iSUP with windsurfing option: The Duotone Alfa Air WS WindSUP put to the test

The Duotone Alfa Air WS is designed as a hybrid board for SUP and windsurfing and is available in two sizes: The 9’0” model, just under 74 centimetres wide, has a volume of 180 litres, whilst the 11’0” model we tested, with a width of around 85 centimetres, boasts a substantial volume of 350 litres. What stands out is the very low weight; 7.5 and 11.2 kilos respectively are, relative to their size, extremely attractive. To make the boards easy to carry, they have been fitted with handles at the bow, stern and deck. A threaded hole for mounting the mast foot is provided. The package includes a mast foot with a correspondingly short bolt, which can be easily screwed in. A large EVA pad is bonded to the deck. On the underside, the board is fitted with two large centre fins, which can be easily slid into the designated rails without the need for tools. A clever touch: the fin boxes are split, which can reduce the pack size when packing and rolling up the board. As part of a set including a rucksack, pump, fins and mast base, the boards cost 799 and 899 euros respectively.

• ​Buying guide: The best WindSUPs for paddling and windsurfing
• ​WindSUPs put to the test: windsurfing, winging, paddling – nine summer companions

A great beginner’s board for kids, a light-wind board for adults

The Duotone Alfa Air WS was used for several days during the surf festival as a beginner’s board for children and teenagers. Don’t be put off by its stated volume of 350 litres; naturally, inflatable boards feel slightly smaller than hardboards in terms of stability. In the 11’0 size, the board is extremely stable in the water, whilst its elongated outline ensures good straight-line stability. Fortunately, the board responds exceptionally well to steering inputs, even when powered by small sails under 3.0 square metres. This makes it a great beginner’s board for kids, but it can also serve as a good light-wind platform for adults. The two 23 centre fins stabilise the straight-line stability very well and also reduce sideways drift to an acceptable level. As might be expected, neither the shape nor the unprofiled fins are designed for planing.

For SUP, however, the board should work well, ideally for short trips across the lake or as a fun board for the whole family. We weren’t able to try out the model with a volume of 180 litres. In our experience, this model should still be stable enough – and, above all, manoeuvrable – as a windsurf board for children and lighter adults (< 75 kilos). However, when used for paddling tours, it will lack the necessary straight-line stability under the feet of adults.

surf’s verdict on the Duotone Alfa Air WS

Lightweight, packed with great features and offering the perfect balance of straight-line stability and manoeuvrability – the Alfa Air WS 11’0 stands out as a fantastic windsurf board for light winds, appealing to everyone from children to adults.

• For more information, see duotonesports.com