On land: Thin pads for the fast Rocket, thick absorbers for the bouncy 3S - a perfect match. In addition to the normal freeride position, the Rocket offers a far-out race setup for the straps. The 3S offers an additional freestyle wave option on the inside.
On the water: The Tabou 3S doesn't allow itself a single slip-up in any of the test disciplines, and any surfer should be able to live with a "good" as the worst rating. The smooth ride was particularly pleasing: how gently and easily the board hovered through the jibes, like a freeride ski through the finest champagne powder. The 3S doesn't let itself be ripped off in the performance tests either, keeping up with the best bolters, only the ride is not quite as free, lively and pithy as an ambitious stoker would want. On the other hand, the tried and tested shape is convincing in all curve radii and is so easy to flick out of the water and flip over that even aspiring freestylers can easily make their first sliding moves with it. In addition to the code, the 3S is one of the top manoeuvring boards - rounded off for the gourmet freerider with extremely easy handling, excellent controllability and superior riding comfort in strong winds or rough seas.
Info: New Sports GmbH, Tel.: 02234/933400, www.tabou-boards.de
surf measurement: Weight: 6.90 kg Length: 240.00 cm Width: 64.00 cm
Prices:1899 Euro*/1499 Euro**