Like new born
New outline, new volume flow, deck and hull made entirely of carbon - even the structure of the footpads has been rethought on the Air 7. The nose, which is tapered for a freestyle board, and the very flat rocker line are particularly striking. What's more, it is screwed into a trimmable US box using an FCS spanner. The supplied MFC fin measures 21 centimetres. The simple foot straps also bear the logo of the Maui Fin Company and are particularly easy to adjust to the typical freestyle size, although they are attached in the classic way using a Phillips screwdriver. The curved kicktail on the rear footpad, which is unusual for freestyle boards, emphasises the brand's wave background.
Finely balanced, easy to control
The board feels very smooth underfoot as soon as you jump on it - more cushioned than particularly lively. The board glides harmoniously for a freestyler with comparatively little physical effort. The new footpads are grippy and moderately soft. Thanks to the flat rocker line right up to the front and the pronounced vee, the 61 centimetre wide board surfs almost freeride-like comfortably and is easy to control in every situation. This smooth ride provides the necessary confidence to switch to switch at full throttle or to duck the sail without hesitation even in choppy conditions. The 21 mm fin with its relatively high grip also shows its strengths here. If you are looking for a slightly looser feel, you can play with the fin position in relation to the rear footstrap before buying a smaller fin thanks to the US box.
It no longer feels like freeriding when the Air 7 is in the air, because then the compact vehicle whirls easily in all directions with consistently good control. The tail, which is thinner than its predecessor, is reactive and likes to pop out of the water twice in a row (for double moves), but still offers enough platform for sliding. The tapered nose provides security when landing hard power moves and helps the flat shape to cut through chop more cleanly. However, it also took some getting used to at the beginning (for sliding moves), as in combination with the Vee pulled forward in the underwater hull, it slides over the water surface more slowly and feels slightly less buoyant.
Conclusion on the Goya Air 7
The new Air7 from Goya is modern and radical, yet not too radical, but finely balanced. For freestylers who like it particularly lively and loose, the board might seem rather tame. Nevertheless, there are no upper limits.
Technical data Goya Air 7 Pro Carbon
- Sizes 86/92/102 litres
- Lengths 211,6/213,5/213.5 cm
- Widths 60/61/62.6 cm
- Price 2590 Euro
- Info goyawindsurfing.com
Julian Wiemar
Editor surf
