JP-Australia X-Cite Ride Plus Pro 125

On land:Even though the Magic Ride has lost some of its beefy characteristics in the footstrap area compared to the X-Cite Ride and the board has been significantly slimmed down overall and in the rails, the Magic Ride still has some "food" in the edge shape - at least more than the other concepts, where race-oriented riders can push back with their heels and put pressure on the fin.

On the water: In the duel between the two JPs, the "smaller" Magic Ride 118, with a volume of 118 litres by old standards, shows the X-Cite Ride Plus 125 its tail after 50 metres. The wide board gets lift early on and accelerates very quickly. On the contrary, the Magic Ride glides freely, but with the nose low down and extremely stable around the longitudinal axis. The X-Cite Plus also glides quite stably, but is a shade freer and more agile, but also slightly less directionally stable. In strong winds, very experienced surfers can get one per cent more speed out of it, the Magic Ride can't be made to "fly" in comparison, but in normal use the Magic Ride comes up trumps with its even better planing characteristics, holds speed in wind holes on the wide planing surface and is even slightly superior to the previous top dog in the JP range with the same fin size. In the jibe, the wider board is extremely stable on the edge - like a carving ski that you have tipped into the turn and which then stays there - requires a little more foot pressure, but glides through the turn with a whole new quality. The board almost finds its own fixed radius. The X-Cite Ride is somewhat sportier, more variable, but also less forgiving and can only be made to glide similarly well with a lot of instinct. With better gliding performance and easier controllability, the Magic Ride covers a wider wind range. The X-Cite Plus is reserved for active surfers who like to go for top speed with a larger sail, play with the pressure on the fin, use their board more actively and can also utilise the more dashing jibe characteristics.

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

surf measurement: Weight: 7.7 kg (pre-series) Length: 250 cm Width: 69 cmPrices:1999* Euro / 1649** Euro / 1199*** Euro

Downloads:

Test Freerideboards extra wide (pdf)