Tiga describe the Hyper-X as their board series
offering ‘accessible high performance’. Remaining
current from last season, the range encompasses
four models, the 95 being the second smallest
sibling. Wide and extremely thin with a minimal
amount of rocker, the brand is quick to point out the
theory behind the design, stating that a board’s
contact surface area with the water coupled with its
rocker-line dictate its straight line speed and early
planing prowess. The 95’s underside witnesses a
progressive increase in vee towards the tail with the
addition of bevels in the shoulders, making up for
the hard rails along the board’s length. With a flat
deck in all but the tail, most of the board’s volume is
actually positioned in the rear, home to the excellent
extended deckpad and firm footstraps, which are
time consuming to adjust, yet offer good support
once set correctly.
Ride and Handling
With the width and stability to support a 7.5m easily,
the Hyper-X nevertheless still feels its size compared
to the larger boards in the group and took a little
more energy to release from the water. Once going it
rises onto the plane progressively whilst remaining
very directionally stable, providing the rider with
plenty of time to locate the straps. With both the
straps and deckpads offering firm yet comfortable
connection to the board, the ride is very secure and
informative, the sailor really sensing the board’s
every move. In moderate to comfortably powered
conditions, the 95 doesn’t have that extra gear to
compete with others in the group, feeling steady,
controllable and rather safe compared to its peers.
It’s when you take it out into overpowered conditions
that you begin to appreciate the Hyper-X’s
dependable nature, enabling you to make up for the
ground lost on the competition. Despite not offering
the most efficient ride through choppy conditions
(the low shoulders do catch and generate a lot of
spray), the 95 is not in the least bit scary to sail at
speed, its tail sticking to the water and responding
positively to foot pressure, making the board easy to
trim correctly. The one aspect of the Hyper-X that we
did have to experiment with a little was the angle of
the front straps, using alternate plugs to make our
front foot face forward more, increasing the comfort
and security.
Manoeuvres
With its flat deck and wide shoulders, the Tiga was
very easy to tack for a board of 95L, displacing the
water slowly as it sank under weight. In the gybe it is
also very accommodating and dependable, adapting
to various styles and holding its speed through the
turn, thanks to the width and volume in the tail. Even
through chop, the 95 carries its speed in well and
cuts through the confused water easily, the thin rails
gripping to the inside with little persuasion.
For: Control in severe conditions, ease of use and
response in manoeuvres.
Against: Low shoulders catch in heavy chop making
the ride wet!
Length (cm) 238
Width (cm) 66
Vol (L) 95
Weight (Kg) 7.85
Fin Tiga Slalom 36cm (Deep Tuttle)
Sail Range 5.5-7.5m
Price £839.00
