Test 2017: Inflatable Windsurfboards

A two-metre bathroom gap - at least for some boards this cheeky comparison is allowed - is just about to accelerate inflatable windsurfing to such an extent, just as the development of the first really fast cars depended largely on the often underestimated but necessarily resilient tyres. A narrow, sharp rubber tear-off edge around the tail first opened up the new dimension of planing surfing for inflatable boards. At 14 or 15 km/h, when boards without this edge simply suck themselves further and further into the water with the rounded tail, the current tears off cleanly and the weightless gliding ride begins. With a top speed potential of over 40 km/h on smooth water - a considerable goal for beginners. What's more, the inflatables are virtually indestructible during surfing and transport. Also ideal for transport in a boat or motorhome.

The differences in performance compared to hard boards are melting away in fast motion: A board like the JP Magic Air accepts pumping willingly and at least keeps up with a heavier Magic Ride with a glued-on nose cap over longer distances. The far greater difference in the comparison is the riding experience. An "Air" board has a softer feel, it is more likely to set in at the front, a slight "rubber hum" permanently permeates the hull during fast planing.

Still quite fast in light winds, at some point the rubber bullets pull the speed brake. Not much more than 36 km/h was possible in wavy conditions, even with the wind in the room. Then the cruise control switches on. And yet all the testers were amazed by the potential of the current boards.

With a lot of experience with inflatable SUPs, the windsurf boards are also neatly glued with sensible reinforcements. Stiff enough for fast gliding even at top speeds of almost 40 km/h in flat water. In addition to triple-reinforced edges and additional PVC "stringers" glued on lengthways, the "DropStitch" technology in particular ensures the massive strength of all inflatable SUP and windsurf boards - the deck and underside are held together by thousands of threads.

Nevertheless, even manufacturers warn that performance should be assessed with caution. The rocker line, i.e. the bend in the underwater hull, cannot yet be guaranteed to be absolutely reproducible, and larger tolerances cannot be avoided with inflatable products. If a board comes out of the factory bent like a banana, even the good gliding properties are gone. Nevertheless, these boards offer an interesting alternative for beginners. However, those who already come from normal windsurf boards will find it more difficult to get used to them. Not only because of the ride feeling, which still takes some getting used to, but also because of the very clear difference in performance compared to really light, good freeride boards - from planing to top speed with differences of easily 20 to 30 per cent.

We tested these inflatable windsurf boards - the entire test with all the results is available as a PDF in the download area below:

Inflatable thoroughbred freerider - JP-Australia Magic Air 150 - RRD Airwindsurf Freeride

Bump & Jump on the rubber bouncy castle - RRD Airwindsurf Freestyle Wave

Gliding with and without centre fin - JP-Australia ExplorAIR 200 - Starboard AirPlane 255 - Starboard AirPlane 270

Surf and SUP instead of sunbathing Fanatic Viper Air 315

Border crosser: solid at the front, inflatable at the back - I-99 Duo Wind Elite 140

Downloads:

Inflatable Windsurfboards (pdf)