The Hover Ascend was already given a comprehensive update during the transition from 2023 to the 2024 season (HERE you can find a test report of the Hover Ascend 2024). But the 2025 version can also boast some changes.
On land
Compared to the predecessor model, the Naish the model Hover Ascend The board has a slightly more compact design and the real lengths are on average around two centimetres shorter. However, the underwater hull has undergone major changes, with the rocker line further optimised for early take-off and redesigned edges to make the board more stable in the water when standing up and launching. The shape in the tail area has not been touched, where a sharp tear-off edge should prevent the board from sticking to the water in the planing phase. A large and pleasantly grippy deck pad has been glued to the deck area, there are numerous loop plugs for a wide variety of positions, as well as carrying handles on the top and bottom. Speaking of foot straps: These are not included in the scope of delivery! The low weight of the carbon construction board is striking; our test model with 82 litres weighed in at just 5.54 kilos. The board is available in eight sizes from 62 to 142 litres.
On the water
82 litres - depending on the rider's weight, this can be quite a small board. What is striking about the new Hover Ascend, however, is how stable the board is in the water. We can only speculate whether this is due to the shape of the bevels, i.e. the bevelled edges, but in any case the board wedges itself noticeably into the water when standing up and starting off, offering above-average stability. As soon as you have a bit of pull in the wing, however, the new shape quickly frees up and efficiently converts pumping into speed; the slightly sticky feeling of older hover shapes is completely absent. In our opinion, Naish has achieved a very good compromise between tipping stability, planing performance and compact feel with the 2025 version, because as soon as the board is in the air, it hangs lightly and lively on the foot. The flat deck shape offers enough space to move the feet and if the edge touches the water on the cross or in manoeuvres, the shape forgives this without any major braking effect. The fact that the Hover Ascend Carbon Ultra has also improved a lot on jumps and freestyle tricks compared to its predecessor is partly due to its slightly more compact dimensions, but above all due to the board's low weight. Whether you are trying your first jumps or rotating through front flips, the board is wonderfully light and playful on your feet.
Naish Hover Ascend Carbon Ultra - the conclusion
The Naish Hover Ascend Carbon Ultra combines good light wind performance with plenty of potential for manoeuvres and freestyle. If you are primarily looking for a light wind board and only jump sporadically, the lower wind limit can be reached with the Midlength model Hover Downwind Crossover in-house, however, it can be pushed even further. However, as an all-rounder for freeride, freestyle rotations and manoeuvres, the Hover Ascend is absolutely recommendable.
Weight; manoeuvres & jumps
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No straps included in the scope of delivery
Naish Hover Ascend - technical data
- Price: 1499 Euro >> available here
- Test model: Naish Hover Ascend 82
- Length: 5'1'' (156 cm)
- Width: 25'' (53.5 cm)
- Weight (own measurement, without straps): 5.54 kilos
- Volume: 82 litres
- Available sizes: 4'10''x62 l // 4'11'' x72 // 5'1''x82 // 5'5''x92 // 5'7''x102 // 5'8''x112 // 6'2''x122 // 6'4''x142 litres
- Scope of delivery: Board
