Freeride describes what makes the sport so appealing for most surfers: enjoyable cruising over smooth water, speed duels with mates, sleek jibes. It should be easy to ride and without radical demands, and that's exactly how the right boards are designed for it.
Freeride boards are characterised by the following features:
Freeride boards are often the entry-level class for funboard surfing, i.e. glide surfing. If you are new to the sport and want to switch from a beginner board with a centreboard to something more sporty, a large freeride board is the perfect choice. The flat bottom curve, a large fin and the generous width ensure that you can start planing early, get good height and still have the necessary stability when manoeuvring - if the size is right!
If, on the other hand, you are aiming for your first tricks, loops and other jumps or occasional wave rides, you are better off with the freemove and freestyle wave boards. Surfers who are looking for maximum speed, have no problem with footstrap positions that are far out, use camber sails or even want to compete on the regatta course, on the other hand, should orientate themselves more towards race slalom boards.
Ideal sail types for this board group:Freeride sails without camber, freemove sails, wave sails, (freeride sails with a maximum of two camber)
Manuel Vogel
Editor surf
