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2010 Windsurfing Board Tests: High Wind Boards |
| Windsurfing introduced something new to its windsurf board tests this year — superlatives. Yup. We’re coming out and saying it: These windsurfing boards do this best. Planing, turning, blasting and more — we’re picking the winner and a few runners-up from every category and telling you straight-up. Here, we’ve gathered the best windsurfing boards for waves from our High Wind Board Test. |
Best Windsurf Board For Waves: |
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Quatro Quad 85 |
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We had our suspicions that the Quatro Quad 85 would be a standout wave board. After all, this windsurf board’s pedigree includes a standout shaper (and ripping sailor) in Keith Teboul, Ho’okipa testing grounds, and a twin-with-thrusters setup meant to offer the ultimate combination of speed, drive and looseness on the wave face. Bias aside, the Quatro was clearly the snappiest and loosest board on the wave face, impressing sailors with its top-to-bottom ride and ability to change direction in a snap. Full Quattro Quad 85 Review |
Other Wave Favorites: |
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Starboard Quad 86 |
| The big boy’s Starboard Quad 86 windsurf board planes earlier, floats more, with higher speed — but sacrifices a bit of maneuverability. Full Starboard Quad 86 Review |
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Exocet 3X 82 |
| The Exocet 3X 82 windsurf board does with three fins what the Quatro Quad 85 does with four — but easier for wave newbies to tune in. Full Exocet 3X 82 Review |
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RRD WaveTwin 90 |
| Twins can still work in the waves, but they’re less suited to flat-water blasting than the quad boards. The RRD WaveTwin 90 windsurf board was super snappy and kept power in violent turns. Full RRD WaveTwin 90 Review |
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Tabou Da Curve 85 |
| The Tabou Da Curve 85 windsurf board has a simple old-school (for 2010) wave shape that rips — exactly like you expect (and want) it to. Full Tabou Da Curve 85 Review |
How we test for waves:
Launching from upper Kanaha, it’s straight to Lowers if it’s breaking for down-the-line rides. Then Uppers for "real-world" onshore-type conditions — backside rides and jumping. We’re looking for how a board changes direction, how well it slogs and smoothness in the bottom turn.
Trade-offs:
The four-fin setup took some getting used to for less experienced testers and limited top speeds in flat water.
Tags: exocet 3X 82, quatro quad 85, rrd wavetwin 90 ltd, starboard quad 86, tabou DA curve 85, windsurf board, windsurfing boards
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Is 85-90lts a high wind wave board?
Wow, did you guys really ride these boards ?
Yup. The ten-man test team and I spent two weeks in Maui putting these boards to work.
Hey you got gorgeous boards! Lovin' the designs/ artworks. Job well done. Woohoo!
i use the rrd 90 witch 4m in choppy conditions witch 4m waves and goes very good, not the best board but good, chek my blog
i dont understand how you can say that this is a test for highwind, sorry but all this boards are for light wind
get real! doh brain, all depends how heavy you are, i use 85ltr in 50plus mph, just gotta man up and deal with it, benda!
well if your weight is 85-90kg it will be, so for me it´s high wind waveboards.