Windsurfing Gear

Isthmus Sailboards Staff Review
with Dirk Hooks
::2007 RRD Freestyle Wave 95::

This board is all about range & versatility and could serve as a minimalist's one board, high wind quiver, for just about anywhere. It's at home in almost any lake, bay, river or coastal condition that you can throw at it with wind speeds between 15-30 mph. The volume & width can handle sails as big as 6.5 (60cm wide point) & down to as small as 4.7 (good V into front section of hull), depending on the rider's weight & skill level. I ride at 185 lbs and it serves as my workhorse 5.8 shortboard for 75-80% of my sessions in the upper midwest.

One of the keys to this board's range is the ability to carry a wide selection of fin sizes & types. I generally ride 3 to 4 fins from 9" wave to 11.75" freewave, depending on the wind & water conditions. With a smaller wave fin the board will ride loose and be quick rail to rail for manuvers & control in the gnarliest pyscho lake chop and decent swell size. For larger freeride or power sails, a higher aspect freewave or freeride fin will add to this shape's killer planing power & accelleration for better upwind riding with speed.

The FSW 95 has tons of versatility by simply changing the footstrap positions. Ride them more forward and inboard with a single back for waveboard characteristics. The ride becomes very "slashy" and loose for turning on rail and carve jibes. Move the straps back & outboard with a double back for power freeriding with bigger fins. This will facilitate more directional straight line speed with added upwind performance.

I prefer the glass/wood construction because I'm typically riding rough lake chop and want a smoother ride that dampens more. If you like a little more "pop" or response for jumping or freestyle, there's a lighter, stiffer C/K version to be had. Either way, you'll score one of the top rated rides in its class for 2007.


Windsurf Magazine UK
::2007 RRD Freestyle Wave 95::

At a Glance
The Freestyle Waves series from RRD came of age last year, proving very fruitful for the brand and for good reason. Fantastic all-round boards with a very fluid and comfortable nature, they had great user appeal and could facilitate most roles in a coastal environment. The 95 replaces the 94 of last year, and to the eye there seems little change, although subtle alterations in rocker-line and nose width have been introduced to further the board’s speed and freestyle potential. On the underneath, the 95 sees a somewhat straightforward bottom shape including vee and double concaves, back to vee in the tail (which also retains a slight chamfer for reverse manoeuvres). Finished with the brand’s usual attention to detail, the board is a very attractive product with its glossed hull, Dakine straps, padded deck-pads and Maui Fin Company fin.

Ride and Handling
On the water the 95 proved to be every bit the board of its predecessor…and more! Firstly, it is early to release onto the plane, yet such is its comfortable user-friendly nature that it absorbs much of the sail’s energy, unless directed otherwise by the sailor. Turn it off the wind and make it known that you wish to hop on the plane and away it goes, gaining speed in a smooth progressive manner. The straps are excellent, as ever, and provide support in just the right areas, whilst the deckpads accentuate the level of riding comfort massively, without dumbing-down the responsive character of the board. Powered up, the 95 can be driven to a good speed, the fin offering ample traction to push against without any hint of spinout. In severe winds and heavy seas, the true practicality and ease of the board comes out, enabling the sailor to adopt their riding style of choice, either driving and manoeuvring with purpose through the break, or standing tall and taking it in a more relaxed approach.

Manoeuvres
Turning in front of a wave, we found the best way to redirect the 95 up the face was by using loads of back-foot pressure. If you try to force it onto the front foot, it had a tendency to tramline straight for the beach. Nevertheless, get that sweet spot and it can be used to great affect in a cross-onshore environment such as Cabezo, turning beautifully and retaining much of its speed in short sharp transitions. In freestyle that extra width in the nose really helps it in reverse mode, tracking backwards predictably to allow the rider plenty of time to finish the manoeuvre. A stunning all-round performer, the 95 was liked by all who tried it.

For: Smooth, comfortable nature and fantastic versatility.

Against: As comfy as they are, the Dakine straps supplied do not wear the best over time.

Verdict: Early planing, smooth, comfortable and a lot of fun in whatever role you decide to use it in, the Freestyle Wave 95 comes highly recommended by us as one of the great all-rounders in this category.

: check out the specs :