Test-The Flow Of Evolution

Hot off the 2020 production line, we have nine exciting and eye-catching wave boards in the test lineup to whet your appetite. Some of the boards were so eagerly anticipated, that the first delivery had already sold from pre-order, meaning we had to patiently wait for the second shipments to drop before we got our hands on them! Of the nine here, six hail from completely new ranges for the coming season, making it quite possibly one of the biggest refreshes the wave market has seen for some time. And since we’ve already been experiencing some excellent autumn conditions, there has been plenty of kit and conditions for our test team to get their teeth into.

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FINDINGS

Unlike seasons past, when new concepts and revolutions have ap-peared on the scene to grab the limelight, we believe 2020 will go down as a year of subtle yet significant evolution in wave board design. There has undoubtedly been a gradual blurring in the line between compact and conventional designs. Sure, there are still some visual hallmarks between the two, yet it is unquestionable that the progression and development in compact design has pushed performance in the conventional too. After all, it’s the natural path for iterative design: see what works by making bold leaps, then whittle down the design to identify the most defining attribute before integrating the features into existing lines to improve their performance as well. Whether it be subtle changes in outline, rocker, volume distribution, rider stance or bottom shape, the changes have come about through many prototypes and countless hours R&D from each brand. As a result, the new designs seem to get going sooner; they point higher and reach faster speeds than their predecessors. All qualities that, in effect, make them easier to use than ever before … and there is a lot to be said for plug and play comfort! Your time on the water is precious, so why bother struggling? You want something that flatters your riding style or ambition, and makes you feel like you’re sailing like the pro you aspire to!