Action filmed in El Médano, Tenerife, featuring: Alex Mussolini, Dany Bruch, Giacomo Venturini, Nicolas Akgazciyan, Andre Ludewig, Enzo Esposito, Valter Scotto and many more.
El Medano. Last resort…? from SurfMedano.com on Vimeo.
The post EL MEDANO – LAST RESORT appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
During the Point-7 ‘Black Team’s’ winter training in Tenerife, Bartek Jankowski filmed some key gybing techniques visible here in slow motion for aspiring slalom champions!
Jibe quick tips by the Black Team from Point-7 on Vimeo.
The post BREAK DOWN – RACE GYBE WITH THE POINT-7 TEAM appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Footage of Point-7 Sails ‘Black Team’ members Martin Ten Hoeve and Philippe Mesmeur tearing into the waves at El Médano, Tenerife.
Slow motion wave action | Black Team from Point-7 on Vimeo.
The post POINT-7 WAVE TEAM – SLO-MO TENERIFE ACTION appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Drone-shot footage of action at Tenerife’s PWA tour stop at El Cabezo, filmed by Bartek Jankowski for Tenerife Windsurf Solution, featuring Dany Bruch, Alex Mussolini and more local rippers.
The post EL CABEZO FROM THE AIR appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Point-7 Sails published this clip of their up-and-coming racer Jordy Vonk.
The 20-year-old Dutchman, a sports marketing student specialising in slalom and Formula racing, works at our wave test location host – Tenerife Windsurf Solution – and, apart from starting to make an impression on the PWA Tour, is already three-times Dutch U20 slalom champion, three-time junior slalom Vice World Champion and placed third in the 2013 IFCA slalom worlds.
Jordy Vonk, The Black Team Smile. from Point-7 on Vimeo.
The post JORDY VONK – FACE OF THE FUTURE appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Point-7 Sails boss Andrea Cucchi takes a trip to the Aquadynamics factory in Sri Lanka to check production quality as the sails roll off the production line.
At the sail production from Point-7 on Vimeo.
The post IN THE SAIL FACTORY WITH POINT-7 appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Here’s some pointers, plus a selection of the latest models worth of your attention.
Waist harnesses keep us agile and on our toes, able to swiftly react to changes in the water and be ready to pounce as we enter any type of manoevre – from the humble carve gybe to the latest freestyle tricks.
Seat harnesses however, allow us to sit down, lock the power – as opposed to hanging away from the rig – and maintain good mast foot pressure, hold a larger sail nice and upright and generally keep the rig stable and pinned to the board to maximise all available power.
Although some racers still like waist harnesses – or occassionally choose conditions where they ditch their seat – the vast majority of top-level speedsters would pick the seat harness for the control it delivers, despite sacrificing a little bit of the nice easy hook-in/unhook motion that a waist harness promotes.
Seats are not totally the domain of monster racers or the speed course however.
Ask many top coaches, such as our own technique Gurus Harty, Jem Hall and Cribb, but, in the waves and freeride segments, many ladies, or those with more ‘hourglass figures’, often benefit more from the hook position the seat harness delivers to hips that would otherwise push a waist harness hook up too high.
Whatever you do, we can’t stress enough how important it is to visit your local dealer and try on as many as possible. Here’s some to consider for now.
Flying Objects Transit
FO say the Transit was developed “through a need for practicality and functionality, a dual function harness that combines a waist with a seat”.
This concept provides both high back support and hook height in a waist harness with the secure fit and feel of a seat. Features: independent tension belt, seat attachment, neo leg straps and bar hold-down strap
Features: • 3-D Thermo-formed Outer Skin • Full Neo Inner Skin • Independent Tension Belt • Contoured Load Plates • Seat Attachment • Neo Leg Straps • High Back Profile • Mid Hook Height • Bar Hold Down Strap • Quick Release Hook • Key Pocket
RRP £129.99
www.flyingobjects.com.au
The combination of the 3D-shaped seat and the improved outline cut of the lower waist part maximise the chances of a comfortable fit.
RRP £129.95
www.ion-products.com
Their ‘synch strap’ placement puts the hook in a low position to allow the body full range of motion, while supporting the lower back and waist.
Features: • Contoured side shape • Neoprene buckle covers • Soft fabrics • Soft round edges • Heavy-duty handle pass leash • Dual tension belt • Split side load-spreading patches • 3D-fit technology • Integrated spreader bar • Click-in spreader bar • Low-back support.
RRP £119
www.naishsails.com
NPSurf say the “perfectly-fitting leg straps offer exceptional comfort and support”.
The X-wind is super lightweight with minimal water absorption and comes with the fantastic new S1 Spreader bar made entirely from forged Aluminium, which, apparently, has the best strength-to-weight and anti-corrosion properties.
Features: • 3D-shaped neoprene foam inner • Pre-bent shape • Adjustable back support straps • Deep inner seams to avoid chafing.
RRP £149.90
www.npsurf.com
Features: • Ergonomic fit • Rear handle • Extreme comfort • New innovative and patented SPQR Spreader bar system with bar pad.
RRP £89.00
www.zerogravitydistribution.co.uk
The Charger combines good support with solid spreader bar stability through the use of a double buckle system.
This also allows the power from the sail to be directed higher or lower into the harness body, but keeps the medium-low hook position favoured by slalom sailors.
Features: • True 3D-seat shaping • Elastic slalom belt • Slalom optimised outline profile • MPL Quad belt attachment. • Patented Pin Release bar System.
RRP £99
www.prolimit.com
Designed using a minimal structure with no padding to keep the direct feeling from the entire rig, giving the comfort needed to achieve great average and top end-speeds with full control.
Their Slalom seat harness can be adjusted to the millimetre ensuring the optimal fit, comfort and output from the sail.
RRP £85.00
www.zerogravitydistribution.co.uk
Features: Spreader downhaul hook • height adjuster • Neoprene edge protection • Spreader bar protector
Sizes: XS-S-M-L
RRP £109
www.robertoriccidesigns.com
The post SEAT HARNESS BUYERS GUIDE – CHECK OUT MY ASS appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
The post JULY 2014 ISSUE – ON SALE appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Nicholas Akgazciyan and Valter Scotto in action on their 2014 99 Nove Nove wave core boards at El Médano, Tenerife.
99NoveNove Windsurfing Wave Core Boards Collection 2014 “in action” from 99international on Vimeo.
The post 99NOVENOVE WAVE CORE BOARDS appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
OVERVIEW
Outline Re-developed from the 3G to improve lightness and high-end performance in overpowered conditions the outline has, since 2013, apparently been reshaped and the entry profile increased to increase drive and stability and reduce drag. There’s still a small boom cut-out, narrow head and quite low luff curve with a full and low-cut foot.
Build Quality The familiar black, US manufactured, metallised monofilm is claimed to be 100% UV blocking.
Rigging and Tuning Rigged as specified the AC-X features a nifty printed mast extension-setting graphic and boom-setting dimensions visible on each side of the clew where you need them. Same for downhaul settings. 4 cm. of range from minimum to maximum downhaul and boom settings exactly as quoted, but we found it set best with slightly negative outhaul. (It looked better and ‘set’ better with more, but performed better with less. ‘Better creased than clean!’ we say). The AC-X definitely needed a little more ‘bedding-in’ than some sails – but the wait to settle is worth it! We found the pulley and P7 extension system a bit fiddly to be honest. Mainly the extension and the tack inhaul webbing, which requires you to be on one side only to fiddle with and unstick – and that was with relatively warm hands … .
BRAND POSITIONING
‘Race performance without cams. The AC-X is developed to be the fastest sail on the water, without having a wide mast sleeve and cambers. The high end performance will give you the high speed that you have always dreamed about with minimal effort and easy handling characteristics.’ (Sic.)
PERFORMANCE
The first thing to note is that the AC-X feels less grunty than before. And, considering how much power was involved in previous seasons, that’s not necessarily a bad thing! There’s definitely more of an easier-to-use, freeridey feel to the product now and the gybing and manoeuvring is much more flicky and forgiving. The AC-X pulls upward and puts you in a nice ‘on your toes’ stance and there’s a good rotational ‘whump’ out of gybes – no sticking or stalling or kicking – and great subsequent acceleration as you get back up to speed, even in dirtier air. The AC-X is definitely better suited to the more racy-oriented freeride or freerace boards on the market rather than more ‘drive-sapping’ forgiving-to-sail outlines out there. At the top-end the AC-X stayed locked in and easy to hold down in all but the very strongest of gusts. This equates to 30 knots plus in the flatwater conditions. Even so, our heavier testers still found it possible to stay in control at the very limit of the range.
THE VERDICT
The beast has been tamed a little, yet the famous Point-7 acceleration and drive are still there in bucket loads – they’re just delivered with a little more refinement. Incredible wind range and much-improved handling make the AC-X a strong proposition for mere mortals to sail like champions – minus the cams. You still have to fasten your seatbelt though. Vroom vroom…
ATTITUDE RPM 7.8
EZZY CHEETAH 7.5
GAASTRA SAVAGE 7.8
GOYA NEXUS 7.5
NEILPRYDE HELLCAT 7.7
NORTH E_TYPE 7.8
RRD FIRE 7.6
SIMMER VMAX 7.9
SEVERNE NCX 7.5
TUSHINGHAM T4 7.5
The post POINT 7 AC-X 4G 7.5M 2014 TEST REVIEW appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Yes, advanced racers reap the benefits of the stiffer foil camber inducers provide and speed addicts definitely rely on them in smaller sizes. But for you and I, the convenience of the cam-less rotational sail is liberating to say the least.
Added to that, a no-cam freerace absolutely must be manoevrable. Maybe not as much as crossover or freeride sails, but you want to be able to duck gybe it too.
READ MORE 2014 WINDSURFING EQUIPMENT TEST REPORTS
What else? Well these days, and in line with the 120 x 80 Freemove boards we largely tested these on in this issue, they have to increasingly drive wider and wider board outlines.
And we want all that with near racing-level speed yeah? Yep. Fear not. All this – and more – is all sitting on your dealer’s racks.
To read the latest tests and juiciest features hot-off-the-press and before they’re published online, treat yourself a subscription – go on, you deserve it!
But there can be no outright test winner. Everyone’s requirements are so vastly different. You can read all about the individual intricacies of this group in the separate reports, but, for perspective’s sake here’s an overview of the ‘spectrum’ – from ‘race’ to ‘free’ – that this lineup covers.
FASTEST: In all-out top speed, in the mid-range – although mainly for light and medium weights – it’s definitely the Tushingham T4. One of the oldest designs – and just a 6-batten in a sea of 7s – but undeniably the quickest until you hit the …
BOTTOM-END: The Gaastra Savage and Pryde Hellcat both standout in this respect, especially for heavier riders. Not far behind would be the Simmer V-Max.
TOP-END: For all-out speed ‘past’ the reasonable ‘envelope’ you’d expect of a 7.5, the Hellcat will win a drag race, but only if you’re a 100 kg. monster and able to cope with the forces involved.
For lesser human beings, the Severne NCX will have you holding your own – in a more relaxed and efficient manner. Close behind would be the Point-7 AC-X.
PRINCIPAL TEST TEAM
James Randall 70 kg. Med. Height
Julian Da Vall 83 kg. 1.95 Tall
Toby Gibson 87 kg. 1.90 Tall
Brian McDowell 98 kg. 1.90 Tall
Thanks also to: Kevin Salmon 85 kg. & Kevin Pijl 70 kg.
ACCELERATION: The Gaastra Savage has the ‘gears’ at the low end, but so does the Simmer V-Max.
Also nearby are the RRD Fire, Severne NCX, Pryde Hellcat and the Attitude. (Yes, a new entry to the market!)
MANOEUVRABILITY: It’s got to be the Simmer V-Max, Ezzy, North and Goya Nexus.
EASY TO SAIL: They’re all accessible, but it’s the Ezzy Cheetah, North E_Type, Goya Nexus and Tushingham T4 that initially stand out as the friendliest and least technical to ride.
VALUE-FOR-MONEY: We’ve tried to take into account mast prices when coming to this conclusion too, but, in alphabetical order, we think the Attitude, Ezzy. Point-7, RRD and Tushingham deserve special mention for their pricing, build quality and performance mix. The North and Simmer are also tempting propositions.
Read on and see which ones stir your go-fast juices! BM
Special thanks to Harry Nass Centre Dahab, F-Hot/Dave White for the loan of their mast mounts, I Love Meet and Greet Gatwick Parking Services and North Sails for adjustable outhauls for our test rigs.
ATTITUDE RPM 7.8
EZZY CHEETAH 7.5
GAASTRA SAVAGE 7.8
GOYA NEXUS 7.5
NEILPRYDE HELLCAT 7.7
NORTH E_TYPE 7.8
POINT-7 AC-X 4G 7.5
RRD FIRE 7.6
SIMMER VMAX 7.9
SEVERNE NCX 7.5
TUSHINGHAM T4 7.5
PIC James Randall
The post 7.5 NO-CAM FREERACE SAIL TEST appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Freestyle and wave-sailing sensation Ricardo Campello published this clip featuring action from Ho’okipa on his new equipment from Point-7 Sails and Patrik boards.
You can read all about Campello’s big sponsorship switch in the June 2014 Issue.
The post RICARDO CAMPELLO – WINDS OF CHANGE appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Point-7 Sails’ Japanese ‘Black Team’ slalom racers enjoying their dark, Italian-developed sails in home waters.
BLACK SUN ( Black Team Japan ) from hiro kemigawa on Vimeo.
The post BLACK SUN – POINT-7 JAPAN TEAM appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
But can you have both? And, is genuine, raw power actually ever controllable? We think it can be – and there are a couple of examples in this very test – although, largely, cammed sails generally all fit into a scale ranging from more user-friendly and freeridey, to unabashed, terrifying levels of force.
BETTER THAN BIG WAVES?
If you haven’t read this issue’s slalom board test intro and picked-up on our newfound passion for slalom, then please do! We’re hooked! Normally we test all this stuff in Egypt where the going’s easy and everything feels perfect. But not in Tenerife where we ended-up!
However, despite having the workout of our lives, we’re addicted and can’t stop buzzing after sailing all this gear. If you’re a fanatical, wave-only sailor, we think you seriously need to look in the mirror and ask yourselves some critical questions.
READ MORE 2014 EQUIPMENT TESTS
Namely – without wanting to sound discriminative – have you got the balls? Because this is one side of the sport that will give you kicks you’d never imagine. It’s definitely time to ‘man-up’ …
Chest-beating aside, Slalom is a special scene – even just drag-racing as opposed to 4-minutes-of-genuine-intense-deep-downwind-racing – because you spend time in the shorebreak socialising and sharing info and experiences on the session.
You’re always tweaking kit and finding better combinations to suit the immediate conditions to hand and get better at being in-sync with your gear.
It goes without saying all this will carry over to other types of sailing you do – slalom WILL bring your sailing level higher all-round. Fact.
Why the shorebreak time then? Well, if you’re really pushing it, you won’t be able to breathe if you sail flat-out for more than ten minutes at a time! Go and try it for yourself and see…
WHAT DID WE FIND?
So what have we got here then? Generally there’s two types of sail and power delivery types in this test. ‘Tractors’ and ‘Magic Carpets’.
Before we go into details – and just to confuse you – we also suggest you check our upcoming twin-cam tests and previous no-cam freerace sail reviews (April 2014 issue) as there’s some interesting overlaps.
If we picked our ideal quivers (okay, later in the year we may well do!) there would be sails/boards from all these categories mixed in with the hard-core stuff in our personal picks.
THE POWER SCALE
TRACTORS:
• For serious racing in mind
• Require skill and fitness, plus body weight helps too
• Are sailed overpowered at all times. (‘Rig for the lulls – man-up in the gusts’)
• Suit gusty conditions
• Perform best deep downwind
• Demand you to ‘sail efficient’ and, when required ‘pounce’ and to turn on the power.
MAGIC CARPETS – FRIENDLIER/DE-TUNED PRODUCTS:
• Good for entry-level racers and/or lightweights
• Easier to control and more energy efficient
• Suit more consistent conditions and less hard-core boards
• Overlap with ‘freerace’ models
• Best for across-the-wind reaching not just deep downwind legs
• Finer foils with less glide and ‘carry’ through lulls
• For rougher conditions where control beats brute strength
How to choose:
GO TO DEMOS! After reading these reports and getting a shortlist to test, trust your instincts and be aware of ‘feel’ – but be brave.
Strive for low-resistance products that you can trim to suit your skill and style, yet leave yourself some ‘growing room’ for when you progress and are fitter. (Even regular wavesailors will struggle for breath!)
CONCLUSIONS
Most Powerful A toss-up between the Point-7 AC-1 and the Gaastra Vapor.
Easiest To Handle The RRD is undoubtedly the easiest and most ‘freeridey’. The North, Simmer and NeilPryde are all ‘chuck-about-able’, but the surprise package is the grunty Severne Reflex 5 that’s also very forgiving despite being a ‘full-on’ sail.
Fastest That’s subjective as comfort can bring great speed over a course. It’s also pretty board-type and fin dependent too. In a straight line, on a dedicated top-of-the-line board and deep off the wind, for us it’s the Gaastra. But, if you’re a monster, the Point-7 would be hard to catch – and the Severne brings a great mix of both worlds to the table too.
Best Value For sail-only and without calculating mast prices in we think the Point-7 and RRD definitely deliver the most bang for the bucks.
Which Ones Would We Buy? With a mix of experienced slalom heads and new-to-the pain members on the team, our collective choice would be the Severne Reflex 5 closely followed by the Gaastra, which is not exclusively a heavyweights sail.
If we all weighed 110 kg. and only wanted to race downwind – not just tear around our local waters – the Point-7 would probably be the pick.
Lightweights should also consider the North, which is pretty rapid as well. Both newcomers to slalom and old hands might also want to read our no-cam freerace reviews and watch out for some interesting results in the upcoming 7.8 twin-cam test …
Special thanks to Tenerife Windsurf Solution (TWS) centre for hosting us – the best demo/hire centre in the world, F-Hot/Dave White for the loan of their mast mounts, I Love Meet and Greet Airport Valet Parking Services and windsurfingfins.co.uk for the loan of control fins. BM
READ THE INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
GAASTRA VAPOR 7.9
NEILPRYDE RS: SLALOM 7.8
NORTH WARP 7.8
POINT-7 7.8 AC-1
RRD FIRE 7.8
SIMMER SCR 7.8
SEVERNE REFLEX 7.8
PRINCIPAL TEST TEAM
Chris Rainbow 75 kg. Med. Height
Julian Da Vall 83 kg. 1.95 Tall. Experience national and European-level racer.
Brian McDowell 100 kg. 1.90 Tall.
Thanks also to the various PWA pro sailors on hand in Tenerife who also lent a hand, showed us the best tweaks on their affiliated brands’ gear and gave opinion on boards and sails from rival manufacturers.
Due to camera battery and GoPro failures during our test trip, we’ve had to use brand-produced images to show the gear in action.
The post 7.8 SLALOM SAILS TESTS – POWER VS CONTROL appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
OVERVIEW
The Italian ‘Black team’ brand’s iconic dark sails have grown in popularity in recent seasons, but they’ve also grown in stature, securing second place on the 2013 slalom racing overall rankings. Named after owner Andrea Cucchi, the ‘AC-1’ flagship sail sits above an exciting 3-cam (AC-K) and the fun-to-sail AC-X no-cam freerace sail (as tested in the April 2014 issue).
BRAND POSITIONING
‘We put a lot of much passion and time into this winner, and yes, we did win the PWA in Korea and many other international events. The great thing that made us most proud, was the fact that each single person who had the 2013 AC-1 has improved their results. With the new changes it will be more friendly for a general use and developed all his details. Those who will try it first time will be breathless, and those who will go on this upgrade will enjoy the new rotation, and batten work done to the structure.’ (Sic.)
PERFORMANCE
Approaching any Point-7 sail always has you feeling both a little scared and excited about what’s about to happen! And the feeling is amplified tenfold when you launch their deep-drafted, scary-looking, podium-placing race sail. Leaving the beach though you think ‘this is quite easy actually’ and then dare to crank up the throttle and see how you get on. Seems fine, let’s get into 6th gear. Hmm. Still okay – and we’re absolutely flying! Why? Downforce! The AC-1 pushes the deck down, eliminating any unwanted nose-lift from lively boards and absolutely charges through – or rather over – chop and swell. (In fact you might even want your mast track further back than normal!) Yes, it’s unbelievably powerful. In fact it’s mega, turbo powerful. The acceleration is insane. But the force pins down the hull and leaves you in a nice, high position of control over the thumping V12 at the end of your arms. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s all easy though. The AC-1 is still super physical to sail. Yes, the low-end is amazing, but it’s challenging to gybe and even more technical to access the unquestioned performance it contains. If you can kill the backhand, which might involve some quite serious adjustments to your body position/habits/technique approaching gybes – and make it around corners – then you’ll feel instant acceleration out of turns and messed-up air. Deep downwind you’ll need some fitness to cope with any extended periods of time at full tilt, but the good news is that reaching and upwind are much more relaxing affairs.
THE VERDICT
The ultimate tractor! The AC-1 delivers the ultimate in acceleration and power – with welcome downforce to pin down the latest slalom boards. However, gybing is a challenge and muscles are almost mandatory. So, what will it be? Something easy to sail that gets you around the course – or the ultimate beast that will demand some work and technique to maximise the proven potential?
READ THE OTHER REPORTS
GAASTRA VAPOR 7.9
NEILPRYDE RS: SLALOM 7.8
NORTH WARP 7.8
RRD FIRE 7.8
SIMMER SCR 7.8
SEVERNE REFLEX 7.8
The post POINT-7 AC-1 ZERO14 7.9M 2014 TEST REVIEW REPORT appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
THE LOW-DOWN
The HF (for ‘Have Fun’) is Point-7’s ‘classic freeride’ offering, sitting in between their mega-grunty race and freerace lines and [also mega-throaty] wave line! The foot’s cut quite low for crossover use and the general build is quite light with low-end power and easy handling in mind. Point-7 have tried to keep things nice and basic and good value here and although there’s just one clew cringle option and a lot of film involved, the rest of the specs are rudimentary but effective. (Such as the solid tack fairing for example.) We also liked that the specs were printed on both sides for when rigging and tuning.
BRAND POSITIONING
‘Keep it simple, and make it good. The HF features a very light construction, early planing, easy handling and demands very little of its user to work optimal. The HF is the ideal choice for the beginner to intermediate windsurfer as well as for the windsurfers who are looking more towards easy handling and light wind qualities over high wind performance.’ (Sic.)
PERFORMANCE
Although the film build’s nice and light, it’s also very stable and fills well for early planing power. The profile makes for a sensation somewhere between a crisp monofilm feel and a slightly softer ride, largely we thought down to the forgiving batten stiffness. There is a good turn of speed here and some acceleration quality when reaching and heading slightly upwind. It’s in the moves that the light weight plays another main role with a featherlike feel in the hands during transitions which will suit improvers looking for a balanced, un-inhibiting behaviour when cracking carves or mastering tacks. Regarding top end, there are better performers in this group, but, as we mentioned in the introduction, the upper limits of most of this selection from the modern crop of crossovers has really gone to a new level and the HF displays good behaviour right to the higher edge of the ‘traditional’ wind range window. Over 27 or so knots there was some flutter from the film, especially upwind, but to span 14-25 knots or so with one sail is pretty darn good anyway, plus, in relation to intermediates, the high 20s is probably not the time to select a 6-metre sail regardless. As a crossover sail the HF is probably limited in the wavesailing department, but for everyday bump ‘n jump and freeride blasting you can’t go wrong. All in all, when you cost in the attractively-priced masts, the HF represents very good value for money as a potential rig package pick.
THE VERDICT
A light, easy to handle and extremely good value-for-money option for entry-level freeriders and moderate-to-strong wind blasting. The film construction and batten profiles deliver both stability and some forgiving spring. Superb pick for first-time gybers.
Other sails in this test:
The post POINT-7 HF 2G 5.9M 2014 TEST REVIEW REPORT appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
As the clichéd ‘Swiss Army Knife’ rig of choice, they have to, in the 6.0 range, ideally, span wave use – probably in more moderate wind, onshore environments – be fast enough to enjoy some drag-racing and bump and jump action, (most likely as a change-down size for inland sailors), have enough manoeuvrability to enjoy some freestyle – as well as being a sensible and popular choice for entry-level freeriders.
That’s a tough call so it’ll come as no surprise that there is a little bit of a spectrum ranging from the blastier, more freeride-oriented end to genuine onshore wavesailing powerhouses.
This test was originally published in the July issue.
TRENDS – WHAT DID WE FIND?
Well, compared to recent seasons we reckon this category has seen a massive increase in the upper end of the wind ranges. On this trip we were more than happy in over 30 knots of wind on 105L FSW boards, which equated to a effective wind range of 14-33 knots. That’s not a ‘we could hang on in 33 knots’ statement. We’re talking excellent control and comfort in most cases. Considering some of these sails are more expensive than others, it’s worth bearing in mind that you definitely need less of them these days so budget can arguably be less of an issue than in the past. Bear in mind though that all our test findings are only relevant and in context of what else we had on the beach at the same time. If a sail isn’t the earliest planer in this group for example, it doesn’t mean it’s not got good low-end, it’s just that we can only state what its performance is like compared to what else we were trying on the same days in the same conditions.
READ MORE 2014 EQUIPMENT TESTS
WHICH ONES SHOULD YOU BUY?
FOR BLASTING AND SPEED: The Vandal Addict, Severne Gator and the NeilPryde Fusion are probably your best bet in a drag race.
MANOEUVRABILITY: A tough call in this multipurpose category but the North Volt, Attitude Source, Severne Gator, Gaastra Cross and Pryde Fusion stand out as the most throwabout picks.
GENUINE WAVE PERFORMANCE: The compact Attitude Source, RRD Move, Simmer Iron, Severne Gator and, to some extent. the Naish Moto will all serve well in cross-on wave environments.
WIND RANGE: The widest overall range came from the Naish Moto, Gaastra Cross, North Volt and Severne Gator. For bottom end grunt it’s the Simmer Iron, Goya Nexus and Gaastra Cross that will power the big boys, wider boards and deal with current and patchy wind best.
BUILD QUALITY: The Naish Moto, Pryde Fusion and Severne Gator both display the techiest materials in the lightest packages. At the budget end of the scale the Attitude and Ezzy will be hard to beat too. For techy, cutting-edge materials it’s Pryde and Naish that stand out most.
EASY RIGGING: The straight-luffed Ezzy and the Vandal are probably the easiest to assemble without breaking into a sweat!
VALUE FOR MONEY: There’s the most bang for your buck in the Attitude, Vandal, Point-7 and Ezzy.
FOR ENTRY-LEVEL USE: The Point-7 HF and the Vandal Addict are hard to beat.
FOR HEAVYWEIGHTS: The Gaastra Cross, Severne Gator, Simmer Iron and Goya Nexus will haul your ass best.
FOR LIGHTWEIGHTS: The Vandal Addict and the Point-7 are probably best for ladies, kids and lightweights.
SOMETHING NEW & DIFFERENT: Naish have produced a unique feel with the ‘Fusion’ construction used in the Moto. The Dacron skin is nice and flexy but the frame is well tensioned and locked. You have to try one to experience it!
THE BENCHMARKS: This large group makes it a tough call. If a new crop launched on the market tomorrow, we’d probably take the Severne Gator as the most representative of this selection to measure them by. A sort of ‘Desert Island’ sail if you like. That said, we all liked the Moto’s unique feel. However, nobody would complain if they were given the Attitude for Christmas. Darn it we’d like them all for Christmas! Amongst the various size testers the Ezzy, Gaastra and RRD were all very popular across the board too.
* Also consider: Tushingham submitted their long-standing Storm to this test but have since released the Bolt, a line that changes throughout the sizes to suit most conditions in any given wind strength. We aim to find out the wave credentials of the 5.5 on our upcoming wave sails test trip.
Read on and see which ones stir your burn and turn juices!
Special thanks to Harry Nass Centre Dahab, F-Hot/Dave White for the loan of their mast mounts, I Love Meet and Greet Airport Valet Parking Services and North Sails for adjustable outhauls for our test rigs.
THE LINE-UP
The post 6.0M CROSSOVER SAIL TEST 2014 appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
Bar specialist racing and speed use, particularly hourglass figures and perhaps specific back injuries, it’s hard to find arguments against using one.
READY TO POUNCE
Ask any of our specialist coaching contributors and they’ll agree that the upright stance a waistie delivers is critical to keeping control over your gear. From this ‘on your toes’ position – rather than the ‘bum out’ angle a seat harness puts you in – you can easily hook-in/unhook and remain in an agile pose to dominate the hardware as you approach gybes, jumps and more.
ONCE IT FITS, YOU’LL JUST KNOW IT
But, rather like an effective wetsuit, it’s vital to get the right fit to ensure longer, more comfortable hours on the water. Spend some time at your local dealer trying on various styles to see what suits you best. Aim to have the hook height just below your belly button – without any riding-up – and use the bar and lines most good stores will have to help you replicate your usual sailing position. (Don’t be a cheapskate and then go buy it online for a few bucks less either – support your experienced shop owners and staff!)
LADIES & BEER BELLIES
You should always try to find a good waist harness first, even if you’ve experienced back problems or are not the ‘right’ shape. Quite a few modern seat harnesses have higher hooks anyway, so if you have an hourglass figure or have enjoyed too many fine meals and ales, consider one of the hybrid seat harnesses to get that hook at the right height instead. Also consider the weight of the thing. We recently weighed two harnesses and found one at 1 kilo and one at nearly 2.5 kg! If you’re watching the weight of your rig and suit/harness combo in relation to your board volume, keep this at the forefront of your choices (bar fit!) and look for foam that doesn’t absorb too much water.
Here’s a few to consider!
FO claim the high back contour, high hook height Contour has ‘undergone further refinement that sees this harness become more of a premium model in our range. The concept of a snug fitting outline that incorporates softer inside materials for comfort remains the same. What we have done is use new materials to reduce water absorption and provide a fresher look. To further improve functionality we now introduce the Quick Clip Spreader Bar system for easy entry.’
RRP £119.99 // seaspritesports.com
ION call the Tritium the ‘Swiss Army Knife equipped with the finest materials and a weight optimized construction, this harness provides superior fit and, even more important, enables easy adjustment of the support characteristics (whether you like it soft or stiff) by the ION T-Sticks’.
RRP £179.95 // ion-products.com
Naish have designed the low back shape Mission 3D for ‘riders looking for a lower cut, high range of motion and excellent back support. Precision 3D fit technology combined with the dual tension belt, conforms to the riders body for maximum comfort. It also features a lightweight, low-profile body with a 3D ergonomic plate.’
RRP £169 // naishsails.com
NP have aimed for comfort and support with the Pulse, a 3D-shaped harness with EVA foam inners to prevent riding-up and prevent water absorption. The unique embossed pattern is designed to perfectly fit the core while preventing the harness from riding up or twisting. A 360° strap made from highly elasticised fabric is intended to adapt to your body shape providing additional core support. The Pulse also boasts an S1 spreader bar, supposedly the world’s first spreader bar constructed entirely out of forged aluminium.
RRP £154.90 // npsurf.com
Thermoformed high-end windsurf waist harness with deep lateral neoprene padding and marine-grade metal buckles. On the inside you’ll find thermoformed, super soft and anatomic padding. The low back anatomic shape is particularly compact and allows extreme movement and freedom. Also features an elastic power belt and a new innovative and patented SPQR spreader bar system with bar pad. Available in black, grey and white.
RRP £139 // pat-love.com
An all-rounder by sail brand Point-7 that is ‘ergonomically shaped, combining optimal freedom with maximal support. Ideal for any kind of discipline, whether your sport of choice is wavesailing, freestyle or just flat-water cruising. The harness is built using only the best materials; ensuring the perfect mix of durability and comfort; tailor made quality.’
RRP £80 // point-7.com
Pro limit reckon the Type-T is the favourite amongst their team and that ‘the bigger neoprene soft edge bridges the gap between a low side profile structure and high side profile support outline. This makes it perfect for long sessions and high contortions. It is our most comfortable windsurf wave harness.’
RRP £105 // prolimit.com
RRD have taken a step back and re-analysed their harness program and aim to satisfy the widest range of body types. They say they’ve ‘taken a specific approach to analyse both the anatomy of each target group and the relative best materials and technology process available today to build the new collection’ using an entirely new development team and manufacturing process and location.’
RRP £129 // seaspritesports.com
The post WAIST HARNESS BUYERS GUIDE appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
OVERVIEW
The Italian ‘Black team’ brand’s iconic dark sails have grown in popularity in recent seasons, but they’ve also grown in stature, securing second place on the 2013 slalom racing overall rankings. Named after owner Andrea Cucchi, the ‘AC-1’ flagship sail sits above an exciting 3-cam (AC-K) and the fun-to-sail AC-X no-cam freerace sail (as tested in the April 2014 issue).
BRAND POSITIONING
‘We put a lot of much passion and time into this winner, and yes, we did win the PWA in Korea and many other international events. The great thing that made us most proud, was the fact that each single person who had the 2013 AC-1 has improved their results. With the new changes it will be more friendly for a general use and developed all his details. Those who will try it first time will be breathless, and those who will go on this upgrade will enjoy the new rotation, and batten work done to the structure.’ (Sic.)
PERFORMANCE
Approaching any Point-7 sail always has you feeling both a little scared and excited about what’s about to happen! And the feeling is amplified tenfold when you launch their deep-drafted, scary-looking, podium-placing race sail. Leaving the beach though you think ‘this is quite easy actually’ and then dare to crank up the throttle and see how you get on. Seems fine, let’s get into 6th gear. Hmm. Still okay – and we’re absolutely flying! Why? Downforce! The AC-1 pushes the deck down, eliminating any unwanted nose-lift from lively boards and absolutely charges through – or rather over – chop and swell. (In fact you might even want your mast track further back than normal!) Yes, it’s unbelievably powerful. In fact it’s mega, turbo powerful. The acceleration is insane. But the force pins down the hull and leaves you in a nice, high position of control over the thumping V12 at the end of your arms. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s all easy though. The AC-1 is still super physical to sail. Yes, the low-end is amazing, but it’s challenging to gybe and even more technical to access the unquestioned performance it contains. If you can kill the backhand, which might involve some quite serious adjustments to your body position/habits/technique approaching gybes – and make it around corners – then you’ll feel instant acceleration out of turns and messed-up air. Deep downwind you’ll need some fitness to cope with any extended periods of time at full tilt, but the good news is that reaching and upwind are much more relaxing affairs.
THE VERDICT
The ultimate tractor! The AC-1 delivers the ultimate in acceleration and power – with welcome downforce to pin down the latest slalom boards. However, gybing is a challenge and muscles are almost mandatory. So, what will it be? Something easy to sail that gets you around the course – or the ultimate beast that will demand some work and technique to maximise the proven potential?
READ THE OTHER REPORTS
GAASTRA VAPOR 7.9
NEILPRYDE RS: SLALOM 7.8
NORTH WARP 7.8
RRD FIRE 7.8
SIMMER SCR 7.8
SEVERNE REFLEX 7.8
The post POINT-7 AC-1 ZERO14 7.9M 2014 TEST REVIEW REPORT appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
RICARDO CAMPELLO – PERSPECTIVE
All at Sea
// Ricardo Campello is much famed for his double loops on port tack but when it comes to starboard tack he throws the sickest tweaked table tops. Thow in a washed up fishing boat on the reef in Denmark and these two elements combined to make a shot we just had to run as a double page!
Photos JOHN CARTER
The post RICARDO CAMPELLO – PERSPECTIVE appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.
MOVE ON UP – SKILLS AND DRILLS Light-wind workouts to polish your technique from Super Coach Jem Hall
