Freestyle and foil sails: Severne R4D - Balz Müller's signature sail put to the test

Four battens - that's what makes up the "4" in R4D (=RAD) and represents a significant difference to the classic five-batten freestyle sail "Freek" from Severne. The narrow and high-cut manoeuvre sail is not intended to replace the Freek in the future, but merely the Foilfreek in the range and offer a combination solution for "funboarding" in any conditions. The Swiss rider uses the outdated term, which Balz is reviving, to emphasise his playful surfing style, regardless of the board, the conditions and with or without a foil. The high-quality, red cloth with the small flames in the top area and logos in Balz's handwriting, which overall appears somewhat more robust than its very minimalist predecessor (Foilfreek), should always provide the right drive for this.

More than just a freestyle sail

From the very first few metres, it becomes clear that there is more to the 5.2 R4D than a conventional freestyle sail: especially in the larger sizes (from 5.2 m2 upwards), it has been given a good touch of freemove-like power and control. With more pull on the back hand, it glides off smoothly without much physical effort and picks up every foil from the water at the slightest breeze. It is then immediately stable and invites you to go fast. However, you have to grip it a little more firmly than its predecessor, as it is no longer quite as light and playful in the hands as the Foilfreek. On the other hand, the R4D is much more stable in terms of pressure point, copes well with stronger gusts despite the tight leech and provides a safe ride in every situation.

As the high-powered sail can still be set completely neutral and can therefore be ducked well, it is equally suitable for powerful freestylers who are often out in light winds or generally like it powerful, as well as for manoeuvre-happy freemovers to freeriders who are looking for a sail that is as handy as possible for cruising on the foil or their first attempts at duck jibing.

Surf summary of the Severne R4D

No longer quite as light, but more robust and pressure point stable than its predecessor, the amazingly user-friendly Severne R4D covers a wide range of manoeuvre surfing on fin and foil.

Technical data Severne R4D

• Sizes: 4,0/4,4/4,8/5,2/5,8/6,4 m2
• Luff: 400/416/433/446/463/480 cm
• Boom: 145/149/152/162/168/180 cm
• Weight 5.2 m2: 2.92 kilos
• Price: 829 Euro
• Info under severnesails.com