The Norden Glider proves that not only a deep cockpit and a canoe shape can ensure proper touring suitability. The board with the surf outline and significant deflection in the underwater hull is thinner than all other boards, with slim edges that should also enable sideways rides on the wave and turns when surfing in smaller waves (a test is planned).
Due to the comparatively low board thickness, you stand quite close to the water, which means that the tree trunk effect of thick, inflatable boards does not occur at all. As a result, the small and compact-looking board lies almost daintily on the water next to the touring bolides, but with surprisingly good stability, even if a little water tends to spill over if you tilt slightly to the side. The bow protrudes about 25 centimetres into the air, but the board still glides easily through the water and keeps up with medium paddle pressure.
The board is easy and fluid to propel and can easily keep up with similarly long and slightly wider touring SUPs at an average speed. Due to the deep water position, the Crosbow doesn't turn as quickly as you might have expected, but with a clear step towards the tail you can push the board deep into the water and turn it with a good sense of balance like a wave SUP.
Conclusion Norden Glider 12'4" x 28.5":
With a surf style instead of a canoe look, Norden is going its own way, but is also suitable for inland waterways and touring. Especially with light day luggage and for paddlers up to around 90 kilos.
Surf shape with good touring suitability, handy on land.
Info:
- Price: 1989 Euro
- Length: 376.0 cm
- Width: 72.4 cm
- Weight: 13.2 kg
- Volume: 210 litres
Stephan Gölnitz
Deputy Editor in Chief surf
Stephan Gölnitz comes from Bochum and had Holland as his home windsurfing territory for many years before moving to Munich in 1996 for the job of test editor at surf magazine. The materials engineering graduate worked as a surf instructor on the Ijsselmeer during his studies and competed for several seasons for the Essen sailing team in the Surfbundesliga and the Funboard Cup. He completed a traineeship at surf-Magazin in the test department and since then has actively accompanied almost all tests on the boom and for more than 10 years also as a photographer. Stephan has covered many thousands of test kilometers, mainly on Lake Garda and in Langebaan, but also in Egypt and Tobago. He gets his hands on over 100 new sails and boards every year as his company car. Privately, he prefers to surf with a foil on Lake Walchensee or “unfortunately far too rarely” in the waves. SUP is Stephan's second passion, which he pursued for several years at numerous SUP races. Today, he prefers to paddle on river tours with family or friends - even for several days.
