surf: Klaas, since 2018 you have gradually replaced your classic FreeWave with the FreeWave STB, which was much more angular and based on the stubby waveboard. The 2020 model looks more "classic" again, with a rather pointed nose and tail section. Is this a step back to the tried and tested?
No, you can't say that. The 2020 model will be a further development of the FreeWave STB, which was the basis for our work. If you take all the shape details, e.g. the bottom curve or rails, as criteria, the board is much closer to the 2019 FreeWave STB than to the "old" FreeWave. Nevertheless, we have of course revised some details.
What exactly did you change and why?
The new FreeWave has been given more curve at the rear, the rear is no longer as straight and "angular" as before. During testing, we realised that this greatly benefited the turning characteristics. This in turn gave us the opportunity to flatten the bottom curve of the new FreeWave to improve glide. Optimising the glide characteristics and making the board more suitable for bump & jump conditions was also the objective that had to be implemented, especially for the large sizes with 95, 105 and 115 litres. To summarise, it can be said that the new FreeWave turns at least as well as the old one, but glides better.
Has the FreeWave undergone the same adjustments across the individual sizes? Or are there differences?
In the new season, the FreeWave is available in a volume range from 75 to 115 litres. The 75 litre is a new addition. And of course we are aware that the boards have different target groups and requirement profiles depending on their size: A 75 litre board is used more often in waves and in strong winds than a 115 litre board, which is often primarily used as a bump & jump board in choppy water and for heating. For this reason, our focus naturally also changes. The smaller sizes have a slightly more rounded bottom curve and therefore turn better, the sizes 95, 105 and 115 have undergone the aforementioned adjustment to the bottom curve, have become flatter and now glide noticeably earlier and faster than the previous model. The fact that these sizes have the option of fitting a double strap at the rear also suits the target group and the overall concept.
Are the different requirements of end customers - flat water and waves - also reflected in the fin configuration? Or are all sizes delivered as thrusters?
We generally work in such a way that we consider which fin configuration makes sense for the different sizes. This also applies to the pure wave boards, such as the Grip model. For example, the Grip is delivered as a quad in the volume range between 75 and 92 litres, the 102 size then comes as a thruster to emphasise the planing power even more. The principle is similar with the FreeWave: the smaller sizes come as usual as thrusters, i.e. with three fins. The large 115-litre FreeWave, which is probably mainly ridden in flat water, is sold with a single fin. On all FreeWave boards, the centre fin comes with a power box system, while the side fins are in slot boxes. This allows you to cover the small side fin boxes on flat water and ride the board with just the single fin.
Manuel Vogel
Editor surf
