Ultra Grip, Grip 3 and Ultra Freewave: Duotone gives a first look at the 2026 waveboard models

With Ultra Grip, Grip 3 and the Ultra Freewave, Duotone is sticking with the familiar names but has completely revised the shapes. According to the manufacturer, all three boards benefit from Duotone's switch to exclusive full custom production, which should take the weight-to-durability ratio to a new level. The development with the in-house AI_BOARD_3D software should also enable previously unrivalled complex shaping tasks.

At the centre of the new developments is Duotone's philosophy with the sonorous name "Stable Yet Radical Concept". According to the manufacturer, this means no more than that: The waveboards are 1-2 cm wider than most competitor models. "The greater width results in a more stable platform. This makes our waveboards as stable and energy-saving as a five-litre larger board when drifting/floating and in white water," promises Duotone. "Above all, however, the additional width leads to more outline curve. This improves manoeuvrability, making the board turn as radically as a five-litre smaller board."

Three-stage rocker line for optimised wave performance

For the new wave boards, Duotone has opted for a three-stage, segmented rocker line. This is designed to meet the different requirements of bottom and top turns: "While the bottom turn is initiated more via the front foot (depending on the height of the wave), the top turn is only surfed via the back foot. This change in posture is the biggest challenge, especially when learning to ride waves - which becomes much easier with our '3-stage rocker'," is the promise. The straight rocker section between the straps creates a stable platform, while the bow rocker starts directly in front of the front straps and the tail rocker transitions into a progressive tail kick.

And another shape approach with a full-bodied name: According to Duotone, the "Synched Curves Concept" optimally synchronises outline, rocker and edge shape. In areas with an increased rocker curve, the outline curve is also increased and the edges have a stronger curvature. "As far as we know, this complex 3D task can only be performed by our own AI_BOARD_3D software," says Duotone. "We started testing this concept on existing boards and the improvements on each board were so overwhelming that we have integrated this design concept into all 2026 boards."

Three models for different areas of application

The Ultra Grip and the Grip 3 were developed as World Cup waveboards. The Ultra Grip focusses on ground swell and Euro waves with lots of wind, ideal for spots such as Maui, Cape Town or Brittany. In the customised version, the board can be ordered with a quad or thrister setup from size 82 upwards, depending on your preference. The Grip 3 is designed for Euro waves and logo-high ground swell, perfect for locations such as Klitmøller or the Canary Islands.

The Ultra Freewave completes the line-up as a versatile bump & jump board. According to Duotone, it is based on a new school freestyle shape that has been optimised for maximum acceleration and control. At the same time, it also works in logo-high side-on waves. "With the Ultra FreeWave, we primarily wanted to move away from the typical "do it all" compromise board," says Duotone, describing the development approach. The second priority was to develop a board that works in both single and tri-fin setups and changes its character depending on the fin configuration: "With the tri-fin setup, it offers 70% of the wave potential of the Grip 3, with a single-fin setup it now feels much more exciting than its predecessor, combined with a pure freestyle fin, the FreeWave offers 70% of the freestyle potential of the Skate," promises Duotone. The Duotone Freewave is available in three construction types: E/LAB, SLS and PVC Wood.

Technical specifications

Duotone Ultra Grip E/LAB

Duotone Grip 3 E/LAB

Duotone Ultra FreeWave

More info at duotonesports.com/en/windsurfing/boards/wave