Duotone Blast E/LAB 165 on test: Superlight freerider with a new sales concept
Stephan Gölnitz
· 05.11.2024
The new Duotone Blast E/LAB has a waiting time of five months - some buyers of the last VW T6 California would probably have jumped for joy at such an "express delivery". In the surf shop, on the other hand, a purchase is usually processed more quickly. Ideally, the desired board is already there or can be called up by the dealer from the import warehouse within a few days. But for "special requests", there are also patient customers who are willing to wait for their dream board. "The concept for the new high-tech freeriders comes from a dealer," explains Duotone Brand Manager Raoul Joa: "He told me that he needed new, large freeride boards for his shop. And not in 130 litres, but rather 160 or even 180 litres and in high-tech - with a laminate structure like the Falcon".
The targeted customers - buyers of the highest quality freeride shapes - have so far had a reliable supplier in Lorch boards. With very light weights, good gliding shapes, but also plenty of waiting time included. "After the quality control in our new factory for a freeride board in Falcon technology gave us the go-ahead, we designed the sales concept," Raoul continues.
New concept: The large Duotone Blast is only available to order
The result is MTO - "made to order". Duotone is thus introducing a middle way between custom-made and classic "stock production": special boards, but without special requests. And only to order. The dealer places a binding order four times a year, and just as many models are produced and delivered. Some dealers will probably order a few for their showroom at their own risk. If you want to be on the safe side, you have to order your personal copy via the dealers.
The next dead line The deadline for ordering is 5 December 2024, but Duotone promises delivery by 25 May 2025 at the latest. surf-Magazin was given priority and we were able to test a Duotone Blast 165 E/LAB on the water without waiting - but we had to return it straight away.
The Duotone Blast 165 E/LAB: The most important shape features and details
At 2.48 metres long and 80 centimetres wide, the Blast 165 E/LAB is slightly more elongated than is usual for large freeride and especially freerace boards. The comfortable straps are very well positioned for sporty freeriding and offer a short adjustment range in the longitudinal direction. The deck is kept quite flat, with plenty of space for planing and manoeuvres. The rails look quite slim, which supports a comfortable stance in the straps with enough space and a pleasant camber underfoot. In one sentence, the Blast can be described as a modern, slightly stretched freeride shape.
In the volume class of 165 litres (the Blast E/Lab is still available in the 185-litre size at 2.53 x 0.90 metres), the market is otherwise predominantly dominated by up-and-coming boards with a heavy construction. The Blast is manufactured as a "E/LAB" in a similar, very light and stiff construction to professional race slalom boards. Duotone therefore promises "at least one kilo weight saving compared to any other comparable board". In return, the board is largely based on the construction of the "Falcon Fin" race slalom boards. Handmade PVC sandwich, in which each laminating step is carried out individually and the laminate (a mixture of carbon, Innegra and S-Glass) is pre-soaked before being laid up and vacuumed, which is said to account for a large part of the weight saving.
Shape: The Blast glides on a straight planing surface of 84 centimetres in length without any rocker at the tail. In the fin area, a slight V with flat planing surfaces is measured at seven millimetres on the edge, which runs through to the bow in a similar V shape. A slight double concave with a maximum depth of around three millimetres is incorporated from the mast track to the bow. With a bow curve ("scoop") of 22 centimetres, the board length also results in a fairly flat, harmonious planing area.
The Duotone Blast E/LAB 165 in the first practical test
With its fairly flat shape, the Blast 165 offers a generous area to run around from the start, especially between straps and base plate, and high tipping stability. The maximum width of 80 centimetres appears to be a good fit for the concept. The very harmonious planing characteristics become apparent in the very first gust. The moderately longer length than freerace or slalom boards and the flat rocker line allow the board to plane very smoothly and harmoniously, even without tedious pumping.
The straps are not only perfectly positioned for sporty freeriding, but are also positioned exactly in relation to the rail so that you can slip in and out quite easily. The rear foot feels secure on the edge, while the front is comfortable and slightly further in - all in all very balanced. With strong sail pressure, the pressure then shifts slightly to the back leg, which reinforces the sporty impression. Overall, the board appears very well balanced and trimmed in the entire wind range.
Blast 165 E/LAB: A board with a large wind range
Because the board also shows its skills at higher speeds: It glides very freely, even without a lot of body tension and without consistently loading the leeward edge, yet is still stable around the longitudinal axis. The fin supports this behaviour perfectly - it offers comparatively little lateral counter-pressure, has very little resistance and reliably prevents spin-outs.
The board remains stable and controllable even at top speed in a headwind. It does not lift off and lies securely on its longitudinal axis in the water - a feature that distinguishes it from extremely sporty freerace boards, which have to be constantly guided by applying a measured load to the fin. It is surprisingly light-footed for its size and conveys an agile riding experience, while being very easy to surf (fast). A good 45 km/h was recorded on the speedometer with a medium Lake Garda Ora and a 7.8 mm sail without much effort - quite remarkable for a freeride board in this volume class.
The board is stiff and direct, with comfortable water contact should it hit a choppy wave. This is where it differs from the aforementioned full carbon Lorch boards, which can sometimes feel very pithy. Above all, the Duotone shape doesn't look uncomfortably long and is significantly smaller overall than it says on the board. Without looking, you could imagine yourself on a 140-litre freerider.
Large board with good jibing characteristics
There is another remarkable difference to other (intermediate) boards in this volume class: the Duotone is not only very easy to guide on the foot, but also masters jibes with ease. It glides smoothly through medium radii and can be pressed tightly around the bend. Thanks to the wide tail, it always glides stable and holds the selected radius securely.
Although the tested 45 mm "Finish" fin is not standard equipment, it harmonises perfectly with sails up to around 7.8 m²; a slightly longer fin is recommended for larger sails - especially for optimum performance when going upwind.
Duotone Blast 165 E/LAB - the surf conclusion
On land and on the water, the new Duotone Blast 165 E/LAB presents itself as a particularly high-quality, high-performance, large freeride board that could be a worthy successor to the popular but dying Lorch freeride boards. With very similar planing power, further improved (easier) jibing characteristics and even easier to surf across a wide wind range. The sporty fun factor is guaranteed thanks to the lightweight construction - even in light planing winds!
Technical data Duotone Blast 165 E/LAB
- Longere*: 2.48 metres
- Width*0.80 metres
- Volume: 165 litres
- Length of sliding surface*0.84 metres
- Weight without fin and straps*: 8.25 kilos
- Price: 2999 Euro (without fin)
*surf measurement
Further manufacturer information you will find here.
