Test 2018: Large freeride and intermediate boards
The first board has to fit! Especially if you are still at the beginner stage or the number of surfing days is limited, you can quickly spoil your fun with the wrong board. We have selected the models from seven brands that are best suited for beginners to planing and manoeuvre surfing and requested the most affordable construction in each case. The fun starts at just over 1000 euros - a price that is put into perspective when you look at the second-hand market: Boards in the 140 to 180 litre volume class are in high demand, so anyone who outgrows their first planing board and buys a smaller one can usually sell their big bruiser quickly and at a good price.
You can find the test results of these large freeride and intermediate boards in the PDF download area below:
- Bic Techno 160 D
- Fanatic Gecko 156 HRS + centreboard
- Fanatic Gecko 156 HRS
- Hejfly DropInn L 186
- JP-Australia MagicAir 150
- JP-Australia Magic Ride Family 154
- RRD 360 Evolution Softskin V4 155
- RRD Fireride 155 E-Tech
- Starboard AtomIQ Duo 130
- Starboard CarveIQ 151 3DX
- Tabou Rocket 145 AST
- Tabou Rocket Wide 135 CED
AN LAND
Shapes, dimensions & volumes:A look at the dimensions shows how differently the manufacturers interpret the concept of "large freeride boards". A Starboard AtomIQ is very short at just 239 centimetres in length, in terms of volume it is one of the smallest boards in the test group at just 130 litres, but the width of 84 centimetres represents the upper end of the scale.
Footstrap options:In addition to the shape, the available footstrap positions have a massive influence on the range of use and therefore the target group of a board. When starting out with glide surfing, you should make sure to choose a position that is as far forwards and inwards as possible. It becomes problematic if your supposed favourite board does not offer these options at all. What is not a problem for experienced surfers with gliding experience quickly becomes a stumbling block for beginners - the position further out on the edge makes it noticeably more difficult to get into the straps.
Swords & Finns:Whether a board runs well upwind and is stable in the water depends heavily on the volume distribution, but also on the presence of a centreboard. Lateral drift is therefore massively minimised.
Equipment & features:If you also want to use the surfboard as a family carriage, you will find several boards with an extended soft deck.
ON THE WATER
Light wind manoeuvre:Gliding wind is a great thing - but unfortunately days with twelve knots plus are often rare, especially inland. So instead of waiting for the rare planing rush, it's better to hone your manoeuvres even in light winds - it's fun and improves the feel of the sail and board enormously. For a board to work for light wind manoeuvres such as tacks, jibes and sailing tricks, it must be stable around all axes in the water. Boards with an even volume distribution and sufficient buoyancy in front of the mast - often boards with a slightly longer overall length - have a clear advantage when manoeuvring around the mast. A centreboard or the option to mount a centre fin is of course particularly helpful when cruising. If you spend more than 50 percent of your surfing days in light winds, the point "light wind manoeuvres" should be a decisive factor in your selection. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a board exclusively for planing, you can safely leave this aspect out of your search for the perfect board.
Learn to glide:If you want to learn to glide, you need a board that fulfils two basic requirements: Firstly, a suitable shape with a flat bottom curve and a long planing surface. Here too, boards with a slightly longer overall length have an advantage - even experienced sailors know that "length works". Secondly, the right strap positions for learning to planing are essential: suitable beginner boards offer the option of mounting the straps far forwards and inwards. When planing, you are almost automatically in the loop and can easily feel your way towards the straps. Only when you feel confident do you mount the straps in plugs further back and on the outside, which allows you to better utilise the performance potential of the boards.
Boards that combine a good planing shape and the corresponding strap options therefore receive the best scores from us in the "learning to planing" rating criterion - this is therefore likely to be the most important rating point for intermediates. The same applies here: If you are already confident in the straps and don't have any problems with strap positions that are far out, you can certainly accept limitations in this assessment criterion.
Sporty freeriding:Those who are past the "learning to glide" stage generally want a board that whizzes across the water in a sporty and fast manner and knows no noticeable limit in terms of top speed - this is exactly what the "sporty freeriding" criterion represents. This goes hand in hand with straps mounted far out and a corresponding level of riding ability. The differences within the test group are enormous.
Sliding necks:If you want to learn gliding manoeuvres such as the power jibe, you need a board that stands securely on the edge without bouncing or blending. The potential of a board to glide through manoeuvres without losing too much speed is also crucial. So if you are looking for a board for all manoeuvres from power jibes to race jibes, you should definitely include the "glide jibes" assessment point when choosing your personal test winner. Conversely, limitations in suitability for planing jibes need not be a disadvantage for all intermediates who primarily surf in light winds and are still learning to planing. The detailed strengths and weaknesses of the boards can be found in the individual descriptions below.
