JP-Australia Super Sport 124 Pro

On land:Slightly wider, thinner and flatter in the deck - these are the external differences between the sporty Super Sport and its freeride counterpart, the X-Cite Ride. The pads under the straps are nice and large and are properly padded where it makes sense, namely under the heels. The strap settings are either sporty on the outside or at least moderately sporty. A step-up inside position fits the Super Sport like parking aids in a Ferrari - and is therefore omitted.

On the water: The Super Sport fits into the freeride group a bit like a Ferrari at a GTI meeting and yet the comparison is obvious. What can the freerace board perhaps do better and what disadvantages should you be prepared for? Apart from the sporty, fast design, there's nothing to criticise in terms of dampening - the rally stripes naturally increase the pressure of expectation. Only with a slalom board under your feet can you afford to let a freerider pass you by in a relaxed manner. However, the Super Sport glides smoothly and very harmoniously with the best of the group, is stable underfoot and those who are generally comfortable with outside straps can quickly and easily slip into the speed position on the Super Sport. The board then immediately becomes free, locks onto the fin and accelerates accordingly.

Throughout the wind range, the board can slowly but surely set itself apart from the fastest freeriders, especially in wind holes where you can maintain the pressure on the fin for an extremely long time and thus keep the speed high. The board glides very stably, wobbling only minimally around both axes even in gusts and lateral waves - freeride boards that are more difficult to surf can be found here. Wide and medium power jibes are surprisingly easy to achieve, regardless of whether you want to be timid with less pressure or aggressive with sporty torso pressure - the Super Sport always tracks well. Only very tight snappy turns require a lot of pressure and are limited in radius, where the wide tail, which provides power on the straight, noticeably slows down the athlete. However, the JP easily handles the usual freeride spectrum. In short, a board that could also be recommended to less experienced surfers - if it weren't for the often decisive knock-out criterion of the lack of a triple strap position with a single centre strap at the back and the perhaps even somewhat off-putting sporty image for intermediates.

Info: Pryde Group Gmbh, Tel.: 089/6650490, www.jp-australia.com

surf measurement: Weight: 7.18 kg Length: 245.0 cm Width: 73.0 cm

Prices: 1899* Euro/1599** Euro

Downloads:

Freerideboards 135 (pdf)