Editor's Pre-Test Notes:
- Lightest board of the fleet at 12 pounds.
- Fairly narrow tail and outline.
- Tail looks pinched and more wave biased than predecessor.
- Channels in bottom allow two rockers.
- Outside the channel more curved, inside more flat.
- Big expectations haunt this board – that, and it's high price - can it live up to both?
Test Team Notes:
Intermediate/Advanced Testers
Catherine Kurz, lightweight
Amazing bump and jump board. Woo Hoo! Easy to plane up and out of jumps - maneuverable, responsive.Buoyant enough in the center to keep speed through lulls. Would totally own this board.
Antonia Maier, lightweight
Jumping was so easy – but when it was super overpowered it got bouncy and harder to control.
Mac Barnes, middleweight
One of my top picks, comfortable, easy to dial in, forgiving. Turns, jumps and feels great.
Ray Scott, middleweight
Fun and safe for newcomers to waves/high winds, and a great transition board for free-rider to waves. Well-balanced volume, performed well in gusts and pointed upwind great.
Josh Sampiero, heavyweight
Planed early for just 84 liters and had predictable "bankable" performance. I know why this board is a perennial best seller. Its' strength is doing it all, not just one thing really well
Michael Smith, super heavyweight
Got me up and planing in the gusts. Felt fun! Would like it for 30-plus mph w/ 5.0.
Expert Testers
Jake Miller, lightweight
Fast, good pop, controllable ride from the start, goes upwind well, jibes great.
Wider bottom turns – had to keep weight back in carves.
Eddy Patricelli, middleweight
Quick to plane, agile, fun fast and a blast. Nice ride through chop. One of my favorites for sure. It's not as wave-based as some others, but it's close, which considering its planing and B&J ride, is impressive.
Dave Wissink, middleweight
Very lively and fast, but controlled/stable in transitions. It's a bit sticky in turns - maybe better for int./advanced sailors.
Dave Troup, heavyweight
JP put the wave back into their Freestyle Wave. Great weight, nice finish, good upwind. Equally good in waves and B&J.
