may initially seem. Sifting through the models available on the market, you soon realise that this size encompasses a massive cross-section of sail styles, from a fully cammed no-compromise race sail through to the softest most dedicated down-the-line wave sail. It comes as no surprise therefore, that it is undoubtedly one of the most popular sail sizes bought, with most windsurfers having one in their quiver.
Like the board test this month, we have divided this six-metre sail review into two, with half going in this month,s issue, and half due to go in the March issue. The eight contenders here are the more manoeuvre-specialist sails, many of which hail from the wave or freestylecamp. Differing greatly in set and style, they all aim to fulfil the role of offering response and
handling across as wide a range as possible. Next month, the seven sails put through their paces come from a more freemove/freeride background, generally providing more straightline ease and performance.
So what can you expect from the eight sails reviewed over the next couple of pages? Well,lets look at the criteria required of a sail to make it appropriate for each discipline. A wave sail should provide the handling and instantaneous response to ride waves, supplying the energy to power shorter, less efficient hulls. In their larger sizes (6.0m is pretty much the largest size you would want a wave sail in), they should feel light easy and breathable,capable of handling the most confused sea states. Their downside is that they wont possess the top end efficiency or pointing prowess to feel comfortable on larger freeride boards, often feeling like they’re holding the hull back. Freestyle sails on the other hand
have gone through a dramatic transformation over the last few years, from being very
specialist with little range, to become some of the most versatile sails around. Designed for use predominantly on flat-water, their strengths are getting the board up and on the plane
as quickly as possible, before feeling supremely light, balanced and compact in the hands,going neutral for the most technical transitions. Their shortfall tends to be their straight-line
comfort, feeling ill at ease as they gather speed due to their high power bands and inability to be locked down.
These are of course big generalisations, as many of these sails have evolved to become excellent all-round sails, providing the range and performance irrespective of the discipline they are used in, or the board they are partnered with. As such, there is not a sail that we can single out and say is ‘the best in test’, as the best one for you very much depends on your requirements – your weight, ability, sailing style and board choice. Our job therefore is to describe the behaviour of each sail and try to classify where its market lies; by reading the tests in full and viewing their ‘suitability charts’, hopefully you’ll gain a good understanding of each sail and be able to choose the right one for you.
Like the board test this month, we have divided this six-metre sail review into two, with half going in this month,s issue, and half due to go in the March issue. The eight contenders here are the more manoeuvre-specialist sails, many of which hail from the wave or freestylecamp. Differing greatly in set and style, they all aim to fulfil the role of offering response and
handling across as wide a range as possible. Next month, the seven sails put through their paces come from a more freemove/freeride background, generally providing more straightline ease and performance.
So what can you expect from the eight sails reviewed over the next couple of pages? Well,lets look at the criteria required of a sail to make it appropriate for each discipline. A wave sail should provide the handling and instantaneous response to ride waves, supplying the energy to power shorter, less efficient hulls. In their larger sizes (6.0m is pretty much the largest size you would want a wave sail in), they should feel light easy and breathable,capable of handling the most confused sea states. Their downside is that they wont possess the top end efficiency or pointing prowess to feel comfortable on larger freeride boards, often feeling like they’re holding the hull back. Freestyle sails on the other hand
have gone through a dramatic transformation over the last few years, from being very
specialist with little range, to become some of the most versatile sails around. Designed for use predominantly on flat-water, their strengths are getting the board up and on the plane
as quickly as possible, before feeling supremely light, balanced and compact in the hands,going neutral for the most technical transitions. Their shortfall tends to be their straight-line
comfort, feeling ill at ease as they gather speed due to their high power bands and inability to be locked down.
These are of course big generalisations, as many of these sails have evolved to become excellent all-round sails, providing the range and performance irrespective of the discipline they are used in, or the board they are partnered with. As such, there is not a sail that we can single out and say is ‘the best in test’, as the best one for you very much depends on your requirements – your weight, ability, sailing style and board choice. Our job therefore is to describe the behaviour of each sail and try to classify where its market lies; by reading the tests in full and viewing their ‘suitability charts’, hopefully you’ll gain a good understanding of each sail and be able to choose the right one for you.
Tabou Rocket 59
Renamed for the new season, the Rocket 95
(previously the Rocket Air 59) is included this year
as our benchmark board, having been liked by all
who tried it last year. Unaltered in shape, it’s had a
graphic makeover and comes complete with new
footstraps and deckpads, thankfully seeing the
absence of the slippery EVA sections on the rails
between the straps. Available in either standard or
limited sandwich construction (only 100 to be
produced) it is now the smallest in the Rocket range
and comes supplied with just one fin for 2006.
Ride and Handling
Despite noticeably feeling the smallest in the
group, the 95 releases onto the plane well, albeit
requiring more of a deft approach in marginal
conditions than some others here. Possessing a
superb blend of control, liveliness and response,
the versatility of the board is immediately apparent
once on the plane, adapting to any rider style or
ability. Happy cruising at half speed with an upright
stance, it can also be loaded and driven to show
an impressive top speed, feeling alive and ‘hunty’
underfoot without provoking any control issues.
Comfortably covering distance, the 95 drives off its
fin well and easily handles more severe sea states,
making it a very practical option for coastal sailors.
With such straight-line stability and speed, there is
no surprise that the Rocket excels in a bump-andjump
role, providing the acceleration and response
to make the most of the slightest ramp.
Manoeuvres
It’s in the carve, however, that the 95 shows its true
colours, certainly a match for any board in this
category. Showing a real willingness to turn in, it cuts
a beautifully smooth arc, holding such a positive
addictive cornering nature that it will have you craving
your next turn. Requiring very little drive or input from
the rider, it carries its speed through the turn, making
it easy and forgiving for the intermediate, yet more
than capable as a dedicated wave sailor’s light wind
wave board. In freestyle, the Rocket pops well but is
not an ideal first-time freestyle tutor, the shoulders
providing relatively little support in the slide. Those
looking for more freestyle potential should look to
Tabou’s 3S97, which offers much more wave/freestyle
crossover than the Rocket. As an all-round contender
for coastal bump-and-jump sailing, the 95 is a
stunning board and remains one of our favourites in
this group. In fact, the only grumble we have are with
the footstraps, which push down on the rider’s feet
and provide little support laterally, especially evident
in more intricate manoeuvres.
For: Speed, straight-line stability and awesome
carving capabilities.
Against: Lack of lateral footstrap support
(previously the Rocket Air 59) is included this year
as our benchmark board, having been liked by all
who tried it last year. Unaltered in shape, it’s had a
graphic makeover and comes complete with new
footstraps and deckpads, thankfully seeing the
absence of the slippery EVA sections on the rails
between the straps. Available in either standard or
limited sandwich construction (only 100 to be
produced) it is now the smallest in the Rocket range
and comes supplied with just one fin for 2006.
Ride and Handling
Despite noticeably feeling the smallest in the
group, the 95 releases onto the plane well, albeit
requiring more of a deft approach in marginal
conditions than some others here. Possessing a
superb blend of control, liveliness and response,
the versatility of the board is immediately apparent
once on the plane, adapting to any rider style or
ability. Happy cruising at half speed with an upright
stance, it can also be loaded and driven to show
an impressive top speed, feeling alive and ‘hunty’
underfoot without provoking any control issues.
Comfortably covering distance, the 95 drives off its
fin well and easily handles more severe sea states,
making it a very practical option for coastal sailors.
With such straight-line stability and speed, there is
no surprise that the Rocket excels in a bump-andjump
role, providing the acceleration and response
to make the most of the slightest ramp.
Manoeuvres
It’s in the carve, however, that the 95 shows its true
colours, certainly a match for any board in this
category. Showing a real willingness to turn in, it cuts
a beautifully smooth arc, holding such a positive
addictive cornering nature that it will have you craving
your next turn. Requiring very little drive or input from
the rider, it carries its speed through the turn, making
it easy and forgiving for the intermediate, yet more
than capable as a dedicated wave sailor’s light wind
wave board. In freestyle, the Rocket pops well but is
not an ideal first-time freestyle tutor, the shoulders
providing relatively little support in the slide. Those
looking for more freestyle potential should look to
Tabou’s 3S97, which offers much more wave/freestyle
crossover than the Rocket. As an all-round contender
for coastal bump-and-jump sailing, the 95 is a
stunning board and remains one of our favourites in
this group. In fact, the only grumble we have are with
the footstraps, which push down on the rider’s feet
and provide little support laterally, especially evident
in more intricate manoeuvres.
For: Speed, straight-line stability and awesome
carving capabilities.
Against: Lack of lateral footstrap support
RRD Freestyle Wave 101
The Freestyle Wave 101 from RRD is the second
largest in a five-board line-up, designed to excel in
any role and environment, from flat water to waves.
With a smooth round outline, it looks very much
like a large wave-board at first glance, although
closer inspection reveals a lot of rocker flat before
a steep increase in nose rocker, which starts in line
with the shoulders. Shorter and more compact
than its predecessor, it retains the bevel in the tail
for improved slide and tight transitions. Produced
in CHK (custom made using High Modulus Kevlar
fibres) sandwich technology, the 101 boasts bright
bold graphics and a polished finish on the hull,
giving it a visually stunning appearance that oozes
quality and style.
Ride and Handling
Up and on the plane with little persuasion, the 101
is exceptionally comfortable and smooth underfoot
– a feeling consistent with all the RRD boards
we’ve tried so far this year. This is partly due to the
design itself but also due to the dual density
contoured deckpads that cushion the ride over
chop superbly. Releasing well and driving off the
fin, the nose of the 101 rides high as if hunting,
giving it quite a lively yet poised stance in the
water, feeling ready to be thrown into the next
manoeuvre at any time. Set up with outboard
straps there is plenty of feedback from the fin to
load the board and push it to a respectable speed,
and although we certainly don’t feel it’s a true
blaster by nature, the 101 can comfortably be used
for straight-line work, coming into its own when the
sea state becomes more testing.
Manoeuvres
It’s when you start playing around on the FSW that
you begin to realise what it’s all about. Exhibiting
the qualities akin to a large wave board, it seems
to instinctively engage an edge as it is banked into
a turn, holding a smooth yet precise arc. Get
forward and drive it into the turn with more
aggression, and it will respond with a fearsome
level of grip, the rider really feeling the rails as they
slice through the water. In freestyle, the 101
surprised us with its ability, popping energetically
and sliding predictably on its wide shoulders,
providing good control through the trickiest part of
the transition. With its smooth comfortable gliding
style, unwavering composure and controlled
response, the 101 is one of the most versatile
boards we have ever used, making it a very
practical all-round board for intermediates and
experts alike.
For: Smooth riding style and incredible versatility.
Against: Flat-water freeride sailors may find the
ultimate top speed slightly lacking
largest in a five-board line-up, designed to excel in
any role and environment, from flat water to waves.
With a smooth round outline, it looks very much
like a large wave-board at first glance, although
closer inspection reveals a lot of rocker flat before
a steep increase in nose rocker, which starts in line
with the shoulders. Shorter and more compact
than its predecessor, it retains the bevel in the tail
for improved slide and tight transitions. Produced
in CHK (custom made using High Modulus Kevlar
fibres) sandwich technology, the 101 boasts bright
bold graphics and a polished finish on the hull,
giving it a visually stunning appearance that oozes
quality and style.
Ride and Handling
Up and on the plane with little persuasion, the 101
is exceptionally comfortable and smooth underfoot
– a feeling consistent with all the RRD boards
we’ve tried so far this year. This is partly due to the
design itself but also due to the dual density
contoured deckpads that cushion the ride over
chop superbly. Releasing well and driving off the
fin, the nose of the 101 rides high as if hunting,
giving it quite a lively yet poised stance in the
water, feeling ready to be thrown into the next
manoeuvre at any time. Set up with outboard
straps there is plenty of feedback from the fin to
load the board and push it to a respectable speed,
and although we certainly don’t feel it’s a true
blaster by nature, the 101 can comfortably be used
for straight-line work, coming into its own when the
sea state becomes more testing.
Manoeuvres
It’s when you start playing around on the FSW that
you begin to realise what it’s all about. Exhibiting
the qualities akin to a large wave board, it seems
to instinctively engage an edge as it is banked into
a turn, holding a smooth yet precise arc. Get
forward and drive it into the turn with more
aggression, and it will respond with a fearsome
level of grip, the rider really feeling the rails as they
slice through the water. In freestyle, the 101
surprised us with its ability, popping energetically
and sliding predictably on its wide shoulders,
providing good control through the trickiest part of
the transition. With its smooth comfortable gliding
style, unwavering composure and controlled
response, the 101 is one of the most versatile
boards we have ever used, making it a very
practical all-round board for intermediates and
experts alike.
For: Smooth riding style and incredible versatility.
Against: Flat-water freeride sailors may find the
ultimate top speed slightly lacking
Naish Vector 100
Starting its second season in production, the Vector
is Naish’s all-terrain vehicle, designed to perform in
any role, from onshore wave riding, through bumpand-
jump sailing and into freeride. Despite being
renamed the 100, it is essentially the same as last
year’s Vector 98, with a thin squared-off tail, full rails
in the mid-section and a fair amount of volume
distributed in its rounded nose. Sharp and
aggressive in appearance, it is constructed in a new
glass/wood sandwich technology incorporating a
railband for additional durability, and comes with a
new deckpad including built-in heel bumpers.
Ride and Handling
Stable at idle, the Vector can be released onto the
plane early but requires the rider to get forward so as
to stop the tail sinking. With the footstraps in their
outboard settings, it accelerates rapidly and likes to be
loaded, the fin supplying a great deal of drive to push
against. The hull is noticeably quite stiff and rigid
underfoot, making the ride clattery and sharp. This is
where the deckpads come into play, absorbing much
of the harsh feedback and cushioning the ride over
confused sea states. On top of this, the contours in
the deckpads fit the arch of the rider’s feet superbly,
making the ride secure whilst detracting from the
influence of the hard footstraps. As such, what you are
left with is a fast, exciting and captivating ride; getting
the adrenaline flowing, it imparts the sensation that
you are constantly flying around at break-neck speed,
capable of taking anyone on in a drag race.
Experimenting with inboard straps, it does significantly
alter the character of the board, although in
overpowered conditions, we feel the board prefers
being used in a bump-and-jump role, the rider
adopting a commanding stance and continually
driving off the fin; try to sail it at half speed with an
upright posture and the tail begins to walk.
Manoeuvres
Set up with inboard straps (the back strap needs to
be offset around the powerbox insert), the Vector
feels increasingly alert and responsive to changes
in foot pressure. Reacting best to an assertive
gybing style with the rider getting well forward, it
flies out of the turn without giving the tail a chance
to stall. Used for freestyle, the 100 feels a little out
of place, popping well, but offering little room for
error, the thin tail catching if the rider’s stance isn’t
spot on. We also found the Naish straps particularly
stiff, making it hard to remain in contact with the
board in manoeuvres where forces are pulling you
in separate directions, such as flat-water loops. As
such, the Vector is essentially a fast and exciting
freeride board, with enough manoeuvre and
response to handle any coastal environment.
Verdict
The Vector 100 provides a fast and involving
ride, best suited for those with a locked in
sailing style, looking for an exciting bumpand-
jump board to blast around in a
coastal environment.
is Naish’s all-terrain vehicle, designed to perform in
any role, from onshore wave riding, through bumpand-
jump sailing and into freeride. Despite being
renamed the 100, it is essentially the same as last
year’s Vector 98, with a thin squared-off tail, full rails
in the mid-section and a fair amount of volume
distributed in its rounded nose. Sharp and
aggressive in appearance, it is constructed in a new
glass/wood sandwich technology incorporating a
railband for additional durability, and comes with a
new deckpad including built-in heel bumpers.
Ride and Handling
Stable at idle, the Vector can be released onto the
plane early but requires the rider to get forward so as
to stop the tail sinking. With the footstraps in their
outboard settings, it accelerates rapidly and likes to be
loaded, the fin supplying a great deal of drive to push
against. The hull is noticeably quite stiff and rigid
underfoot, making the ride clattery and sharp. This is
where the deckpads come into play, absorbing much
of the harsh feedback and cushioning the ride over
confused sea states. On top of this, the contours in
the deckpads fit the arch of the rider’s feet superbly,
making the ride secure whilst detracting from the
influence of the hard footstraps. As such, what you are
left with is a fast, exciting and captivating ride; getting
the adrenaline flowing, it imparts the sensation that
you are constantly flying around at break-neck speed,
capable of taking anyone on in a drag race.
Experimenting with inboard straps, it does significantly
alter the character of the board, although in
overpowered conditions, we feel the board prefers
being used in a bump-and-jump role, the rider
adopting a commanding stance and continually
driving off the fin; try to sail it at half speed with an
upright posture and the tail begins to walk.
Manoeuvres
Set up with inboard straps (the back strap needs to
be offset around the powerbox insert), the Vector
feels increasingly alert and responsive to changes
in foot pressure. Reacting best to an assertive
gybing style with the rider getting well forward, it
flies out of the turn without giving the tail a chance
to stall. Used for freestyle, the 100 feels a little out
of place, popping well, but offering little room for
error, the thin tail catching if the rider’s stance isn’t
spot on. We also found the Naish straps particularly
stiff, making it hard to remain in contact with the
board in manoeuvres where forces are pulling you
in separate directions, such as flat-water loops. As
such, the Vector is essentially a fast and exciting
freeride board, with enough manoeuvre and
response to handle any coastal environment.
Verdict
The Vector 100 provides a fast and involving
ride, best suited for those with a locked in
sailing style, looking for an exciting bumpand-
jump board to blast around in a
coastal environment.
Mistral Syncro 103
The Syncro is in its third year of production as
Mistral’s manoeuvre-oriented wave/super-X board.
One of our favourites in this category last year, it
would be interesting to see how the 103 has been
refined for the new season, with the stated aim of
improving its wave/freestyle performance.
Possessing plenty of nose rocker it sees the
introduction of a quad-panel shaping through the
length of the hull intended to extend its carving
potential, whilst the deck has a pronounced dome
in the rear, home to Mistral’s excellent shock
absorbing deckpads.
Ride and Handling
The Syncro is undoubtedly one of the fastest in
this group onto the plane, with a low planing
threshold that sees it accelerate to a steady
cruising speed. In marginal conditions it retains
quite a large waterline along its length, its tail
sticking to the water whilst the board’s shoulders
sit high and dry from any rogue chop. Used in fully
powered conditions with a four-strap configuration
it can be lifted and released further, using the
improved feedback from the fin to find its sweet
spot and push its speed … although its trim on the
water was quite technical to master and maintain.
Similarly, in extreme conditions we often found
ourselves backing off to control the balance of the
board and keep its nose down. As such we believe
the Syncro’s strengths lie in being used in a more
manoeuvre-oriented role with a single strap set up,
where the sailor can fully appreciate the 103’s easy
responsive nature, allowing it to make light work of
any sea state in comfortably powered conditions.
Manoeuvres
The dome of the deck and thin rails in the tail help
the Syncro to prescribe a progressive carving arc,
making it an excellent tutoring platform for the
intermediate sailor. Power in assertively by
stamping hard on the tail, however, and the fin
regularly lost traction, spinning sideways and
allowing for only one, very wet, eventuality. Instead
we found you had to get well forward in the turn if
you wanted to commit with any confidence,
engaging the rails like a wave-board and taking
much of the pressure off the fin, which we believe
is largely the root of the problem. Used for
freestyle, the 103’s thin tail does require more
effort to release, yet once sliding in reverse the
Syncro displays good control and precision, aided
by the chimes in the nose.
For: Easy responsive nature for handling any
coastal environment.
Against: Fin and stability in over-powered conditions
Mistral’s manoeuvre-oriented wave/super-X board.
One of our favourites in this category last year, it
would be interesting to see how the 103 has been
refined for the new season, with the stated aim of
improving its wave/freestyle performance.
Possessing plenty of nose rocker it sees the
introduction of a quad-panel shaping through the
length of the hull intended to extend its carving
potential, whilst the deck has a pronounced dome
in the rear, home to Mistral’s excellent shock
absorbing deckpads.
Ride and Handling
The Syncro is undoubtedly one of the fastest in
this group onto the plane, with a low planing
threshold that sees it accelerate to a steady
cruising speed. In marginal conditions it retains
quite a large waterline along its length, its tail
sticking to the water whilst the board’s shoulders
sit high and dry from any rogue chop. Used in fully
powered conditions with a four-strap configuration
it can be lifted and released further, using the
improved feedback from the fin to find its sweet
spot and push its speed … although its trim on the
water was quite technical to master and maintain.
Similarly, in extreme conditions we often found
ourselves backing off to control the balance of the
board and keep its nose down. As such we believe
the Syncro’s strengths lie in being used in a more
manoeuvre-oriented role with a single strap set up,
where the sailor can fully appreciate the 103’s easy
responsive nature, allowing it to make light work of
any sea state in comfortably powered conditions.
Manoeuvres
The dome of the deck and thin rails in the tail help
the Syncro to prescribe a progressive carving arc,
making it an excellent tutoring platform for the
intermediate sailor. Power in assertively by
stamping hard on the tail, however, and the fin
regularly lost traction, spinning sideways and
allowing for only one, very wet, eventuality. Instead
we found you had to get well forward in the turn if
you wanted to commit with any confidence,
engaging the rails like a wave-board and taking
much of the pressure off the fin, which we believe
is largely the root of the problem. Used for
freestyle, the 103’s thin tail does require more
effort to release, yet once sliding in reverse the
Syncro displays good control and precision, aided
by the chimes in the nose.
For: Easy responsive nature for handling any
coastal environment.
Against: Fin and stability in over-powered conditions
JP Freestyle 100
In the past the JP Freestyle series has offered
some of the most versatile flat-water boards
around, possessing real freeride performance on
top of an ease and potency for new-school
manoeuvres. Intrigued to see how the latest
freestyle designs compare to other manoeuvreoriented
boards of this volume, we have chosen to
include the JP in this category to represent the
dedicated freestyle hull. Signature model of world
champion Ricardo Campello, it is the middle
design of a three-board range, and has a very
short round outline with a distinctive boxy tail bevel
and domed deck. Available in Wood and Pro
construction, it comes supplied with a 26cm
freestyle fin and looks like it means business.
Ride and Handling
Whilst not releasing onto the plane as quickly as
we have come to expect from a JP Freestyle
board, the 100 responds instantly once its
threshold is reached, accelerating purposefully to
an impressive speed. Compact and light underfoot,
it provides an exciting and controlled ride, sitting
high on the water’s surface and skimming over
choppy sea states. Happiest when comfortably
powered, the fin begins to provide enough
feedback to drive against it and trim the board flat,
reducing the board’s waterline and increasing its
responsive riding sensation. As power increases,
the 100’s manners never wane – even in confused
conditions and violent gusts, it remains supremely
composed and forgiving in a straight-line.
Manoeuvres
Although its carving abilities are nothing
extraordinary, the 100 cuts a smooth predictable arc,
the rails biting confidently whilst its width provides
the stability to recover from any mistakes made. Not
surprisingly though, it is in a freestyle mode that the
100 excels, keeping low and sliding back on its nose
with such ease and control that it will have you
conquering that elusive new-school manoeuvre in no
time. It does take a little while to get used to the
board’s pop, the extra volume in the tail giving it
some noticeable swing weight as you rotate…
although you soon get accustomed to it. Get the
slide a little wrong and the 100 will provide plenty of
warning and margin for error, the tail buffering off the
water’s surface so that the rider has every chance of
completing the stunt. With the control and manners
to be used in confused sea states, the 100 is a
practical and fun freestyle machine, inspiring the
rider to try that next manoeuvre.
For: Controlled slide, compact and lively riding
sensation when powered.
Against: Early planing isn’t as potent as
anticipated, but as a freestyle specialist weapon,
it cannot be faulted.
Verdict
Whilst undoubtedly more dedicated to freestyle
than ever before, the Freestyle 100 is a wellmannered
and practical board for flat-water and
coastal chop, best suited for those that are keen
to push their freestyle boundaries.
some of the most versatile flat-water boards
around, possessing real freeride performance on
top of an ease and potency for new-school
manoeuvres. Intrigued to see how the latest
freestyle designs compare to other manoeuvreoriented
boards of this volume, we have chosen to
include the JP in this category to represent the
dedicated freestyle hull. Signature model of world
champion Ricardo Campello, it is the middle
design of a three-board range, and has a very
short round outline with a distinctive boxy tail bevel
and domed deck. Available in Wood and Pro
construction, it comes supplied with a 26cm
freestyle fin and looks like it means business.
Ride and Handling
Whilst not releasing onto the plane as quickly as
we have come to expect from a JP Freestyle
board, the 100 responds instantly once its
threshold is reached, accelerating purposefully to
an impressive speed. Compact and light underfoot,
it provides an exciting and controlled ride, sitting
high on the water’s surface and skimming over
choppy sea states. Happiest when comfortably
powered, the fin begins to provide enough
feedback to drive against it and trim the board flat,
reducing the board’s waterline and increasing its
responsive riding sensation. As power increases,
the 100’s manners never wane – even in confused
conditions and violent gusts, it remains supremely
composed and forgiving in a straight-line.
Manoeuvres
Although its carving abilities are nothing
extraordinary, the 100 cuts a smooth predictable arc,
the rails biting confidently whilst its width provides
the stability to recover from any mistakes made. Not
surprisingly though, it is in a freestyle mode that the
100 excels, keeping low and sliding back on its nose
with such ease and control that it will have you
conquering that elusive new-school manoeuvre in no
time. It does take a little while to get used to the
board’s pop, the extra volume in the tail giving it
some noticeable swing weight as you rotate…
although you soon get accustomed to it. Get the
slide a little wrong and the 100 will provide plenty of
warning and margin for error, the tail buffering off the
water’s surface so that the rider has every chance of
completing the stunt. With the control and manners
to be used in confused sea states, the 100 is a
practical and fun freestyle machine, inspiring the
rider to try that next manoeuvre.
For: Controlled slide, compact and lively riding
sensation when powered.
Against: Early planing isn’t as potent as
anticipated, but as a freestyle specialist weapon,
it cannot be faulted.
Verdict
Whilst undoubtedly more dedicated to freestyle
than ever before, the Freestyle 100 is a wellmannered
and practical board for flat-water and
coastal chop, best suited for those that are keen
to push their freestyle boundaries.
Angulo Sumo 105
The Sumo 105 has had a graphic makeover for
2006, giving a new lease of life to a design that is
entering its third season of production. Supplied
with two fins, it comes complete with Angulo’s longawaited
new straps, produced courtesy of Da Kine.
One of the wider boards in the group at 64cm, it has
a relatively round tubby appearance (depicting its
name well!) with a flat deck and squared-off nose
and tail. An excellent all-round contender when
tested a couple of years ago, it would be interesting
to see how it compared to the latest designs.
Ride and Handling
Provided with two distinctly different fin designs,
the character of the board can be altered
significantly by utilising them and changing the
footstrap configuration accordingly. With outboard
straps and the large fin in place, the Sumo
releases onto the plane smoothly, the wide deck
providing the stability to cater for a 7.5m, whilst the
voluminous tail enables the rider to adopt a
comfortable stance, loading the fin to cover
distance with ease. In more powered conditions
the small 24cm fin and inboard straps expose a
whole new dimension to the 105, introducing a
definite buoyant wave board quality to its riding
style. Completely controlled irrespective of the
conditions, it never seems to buck or play up, but
offers a composed responsive ride, making it a lot
of fun to use. Still one of the finest examples of a
versatile freemove board, the Sumo is an excellent
option for coastal sailors with a penchant for wave
riding, yet don’t wish to fully immerse themselves
down the freeride path.
Manoeuvres
The Sumo’s supreme versatility extends into the
gybe, with an awesome level of aggressive bite
captivating the expert rider, yet with enough ease
and margin for error to tutor the intermediate.
Carving a smooth progressive arc, the width in the
tail maintains the speed through the turn, whilst the
flat deck provides the stability to allow for clumsy
footwork, (also evident in the tack). In fact, the
Sumo’s control belies its ability, making it feel
almost reserved underfoot, yet as soon as you try
something it always delivers. This is particularly
apparent in freestyle, where it pops surprisingly
well and slides smoothly on its shoulders, the
support supplied by the straps and deckpads
providing the rider with a real sense of control.
For: Supreme versatility. Unquestionable waveboard
style heritage.
Against: Just one setting for inboard back strap –
may be an issue for large sailors that like a wide stance
Verdict
A fantastically versatile board, the Sumo has
lost none of its potency or charm, making it an
excellent all-round option irrespective of rider
weight, style or ability.
It comes well recommended.
2006, giving a new lease of life to a design that is
entering its third season of production. Supplied
with two fins, it comes complete with Angulo’s longawaited
new straps, produced courtesy of Da Kine.
One of the wider boards in the group at 64cm, it has
a relatively round tubby appearance (depicting its
name well!) with a flat deck and squared-off nose
and tail. An excellent all-round contender when
tested a couple of years ago, it would be interesting
to see how it compared to the latest designs.
Ride and Handling
Provided with two distinctly different fin designs,
the character of the board can be altered
significantly by utilising them and changing the
footstrap configuration accordingly. With outboard
straps and the large fin in place, the Sumo
releases onto the plane smoothly, the wide deck
providing the stability to cater for a 7.5m, whilst the
voluminous tail enables the rider to adopt a
comfortable stance, loading the fin to cover
distance with ease. In more powered conditions
the small 24cm fin and inboard straps expose a
whole new dimension to the 105, introducing a
definite buoyant wave board quality to its riding
style. Completely controlled irrespective of the
conditions, it never seems to buck or play up, but
offers a composed responsive ride, making it a lot
of fun to use. Still one of the finest examples of a
versatile freemove board, the Sumo is an excellent
option for coastal sailors with a penchant for wave
riding, yet don’t wish to fully immerse themselves
down the freeride path.
Manoeuvres
The Sumo’s supreme versatility extends into the
gybe, with an awesome level of aggressive bite
captivating the expert rider, yet with enough ease
and margin for error to tutor the intermediate.
Carving a smooth progressive arc, the width in the
tail maintains the speed through the turn, whilst the
flat deck provides the stability to allow for clumsy
footwork, (also evident in the tack). In fact, the
Sumo’s control belies its ability, making it feel
almost reserved underfoot, yet as soon as you try
something it always delivers. This is particularly
apparent in freestyle, where it pops surprisingly
well and slides smoothly on its shoulders, the
support supplied by the straps and deckpads
providing the rider with a real sense of control.
For: Supreme versatility. Unquestionable waveboard
style heritage.
Against: Just one setting for inboard back strap –
may be an issue for large sailors that like a wide stance
Verdict
A fantastically versatile board, the Sumo has
lost none of its potency or charm, making it an
excellent all-round option irrespective of rider
weight, style or ability.
It comes well recommended.
THE KEY TO SUITABILITY
Below is a key to the suitability
charts so that the information can be
gathered from them at a glance:
Suitable
Unsuitable
Rider Ability
Intermediate: Getting to grips with
planing techniques (namely the
footstraps and harness), the
intermediate is undoubtedly in the
most exciting period of their
windsurfing career so far, learning
something new every time they step
on their board. Lacking the technical
knowledge and instinctive ability to
deal with complicated kit, their
progression can be greatly advanced
using stable and forgiving equipment.
Competent: The competent sailor is
comfortable in a variety of planing
wind strengths, and can cover
distance without issue. Using the
footstraps and harness confidently,
and learning to adjust their stance
instinctively in gusts and lulls (as well
as on different points of sail), the
competent sailor is in the throes of
getting round the corners, with the
infamous carve gybe being the big
stumbling block at present.
Expert: With years of experience,
expert sailors are diverse characters
with very different goals, but all share
the same drive and enthusiasm to
push their equipment to the limit in
order to test their own capabilities.
With a real passion for the sport, they
may even enter some local or national
amateur competitions, safe with the
confidence and technical knowledge
to back them up, whatever the
conditions.
Professional: Production equipment
is now used regularly at the top flight
of competition, and with this in mind,
the final definition is fairly selfexplanatory.
It is attributed to
equipment that is believed to hold that
extra cutting-edge ingredient that will
make it devastating in the hands of
the professional sailor during
competition. Enough said!
Rider Weight
Rider weight is very much an
approximation as it greatly depends
on the rider’s sailing ability as well.
However, as a rough guide, these are
the boundaries we use:
Light 45-65kg
Medium 65-85kg
Heavy 85-105kg
Discipline
Wave: Ideal for use in a break, with
enough response and carving
potential to perform on a wave face.
Freestyle: Suitable for new-school
stunts, with loads of pop and a
controlled reverse slide.
Freemove: Easy and forgiving to sail
in a straight-line, a freemove hull also
has a lot of manoeuvre potential and
can tutor the intermediate/competent
sailor effortlessly through their first
planing transitions.
Freeride: With excellent straight-line
potential, the freeride hull likes to be
loaded and driven with a more
locked-in stance, and can reach a
respectable speed, remaining wellmannered
in difficult sea states.
charts so that the information can be
gathered from them at a glance:
Suitable
Unsuitable
Rider Ability
Intermediate: Getting to grips with
planing techniques (namely the
footstraps and harness), the
intermediate is undoubtedly in the
most exciting period of their
windsurfing career so far, learning
something new every time they step
on their board. Lacking the technical
knowledge and instinctive ability to
deal with complicated kit, their
progression can be greatly advanced
using stable and forgiving equipment.
Competent: The competent sailor is
comfortable in a variety of planing
wind strengths, and can cover
distance without issue. Using the
footstraps and harness confidently,
and learning to adjust their stance
instinctively in gusts and lulls (as well
as on different points of sail), the
competent sailor is in the throes of
getting round the corners, with the
infamous carve gybe being the big
stumbling block at present.
Expert: With years of experience,
expert sailors are diverse characters
with very different goals, but all share
the same drive and enthusiasm to
push their equipment to the limit in
order to test their own capabilities.
With a real passion for the sport, they
may even enter some local or national
amateur competitions, safe with the
confidence and technical knowledge
to back them up, whatever the
conditions.
Professional: Production equipment
is now used regularly at the top flight
of competition, and with this in mind,
the final definition is fairly selfexplanatory.
It is attributed to
equipment that is believed to hold that
extra cutting-edge ingredient that will
make it devastating in the hands of
the professional sailor during
competition. Enough said!
Rider Weight
Rider weight is very much an
approximation as it greatly depends
on the rider’s sailing ability as well.
However, as a rough guide, these are
the boundaries we use:
Light 45-65kg
Medium 65-85kg
Heavy 85-105kg
Discipline
Wave: Ideal for use in a break, with
enough response and carving
potential to perform on a wave face.
Freestyle: Suitable for new-school
stunts, with loads of pop and a
controlled reverse slide.
Freemove: Easy and forgiving to sail
in a straight-line, a freemove hull also
has a lot of manoeuvre potential and
can tutor the intermediate/competent
sailor effortlessly through their first
planing transitions.
Freeride: With excellent straight-line
potential, the freeride hull likes to be
loaded and driven with a more
locked-in stance, and can reach a
respectable speed, remaining wellmannered
in difficult sea states.
95-105L BOARDTEST
The way to decide which board type is
best for you, is for you to ask yourself
a couple of key questions. First of all,
what is your ability and style of riding? This
will enable you to determine what type of
performance you are looking to get out of
the board. Are you an ambitious
intermediate looking for a stable and
comfortable platform on which to master the
initial planing techniques? Are you an
experienced sailor who is happiest blasting
around in a straight-line and hitting the odd
ramp; or are you a wave rider at heart,
looking for a large floaty board to enjoy the
lighter breeze, but are cautious of
wondering down the ‘pure freeride’ path?
These are just a handful of instances, of
which there are many more, but the great
thing is that there are plenty of board
styles available to match every rider
preference. By reading the reviews and
looking at the ‘Suitability Chart’ for each
board, you can determine exactly what
type of rider we believe the board is
appropriate for.
The second question to ask yourself is where
do you sail predominantly and what are your
aspirations? Are you looking for a board that
planes early and has the efficiency to handle
itself in a drag race in any environment? Do
you mainly windsurf on flat-water and have
aspirations to making inroads into newschool
freestyle; or are you a coastal sailor
that needs a board with the range and
manners to cope with severe chop? The six
boards under the spotlight this month
epitomize the blend of boards available on
the market in this category. You have the JP
that despite being a stunning freestyle
machine, has the versatility and ease to fulfil
a freemove/ freeride role. There’s then the
Vector – essentially an electric freeride board
with a sharp responsive nature that loves to
be loaded and driven off its fin, making bump
and jump sailing in coastal conditions a
dream. And then there are all-round boards
such as the Sumo from Angulo and the
Rocket from Tabou – real chameleon boards
that can put their hand to pretty much any
discipline, from light-wind wave riding,
through to freeride blasting. The choice is
yours, but remember there are several more
in store next month!
THE EXTENDED TEST TEAM
In addition to the established test team of Tris
Best, Mark Hosegood and Jim Collis, we
were joined in Egypt by several guest testers,
each offering feedback and a valuable insight
into the kit’s performance from their own
varied perspectives. Firstly there was Pete, a
veteran windsurfer having taken up the sport
during its pioneering days of the early
eighties. A very accomplished sailor, he is a
true speed fanatic at heart and rarely misses
a gybe at the end of each run. Committing
confidently into duck gybes towards the end
of the trip, he is self-confessed plug-and-play
sailor, rarely finding the time to windsurf in the
UK. Next up are Chris and Andy, both just
bridging the gap between competent and
advanced. Comfortable in the footstraps and
harness, they showed a impressive turn of
speed getting from A to B and by the end of
their stay were getting round most of their
carve gybes. Last but not least was Rachel, a
level three instructor having worked for the
last three summers out in Vassiliki. The first
women to participate on one of our tests, she
is also light at 55kg, providing feedback from
an altogether different perspective. A keen
freestyler capable of various intricate carving
manoeuvres such as upwind 360s and push
tacks, she is also at the stage of trying her
hand at some ‘new-school’ aerial trickery. Our
thanks to everyone involved for their support
and helpful feedback on the equipment.
NEXT MONTH
The second instalment of this 95-105L
board review will look at seven boards,
each with a definite leaning towards
freeride. That’s not to say they aren’t easy
to turn or inapplicable for new-school stunts
… far from it! The reason we have broken
the group into two is to help expose the
variety of board styles available in this
volume range, and to allow you to
determine which is most relevant for you.
Next month we will present the tests of the
following boards: AHD Fast Forward 106,
F2 Stoke 106, Fanatic Eagle 101, JP X-Cite
Ride 105, Mistral Screamer 105, Starboard
Carve 101 and the Tabou Rocket 105.
THANKS
The test in Egypt would not have been
possible without the help of a few people.
Thanks to Sportif for getting us to and from
Dahab safely with all the kit intact! Thanks
also to the Hilton in Dahab for putting us up
for the two weeks and Harry Nass for
putting up with our untidiness!
A big thank-you must go to Zero Gravity for
providing us with some excellent Amex
booms for the test. With an excellent arm
diameter, comfortable grip and large
extension range, they served us proud and
were a pleasure to use. Finally, thanks to
Simon Bassett of 2XS for supplying us with
Pro Sport sun cream so that we didn’t
frazzle in the sun!
best for you, is for you to ask yourself
a couple of key questions. First of all,
what is your ability and style of riding? This
will enable you to determine what type of
performance you are looking to get out of
the board. Are you an ambitious
intermediate looking for a stable and
comfortable platform on which to master the
initial planing techniques? Are you an
experienced sailor who is happiest blasting
around in a straight-line and hitting the odd
ramp; or are you a wave rider at heart,
looking for a large floaty board to enjoy the
lighter breeze, but are cautious of
wondering down the ‘pure freeride’ path?
These are just a handful of instances, of
which there are many more, but the great
thing is that there are plenty of board
styles available to match every rider
preference. By reading the reviews and
looking at the ‘Suitability Chart’ for each
board, you can determine exactly what
type of rider we believe the board is
appropriate for.
The second question to ask yourself is where
do you sail predominantly and what are your
aspirations? Are you looking for a board that
planes early and has the efficiency to handle
itself in a drag race in any environment? Do
you mainly windsurf on flat-water and have
aspirations to making inroads into newschool
freestyle; or are you a coastal sailor
that needs a board with the range and
manners to cope with severe chop? The six
boards under the spotlight this month
epitomize the blend of boards available on
the market in this category. You have the JP
that despite being a stunning freestyle
machine, has the versatility and ease to fulfil
a freemove/ freeride role. There’s then the
Vector – essentially an electric freeride board
with a sharp responsive nature that loves to
be loaded and driven off its fin, making bump
and jump sailing in coastal conditions a
dream. And then there are all-round boards
such as the Sumo from Angulo and the
Rocket from Tabou – real chameleon boards
that can put their hand to pretty much any
discipline, from light-wind wave riding,
through to freeride blasting. The choice is
yours, but remember there are several more
in store next month!
THE EXTENDED TEST TEAM
In addition to the established test team of Tris
Best, Mark Hosegood and Jim Collis, we
were joined in Egypt by several guest testers,
each offering feedback and a valuable insight
into the kit’s performance from their own
varied perspectives. Firstly there was Pete, a
veteran windsurfer having taken up the sport
during its pioneering days of the early
eighties. A very accomplished sailor, he is a
true speed fanatic at heart and rarely misses
a gybe at the end of each run. Committing
confidently into duck gybes towards the end
of the trip, he is self-confessed plug-and-play
sailor, rarely finding the time to windsurf in the
UK. Next up are Chris and Andy, both just
bridging the gap between competent and
advanced. Comfortable in the footstraps and
harness, they showed a impressive turn of
speed getting from A to B and by the end of
their stay were getting round most of their
carve gybes. Last but not least was Rachel, a
level three instructor having worked for the
last three summers out in Vassiliki. The first
women to participate on one of our tests, she
is also light at 55kg, providing feedback from
an altogether different perspective. A keen
freestyler capable of various intricate carving
manoeuvres such as upwind 360s and push
tacks, she is also at the stage of trying her
hand at some ‘new-school’ aerial trickery. Our
thanks to everyone involved for their support
and helpful feedback on the equipment.
NEXT MONTH
The second instalment of this 95-105L
board review will look at seven boards,
each with a definite leaning towards
freeride. That’s not to say they aren’t easy
to turn or inapplicable for new-school stunts
… far from it! The reason we have broken
the group into two is to help expose the
variety of board styles available in this
volume range, and to allow you to
determine which is most relevant for you.
Next month we will present the tests of the
following boards: AHD Fast Forward 106,
F2 Stoke 106, Fanatic Eagle 101, JP X-Cite
Ride 105, Mistral Screamer 105, Starboard
Carve 101 and the Tabou Rocket 105.
THANKS
The test in Egypt would not have been
possible without the help of a few people.
Thanks to Sportif for getting us to and from
Dahab safely with all the kit intact! Thanks
also to the Hilton in Dahab for putting us up
for the two weeks and Harry Nass for
putting up with our untidiness!
A big thank-you must go to Zero Gravity for
providing us with some excellent Amex
booms for the test. With an excellent arm
diameter, comfortable grip and large
extension range, they served us proud and
were a pleasure to use. Finally, thanks to
Simon Bassett of 2XS for supplying us with
Pro Sport sun cream so that we didn’t
frazzle in the sun!
perfect day for surfing
With technological advancements almost an everyday occurrence we can now
rely more so than ever before on the weather to tell us when and where the
pressure systems are going to intensify or dissipate.
In some instances it’s not the technology at fault, but our own! Lack of
knowledge with regards to metrological weather and dissevering accurate
information can cause a potentially disastrous trip. Understanding the weather
and waves will greatly improve your chances for a successful trip. We didn’t
know it yet, but we were about to experience first hand, the trials and tribulations of a very shaky trip.
Low-pressure systems adhere to known patterns
but are in a constant state of flux. The weather and
waves they produce cannot be reliably predicted
beyond three or four days. You have to be ready to
travel anywhere at the drop of a hat. The downside
to such spontaneous decision-making is the
immediate costs involved. Ticket prices soar, direct
flights are often oversold, girlfriends are pissed off
and photographers have already made
arrangements with other clients. Is it all really worth
it? You bet your little arse it is!
Based in Australia during certain months of the year
I have the entire Indian and Southern Oceans at my
fingertips. Spanning from the Tahitian Islands
through to Fiji in the east, to Indonesia in the north,
I have the luxury of monitoring the winds and swells
that are born in Antarctica and slowly grow as they
make their way north in the cold seas of the
Southern Ocean. Like a dog on heat, I wait
feverishly for the right moment, trying to find the
right bitch to ride!
Five hours by plane will get me to any one of these
tropical locations.
Jealous? Well, you should be!
The first spine-tingling moment came around the
beginning of May, with a huge low pressure moving
upward from Antarctica about to slam itself into
Balinese waters. Myself and my buddy ‘Dog’ were
debating whether or not we should go, as there
seemed to be a good size low pressure at home in
South Eastern Australia. We had made the decision
to stay at home and try to sail this solid right-hander
near my hometown. With all our knowledge of local
weather and vast amounts of information we still
made the wrong call. They say that two heads are
better than one, which I guess means that between
the both of us we barely passed for one! Indonesia
was apparently 15-18 foot for three days, with
strong trades. We ended up sailing 3 foot mush at
home. What a mistake! You see, the weather is such
a fickle thing. If you take her for granted or ignore
her too much, she’ll eventually turn around and slap
you in the face. Like all women, she needs
understanding and respect … well maybe not all
women. Lessons in that department seemed to be a
common occurrence for us too!
It wasn’t until mid-August that we saw another low
pressure developing, ripping up the waters of the
Southern Ocean. The size and magnitude of the low
was almost that of the previous low, which hit
Indonesia with such brute force that not one surfer
was seen in the line-up G-Land. The forecast for
Indonesia estimated that the wind was to be a
moderate trade direction with swell readings topping
out at 12-16 feet at twenty seconds. If this was our
reward for our continued patience with the weather,
then ‘she’ must have blessed us with wisdom and
understanding; or maybe ‘she’ was baiting us,
waiting to play another cruel and twisted joke. At any
rate, we had made the decision to go. Neither hell
nor high water was going to stop us now!
The early afternoon arrival into the airport meant
that we had just enough time to check out the
location upon which most of our research was
focused – Uluwatu. It’s a world-class surfing wave on
Bali, with numerous barrel sections and vertical walls
to throw huge cutbacks and airs. A basic description
of Uluwatu would be that it’s like a huge big ball
sack that faces about three hundred degrees of
ocean, and this combined with the myriad of bluffs,
coves and bays means there’s usually a swell/wind
combo. Pathways that look more like tunnels have
been etched through the cliff rock, eventually
weaving their way down to the shoreline.
We had heard stories of wind on the upper part of the
Uluwatu reef. Super glassy waves that break too fast
for surfers and peel down the reef, eventually
connecting up with the main break. It was time to
make these stories our own! As the coastline bends in
and out, soaring majestic temples stick out on the cliff
top faces. One such temple is the Uluwatu temple,
which perches high on a needle of rock at the
southwest extremity of Uluwatu. The temple is
considered as one of the region’s main temples that
every Indonesian will come to pray at during a temple
ceremony. As for the rest of the area, there are more
people living in this mountainous bluff region than
meets the eye, and during certain times of prayer or
festival, thousands seem to appear out of thin air.
Upon my first look at the Uluwatu break, I was
immediately worried about how the wind would
funnel down the sheer cliffs and remain constant as
it hit the waterline. The surf had not yet arrived and I
could not really make out where the outside reef
was. Photography was also going to be a major
problem. The cliff tops made it difficult to get the
correct angle, and there was no real channel for a
photographer and ski to sit. It wouldn’t have been a
problem for us to sit and take shots in the impact
zone, but to convince a photographer with $20,000
of camera equipment to was quiet another,
especially when he had a newly appointed
Indonesian driver behind the wheel. I knew my task
was going to be difficult and the next time I would
see Uluwatu would be from the water.
From that moment, things just went from bad to
worse. A high pressure had stalled the low’s
advances, and the swell that was meant to hit within
24 hours had now been delayed for two days. The
‘old girl’ had obviously wanted to teach us one last
lesson! Essentially, our three days of epic 10foot
plus had turned into only two days with ‘nice’
waves. Predicting the weather is much like playing a
game of golf: you never F-ing get it right!
Doubts that the swell would ever arrive were quickly
answered by a loud pounding on the outside reef at
around 11.30pm that night. Morning saw some of
the shoreline washed away, indicating that it was a
good size. Dog had taken the ski from the hotel and
was on his way to pick me up at another famous
surf break called Pedang, which is just about the
closest beach access to Uluwatu. With two
surfboards, one sailboard, two masts, two sails and
a boom, the ski was definitely overwhelmed with
equipment. We looked more like a Jacque
Cousteau expedition than a couple of surfers!
Rounding the point we could see that Uluwatu was
pumping. Nobody was out at the main break. It was
big albeit not super clean, but further up the reef it
was reeling off super-fast – I could see these glassy
barrels heading towards me. The current at Uluwatu
was so strong it was unbelievable. We tried to
anchor the windsurf equipment on the outside by
tying the anchor-line to the footstrap. With the
combination of the sets and current the entire
windsurf equipment would disappear underwater for
thirty seconds and then pop up again 50yards away
from where we were! I swear, at one stage I felt like
we were in the movie ‘Dumb and Dumber’. We tried
to tie the front of the ski to the anchor-line and
almost lost the entire vessel underwater!
Windsurfing equipment and surfboards floated
away; hats and sunscreen sank; and somehow a
knot at the front of the ski appeared, which even the
best Boy Scout would have had a problem undoing.
I have been up to ‘Jaws’ so many times and had no
problems. I guess it was some kind of Voodoo cure
that had been put on us by the weather Gods. It
seemed that the only solution was to take the
windsurf equipment to the beach and then tow surf
until the breeze started kicking in…
The morning tow session saw sizable sets rolling
through the upper part of the reef known as
‘Outside Corner’, which needs a low tide for it to
start barrelling. It was still high tide, so we just
dropped into a few bombs to familiarise ourselves
with the conditions while we waited for the tide to
drop. There was also a slight bump in the water,
which made the wave a little tricky to ride. Further
down the reef towards the main break, the wave hits
a spot called ‘Race Tracks’, which is basically the
mid-section of the reef. The wave gets really
smooth, fast and hollow. An 8foot set on the outside
seemed to grow as it hit Race Tracks, barrelling and
growing as it made its way along the jiggered reef. I
watched as Dog pulled into an 8footer that grew to
about 10foot plus. It was so hollow that it reminded
me of Teahupoo in Tahiti when I was there in 2000.
With no way out of the barrel, the poor bastard got
nailed!
With that Voodoo curse still hanging on our
shoulders, I then wipe out, hitting my head hard on
the reef. Blood was washing over my face and I
knew I was hurt. I asked Dog if he could take a
look. He replied, “No mate – it’s just a scratch!”
Now, when it comes to medical emergencies Dog is
without doubt the last person you need to be asking
advice from! A hole in your head the size of a
gunshot wound would simply be ‘a slight chafing of
the skin’. Naturally I took his advice with a pinch of
salt … and kept surfing.
Around 2.00pm the breeze started to ever-so-slightly
fill in on the outside line up. I decided to grab my
windsurfing gear and see if I could get into a few
cheeky waves. Venturing past Race Track was
almost unbearable. All I could see was barrel after
barrel, with these huge perfectly shaped walls
peeing towards me. If only there was enough wind it
would have been the best session of all time. The
huge cliffs that span the entire beach seemed to be
the obvious reason why the wind couldn’t fill in
here. Maybe on the perfect day you could score it,
but all the elements would have to be in perfect
harmony. Even the Outside Corner seemed to be
affected by the cliffs. Wind swirled around, and
glassy spots would appear out of nowhere.
rely more so than ever before on the weather to tell us when and where the
pressure systems are going to intensify or dissipate.
In some instances it’s not the technology at fault, but our own! Lack of
knowledge with regards to metrological weather and dissevering accurate
information can cause a potentially disastrous trip. Understanding the weather
and waves will greatly improve your chances for a successful trip. We didn’t
know it yet, but we were about to experience first hand, the trials and tribulations of a very shaky trip.
Low-pressure systems adhere to known patterns
but are in a constant state of flux. The weather and
waves they produce cannot be reliably predicted
beyond three or four days. You have to be ready to
travel anywhere at the drop of a hat. The downside
to such spontaneous decision-making is the
immediate costs involved. Ticket prices soar, direct
flights are often oversold, girlfriends are pissed off
and photographers have already made
arrangements with other clients. Is it all really worth
it? You bet your little arse it is!
Based in Australia during certain months of the year
I have the entire Indian and Southern Oceans at my
fingertips. Spanning from the Tahitian Islands
through to Fiji in the east, to Indonesia in the north,
I have the luxury of monitoring the winds and swells
that are born in Antarctica and slowly grow as they
make their way north in the cold seas of the
Southern Ocean. Like a dog on heat, I wait
feverishly for the right moment, trying to find the
right bitch to ride!
Five hours by plane will get me to any one of these
tropical locations.
Jealous? Well, you should be!
The first spine-tingling moment came around the
beginning of May, with a huge low pressure moving
upward from Antarctica about to slam itself into
Balinese waters. Myself and my buddy ‘Dog’ were
debating whether or not we should go, as there
seemed to be a good size low pressure at home in
South Eastern Australia. We had made the decision
to stay at home and try to sail this solid right-hander
near my hometown. With all our knowledge of local
weather and vast amounts of information we still
made the wrong call. They say that two heads are
better than one, which I guess means that between
the both of us we barely passed for one! Indonesia
was apparently 15-18 foot for three days, with
strong trades. We ended up sailing 3 foot mush at
home. What a mistake! You see, the weather is such
a fickle thing. If you take her for granted or ignore
her too much, she’ll eventually turn around and slap
you in the face. Like all women, she needs
understanding and respect … well maybe not all
women. Lessons in that department seemed to be a
common occurrence for us too!
It wasn’t until mid-August that we saw another low
pressure developing, ripping up the waters of the
Southern Ocean. The size and magnitude of the low
was almost that of the previous low, which hit
Indonesia with such brute force that not one surfer
was seen in the line-up G-Land. The forecast for
Indonesia estimated that the wind was to be a
moderate trade direction with swell readings topping
out at 12-16 feet at twenty seconds. If this was our
reward for our continued patience with the weather,
then ‘she’ must have blessed us with wisdom and
understanding; or maybe ‘she’ was baiting us,
waiting to play another cruel and twisted joke. At any
rate, we had made the decision to go. Neither hell
nor high water was going to stop us now!
The early afternoon arrival into the airport meant
that we had just enough time to check out the
location upon which most of our research was
focused – Uluwatu. It’s a world-class surfing wave on
Bali, with numerous barrel sections and vertical walls
to throw huge cutbacks and airs. A basic description
of Uluwatu would be that it’s like a huge big ball
sack that faces about three hundred degrees of
ocean, and this combined with the myriad of bluffs,
coves and bays means there’s usually a swell/wind
combo. Pathways that look more like tunnels have
been etched through the cliff rock, eventually
weaving their way down to the shoreline.
We had heard stories of wind on the upper part of the
Uluwatu reef. Super glassy waves that break too fast
for surfers and peel down the reef, eventually
connecting up with the main break. It was time to
make these stories our own! As the coastline bends in
and out, soaring majestic temples stick out on the cliff
top faces. One such temple is the Uluwatu temple,
which perches high on a needle of rock at the
southwest extremity of Uluwatu. The temple is
considered as one of the region’s main temples that
every Indonesian will come to pray at during a temple
ceremony. As for the rest of the area, there are more
people living in this mountainous bluff region than
meets the eye, and during certain times of prayer or
festival, thousands seem to appear out of thin air.
Upon my first look at the Uluwatu break, I was
immediately worried about how the wind would
funnel down the sheer cliffs and remain constant as
it hit the waterline. The surf had not yet arrived and I
could not really make out where the outside reef
was. Photography was also going to be a major
problem. The cliff tops made it difficult to get the
correct angle, and there was no real channel for a
photographer and ski to sit. It wouldn’t have been a
problem for us to sit and take shots in the impact
zone, but to convince a photographer with $20,000
of camera equipment to was quiet another,
especially when he had a newly appointed
Indonesian driver behind the wheel. I knew my task
was going to be difficult and the next time I would
see Uluwatu would be from the water.
From that moment, things just went from bad to
worse. A high pressure had stalled the low’s
advances, and the swell that was meant to hit within
24 hours had now been delayed for two days. The
‘old girl’ had obviously wanted to teach us one last
lesson! Essentially, our three days of epic 10foot
plus had turned into only two days with ‘nice’
waves. Predicting the weather is much like playing a
game of golf: you never F-ing get it right!
Doubts that the swell would ever arrive were quickly
answered by a loud pounding on the outside reef at
around 11.30pm that night. Morning saw some of
the shoreline washed away, indicating that it was a
good size. Dog had taken the ski from the hotel and
was on his way to pick me up at another famous
surf break called Pedang, which is just about the
closest beach access to Uluwatu. With two
surfboards, one sailboard, two masts, two sails and
a boom, the ski was definitely overwhelmed with
equipment. We looked more like a Jacque
Cousteau expedition than a couple of surfers!
Rounding the point we could see that Uluwatu was
pumping. Nobody was out at the main break. It was
big albeit not super clean, but further up the reef it
was reeling off super-fast – I could see these glassy
barrels heading towards me. The current at Uluwatu
was so strong it was unbelievable. We tried to
anchor the windsurf equipment on the outside by
tying the anchor-line to the footstrap. With the
combination of the sets and current the entire
windsurf equipment would disappear underwater for
thirty seconds and then pop up again 50yards away
from where we were! I swear, at one stage I felt like
we were in the movie ‘Dumb and Dumber’. We tried
to tie the front of the ski to the anchor-line and
almost lost the entire vessel underwater!
Windsurfing equipment and surfboards floated
away; hats and sunscreen sank; and somehow a
knot at the front of the ski appeared, which even the
best Boy Scout would have had a problem undoing.
I have been up to ‘Jaws’ so many times and had no
problems. I guess it was some kind of Voodoo cure
that had been put on us by the weather Gods. It
seemed that the only solution was to take the
windsurf equipment to the beach and then tow surf
until the breeze started kicking in…
The morning tow session saw sizable sets rolling
through the upper part of the reef known as
‘Outside Corner’, which needs a low tide for it to
start barrelling. It was still high tide, so we just
dropped into a few bombs to familiarise ourselves
with the conditions while we waited for the tide to
drop. There was also a slight bump in the water,
which made the wave a little tricky to ride. Further
down the reef towards the main break, the wave hits
a spot called ‘Race Tracks’, which is basically the
mid-section of the reef. The wave gets really
smooth, fast and hollow. An 8foot set on the outside
seemed to grow as it hit Race Tracks, barrelling and
growing as it made its way along the jiggered reef. I
watched as Dog pulled into an 8footer that grew to
about 10foot plus. It was so hollow that it reminded
me of Teahupoo in Tahiti when I was there in 2000.
With no way out of the barrel, the poor bastard got
nailed!
With that Voodoo curse still hanging on our
shoulders, I then wipe out, hitting my head hard on
the reef. Blood was washing over my face and I
knew I was hurt. I asked Dog if he could take a
look. He replied, “No mate – it’s just a scratch!”
Now, when it comes to medical emergencies Dog is
without doubt the last person you need to be asking
advice from! A hole in your head the size of a
gunshot wound would simply be ‘a slight chafing of
the skin’. Naturally I took his advice with a pinch of
salt … and kept surfing.
Around 2.00pm the breeze started to ever-so-slightly
fill in on the outside line up. I decided to grab my
windsurfing gear and see if I could get into a few
cheeky waves. Venturing past Race Track was
almost unbearable. All I could see was barrel after
barrel, with these huge perfectly shaped walls
peeing towards me. If only there was enough wind it
would have been the best session of all time. The
huge cliffs that span the entire beach seemed to be
the obvious reason why the wind couldn’t fill in
here. Maybe on the perfect day you could score it,
but all the elements would have to be in perfect
harmony. Even the Outside Corner seemed to be
affected by the cliffs. Wind swirled around, and
glassy spots would appear out of nowhere.
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