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Boards UK
::2008 RRD Longrider::
This is RRD’s one and only longboard, marketed as having “the performance of a
freeride board with the accessibility of a beginner board.”
Character & Performance: In light winds, the RRD has a very lively and
playful feel. It cruises upwind well with the daggerboard engaged, although not
pointing quite as high as the Kona. Upwind performance can be improved slightly by
using a larger fin. It reacts very well to footsteering and can be tacked very swiftly.
Gybing, while still not being as snappy as the shorter boards in the test, can be done
around a shorter arc than the Kona.
Being long yet light, the board really comes into its own as a light-wind freestyle
machine. It’s definitely the easiest board on test to railride, but also great fun to put
a smaller rig on and practise your sail-spinning tricks.
As the wind increases, it’s fairly easy to disengage the daggerboard and the board
eases onto the plane quite early. Once planing, the RRD’s pretty lively underfoot (for such
a big board). Being very flat, it is a little scary in choppy water as there’s a lot of nose to
bury! “It’s like trying to tame a wild beast” (Jon Wilburn).
The RRD seems to respond best to nice, gentle carve gybes, as it has a tendency
to straighten up again if you try to carve it too hard. In waves, being so long it requires
a lot of effort to get into the right place. Lacking a back strap means that any
waveriding has to be done with the back foot out.
Fittings: The entire deck and rails are EVA covered. The daggerboard is easy to
move and is removable. It protrudes 58cm. The fin is a (small) 34cm MFC in a freeride
shape. The board has a lot of footstrap positions, including very inboard beginner
inserts. Our test board was supplied with RRD footstraps by DaKine, which were well
padded and comfy.
The board was one of the lightest and easiest to carry on the test, balancing well
on the daggerboard pedal.
Popularity: It was one of the favourite boards on the test, enjoyed by all for its
playful feel.
Strengths: Ease, manoeuvrability and freestyle in light winds.
Weaknesses: Control in rougher water states.
Overall: Great for anyone wanting a longboard to cruise around on and enjoy
primarily in lighter winds.
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