Anyone who is generally a wave enthusiast and is thinking about a new board for the waves is faced with a difficult decision: Is a board in the freestyle wave category enough in terms of manoeuvrability or is a pure wave board essential? But how big is the loss of flat water suitability? During the surf test in South Africa, we compared three potentially wave-compatible boards from Tabou in different conditions - the freestyle waveboard 3S+, the all-round waveboard Da Bomb and the performance waveboard Da Curve.
On land:
Almost identical in terms of volume, the differences between the three concepts lie in the details: at 61 centimetres, the 3S+ is slightly wider than the Da Bomb (60.5) and Da Curve (59). The rear width in particular makes the difference - the 3S+ offers the most space and volume in this area. In contrast, the tail of the Da Bomb is visibly reduced in the area of the rear loop via the winger. This shape tweak is less noticeable on the Da Curve because the centre area is already much narrower. The measuring stick also reveals visible differences in the underwater hull: although all three concepts suggest wave suitability due to their thruster fin set-up, the bottom curve of the 3S+ is flatter than that of the Da Bomb and Da Curve. The fin set-up is also different: on the 3S+ and Da Bomb, the centre fins are slightly longer at 20 centimetres, while power and US boxes offer the option of tuning the boards with longer track holders for light winds and use with large sails (>5.7 m²) - an option that is not available with the Da Curve's slot box system. Finally, the loop positions: As befits a freewave board, the 3S+ also offers the option of using the board in a 4-person set-up. The two pure wave concepts, on the other hand, can only be ridden with a 3-loop set-up.
On the water:
Although the 3S+ is not one of the most powerful freestyle waveboards (see test from page 30), it is immediately ahead of its two stable mates. It pulls away from the pure wave boards in a powerful and sporty manner, especially in the lower and medium wind range. In terms of control, the 3S+ can best the Da Curve in hack and chop, which runs noticeably smoother and more grippy through the chop than the Da Bomb due to its stretched outline. This also applies to the jibe - the 3S+ and Da Curve grip the rail securely, while the Da Bomb is noticeably more challenging to stabilise on the edge. The bottom line is that neither the Da Bomb nor the Da Curve are good boards for practising jibes - the Da Bomb is too unstable, the Da Curve lacks planing potential and stability. The situation is different in the surf: The 3S+ turns quite passably in the surf. If you push it into the turn with a little more power, you can even get some powerful frontside turns out of it. The prerequisite is that the wave is not too big and powerful, because as the speed increases in the turn, the radii become increasingly wider.
The Da Bomb particularly loves wave heights between knee and head high and then slashes short, fast hooks over the back foot - even better than the Da Curve. Thanks to its compact length of just 222 centimetres and its position far to the rear (the rear loop is very close to the tail), the Da Bomb can be turned very tightly. In moderate surf conditions, such as those often found on the North and Baltic Seas, it feels two classes more radical than the 3S+. If the wave is bigger than head-high or the conditions are rough, the concept lacks a bit of grip on the edge.
In such conditions, the Da Curve is no match for anyone - if you are either surfing in strong winds or have a wave on the back of your neck that is pushing hard, the board is in its element. Then it pulls through with the best grip on the edge, neither the 3S+ nor the Da Bomb can keep up. The fact that the Da Curve doesn't hold speed as well as the other two concepts is less of an issue than in small, rather unpressurised waves.
surf conclusion:
You should choose the 3S+ if
- you want to use your 95-litre board more than 60 percent of the time in flat water or in the swell.
- you also want to regularly sail sizes over 5.7 square metres on it.
- your wave days are usually limited to moderate surf days with waves <1.5 metres.
- planing manoeuvres such as power jibes, carving 360s and duck jibes are not just a means to an end for you, but part of your windsurfing fascination.
- you also want to practise freestyle tricks like Spock, Flaka & Co.
The Da Bomb is your best choice when
- you ride the board more than 70 per cent of the time in waves and only occasionally go freestyling on the water.
- you use sail sizes up to 5.7 square metres.
- jibes and planing manoeuvres are more a means to an end for you.
- your wave days mainly take place in small and medium wave heights (up to head high).
You are a DaCurve if you
- you surf more than 70 per cent of the time in the surf and are out at spots where the waves are usually over 1.5 metres high.
- sail sizes up to 5.7 square metres.
- you can do without freestyle moves like Spock & Co.
Stephan Gölnitz
Deputy Editor in Chief surf
