Test: New inflatable funboard from STX
On land: The STX Windsurf 250 (250 x 83.6 centimetres, 250 litre volume) is not designed as a SUP board, but is advertised as a fully-fledged windsurf board - but inflatable. STX therefore offers the Windsurf 280 model ( you can find the test here ), but with comparable features: the board comes complete with bag, pump, fins, flick set and straps. A large soft deck ensures a comfortable stance on the flat deck and the straps are simply clipped on.
Due to the design, there is only one position available for this, but it has been chosen to be climber-friendly and therefore suitable for the target group, quite far inwards and therefore easily accessible. STX also uses double fins in the tail of the Windsurf 250, which are simply mounted in the plastic rails on the underside - similar to a US box (no tools required!). The board also offers the option of fitting a centre fin for light winds. As the manufacturer claims that the board concept can also be used for planing surfing, STX has glued a rubber edge to the rounded edges, which are designed to improve water resistance.
Speaking of "construction": the design, known internally as FXL construction, is said to be both lighter and stiffer than conventional inflatables thanks to the vertical and diagonal arrangement of the fibres inside the board and allows an inflation pressure of up to 20 psi.
On the water: Even though the STX Windsurf 250 is more of a fun board in terms of its length, it still offers the advantages of a beginner or intermediate board when dabbling - thanks to a width of over 83 centimetres, thick edges and a full 250 litres of volume, you are quite stable on deck. As soon as you start off, you notice that the board is less directionally stable and reacts very easily to steering impulses. As a manoeuvrable light wind board for tricks and especially as a children's board, the concept is really well suited, because due to its shortness it turns really quickly even with small sails under 3.5 square metres. The fact that the straight-line performance in light winds is not ideal is the expected downside of the concept, as the Windsurf 250 simply lacks the necessary length. However, as the board brings a lot of fin area into the water, upwind running in light winds is perfectly acceptable - but the centre fin should definitely be fitted to minimise lateral drift. And the suitability for planing winds? First things first: As with many inflatable concepts, you shouldn't expect the sporty, free riding feeling that you might be familiar with from fixed freeride boards. Although the glued-on edge in the tail area helps to minimise the riding resistance and to get into planing quite quickly, the performance of the board is limited by the soft and unprofiled plastic fins. It hardly feels like you're flying, more like a muted "three-quarter glide" - which can also be fun.
surf conclusion: For only 699 euros you get a very attractive board, which works particularly well as a manoeuvrable fun board in light winds and as a children's board. Glide surfing is also possible with restrictions. If you also want to paddle or windsurf regularly, you should opt for a longer version with better directional stability.
Info: www.stxparts.com
