Equipment

12:00AM Thu, 1st November 2007

‘Every Possible Volume’ is this range’s catch phrase and they’re not kidding! Eight boards in total from 115 litres down to 80 litres all designed to do the broadest range of bump ‘n’ jump, blasting, riding and trick making!

We asked Professional Windsurfing Coach and RRD Team Rider Jem Hall what was so good about the 2008 (or as RRD like to say Y13) boards?

Jem: “The Y 12 boards (2007) were just so stable, smooth and early planing so for Y13 we refined these qualities and added a dash of speed and a step up in carving performance both in gybes and riding. These boards now have more pop, versatility in carving off both front and back foot, so you can choose your arc and they feel a tad smaller. This is the same throughout the range, as I’ve sailed them all!

The 115 feels very loose for its size yet takes a big sail, the 110 is my ultimate all-rounder, the 105 and 100 would be the same for lighter riders. The 95 & 90 represent that workhorse of a middle board – a small board you can get on when it’s getting more exciting and can stay on when it’s going off. The 85 and 80 are those favourite sizes as a windy all-rounder. With more choices you can find that board that fits perfectly in your quiver. Bump n jump, waves and freestyle – the best just got better!”

Photos courtesy of Fotofiore.com/RRD.

Features

8 different volumes to find the board for you.

More rounded outlines and narrower tails and noses to give you the ultimate carving experience.

Full double concave on a single V rail-to-rail configuration ensures smooth turns on both front and back foot.

A shorter and more compact feel for 08 to guarantee more top end performance.

The Stats

Volume	Length	Width	Fin (cm)*	Sail Range
115	248	66	34	5.4-7.5
110	246	64	33	5.2-7.0
105	244	63	32	5.0-6.7
100	242	62	31	5.0-6.5
95	240	60	29	4.7-6.3
90	238	59	27	4.5-6.0
85	237	58	25	4.2-5.8
80	236	56	23	4.0-5.7

*New Freewave G-10 CNC fins, all Powerbox except 85 and 80 which are US box.

But what we want to know is how does this RANGE fit into someone’s overall board quiver, especially with so many volumes to choose from.

We characterised two typical sailors and got Jem to tell us what boards he would choose for them:

Sailor A: Local Hero

Let’s take a guy who’s the best at his local beach. He can loop, loves waves best but learnt to vulcan on the inside just to prove he could do freestyle as well. He is now secretly keen to learn to spock. He weighs 80kg and he wants TWO boards from RRD – which ones and why?

Jem: “If he prioritises carving and waves over freestyle, but still wants to learn some sliding moves then he would be best on the 100 Freestyle Wave and the 75 Wave Cult. The 100 will give him light wind wave action and a platform for sliding moves whilst having plenty of pop for his forwards. The 75 wave cult offers the greatest potential across a wide range of wave conditions and can also cross over into bump ‘n’ jump and high wind freestyle”

Sailor B: Big Charley Carver

Now what about a guy who is 100kg, likes blasting in the waves, doing little jumps and wants to improve mainly in waves but would love to duck gybe and have smoother carve gybes. Pick ONE board for him and explain why?

Jem: “As a heavier rider he will really feel the benefit of the early planing and easy carving performance of the Freestyle Wave range particularly the 115 and 110. The 115 will be better in lighter winds and the 110 will be better in stronger winds. Both boards are surprisingly loose for their size. Overall, I would go for the Freestyle Wave 110 for 7.0 to 5.0 sailing and have a bigger fin above the 33cm it comes with and a 27cm fin for stronger winds”

Cost:

Cost:	£849 in glass/wood
Details:	The FSW WOOD line offers the same shapes as the LTD version but in a slightly heavier and more affordable technology. Technology: Single shot SX-48 wood sandwich matt bottom