Fanatic became Duotone in 2023 (HERE is an interview about the background). The newly designed Grip 3 model is therefore the legitimate successor to the Fanatic Mamba (Click here for the test).
On land:
Compared to the second model from Duotone, the Grip 4, the Grip 3 has a visibly wider tail, a flatter rocker line and a comparatively parallel outline. The board should therefore glide early, carve in a controlled manner and score points in typical Euro wave conditions. At a measured 6.08 kilos, the board is significantly lighter than its predecessor. A short mast track is installed in the deck, pads and straps are extremely comfortable, the straps are completely double and therefore very solidly screwed together. The underwater hull has quite a lot of "V" at the front and a pronounced double concave, which should make the board soft in the chop. In the rail area, the rocker is slightly more rounded.
On the water:
The Duotone Grip 3 has above-average stability in the water. Because the board planes harmoniously and converts gusts into speed well, the result is a riding characteristic that benefits both cracks and less experienced wave surfers. When powered up, the board runs with very good control, starts to chop smoothly and runs through the choppy waves almost as if on rails - which means you can immediately start looking for suitable ramps. Nevertheless, the Grip 3 never feels boring or even slow, and even fans of free-flying boards will not be disappointed, as the Duotone model provides a sporty and fast riding experience.
This easy-going characteristic continues seamlessly on the wave: the Duotone Grip 3 pulls through the bottom turn with optimum control and plenty of edge grip, especially in medium and wide radii. Even on less smooth waves, the board hardly tends to fidget and therefore offers the necessary safety to aim for the lip of the wave. The fact that the board picks up speed well through the turn also improves the chance of a crisp cutback. In general, however, the Grip 3 is best suited to medium radii; the board can only be turned really tightly and radically with significantly more pressure. However, the board does not come close to the radicality of some of its competitors, even under the threat of force.
Duotone Grip 3 - the conclusion:
The Duotone Grip 3 turns out to be a planing board that is particularly easy to ride and feels right at home on the North and Baltic Seas. The shape also takes trips into shallow water without a murmur. Those who surf waves at a high level and love wave moves such as 360s and radical cutbacks should orientate themselves towards the Grip 4. This is slightly less planing, but also more manoeuvrable and more agile in the radii. One Read the test of the unchanged Grip 4 HERE.
Gliding, control, carving
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Technical data Duotone Grip 3
- Weight: 6.08 kg
- Length: 218.5 cm
- Width: 58.4 cm
- Price: 2699 Euro >> e.g. available here
